6 Best Lights for Vegetative Growth in 2025

When you purchase through affiliate links on our site, we may earn a commission. Here’s how it works.

Affordable and high-quality lights for vegetative growth.

top 3 light for vegetative growth

You should provide enough light for your seedlings to grow well. As a rule, only plants growing in a greenhouse don’t require an additional light source. If your seedlings are in a house or apartment, then you should look for the best light for vegetative growth.

Top 6 Lights for Vegetative Growth

  1. PARFACTWORKS RA2000 - Our choice
  2. LBW Grow Light - Cheap
  3. Feit Electric GLP24FS - Budget
  4. Phlizon Newest 1500W - Popular
  5. Phlizon Newest 900W - Bright
  6. Exmate LED Grow Light - For vegetative growth

When choosing grow lights, you should pay attention to some technical characteristics that affect their performance. First of all, you should remember about lumen output and “color temperature”. We also recommend learning the basic concepts and rules of photosynthesis.

1. PARFACTWORKS RA2000

Our choice
parfactworks ra2000 light for vegetative growth

Light Source Wattage: 2000W | Voltage: 100-265V | Color Temperature: Full Spectrum | Brand: PARFACTWORKS

  • ✚ Energy saving
  • ✚ Easy to operate
  • ✚ No overheat
  • High price
Rating

The pros of the PARFACTWORKS RA2000 include fast vegetative growth with superior root production. The system is easy to operate and is designed to be used with minimal disturbance to the environment. The system has been tested for contaminates, and no contamination was found. The lighting is very efficient, with a high ratio of light to heat. This means that high quality bulbs are used, resulting in excellent quality photos without harmful waste.

The two cons of the PARFACT WORKS RA2000 include relatively high cost, but this can be offset by the fast rate of growth. The lighting system has a short lifetime, but this should not be a factor for most greenhouse grower. The system has a higher than average required bulb, and therefore it may not be worthwhile for the greenhouse grower with a short lifetime. The overall performance of the PARFACT WORKS RA2000 is above the standard and is a recommended.

2. LBW Grow Light

Cheap
lbw grow light light for vegetative growth

Light Source Wattage: 26W | Voltage: 110-130 V | Color Temperature: Full Spectrum | Brand: LBW

  • ✚ Full spectrum
  • ✚ Afforable
  • ✚ Energy efficient
  • ✚ High quality bulbs
  • Not reliable
Rating

The LBW Grow light for vegetative growth has been on the market since 1998, and it is widely known as a good choice for the home gardener. The pros include relatively low initial purchase cost, very consistent delivery with regular, inexpensive supplies, and a fast turnaround time (sometimes less than one week). Cons rest mostly on the type of plant you are growing and how much you will use each month.

The pros almost always outweigh the cons when talking about growing vegetables with the LBW Grow light for vegetative growth. It provides high quality bulbs at an affordable price, even though it does tend to cost more than other lights.

3. Feit Electric GLP24FS

Budget
feit electric glp24fs light for vegetative growth

Light Source Wattage: 19W | Voltage: 120V | Color Temperature: Full Spectrum | Brand: Feit Electric Inc.

  • ✚ Easy to install
  • ✚ Energy saving
  • ✚ Full spectrum
  • Missing connecting cable
Rating

The Feit Electric GLP24FS lighting system can be a great tool for indoor vegetable gardening. However, there are pros and cons of the system that should be looked at before making the purchase. For starters, let's look at the advantages. One of the biggest advantages is that it works great for indoor gardens. It comes with an LED bulb and will provide even durations of light for all stages of the vegetative growth process. This means less light is wasted on the plants and the results are healthier plants.

Another pro would be the energy savings. Even on a daily basis, this is extremely beneficial to a gardener. When talking about energy savings, these advantages are clear. It not only saves you money but also helps you in saving energy. So the pros definitely outweigh the cons when talking about this system.

4. Phlizon Newest 1500W

Popular
phlizon newest 1500w light for vegetative growth

Light Source Wattage: 1500W | Voltage: 110V | Color Temperature: Full Spectrum | Brand: Phlizon

  • ✚ Full spectrum
  • ✚ Versatile
  • ✚ Included temperature-controlled timer
  • ✚ Energy efficient
  • High price
Rating

The Phlizon Newest 1500W grow light is a universal LED grow light that offers a variety of grow light spectrums including white, blue, red, IR, and a universal UV spectrum. With all the essential nutrients your plants need to thrive, this product provides the exact environment your plants need to succeed. The included temperature-controlled timer helps you monitor the growth of your plants over the growing cycle.

Unlike most grow lights, this light is more energy-efficient. This light produces twice the output and has a higher spectrum. Its low power consumption and two-year warranty make it an attractive choice for the serious grower. It is rated to last 50,000 hours and comes with a host of extras.

5. Phlizon Newest 900W

Bright
phlizon newest 900w light for vegetative growth

Light Source Wattage: 900W | Voltage: 110V | Color Temperature: Full Spectrum | Brand: Phlizon

  • ✚ Energy saving
  • ✚ Easy to use
  • ✚ High quality
  • High price
Rating

The biggest advantages of this particular system are its size, power consumption, and its ease of use. It also has the lowest power consumption of any of the lights that it competes with. This is due to some of the energy saving features of the unit. The cons of this unit are mostly related to the cons of other top lights, such as the price.

