Lighting

LED or HPS: which grow light is better?

GrowDealz team · Updated

Short answer

LED, for most people with a tent. It's more efficient, makes less heat and the diodes last years. HPS costs less to buy but needs more ventilation and cooling.

Good LEDs reach about 2.5-3 µmol/J, while a double-ended HPS is roughly 1.7-2.1 (independent tests land at the low end), so you get the same light for fewer watts. An HPS bulb also loses output over time, and most growers swap it about once a year. LED diodes are typically rated for tens of thousands of hours.

HPS still works, and some growers prefer its warm spectrum and the heat in a cold room. If that's you, there are HPS lamps and HPS kits. Otherwise start with LED grow lights.

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