Best Lights for Microgreens: Top Picks and Buying Guide

Do you need to create an ideal growing environment indoors?

If your answer is YES to all these questions, then you need the best lights for microgreens. They will provide supplemental lighting when there is no sun, making sure that your plants will not end up fragile.

Read on as we talk about some of the most popular growing lights to consider. These products can provide the right lighting intensity to encourage optimal growth.

Top Choice: 

More than the reputation of the manufacturer, the GE Lighting Grow Light BR30 LED Light Bulb is our favorite because of its energy efficiency, low heat output, and balanced light spectrum. The light has a soft and natural hue, which makes it gentle to the human eyes.

Our Top Picks for the Best Lights for Microgreens 

Help speed up the growth of your microgreens and reap a bountiful harvest. Below are some of the top-rated grow lights that will make a great addition to your indoor setup.

1. GE Lighting Grow Light BR30 LED Light Bulb – Best Overall 

It might seem like an ordinary light bulb at first, but when you look closer at its specs and features, you will see that it is a great option for microgreens. Not to mention, it is from a reliable brand, so we are confident that the quality is second to none.

Among others, one thing that makes it stand out is the advanced LED technology. This is responsible for its energy efficiency.

Under normal use, it only has an output of nine watts. This way, it creates a high output without too much heat. The soft and natural light that it generates is perfect even for fragile microgreens.

More so, this GE grow light is incredible because of its high Photosynthetic Photon Flux (PPF). It has 16 micromoles per second. The latter is a measurement of the photosynthetically active photons that the light releases per second. It has the highest PPF available, so it is highly effective for ensuring growth.

The balanced light spectrum is another good reason to choose this grow light. It has both red and blue light spectrums, which will support microgreens at all stages. It also helps in encouraging flowering and fruiting.

Key Features and Specs: 

• Light Type: LED bulb
• Rated Life: 25,000 hours
• Bulb Color: White
• Wattage: 9 watts
• Warranty: Three years

Pros: 

• Affordable
• Ideal for small spaces
• Generates high output with low heat
• Has a soft and natural white light
• Perfect for all growth stages

Cons: 

• Can create a buzzing sound
• Burns out within a short time

Verdict 

With its affordable, high output, low heat, and incredible energy efficiency, this light is one of the most effective on this list, supporting microgreens at all stages of their growth.

Overall Rating: 4.9 out of 5 

2. MARS HYDRO TS 600W LED Grow Light – Runner-Up 

Grow microgreens successfully even without sunlight with this product. It has a full spectrum, making sure that it provides the lighting needs of microgreens at all stages.

Looking at its features, one of the most notable is its high energy efficiency. Despite being powerful, it consumes only 100 watts. Even if you leave it on for a long time, no need to worry that it will cause your energy bills to shoot up.

Additionally, the grow light comes with a high reflective sink, which also contributes to its energy efficiency. It has an aluminum shield, which allows heat to disperse without losing its effectiveness. This will increase the coverage area while also preventing too much heat.

A lot of the grow lights have fans for effective heat management, which can be noisy. Good thing, this product does not have a fan. This means that there is no annoying sound, so it is great even for tiny rooms.

Despite the good things, it has some drawbacks. For instance, it does not come with an on/off switch. Plus, you cannot dim the light if you wish.

Key Features and Specs: 

• Light Type: LED
• Number of LEDs: 225
• Wattage: 100 watts
• Coverage: 2 x 2 feet for vegetative stage and 1.5 x 1.5 feet for bloom stage

Pros: 

• Large coverage
• Excellent build quality
• High energy efficiency
• Has a built-in fan

Cons: 

• No dual-mode switch
• Non-dimmable

Verdict 

With 225 LEDs, this grow light is known for its great energy efficiency, aluminum heat sink, and fan-less design that makes it operate quietly.

Overall Rating: 4.8 out of 5 

3. Barrina T5 Grow Lights – Best Full Spectrum 

With its full spectrum, this light helps bring your microgreens into life. From the early to late stages of development, it can provide effective supplemental lighting. Best of all, it consumes only 80 watts, so you will love its energy efficiency. Even with continuous operation, you don’t have to worry about its electricity consumption.

Right out of the box, the installation of this grow light is effortless. It has plug-and-play functionality, so you don’t have to deal with complicated wiring. Within minutes, the lights are ready!

More so, it is inclusive of almost everything that you will need in one kit. Aside from the eight T5 grow lights, you will also receive four power cords with an on and off switch, seven connecting cords, eight small connectors, eight installation clips, 24 double-sided tapes, and 24 zip ties.

We also like how the lights have separate controls. This way, you can choose which one should be on or off. Nonetheless, take note that it does not come with a built-in dimmer, but you can use an external one.

Key Features and Specs: 

• Light Type: LED
• Number of LEDs: 400
• Wattage: 80 watts
• Warranty: Two years

Pros: 

• Easy installation
• Offers several customization options
• Energy-efficient

Cons: 

• Prone to electrical shocks

Verdict 

A complete kit with eight T5 grow lights, this product stands out because of its easy installation, energy efficiency, and options for customization.

Overall Rating: 4.7 out of 5 

4. VIPARSPECTRA 300W LED Grow Light

Equipped with dual-chip LEDs, this is another effective product for growing microgreens. It generates full-spectrum lighting, including infrared, which will support the growth of your plants through all its stages.

One of the best things about this product is its daisy chain function, which means that you can link several lights when you need multiple units. This will simplify the connections. Each unit has a power plug, which also doubles as a daisy chain.

The efficient cooling system is another compelling reason to choose this grow light. Even with continuous operation, it won’t get hot. This will also prevent burning microgreens, especially those with high heat sensitivity. It has a built-in aluminum heat sink and a quiet fan. The latter keeps the system running smoothly without annoying noise.

