HPS grow lights produce the most natural sunlike light, which is ideal for the plant to thrive. For this reason, although LED or COB grow lights are getting more and more popular these days, HPS grow lights with old-fashioned technology remain their place in the market.
Here are my top picks for the best hps grow lights:
Here are the best hps grow lights you can buy in 2024:
- Best Overall: VIVOSUN Hydroponic 600 W
- Best For Small Garden Crop: Sun System Grow Lights HPS 150W
- Best For Beginners: iPower GLSETX400DHMWING 400 W
- Best For Seasoned Gardeners: iPower 600 Watt HPS MH Grow Light
| Top | ||
|---|---|---|
Best Overall | VIVOSUN Hydroponic 600 W | Read Our Review |
Best For Small Garden Crop | Sun System Grow Lights HPS 150W | Read Our Review |
Best For Beginners | iPower GLSETX400DHMWING 400 W | Read Our Review |
Best For Seasoned Gardeners | iPower 600 Watt HPS MH Grow Light | Read Our Review |
Best Overall: VIVOSUN Hydroponic 600 W
- Natural spectrum promoting healthy growth of plant
- High output wattage
- 6
- Nothing to complain
Although LED grow lights become more and more popular these days, HPS grow lights are always the best type of grow lights. HPS lights use a simple, low-tech method to produce light, but the light is very natural, which is almost like the sunlight. This type of light is perfect for the growth of the plant. Plus, VIVOSUN Hydroponic 600 W has a high output power. Therefore, this is a perfect choice for an indoor farm to maximize its yield.
VIVOSUN Hydroponic 600 W comes with a 6" Reflector to multiply the light and produce 2100K high-PAR value. The inside fan dissipates 25% heat generated, keeping the light 15% longer lasting. Other safety features include Overheating Protection; End-of-Bulb-Life Protection; Short Circuit Protection; Ignition Failure Protection for safe use and longer lifespan of the light.
You can choose from 4 Dimmable Option: 250w/400w/600w/super lumens to meet the specific need of your plant. The timer helps you preset the on/off time of the light, so you don’t have to worry about turn on and turn off it. There is not much to complain about VIVOSUN Hydroponic 600 W.
| VIVOSUN Hydroponic 600 W Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 28 x 21 x 10 inches |
Wattage | 600W |
Coverage | 4 x 4 ft or 5 x 5 ft |
Dimmable Options | 250w/400w/600w/super lumens |
Highlight Features | Natural spectrum 6" Reflector 4 Dimmable Option 24-Hour Mechanical Timer Overheating Protection End-of-Bulb-Life Protection Short Circuit Protection gnition Failure Protection |
VIVOSUN Hydroponic 600W with the natural spectrum and high output power is the best grow light.
Best For Small Garden Crop: Sun System Grow Lights HPS 150W
- Amazing 16,000 lumens
- Easily replaceable, easy to set-up and use
- Highly reflective aluminum insert
- Only suitable for small farms
Sun System HPS 150W is a great choice for small indoor farms. It has quite a low output wattage - 150W; however, with the highly reflective aluminum insert, the light produces a huge amount of lumen, which is a measurement of the light intensity on the surface. Moreover, Sun System HPS 150W produces a natural spectrum. So, the light meets the need of almost any plant.
Sun System HPS 150W is very easy to set up and use with replaceable parts. So the lifespan of the product may be really long. However, since this is a small light setup, it is only suitable for a small garden crop - about 3 x 3 ft.
| Sun System Grow Lights HPS 150W Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 18.1 x 9 x 6.5 inches |
Wattage | 150W |
Coverage | 3 x 3 ft |
Dimmable Options | No |
Highlight Features | 16,000 lumens Replaceable parts Highly reflective aluminum insert |
Sun System HPS 150W is simple and easy-to-use grow lights for a small garden crop.
Best For Beginners: iPower GLSETX400DHMWING 400 W
- Stable power output & Flicker-free light
- Natural Spectrum & High PAR
- 19-inch Wing Reflector
- The bulb is replaceable
- Generates a lot of heat
iPower 400W has medium and stable power output, 400W. This ensures flicker-free light. You can adjust the intensity of light - there are 3 dimmable options: 50%/75%/100%.
Like two lights above, iPower 400W produces a natural spectrum with a high PAR, ideal for all types of plants in all stages of growth. The bulb is replaceable, you can replace it with HPS & MH bulbs.
iPower 400W comes with a 19-inch Wing Reflector, which can cover an area of 4 x 4 ft. Wing reflector is the cheapest type of reflector but has the highest reflective effect - up to 95%. However, the wing reflector generates a lot of heat. You don't want to use this lamp in an enclosed area without ventilation.
| iPower GLSETX400DHMWING 400 W Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 21 x 17 x 6 inches |
Wattage | 400W |
Coverage | 4 x 4 ft |
Dimmable Options | 50%, 75%, 100% |
Highlight Features | Flicker-free light Natural Spectrum & High PAR 19-inch Wing Reflector |
iPower 400W is a stable HPS grow light with a wing reflector for extra brightness.
Best For Seasoned Gardeners: iPower 600 Watt HPS MH Grow Light
- High stable power; Flicker-free light
- Natural Spectrum & High PAR
- 6-inch Air Cooled Hood Reflector
- The bulb is replaceable
- Generates a lot of heat
Basically, iPower 600W is a higher-power version of iPower 400W. Everything is pretty much the same, except this light has higher output wattage - 600W and a 6-inch Air Cooled Hood Reflector. iPower 600W can cover up to 5 x 5 ft.
