LED grow lights have been illuminating grow rooms in recent years. Along with their bright purple color and capacity to propel a broad spectrum of farming projects, they are dominating hobby-level plantations as well as commercial operations.
If you’re a budding horticulturist or an experienced grower looking for an upgrade, LED grow lights are the way forward. However, manufacturers are flooding the market with thousands of products that fail to deliver. Unlike humans, plants follow a strict schedule. And the last thing you want is to stunt the growth of your plant due to faulty lighting.
Enter Mars Hydro! Known for giving you the best bang for your buck, Mars Hydro grow lights will save you time, effort, and money. To make it easier for you to choose, we have curated a list of the five best Mars Hydro grow lights.
Our Top Picks For Best Mars Hydro Grow Lights
- Mars Hydro TS1000 LED Grow Light
- Mars Hydro TS 600 LED Grow Light
- Mars Hydro Grow Tent Kit With TS2000 LED Grow Light
- Mars Hydro TS 3000 Led Grow Light
- Mars Hydro SP3000 Led Grow Light
| IMAGE | PRODUCT | FEATURES | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Mars Hydro TS 1000 LED Grow Light | • High Reflective • Noise Free • Led Grow System | |
 | Mars Hydro TS 600 LED Grow Light | • Nosie Free • Led Grow Lamps • High Reflective | |
 | Mars Hydro Grow Tent Kit With TS2000 LED Grow Light | • High Reflective Heat Sink Led Grow System • Led Grow Lamps For Indoor Plants • High Reflective | |
 | Mars Hydro TS3000 LED Grow Light | • Sunlight Full Spectrum Grow Light • AchieveEnviously Large Harvests • Fanless Quiet | |
 | Mars Hydro SP3000 LED Grow Light | • High Reflective • Newest SMD Led • Noise Free-Fanless Light Boards Design |
Continue reading to find detailed reviews of each of these products below.
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Best Mars Hydro Grow Lights
#1. Mars Hydro TS 1000 LED Grow Light
The TS 1000 is a compact yet powerful LED grow light by Mars Hydro. Using Epistar 3030 as the base chips, these lights produce a white spectrum. Experts believe this spectrum is better than the red and blue spectrum as it is a close replica of natural light.
Although these lights boast a whopping 342 LEDs, they consume a mere 150W. Remember, the low power draw doesn’t mean the TS 1000 isn’t a powerful light. With its quantum board style fixture, these lights cover an area of 3’ by 3’ while maintaining an intensity of 590uMols.
This alone makes the light capable of replacing a 250W HPS bulb. Additionally, installing the TS1000 is a piece of cake as it comes equipped with rope and a clip hanger. Weighing in at 3.7 pounds, the aluminum body helps in shredding unwanted weight and aids in dissipating heat quickly.
Also, the reflective aluminum increases the intensity of light around the edges, thus lighting up the otherwise dim aisles. This feature provides an energy boost to your plants and prevents unwanted light burns.
Above all, a daisy chain system makes it possible to connect up to fifteen lights with one master light making it suitable for large indoor plantations. In addition, a dimming knob gives you control over the intensity of the light based on the growth stage of your plants.
What We Liked
- 3 x 3 feet coverage area
- Fan-less heat dissipation
- Natural spectrum LED
- Reasonable pricing
What We Didn’t like
- Customization options are limited
- No infrared diodes
#2. Mars Hydro TS 600 LED Grow Light
The smallest option available in the TS series from Mars Hydro is the TS600. But don’t be fooled by its size. Consuming only 100W in power, the TS600 outshines a majority of other lights in matters of power consumption.
The LED panels are etched into aluminum heat sinks, which sit in front of a reflective hood. What’s more, unlike other grow lights, the TS600 has an inbuilt driver. Another bonus is that the LED chips are coated with an insulating material, making this grow light ideal for humidity-rich growing environments.
With a plug-and-play system, you can use this grow light right out of the box. Although there are hooks and ropes provided in the package for hanging the light, this device can be mounted to the roof of your grow racks. Combined with the full spectrum and increased green diodes, the TS600 enables you to grow leafy plants like lettuce, spinach, swiss chard, and so on.
While the TS600 also has infrared diodes to aid the growth of flowering plants, it doesn’t emit UV light. This adds to the versatility of the light, allowing home growers to use the grow light in an open growing area.
An added benefit is the energy efficiency of this model. Despite it drawing 100W from the wall, running this light yearlong will barely make a dent on your energy bill. Due to the reasons mentioned above, the TS600 is ideal for beginners and even professionals growing in a compact space.
What We Liked
- Noise-free and fan-less
- Energy-efficient model
- Multiple mounting options
- 5-year warranty
What We Didn’t Like
- Cannot be dimmed
- It doesn’t support UV wavelength
#3. Mars Hydro Grow Tent Kit With TS2000 LED Grow Light
If you’re looking for a solution to start your indoor growing operation, this product is tailored just for DIY gardeners like you. Along with the TS2000, this product comes with a 4 by 4 feet grow tent and includes a ventilation system.
While the tent is covered with reflective mylar on the inside, the outside is a thick woven fabric that prevents light from leaking through the grow tent. And although you can access the tent through the zipper door, a Velcro hatch allows you to check on your precious plants without disturbing their cycle.
