Investing in quality grow lights is one of the first steps in growing healthy seedlings. It can make a huge difference in the size and quality of your transplants.
Grow lights are specially made to provide seedlings with the same benefits sunlight gives. That means your seedlings will be able to create optimal energy for growth.
In this post, I’ll go over the eight best grow lights for seedlings. Keep reading to find the best seedling grow lights for you!
Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Hoss Indoor Seed Starting Light Kit
Budget Option:
Mars Hydro LED Grow Light
Best for Countertop:
Hoss Kitchen Garden Light Kit
The Eight Best Grow Lights for Seedlings
We’ve found eight of the best seedling grow lights on the market and evaluated the features, as well as the pros and cons of each one. Our selections cover a variety of seedling starting setups, so there’s sure to be a choice that works for your indoor gardening needs!
Best Overall
Hoss Indoor Seed Starting Light Kit
My top choice for the best seedling grow light is Hoss’ Indoor Seed Starting Light Kit. This comprehensive kit is great for trying your hand at seed starting. It even makes the perfect gift for the budding gardener in your life.
The kit comes with two 18-inch LED grow lights, a water reservoir base, and four seedlings trays. It also comes with a capillary wicking mat, which helps give seedlings just the right amount of water.
As seedlings grow, you can adjust the light canopy up to 18 inches over the plants. If you need more seedling trays, Hoss’ 12-cell trays fit perfectly in the kit’s base.
This all-in-one kit will easily fit on your storage room shelf or countertop. The lights are rated for 50,000 hours, so it should last you for many years to come.
Pros:
- All-in-one kit
- Quality construction
- Good for long-time use
Cons:
- Pricier than other grow lights
Budget Option
Mars Hydro LED Grow Light
You want your seedling grow lights to cover the most surface area possible.
Mars Hydro LED Grow Light covers an area of two feet by two feet. This light does the trick if you’re using a standard seedling flat. All your seedling trays will be receiving the same amount of full-spectrum light.
The white aluminum shell also reflects light up 120 degrees, so the light is cast out further than straight down.
There are several other smaller perks to appreciate with this light. The aluminum material disperses heat, so you don’t have to worry about listening to a noisy fan.
It’s energy efficient. Even if you’re running this light 12 hours a day, you won’t see a big uptick in your energy bill. For the amount of light it puts out, it’s only consuming 100 watts.
It’s also extremely lightweight. I personally have this light hanging from a thin metal greenhouse shelf, and it holds perfectly.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Good coverage
- Noise-free
Cons:
- Some reviewers had trouble with the light getting hot.
Best for Countertops
Hoss Kitchen Garden Light Kit
How many of us wish we could have fresh greens in the off-season? That’s where I recommend Hoss’ Kitchen Garden Light Kit.
It’s one of the best seedling grow lights for your kitchen countertop. It’s basically the same setup as the Indoor Seed Starting Light Kit. The difference is in the size.
This kit comes with one 12-inch LED grow light attached to a self-watering base. Using the same wicking mat technology, your seedlings will stay hydrated from underneath.
The lights can be adjusted up to 18 inches above seedlings to ensure your greens don’t receive too much light.
The Kitchen Garden Light Kit will allow you to grow a small garden of microgreens right in your home. Try your hand at creating your own salad with arugula, beetroot, and kale.
Pros:
- Compact
- Quality construction
- All-in-one kit
Cons:
- Size is not great for growing many seedlings
Hoss Hanging Grow Light Kit
Do you like to get a jumpstart on your whole garden? That means you’ll be starting several seed trays, so you’ll need a large grow light.
The Hoss Hanging Grow Light Kit is one of the best grow lights for seedlings. And, the main reason is its size.
The kit comes with two 36-inch LED grow lights. That’s enough light to cover a large shelf or small tabletop. The width between the lights can even be adjusted on the included light rails.
You’ll need an overhead shelf or light stand to hang these from, but the adjustable rope hangers are included.
Hoss created this light to fit seamlessly with their 338-cell seed starting tray. That’s enough to start a home garden and more. But, it’s safe to say you can also fit several standard seed starting trays under this light as well.
Pros:
- Good coverage
- Quality construction
- Adjustable
Cons:
- Pricey
Phlizon LED Grow Light
The Phlizon LED Grow Light is one of the best seedling grow lights for brightness. It puts out 900 watts of full-spectrum light. Not only does it have white lights, but it also has blue and red lights for optimal vegetative growth.
The best part is that you get to choose. One light setting will project blue and white light to encourage foliage growth. The other light setting projects red and white lights to encourage blooming.
If you can’t decide, flip them both on to get all the benefits.
You do have to deal with a fan on this light, which could be noisy if you’re keeping it near your living space. But, this function is a great way to keep the light from overheating.
This a good quality light that comes with a two-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee. You can tell from the construction of the light that it’s meant to last for years to come.
It’s heavier than other grow lights, so make sure to use the included rope hangers for sturdy suspension.
Pros:
- Bright
- Different light settings included
- Quality construction
- Two-year warranty
Cons:
- Pricey
Briignite Grow Light Bulbs
If you already have a lamp or light fixture ready to go, I recommend Briignite’s Grow Light Bulbs. These seedling grow lights easily screw into a standard-size base.