The air-cooled reflector is the most effective type of reflector. It is ideal for grow tents; moreover, it does not generate too much heat that can damage the plant. Although it is not overly hot, you’ll don’t want to place iPower 600 in an enclosed area without ventilation, which may reduce the product’s life.
| iPower 600 Watt HPS MH Grow Light Specifications | |
|---|---|
Dimension | 23 x 17 x 9 inches |
Wattage | 600W |
Coverage | 4 x 4 ft or 5 x 5 ft |
Dimmable Options | 50%, 75%, 100% |
Highlight Features | Flicker-free light Natural Spectrum & High PAR 6-inch Air Cooled Hood Reflector |
iPower 600W is a high-power and stable HPS grow lights for seasoned gardeners.
How To Choose The Best HPS Grow Lights?
Although LED or COB grow lights are getting more and more popular these days, HPS grow lights with old-fashioned technology remain their place in the market. HPS or High-Pressure Sodium lights are favorable thanks to their natural spectrum, which is like the sunlight. This type of light is perfect for the plant to thrive. HPS lights also have a price to start with; they produce a massive amount of light as well. However, HPS lights also have some disadvantages. They produce a lot of heat, consume a log of electricity, and are not so durable. So, it depends on your preference to choose the type of grow light.
When choosing an HPS grow light, you’ll need to pay attention to some specs.
The output wattage: The more the output wattage is, the more bright the light is. A small HPS light has the output wattage of 150W, medium ones have about 400W or 600W.
Type of reflector: There are three types of reflectors - Air Cool Hood, Cooled Tube, and Wing Reflector. The air-cooled reflector is the most effective type of reflector but more expensive. The cooled tube reflector can fit in a small place and dissipates heat effectively but does not reflect very much. The wing reflector has an impressive reflecting effect, can cover a large surface area, and is affordable but can get very hot. It depends on your preference to choose the right type for your system.
Coverage: You’ll want a grow light that can cover nicely your indoor garden. A small HPS grow light can cover 3 x 3 ft surface; some bigger HPS grow light can cover 4 x 4 ft or 5 x 5 ft surface.
Dimmable options & Safety features: Dimmable option is a good feature to adjust the intensity of the light to feet your plant’s need. Safety features include Overheating Protection; End-of-Bulb-Life Protection; Short Circuit Protection; Ignition Failure Protection.
Which Brands Make The Best HPS Grow Lights?
Vivosun
- Vivosun is among the leading brands in hydroponic and indoor gardening. It was founded in 2013, headquartered in Middletown, Connecticut. They have a very wide range of products for indoor plant growing, including growing lamps, tents and tarts, inline fans, carbon filters, fans, timers, and other kits and accessories. The list of products is more than 200. Their COB LED grow lights are very popular. Their HPS grow lights are also famous, especially for their high quality and durability. Overall, Vivosun is a truth-worthy brand when you are in need of indoor gardening tools.
Sun System Lights
- Sun System Lights is America's No 1 brand of horticultural lighting fixtures. It was established in 1995, headquartered in Vancouver, Washington. They make all types of grow lights and accessories, from HID lights, LEC lights, Fluorescents, Ballasts, LED lights to reflectors, reflector cleaners, light hangers. Sun System Lights has a wide range of models for all types of farms, from indoor, outdoor, to growing tents, of all sizes. If you are looking for a growing light, Sun System Lights is a to-go brand.
iPower Grow Light
- iPower is an American manufacturer of grow lamps. With more than 10 years of serving horticulturists, it is now become one of the world's most popular brands, especially for online sales. iPower provides a wide range of garden tools and equipment, such as grow lights, tents, hydroponics systems, temperature controls, and structures. They are famous for their double-ended HPS/MH and Ceramic MH technology; besides, they also sell digital HPS and MH lamps, ballasts, fluorescent, and LED lighting. You should definitely have a look at iPower's HPS lights; they have great light quality and great material quality.
FAQs
How do HPS lights work?
HPS light includes a narrow arc tube with high pressure and gases like sodium, mercury, and xenon inside. When electricity is on, a built-in ignitor burns up the gases inside. The xenon produces sky blue light; the mercury produces bluish light, the sodium mixed with other impurities produces yellow light. Together, they create white natural light. The heat inside may be over 240 C.
What’s better: HPS or LED grow lights?
HPS and LED grow lights have each own advantages and disadvantages. LED lights have a high energy-efficiency rate, which means they consume a small amount of electricity but produce very high power. HPS lights consume a lot of wattages, can get really hot, but produce a better spectrum for the plants. HPS lights also have a cheaper price.
How many plants can you put under a 1000 Watt HPS?
A 1000 Watt HPS produces light enough to cover an area of 6.5 x 6.5 ft (up to 7 x 7 ft), which is about 15 - 18 plants.
How many square feet does a 1000 Watt HPS light cover?
A 1000 Watt HPS produces light enough to cover an area of 6.5 x 6.5 ft (up to 7 x 7 ft), which equals about 42 - 49 square feet.
How far should a 600 watt HPS light be from plants?
It is recommended about 14ft - 25ft (35cm - 64cm).
Conclusion
For a small farm about 3 x 3 ft, I recommend Sun System Grow Lights HPS 150W (No 2 above). For a larger farm, I recommend iPower 400W, iPower 600W, or even VIVOSUN Hydroponic 600 W. Hope you find this review helpful.
