Home & Garden Garden The 8 Best Grow Lights of 2023 You can garden in every season with these easy-to-use grow lights. By Stacy Tornio Stacy Tornio Writer University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee University of Oklahoma Stacy Tornio has authored more than 15 books about animals, nature, and gardening. She is a master gardener and master naturalist. Learn about our editorial process Updated October 5, 2022 Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan Fact checked by Elizabeth MacLennan University of Tennessee Elizabeth MacLennan is a fact checker and expert on climate change. Learn about our fact checking process Share Twitter Pinterest Email Home & Garden Planting Guides Indoor Gardening Urban Farms Insects We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Westend61 / Getty Grow lights give you the power to garden almost anywhere and in every season. While grow lights are often popular when it’s time to start seeds for your spring garden, you can also use them year-round for herbs, indoor houseplants, and veggies. As you look for the right grow lights for your needs and space, keep in mind to always look for the greenest lighting options possible. Even slight efficiencies like placing your lights near sunny windows or finding lights with timers can really add up over the years. You can feel good knowing you’re practicing green habits like gardening while reducing your carbon footprint overall. Think of your grow lights as a long-term investment. You’ll be able to use them every single season to grow great-tasting herbs or any other plant. They're particularly beneficial in for growing seedlings before it's warm enough to plant outdoors. Starting your own plants from seeds can also help you save money compared to buying nursery starts. Perhaps best of all is the life and brightness they bring to those darker months of the year. Here are some of the best grow lights you’ll want to look at as you get your own indoor setup started. The Rundown Best Overall: LBW Grow Light at Amazon Jump to Review Best Tabletop: Ezorkas Grow Light at Amazon Jump to Review Best Single Bulbs: GE BR30 LED Grow Light Bulb at Walmart Jump to Review Best Portable: RHM LED Grow Light with Adjustable Tripod at Amazon Jump to Review Best Budget: Mosthink LED Plant Grow Light Strips at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Starting Seeds: AeroGarden 45W LED Grow Light Panel at Aerogarden.com Jump to Review Best for Large Gardens: Sunco Lighting Six Pack LED Grow Light at Amazon Jump to Review Best for Countertops: GrowLED Indoor Garden 24V at Amazon Jump to Review Best Overall LBW Grow Light with Stand 5 Amazon View On Amazon This is one of the most versatile and affordable grow lights on the market, giving you the flexibility to get growing just about anywhere. The light rests on a tripod, adjustable from 15 to 47 inches, so you can easily move it around anywhere you need. The LBW Light offers full-spectrum light, meaning it’s the most like sunshine to keep your plants healthy and growing. It’s also energy efficient at only 30 watts while being just as effective as 150-watt grow lights. It's quick to assemble and comes with a warranty, making it one of the fastest ways to get started with grow lights. Price at time of publish: $33 Best Tabletop Ezorkas Dimmable Levels Grow Light Amazon View On Amazon Cover a lot of space and get the exact angle you need with this four-headed grow light. It has 48 lamp chips total, including a mix of red and blue wavelengths that have been scientifically developed for top results. The light has three different timing options, nine dimmable modes, and an adjustable design. It would make a perfect tabletop light for anyone trying to grow in a basement or extra room. Just clip it onto the edge of a desk, table or shelf, and you’ll be all set to get those seedlings going. Price at time of publish: $36 The 6 Best Herb Garden Kits of 2023 Best Single Bulbs GE BR30 LED Grow Light Bulb 5 Amazon View On Walmart View On Amazon View On Farmandfleet.com Do you want a cost-effective way to get an indoor grow area started? Convert your current lights or lamps into grow lights using single bulbs. This LED bulb is an easy way to start dabbling in this hobby. All you have to do is switch it out for a regular bulb, and you’re good to go. The bulb only uses nine watts of energy with low-heat generation, so you can feel good knowing it’s one of the most efficient options on the market. These single bulbs are perfect for the do-it-yourselfer who wants to create a custom space to meet their needs. They are also good for those looking to try seed-starting for the first time. Price at time of publish: $12 Best Portable RHM LED Grow Light with Adjustable Tripod Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon An adjustable tripod comes in handy when you’re trying to establish an indoor grow area. This light comes with a lot of options. You can choose the brightness (there are 10 different levels), as well as the lighting mode, and the timing. These are all great options, allowing you to adjust as