For your peace of mind, it is also good to know that it comes with a two-year warranty. Plus, you have 30 days to try the product. If you are unhappy in any way, let the manufacturer know, and you will receive an unconditional refund.

Key Features and Specs: 

• Wattage: 600 watts
• Coverage Area: 2.5 x 2.5 feet for vegetative stage, 2 x 2 feet for flowering stage
• Lifespan: 100,000 hours
• Warranty: Two years
• Dimensions: 11.7 x 7.9 x 2.7 inches

Pros: 

• Daisy chain connection
• Excellent heat dissipation
• Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee

Cons: 

•  Some parts can be flimsy

Verdict 

With its daisy chain functionality, quiet fan, aluminum heatsink, and 30-day satisfaction guarantee, this grow light for microgreens deserve a spot on this list.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 

5. SPIDER FARMER SF-1000 LED Grow Light 

One of the first things that you will notice in this grow light is its price. Yes, it is expensive, but that should not give you the reason to ditch it. The light has top-notch features and superior performance, making it worth every dollar.

Equipped with Samsung diodes, this grow light has an innovative design that promises a more abundant yield. It has high energy efficiency and large coverage with deep light penetration for the best in terms of effectiveness.

Another compelling reason to choose this product is its durable construction. Even after years of use, we are confident that it will deliver optimal performance. It has a thick aluminum heat sink, which allows effective heat management even if it does not come with a built-in fan. It is also water-resistant.

The dimmer knob is one more feature that we love. This way, you can adjust the brightness of the grow light, depending on what is most suitable for the specific stage of growth of the microgreens.

Key Features and Specs: 

• Power Draw: 100 watts
• Maximum Yield: 2.5 grams/watt
• Lifespan: 100,000 hours
• Warranty: Three years

Pros: 

• Has a thick heat sink
• Works for all growth stages
• Solid construction

Cons: 

• Does not have an internal fan

Verdict

From its aluminum heat sink to the dimmer knob, this grow light has tons of features that make it another notable option to consider.

Overall Rating: 4.4 out of 5

6. VIVOSUN T5 Grow Lights 

Concluding our list is a grow light with four bulbs and a length of two feet. It has two hanging cables, which will let you easily position the light on the top of your microgreens. Plus, if you need generous coverage, then you can use the daisy chain link to connect several units.

The high-output tubes can generate up to 2,000 lumens each. Compared to standard lights, it has a higher output, which makes it more powerful.

Another exceptional feature is the ultra-reflective surface, which allows it to generate more light while using less energy. The reflective aluminum housing is powder-coated to maximize the light output.

More so, it comes with two on and off switches for versatility. This way, you do not have to use all four lights at a time, which is a great way to cut energy costs.

Key Features and Specs: 

• Lighting Type: T5 fluorescent
• Combined output: 8,000 lumens
• Wattage: 24 watts

Pros: 

• Easy to clean
• Has a daisy chain for continuous connection
• Long-lasting

Cons: 

• Can be difficult to hang

Verdict 

From its high combined output of four fluorescents to the ultra-reflective surface, this is another effective grow light for your microgreens.

Overall Rating: 4.3 out of 5 

Choosing the Best Lights for Microgreens 

Not all grow lights will yield the same outcome for your microgreens. Make a well-informed choice and consider the following:

Type of Light 

One of the most important is the type of light to use. The latter impacts energy efficiency and effectiveness.

• LED: This is the best option for growing microgreens. They produce no or minimal heat and are also known for their energy efficiency. They also contain fewer heavy metals compared to other types and have no electrical interference.
• Fluorescent: It uses an electric current to activate mercury vapor. In turn, the light generates short-wave ultraviolet. Meanwhile, the photons collide with a phosphor coating, which is then responsible for producing light. However, it contains a toxic coating and is not long-lasting.
• Incandescent: A traditional option for indoor lighting, this is no longer popular today. Incandescent lights have a wire filament that electric current heats. One of the problems with this lighting option is that it generates excessive heat.

Colors 

The colors or spectrum affect the compatibility of the light to the microgreen, especially in terms of its growth stage. For the best results, we recommend picking one that generates a full spectrum. The combination of all colors will support the healthy growth of your microgreens.

Wattage 

One of the most important technical specifications to look at is the wattage, which measures the amount of electricity the light uses at a specific point. The higher the wattage, the brighter the light. Meanwhile, the lower the wattage, the lesser power it consumes. Ideally, each light should have at least 20 watts.

Energy Efficiency

Lights for microgreens operate continuously or for an extended time. This makes it vital to pick one that has incredible energy efficiency, so you can save money on electricity. LEDs are great because they are known for their minimal power consumption while maintaining superb performance.

FAQs

• Why do microgreens need lights? 

Like other plants, microgreens need light for photosynthesis. More so, the lack of proper lighting can result in wilting, yellowing of the leaves, and stunted growth. It will limit your harvest and can also slow down growth.

• How many hours of lighting do microgreens need? 

The lighting requirements of microgreens vary depending on the specific type and the intensity of the lights that you will use. Generally speaking, microgreens will need at least 12 hours of artificial light. Meanwhile, if it is natural night, four to six hours will suffice.

• Can microgreens get too much light? 

Yes, microgreens can get too much light. Especially when the light is too hot, prolonged exposure can kill the microgreens.

Conclusion 

If we have to pick a winner in this best lights for microgreens roundup, it would be the GE Lighting Grow Light BR30 LED Light Bulb. It has a full-balanced spectrum, which allows the light to support all stages of growth. Not to mention, it generates minimal heat and consumes minimal power without compromising its overall performance.