Phlizon Newest 900W LED grow lamp is the best choice for anyone looking for a powerful grow light with all of the other conveniences. While it does have some cons, its pros far outweigh its disadvantages. If your primary focus is growing flowers, you may want to explore other options for grow lights for orchids, for example, the Relassy LED, which offers specific features tailored to the needs of orchid cultivation. Orchids require specific light spectrums and intensity, and specialized grow lights like the Relassy LED may provide better results for orchid enthusiasts.

6. Exmate LED Grow Light

For vegetative growth
exmate led grow light light for vegetative growth

Light Source Wattage: 45W | Voltage: 85-265 V | Color Temperature: Full Spectrum | Brand: Exmate

  • ✚ Full spectrum
  • ✚ Lower power consumption
  • ✚ Safe and eco-friendly
  • ✚ Reliable
  • Light that it puts out is not very natural
Rating

One advantage of the Exmate LED grow light for vegetative growth is that it is very reliable for a number of months. The lighting cycle can last up to fourteen months on a full cycle. The additional cycle length is one of the advantages that people like about the Exmate LED grow lights over others and this should be a consideration for you when deciding if this light system will work well for you.

The other advantage that this light has is that is consumes less energy than some other lights that are on the market today. One of the cons of the Exmate LED grow light for vegetative growth is that the light that it puts out is not very natural.

IMAGE NAME FEATURES
parfactworks ra2000 light for vegetative growth
PARFACTWORKS RA2000
Our choice
  • Energy saving
  • Easy to operate
CHECK PRICE
lbw grow light light for vegetative growth
LBW Grow Light
Cheap
  • Full spectrum
  • Afforable
CHECK PRICE
feit electric glp24fs light for vegetative growth
Feit Electric GLP24FS
Budget
  • Easy to install
  • Energy saving
CHECK PRICE

How to Choose the Light for Vegetative Growth?

how to choose the best light for vegetative growth

Lumens

The amount of light emitted by a lamp is measured in lumens. The lower the value, the dimmer the light is and vice versa. However, when buying grow lights, remember that the overall power of a lamp is not equal to the number of lumens. The fact is that the measurement of lumens is based on the human eye's sensitivity to various light wavelengths.

Since humans perceive yellow light best, it outweighs red and blue light. Keep this in mind when checking lumen levels for grow lights. However, plants require blue and red light for better photosynthesis. Therefore, models emitting predominantly yellow light are not the best light for vegetative growth, even if they have a high brightness level.

You can usually find information about two types of lumen measurements provided by the manufacturers. The first is the initial light output, or initial lumens, which represents the power of the light at the maximum efficiency. Mean or design lumens show the average output of the light during the entire life of the lamp.

how to choose the best light for vegetative growth

Wattage

Watts is not related to light color or light output. This measurement shows the power consumption of the grow light. Typically, less efficient lights emit less light per watt of power than high-efficiency models. You should check if the wattage of the grow light is suitable for your power source. Besides, the price depends on this measurement.

How Many Lights?

To find the answer, you should consider what area you plan to cover. This directly affects the number of lights you should have. Besides, you should pay attention to your plants. If they look weak and leggy, then you need to add more light. You must also set your light sources correctly. They should be a few inches from the seedlings. A distance of three to six inches from the plant canopy is optimal.

FAQ

  • • How do I determine the right light intensity for my vegetables?

The light intensity needed for vegetable growth depends on the specific plant species and growth stage. Most vegetables require a light intensity of around 20,000 to 40,000 lux during the vegetative stage and 40,000 to 60,000 lux during the flowering and fruiting stage. Consult plant-specific guidelines for optimal light intensity levels.

  • • Can I use regular household lights for growing vegetables?

Regular household lights, such as incandescent or fluorescent bulbs, are not suitable for optimal vegetable growth. They often lack the necessary light spectrum and intensity required for robust plant development. It's recommended to use specialized grow lights designed for plants.

  • • Are LED grow lights more energy-efficient than other types?

Yes, LED grow lights are generally more energy-efficient compared to other lighting options. They produce less heat, use less electricity, and have a longer lifespan, making them a cost-effective choice for vegetable growers.

Robin Owens

Senior Tech Writer

Robin Owens is FixThePhoto’s first person for all things tech and hardware our team of managers and retouchers use. After earning her Journalism degree from the University of Kansas, Robin began her career writing tech reviews and guides for local publications, eventually joining FixThePhoto in 2018. Although she writes articles about tech, she understands how complex the specifications can be, so she always creates short clips to demonstrate how specific features work.

Read Robin's full bio

Tetiana Kostylieva

Photo & Video Insights Blogger

Tetiana Kostylieva is the content creator, who takes photos and videos for almost all FixThePhoto blog articles. Her career started in 2013 as a caricature artist at events. Now, she leads our editorial team, testing new ideas and ensuring the content is helpful and engaging. She likes vintage cameras and, in all articles, she always compares them with modern ones showing that it isn’t obligatory to invest in brand-new equipment to produce amazing results.

Read Tetiana's full bio

Save 40% OFF Save 40% OFF