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What to Look for When Shopping For Grow Tents with LED Lights

Ever since I started indoor gardening and practicing hydroponics I quickly realized how indispensable grow tents are. Sure, you can place grow lights over plants out in the open and you’ll get growth, but is not the same growth that you will get in a controlled environment that grow tents will provide you.

If you’re shopping for a grow tent with LED lights, (which I recommend Amazon.com for the best grow tent deals) you’ve already decided that energy efficiency is a key criterion. With that in mind, having a grow tent with excellent light reflectivity to maximize the luminosity of the area without having to install secondary lights or reflectors is probably something you’d appreciate.

In the same vein, having a grow tent with good insulation, whether keeping the warm air inside the tent or minimizing drafts that let moisture escape and bugs in probably matters to you.

The best grow tent, though, will also depend on the application. Some people want a small grow tent for a mother plant, while others want a grow tent to give them the same environmental control as a greenhouse for a large crop but without the attendant expense. Ease of access is a given, but whether or not you need dividers to maintain two or more crop stages at once or tool storage depends on you preferences.

And the value of all in one kits containing both LED lights and the grow tent depends on the equipment you may already have versus what you need and the kit contains. Without further ado, Here are some of the best choices in my opinion when looking for grow tents that come with led lights. I have not personally tested all of these but from my years of experience they seem pretty promising in order to help with your plant yields this year.


TopoGrow 300 Watt LED Complete Kit

The TopoGro grow tent is 32” square by 63” tall, enough to fit in many closets or a corner of a living room. The kit, though, comes with everything you need. It comes with a right-sized LED light, a basic 4” fan, ducting and air filter.

You get everything you need to grow several mother plants or a small crop. And the grow kit literally lets you grow almost anything, since the full spectrum light supports everything from seedling germination to the flowering stage. The tent itself is waterproof on the inside and light proof on the outside.

You can spray water on the crop and not worry about damaging the tent, while the exterior means that the bright lights on the inside won’t bother you even if you’re close to it. It is easy to assemble and just as simple to maintain.

The only downsides that I see and according to customer reviews are that it doesn’t always come with all the connecting hardware and you don’t get a light timer with this kit.

Current price and customer reviews below:


TopoLite 300W LED Compete Grow Tent Kit

The TopoLite Grow Tent is another kit, grow tent and all. The grow tent’s dimensions are 20″x20″x48”. I actually own this grow tent kit myself. Not a bad tent, but I wouldn’t consider it my favorite one although I am actively using it.

The tent itself could actually fit in a closet or fit easily in a corner of your house, although for aesthetic reasons I would try to keep your growing tents out of sight as best as possible. Ideally, if you have a basement that’s where you should place your grow tents which is what I do since I have a basement.

The later scenario is good for having multiple grow tents in order to maintain several different crops that need different environmental conditions. This of course will depend on how big your basement is.

The kit comes with a 300 Watt LED grow light and pre-cut vent holes. The LED light although it produces 300 Watts which I have confirmed myself, does not compare with a grow light such as the GalaxyHydro 300W or other 300W grow lights that I have reviewed in other posts but it will be enough especially for beginners.

The TopoLite does not come with a fan or the vents themselves like other kits do which is one of the things I didn’t like about the kit. If you understand the side hardware that you’ll need you won’t have issues putting this tent together, but if you already have the hardware or can get it easily, everything snaps together quickly.

Current price and customer reviews below:


Casolly 32″x32″x64″ Hydroponic Grow Tent

I know what you’re going to think, this tent is not a complete kit and furthermore does not come with a light. However, the tent itself is very high quality and so easy to install almost any small to medium size grow light in it. I should know because I personally own a Casolly. Here’s a pic of my light setup. Click on the pic to the right to make it bigger.

The Casolly brand grow tent is a sturdy, basic grow tent. It has a highly reflective interior surface and light-blocking exterior. It has a convenient access door, pre-cut vent holes and easily assembled push-lock connectors which are further reasons why I like it so much. The vent holes and zippers keep in both moisture and light.

It’s durable and solid; the frame is strong enough to let you hang grow lights, fans and grow filters from them, up to 110 pounds. The tent also comes with a floor tray you can use when growing seedlings which comes in very handy.

A rare thing now a days with products but the assembly instructions that this unit comes with are written in a way that even beginners can figure out. The manufacturer has a good warranty and equally good customer service according to Amazon customer reviews because I haven’t had to personally contact them. I highly recommend this tent.

Current price and customer reviews below:


Oppolite Grow Tent Kit

The Oppolite Grow Tent Kit is intended for those who need both plenty of light and plenty of space. The tent itself is 48” by 48”. This is a nice size especially if you have a large crop that your working with.

The Oppolite itself is 80” tall, which is also perfect for those who want to step in and walk around without having to constantly hunch over. This grow tent also comes with a window to let you check on the crop without having to open the door. Now how cool is that!

The kit comes with a 1200 Watt full spectrum LED light perfect for sun-loving plants. This grow tent and supporting equipment is perfect for fruits, vegetables and herbs. The LED grow lights have an even light distribution and deep penetration, perfect for growing bushy plants and thick flowering plants.