the weather around you does as well. For example, you can choose the red lighting mode to promote blooming, or the white mode to more closely mimic sunlight. On sunny days, reduce the brightness and length of time that it’s on to save energy overall. The light takes less than a minute to put together and has 80 LED beads total, which you can control with a handy remote. Then it’s ready to move wherever you need it for your plants, both short and tall. Best Budget Mosthink LED Plant Grow Light Strips Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Here’s another great option for those who are into DIY and building a space that suits their needs. You’ll get two simple light strips, which you can install just about anywhere thanks to the double-sided tape. Attach them to existing shelving, a grow box, or even on the wall for a vertical growing area. Once you get it set up, you can set the timer to manually turn off at the same time each day. Buy as many strips as you need to create a custom grow area in your home. These would be great paired with a repurposed wooden shelf, giving you a designated area while also keeping it affordable. Price at time of publish: $22 Best for Starting Seeds AeroGarden 45W LED Grow Light Panel View On Aerogarden.com When starting seeds, you'll want to place your light within 6 inches from the seedlings. This grow system has a higher price tag, but it’s one you’ll have for years to come. AeroGarden is well-respected in the gardening community, and they really know indoor gardening. The LED light panel rotates 360 degrees, so you’ll be able to continuously adjust its angle to meet the needs of your plants. This also makes it perfect for starting seeds, because the panel design will provide a nice even distribution of light. Plus, the stand easily raises as your plants grow bigger. The 45-watt energy-efficient light is designed to last up to 30,000 hours, so you’ll be set for years. Price at time of publish: $144 Best for Large Gardens Sunco Lighting Six Pack Suspended LED Grow Light Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On Suncolighting.com If you’re going all-in on an indoor growing space, then you’ll want to buy in bulk whenever possible. This six-pack system includes 80-watt full spectrum bulbs to promote great results at every growing stage. The LED lights will save a lot of energy over time, and you won’t have to worry about them overheating. These lights come with all the mounting hardware you'll need, allowing you to set up a great growing area in an extra room, the basement, or in a greenhouse. You’ll also get a five-year warranty and great customer support from Sunco. This robust lighting system will get you off to a great start to have herbs and veggies year-round. Price at time of publish: $250 Best for Countertops GrowLED Indoor Garden 24V Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon View On I-growled.com If you’re intrigued by grow lights but aren’t quite ready for a full-fledged setup, then try this countertop option instead. The GrowLED countertop light is perfect for apartments and other small spaces. It includes a full spectrum LED grow light (20 watts) that includes a smart timer. You can use it with any small pots you already have or buy separately. This light would make a great gift for anyone who loves gardening. Consider including seeds or plants, and they’ll have everything they need. It’s a great way to brighten up your season and keep growing your favorite herbs through darker months. Price at time of publish: $80 Final Verdict Our top recommendation is the LBW Grow Light, for both its versatility and affordability. For a small space, check out the EZORKAS Dimmable Grow Light. What to Look for in Grow Lights LEDs Both fluorescent and LED lights offer the full spectrum lighting that plants need to thrive, but LEDs are more efficient and eco-friendly. Light Color + Brightness Flowering plants need red light waves to bloom, so many grow lights produce more red light that traditional indoor lighting. Some grow light models will let you switch between different light spectrum modes. If you’re shopping for lights for cactus or other plants that require full sun, you may want to get “high output” LEDs. Just keep in mind that most plants benefit from some periods of darkness, although some people will keep seedlings lit 24 hours per day. Size + Stand If you already have a lamp or light fixture that you can use for your grow lights, then all you need is a full-spectrum LED bulb with a standard base. However, there’s a wide range of other options. You can buy strips or panels that connect to a wall or shelf above your plants, or lights with stands that are designed to be placed on the floor, a table, or a countertop. If you’re not sure what configuration will work best for you, it can be helpful to measure your space. Why Trust Treehugger? The Treehugger wants to help our readers pick the best gear to help their gardens and houseplants thrive. Author Stacy Tornio is a Master Gardner and Master Naturalist. She is the author of several books about plants and gardening.