The 11-watt bulbs are an energy-efficient way to provide full-spectrum light to your seedlings. You may assume you’re getting less light from a single bulb. But, these have the equivalent brightness of a 100-watt light.
I recommend going this route if you live in a small space. These bulbs can be installed into an attractive lamp or light fixture. Set up your seedling trays in the corner, and you’re ready to start a small garden.
You can get a two-pack of these bulbs for $10, which is a great deal compared to many other lights. They’re also rated for 25,000 hours, which will give you a long span of use.
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Energy-efficient
- Fit into any standard light fixture
Cons:
- You may have to invest in a lamp if you don’t already have one.
Durolux Fluorescent Lighting
I usually always recommend sticking to LED lights. They’re typically much more energy efficient than incandescent or fluorescent lights. That’s not to say there aren’t some good fluorescent lights out there.
These fluorescent seedling grow lights only use 100 watts, which is comparable to many other LED grow lights. They put off 10,000 lumens of light, which is more than enough to make your seedlings happy.
Not to mention, these lights are four feet long. Hang this over your workspace, and you’re ready to go. The aluminum shell also reflects light up to seven inches, so you can get even more coverage.
With fluorescent lights, you may run into needing replacement bulbs more often than LED. But, if it’s your preference, these lights are a great way to go. Standard four-feet T5 light replacements can be used.
Pros:
- Bright
- Low energy usage
- Wide coverage
Cons:
- Replacement bulbs needed more often
Frenan Grow Light with Stand
Freestanding lights are a great option for those without a shelf or light hanger. Frenan’s Grow Light with Stand can extend from 15 to 63 inches tall. This light can work for those using a table or the top of a cabinet.
It has four adjustable arms with full-spectrum lights attached. You can control the lights by choosing between red, blue, and mixed light. You can also adjust the brightness settings from 10 percent to 100 percent.
For convenience, Frenan also includes a programmable timer. It can be set to turn on and off at four, eight, or 12-hour intervals.
Instead of storing this light during the off-season, try it out with your indoor houseplants. Or, take it to your office to keep your plants happy and healthy on the weekends.
Pros:
- Freestanding and adjustable
- Different brightness settings
- Programmable timer
Cons:
- May not last as long as other grow lights
Troubleshooting Common Problems
Even if you’re using the best grow lights for seedlings, you may still run into some problems. Let’s go over the most common issues with seedling grow lights.
Overheating
Browse the reviews of any seedling grow lights, and you’ll see a complaint about overheating. This occurs when the LED lights reach a temperature over their programmed threshold.
Overheated LED lights very rarely start a fire. Think the opposite of mid-century Christmas lights. LED lights are more likely to just burn out and turn off, which is still disappointing.
So, what can you do to prevent this?
Avoid enclosed spaces. This can be a problem if you’re using a closed-in greenhouse.
If you’re using a greenhouse indoors, leave one of the panels open and run a fan. Sidenote – don’t direct the air at your seedlings to avoid drying out.
Also, don’t use your grow lights in a high-temperature area. This will only increase the temperature of your light. Ideally, your seedling grow lights should run in a 60 to 70-degree space.
Incorrect Hanging Distance
If you’re having problems with seedling growth, check out the distance between your lights and seedlings.
If the light is too far away, your seedlings will grow leggy or not at all. If the light is too close, your seedling leaves will likely scorch.
To avoid this, invest in adjustable light hangers. Keep your lights several inches above seedlings, and move the lights up as they grow.
Insufficient Brightness
Perhaps your lights don’t seem as bright as they once were. This should ultimately be a cause for concern because it can be detrimental to plant growth.
There are a few reasons why your lights could be dimmer than usual. First, check your power supply. Is the light completely plugged in?
If so, take a look at what is plugged into that outlet. It could be that your circuit is overloaded by providing power to too many things.
The last reason is age. Eventually, all lights will lose the power they once had.
Have you been using your lights for many years and don’t have a warranty? It may be time to invest in some new seedling grow lights.
FAQs on Seedling Grow Lights
1. Will I save money with LED grow lights?
LED grow lights typically require less energy to produce light than incandescent bulbs. While you may spend more money upfront, LED lights are much friendlier on your energy bill.
To determine how much energy a light will use, take a look at the wattage required for that light.
2. What else do I need to start seeds?
There are several other products that will help you start seeds. Besides seedling grow lights, you will need seedling trays, a seed-starting mix, and a heat mat.
And, of course, you’ll need seeds! I recommend taking a look at Hoss’ selection of garden seeds for your favorite vegetables and flowers.
Wrapping Up the Best Grow Lights for Seedlings
Investing in good seedling grow lights is a smart choice for any gardener. My top choice for the best grow lights for seedlings is Hoss’ Indoor Seed Starting Light Kit. You’ll have almost everything you need to start this year’s vegetables.
Don’t stop at seedling grow lights. Check out our Seed Starting page on the website for other blog posts, product recommendations, and growing guides. We want to help you find everything you need this growing season. And, we’ll show you how to grow it, too!