On a personal level I am considering a bigger tent for a large batch of oregano that I’m trying to grow and the Oppolite is definitely on the top of my list because of how much of a punch it packs for for the price.

Current price and customer reviews below:


Viparspectra 36” x 36” Mylar Hydroponic Grow Tent

The Viparspectra 36” square grow tent is perfect for growing a few mid-sized or tall plants. The tent is 72” tall, good for letting someone conveniently access the plants or when raising very tall plants whether on a trellis or a small tree.

This grow tent is simply a grow tent and not a complete kit, no supporting hardware like fans or lights. I simply placed it in the list because Viparspectra is mainly known for their high quality grow lights and I would assume that their grow tents would be just as high in quality.

The tent comes with pre-cut connection points for vents and fans, which helps seal in light and moisture. The tent itself is tear-proof and water-proof and comes with a one year warranty. It has an easily removed floor when it is necessary to clean it which is a very much needed feature in grow tents.

One of the things that I especially like is the fact that the tent is tear proof which I mentioned above, but you won’t end up tearing the light-proof material inside of it when you’re trying to work with your tools which is such a pain when this happens.

Current price and customer reviews below:


iPower 96″x48″x80″ Hydroponic Water-Resistant Grow Tent

Sometimes you need the biggest grow tent you can find that will fit in a master closet or small bedroom. The iPower Mylar Grow Tent is designed for exactly this. It is 96” wide and 48” deep, perfect for hiding away in an unused master closed or a small bedroom.

Again, this is not a complete Grow Tent Kit, but because it is so big and comes with so many features I had to add it to this list. At 78” tall, it also lets you walk around with minimal cramping, but it will also fit under most closet shelves. The tent itself is versatile; you can adjust the vent doors, for example.

The unit has a removable floor tray ideal for growing seedlings which is a feature I really like and wish all grow tents would have. The tent itself is light proof, tear-proof and durable.

Also, the Mylar interior reflects back more than 95% of the grow lamp’s light which helps promote faster blooming and growth for your plants. The poles are strong and stable and allow for you to be able to attach fans or grow lights to the tent bars.

Current price and customer reviews below:


Conclusion

I’m not going to pinpoint just one particular grow tent because these are all great. What I will say is that you have to purchase a grow tent that will meet your hydroponic/indoor gardening needs the best and that it doesn’t break your budget. To learn more about grow tents and their features click here or view the video below:

From personal experience I’ve come to find out that it is almost impossible to grow florae in unsuitable environments. Plants may object to overly cold temperatures or too much dampness. Yet, experienced horticulturalists have the capability of growing seedlings despite these conditions.

They do it by using LED grow lights to imitate the sunlight that enables photosynthesis to take place. Choosing a grow light is a challenge. You have to decide on spectrum, PAR, and penetration. There are so many available on the market today.

Because of this, I decided to list my top 5 favorite LED Grow Lights, that I have personally used and invested money in that brought excellent results in my indoor gardening endeavors. These are not listed in any particular order as that was so tough to do, but what I did was narrowed it down to the top 5 in my personal opinion.

I didn’t add it to this list, but there is a 6th favorite grow light of mine which was worthy of a detailed review of it’s own, and that is the Galaxyhydro 300w LED Grow Light. Without further a do, here are the Top 5 LED Grow Lights of 2018.

GoGrow’s V3 Master Grower LED Grow Light

GoGrow is one of the market’s most trusted suppliers of LED growing systems. They pride themselves on the durability of their grow lights and are conscious of the expense in using these lights over time.

A grow light will operate for approximately eleven hours each day, and if the unit outputs are high, the cost of electricity will increase significantly. This is no longer an issue with their V3. GoGrow uses red LED lights as opposed to the blue variety. The latter consume 50% more power and actually yield poor results.

The V3 is made specifically for home-growing vegetables and flowers. It provides 12 spectrums and a high PAR penetration. If you are a new horticulturalist, you are probably wondering what that all means. People and plants respond differently to light.

If you’re a human, you will be more sensitive to green or yellow light than you are to blue or red. Measuring the intensity of light for plants is a littledifferent. Plants are much more efficient when using red and blue light. PAR simply defines the most optimal kinds of light needed to enable photosynthesis.

While it is true that red LED lights promote better growing conditions than their blue counterparts, red lights are also far more expensive. Some go as high as $1200. The GoGrow V3 will cost a little less than half that.

The main reasons I like the Go Grow V3-Master Grower is that it is small enough to fit in a small grow tent while at the same time filling it with abundant lighting. I was impressed with how much light it gives off with only 130 watts with no excess heat dangerous to your plants.

I haven’t had to contact the company for any support but, according to customer reviews the company is very responsive and helpful and that’s always a plus.

The current price and rating is listed below:


King Plus 1000w LED Grow Light

KingLED’s King Plus is a grow light built with 10W double chips, something seasoned growers are raving about including me. Not only does it use less energy, making it more efficient and brighter, but it also provides a full spectrum of light, making it ideal for a wide range of plants and vegetables that can be grown indoors.

