Making Your Choice: HPS vs. LED Grow Lights

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LED grow lighting is often touted as the best grow light solution on the market. It’s undoubtedly one of the most popular, and many grow light specialists would happily recommend it. 

However, it’s important to note that it’s also not the only grow lighting option available. As a result, you might like to weigh the pros and cons of other popular grow lights before making your final decision. 

Learn more about LED and HPS grow lights below, and purchase the best lighting solution for your needs with more confidence. 

What Are HPS Grow Lights?

HPS grow lights are high-pressure sodium lamps that emit large amounts of light and are classed as high light intensity. They tend to be brighter than fluorescent lights and get their orange-white light from the combination of gasses and metal within their glass tubes. 

These days, they are most often used in security and street lighting, but they remain popular in plant growing operations. This is because high-quality HPS grow lights have been engineered to allow for superior plant growth. The reddish output resembles natural sunlight, while the enhanced spectrum with an increased blue range promotes vegetation growth. 

If you currently use HPS grow lights, you likely know how beautifully they maintain their brightness. However, to ensure your plants can benefit from them as long as possible, consider replacing them after 12 to 18 months of frequent use. 

What Are LED Grow Lights?

LED grow lights are undoubtedly among the most popular options on the market for small and large growers. They consist of individual light-emitting diodes with a heat sink and built-in fans, and they produce the highest photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) of any light on the market. 

Nearly all high-quality LEDs use AC/DC and DC/DC power, ensuring a continuous direct current and power regulation to prevent premature failure. As a result, you can generally enjoy tens of thousands of hours out of individual bulbs. 

Interestingly, most LEDs have a limited colour range, which means coloured LEDs are added to grow lights based on what people are using them for. For example, root formation, flowering, and plant growth might all benefit from green, blue, red, and far-red colours. 

Some studies have also indicated that red and blue light might allow for cost-effective plant growth and that the addition of green might also aid in growth. 

Benefits of HPS Grow Lights

Choosing the best type of grow lights to suit your unique setup can be challenging, but understanding the benefits of HPS grow lights might make the decision-making process much easier. 

Intense Light

The intense amount of light that HPS grow lights can produce make them stand out from the crowd. Many gardeners notice increased flowering and overall plant yield when using this light type over others. 

Wide Variety of Options on the Market

While LED lights are among the most popular grow lights for sale, there is still an abundance of HPS grow lights that might grab your attention. 

For example, the Hortivision 600W HPS light kit offers a vast amount of light for entry-level or budget growers. These kits have dimmable ballasts with boost mode, a 2000K HPS bulb, a jack chain for hanging, and a super reflector. You can then choose to pair it with the Hortivision 3000K 600w CMH bulb. 

You might also see the value in the DLI Joule-Series 1000 DE HPS Fixture. This top-of-the-line HPS fixture boasts a longer bulb life and more efficient photosynthesis, which is crucial for plant health. 

Low Startup Costs

When you’re on a budget, you might find that many HPS light kits and setups are more affordable to buy than LED, even if their ongoing costs might be higher. 

Benefits of LED Grow Lights

LED bulbs are in almost every lighting product we use today, and there must be a reason for that. Perhaps not surprisingly, there are many benefits associated with LED bulbs and LED grow light kits. 

Longer Lifespan

The longer lifespan of LED lights compared to traditional lights is perhaps one of the most standout benefits of LED lights. 

Their lower operating temperatures mean it’s not uncommon to have bulbs last as long as 50,000 hours before needing to be replaced. 

Energy Savings

While HPS light kits tend to have lower purchase prices, the energy savings of LED  grow lights can more than make up for that. Energy-efficient LED fixtures can often consume up to 50 percent less power than older light technologies. 

The average LED grow light will also draw just 32 watts for one square foot of growing space compared to 62.5 watts per square foot for a 16 square-foot growing area with older technology.

Less Heat

LED lights produce fewer watts, which generally translates to less heat in your growing environment. The hottest outside area of an LED light bulb is still around half the temperature of an incandescent or halogen bulb of the same brightness. They are also around 20 percent cooler than CFL bulbs. 

With less heat produced, you can also enjoy being able to place your grow lights closer to plants than you might be able to with other options. The closer you can place your lights to the plants, the more light penetration the plant canopies can enjoy. 

Purchase High-Quality Grow Lights Today

Everyone’s growing setup is different, which means everyone’s light needs are also different. Once you’ve weighed up the pros and cons of LED and HPS grow lights, you’ll be able to purchase the best grow lights for your unique situation. 

If you’re having trouble deciding, contact the friendly team at Indoor Grow. They will be only too happy to offer helpful advice to ensure you can make an informed decision.

What are the differences between HPS and LED grow lights?

The differences between HPS and LED grow lights are that HPS lights emit more heat, require more energy, have a shorter lifespan, and emit a broader spectrum of light. In comparison, LED lights emit less heat, require less energy, have a longer lifespan, and emit a targeted light spectrum.

Is there a significant price difference between HPS and LED grow lights?

There is a significant price difference between HPS and LED grow lights. LED lights are generally more expensive upfront but offer cost savings in the long run due to their energy efficiency and longer lifespan.