Best Grow Lights UK 2025
Compare the best grow lights for UK indoor growing. Expert reviews of LED, HPS, and fluorescent lights for herbs, vegetables, and seedlings.
Not sure which setup is right for you?
Take Our QuizPlants need light. Indoors, you provide it. The right grow light is probably the most important purchase you'll make.
Why Lighting Matters: Plants convert light into energy through photosynthesis. Too little light means weak, leggy plants that struggle to thrive. The right spectrum and intensity determines your success.
LED vs HPS vs Fluorescent: LED wins for home growers. Lower heat, lower running costs, longer lifespan. HPS (high pressure sodium) is still used commercially but generates significant heat and electricity bills.
Fluorescent (T5) tubes work for seedlings and herbs but lack power for fruiting plants. They're cheap but limited.
Understanding Wattage: Ignore the "equivalent wattage" marketing. Focus on actual power draw. A rough guide: 100W of quality LED covers a 60x60cm growing area. 200W covers 80x80cm. 400W covers 120x120cm.
More light allows denser planting and faster growth, but there's a ceiling. Most home setups do well with 150-300W.
UK Electricity Costs: At current rates (around 28p per kWh), running a 200W LED for 16 hours daily costs roughly £25-30 per month. Factor this into your economics.
Budget Tiers:
Around £50-100: Entry-level LEDs suitable for herbs and small leafy greens. Look for Samsung or Osram diodes.
Around £100-200: Serious hobby lights. Spider Farmer, Mars Hydro, and Viparspectra offer good value. Sufficient for a small tent with mixed crops.
Around £200+: Professional-grade efficiency. Better heat management, more even coverage, longer warranties. Worth it if you're committed.
Spectrum Considerations: Full spectrum "white" LEDs work for all growth stages. Some lights offer adjustable spectrum (more blue for vegetative growth, more red for flowering) but this is less critical for vegetables and herbs.
Our Recommendation: For a typical 60x60cm tent growing herbs and lettuce, a 100-150W LED in the £80-120 range is the sweet spot. Spider Farmer and Mars Hydro consistently rank well in growing communities.
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Start the QuizFrequently Asked Questions
What is the best grow light for beginners UK?
LED panels are ideal for beginners. They run cool, use less electricity, and provide full-spectrum light. A 100W LED panel (£60-100) covers a 60x60cm area perfectly for herbs and leafy greens.
How much do grow lights cost to run UK?
A 100W LED grow light costs about £3-4/month running 16 hours daily. 600W HPS costs £18-20/month. LEDs are more efficient and generate less heat, reducing ventilation costs too.
Do I need special grow lights for hydroponics?
Not special ones, but you need adequate light intensity. Leafy greens need 200-400 PPFD, fruiting plants need 400-600 PPFD. Any quality LED or HPS light achieving these levels works fine.
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