Most scientists agree that wavelengths from 400 to 700 nanometers are sufficient for plant growth, but a full spectrum has a real effect on their development.

The King Plus 1000w has a shelf life of 100,000 hours and can manage even 12 – 14 hour days. It comes with a timer, so you control precisely when the light is used, and the recommended distance to place it above the saplings is only 2 to 3 feet.

It has a coverage area of approximately 3.4 x 3.8 feet, and KingLED provides a 3-year warranty and a 30 day money back guarantee. This light is less expensive than GoGrow’s line of products, but it does requires a fan which is it’s main downside.

I especially like the control of the light exposure it gives off with the built-in timer. The light is large enough to cover a pretty large area of around 4×4 in square footage. The price was another reason why I liked this grow light. I felt that I got a good bang for my buck.

I noticed a discrepancy in how KingLED has measured their product. They are promoting it as 1000w; however, grow light wattage should not be compared to electrical watts. Electricity won’t help your plants grow, but the amount of light that is emitted by a grow light will so I’m not sure what that’s about.

The current price and rating is listed below:


Mars Hydro 300W LED Grow Light

Mars Hydro has created an LED grow light that is getting quite a few positive reviews. Its simulated full spectrum of light operates between 400 and 800 nanometers. This is the measure of the frequency of light in billionths of a meter. Plants can respond to lights in a wider range than humans, so the wider the range, the more conversion of light into photosynthesis.

It is another energy saver that covers a 2 x 2 foot growing area. It is ideal for hydroponics plants which do not necessarily need soil, like basil, lettuce, and spinach as well as other common fruits and vegetables. It comes with an auto-timer and works well in tents, grow rooms, and other indoor environments.

The Mars Hydro grow lamps have the stamp of approval of a nationally recognized testing laboratory and have been tested against ETL standards. That means this product has been tested for safety. It includes a 12-month authentic warranty and a 30-day money back guarantee.

I was skeptical of this grow light the first time I started using it but quickly noticed that is produced quality lighting. This in turn provided fast growth for my plants compared to other lamps that I have used even on this top 5 list.

Unfortunately, the lifespan of this grow light is much shorter than that of equivalent grow lights at 50,000 hours and also it is smaller in size dimensions compared to other models. You may need more than one lamp if you have to cover more than 4×4 square footage of plants.

The current price and rating is listed below:


Apollo Horticulture GL60 Grow Light

The Apollo GL60 is one of the least expensive LED grow lamps on the market and offers many of the same benefits that more expensive lights do. It has a 5 feet square coverage area and only draws 109 watts of power. This might be due to its 6-band spectrum that ranges from 430 to 730 nanometers, which is not too far off from its competitors.

It’s appropriate for tents, greenhouses, H2O systems and most hydroponic systems. It includes a quiet cooling fan and weighs less than other systems. Apollo offers a limited 2-year warranty.

I used this on my plants in one of my grow tents and got some pretty good results. I think it is mainly due to the fact that the light is more concentrated on the plant since it is round which is the reason I wanted to test the Apollo.

I also loved the fact that it is so light and easy to hang and mount inside a grow tent. I can’t say that it’s the best grow light from the other 4 of this Top 5 list but it will do the job well especially if you are not able to shell out big money for a grow lamp.

According to some of the customer reviews on Amazon, there are some downsides to the GL60. The grow lamp has a short shelf life of 50,000 hours, and its limited spectrum that might slow plant growth efficiency. It is not suitable for apartments due to its potential as a fire hazard, and there is a tendency for the panels to go out.

The current price and rating is listed below:


Viparspectra Reflector Series 600w LED Grow Light

Viparspectra has created a full spectrum grow light that is perfectly suitable to growing plants, vegetables, and flowers indoors. It is a powerful light that is perfect for people who are just cutting their teeth as horticulturalists.

The Reflector Series 600w provides outstanding results within all growth stages, and offers a uniform balance of both the PAR output and its coverage. It conserves power and runs approximately 70% cooler than its predecessors.

Additionally, this grow light has an impressive lifespan of 100,000 hours. It provides vegetative coverage of 9 square feet and slightly less for flowering coverage. The Viparspectra has a 3-year warranty as well.

This growing system weighs much more than the average LED grow light and comes in at almost 10 lbs. Its cooling fans have the reputation for making a lot of noise, running hot, and a few other issues. Apart from these few drawbacks, the Viparspectra did a great job of and my plants knew it and felt it.

I especially loved the fact that one of these lamps covers such a big area of almost 9 square feet. If you want to pay just a little more for one lamp but get almost double the coverage from one lamp, this is the one to go with.

The current price and rating is listed below:



Overall Pick/Final Thoughts

I’ve gone pretty long on this article but there you have it, my top 5 favorite LED grow lights of 2018. If I had to ultimately choose one out of the 5 given the prices, durability, and features of each of the five listed, the GoGrow V3 Master Grower ultimately has the edge.




Other Resources

Read my Top 4 Indoor Gardening Tips for Beginners here…