A bar runs through the middle of the tent. This facilitates the housing of the TS2000 and accessories like exhaust fans, hygrometers, and so on. Speaking of, this grows light is loaded with 648 LEDs and yet consumes 50% less energy than its HPS counterpart.
Combined with the grow tent, the TS2000 is capable of increasing yields by 30%. What’s best, a smooth blend of red, blue, infrared, and natural spectrums favors the growth of heavy flowering plants like tomatoes and peppers.
All in all, the Mars Hydro grow tent kit, and TS2000 is the complete package for anyone looking to enter the indoor horticulture field.
What we liked
- Viewing window
- Ergonomic design
- An effective air filtration system
- High-performance LEDs
What we didn’t like
- Hollow structural tubing
- Difficult to access dimming knob
#4. Mars Hydro TS3000 LED Grow Light
To gain access to commercial grow houses, Mars hydro has come up with the TS series of grow lights, particularly the TS3000. With improved aluminum covers on the side, this device employs a 5 by 5’ footprint.
Coupled with white light spectrum technology and the 760nm infrared diodes, you won’t have to keep switching lights anymore. From seeding to harvest, this light supports all stages of a plant’s growth.
The TS3000 is equipped with 1016 diodes and draws 450W from the wall. Moreover, the device requires two drivers to function. Despite the lack of a fan, controlling the temperature in the tent is straightforward. This is because Mars Hydro has rigged this light with removable drivers, allowing growers to place the drivers outside the tent!
Furthermore, the TS3000 weighs only 11.3 pounds and has an assembled height of 7 centimeters. This sleek grow light also supports a daisy chain system, connecting with up to fifteen lights for a hassle-free commercial grow.
This beast of a grow light is overkill if your setup is a confined space. However, if you use it in a grow tent, remember to place the light at a safe distance not to cause a light burn.
What We Liked
- Outstanding light quality
- Ease of operation
- It covers a large area
- Detachable drivers
What We Didn’t Like
- Drivers get too hot
- No power switch
#5. Mars Hydro SP3000 LED Grow Light
Apart from the TS series of lights, Mars Hydro has introduced the SP series. While the former uses Epistar diodes in the build, the SP300 and all lights in the SP series use Samsung and Osram LEDs.
These high-quality LEDs cover a 4 by 5-foot growing area, and along with the UV spectrum, they support the plants through the seedling phase up to flowering. The broad spectrum increases yields drastically, with the average yield for a flowering plant at 1.8g/W.
Unlike other grow lights in this list which are square shape boards, the SP3000 has a long, narrow design. The heat sinks are mounted on top of the lights to optimize cooling performance. To top it off, the absence of a fan will ensure you have a noise-free grow operation.
Additionally, the SP3000 is waterproof. Therefore, allowing you to install it in your humid germination chamber without causing any water damage to the light. Not only that, the elongated bar-like design of the grow light gives you the option to use the light vertically or horizontally and can link up with fifteen lights in a chain format.
What We Liked
- High-quality diodes
- Water-resistant
- Energy-efficient and includes UV spectrum
What We Didn’t Like
- Suspension hooks are flimsy
Bonus Read: Boost the health of your plants with this guide on the best fertilizers for your garden.
Things to Consider when Buying a Mars Hydro LED Grow Light
To ensure you buy the best grow light for your indoor horticulture operations, you must consider the following:
Light Intensity
One of the topmost factors to consider when purchasing a LED grow light is the light intensity. Choosing a light based on the size of your grow space and the growth phase of your plant will guarantee a bountiful harvest. While most botanists are concerned with not having enough light, providing excessive light to your plants can be harmful.
Albeit, grow lights come with a recommended coverage area from the manufacturer, the information is not always precise. With manufacturers advertising different footprints for similar lights, considering scientific factors like PPF and PAR will guide you towards the correct decision.
Moreover, PPF is the official unit of measurement for the light output and creates uniformity across manufacturers. PPF stands for photosynthetic photon flux and is measured in umol/s. A general rule of thumb is, if the PPF is above 1100 umol/s, the light can cover a 4 by 4 feet area.
Consequently, though PPF is the measurement of light output, growers are more affected by the amount of light striking their plants. To get an idea of the intensity of light over a specific area, thoroughly read the manufacturer’s PAR or photosynthetic active radiation chart.
The PAR charts give information on the intensity and distribution of light over a given area. For instance, an LED grows light with diodes in the center will have a higher PAR value towards the center and a negligible value towards the edges.
Similarly, a grow light with neatly distributed diodes will have a constant PAR value across the entire light. It’s important to remember, the PAR value will always be the highest in the center of the grow light.
Contrastingly, most LED grow lights like the ones from Mars Hydro come with a dimmable switch. This rotating knob enables you to adjust the intensity of the light depending on your needs. This permits users to dial the power down to as low as 10% of the maximum intensity for plants in the seedling stage.
Keep in mind, LED grow lights have varying light intensities even from the same manufacturer. Getting acquainted with the scientific parameters of a grow light will keep your precious harvest safe from improper lighting conditions.
Spectrum
Another critical factor that you should consider when choosing a grow light is the spectrum of the light it emits. Having a light that matches the spectrum needs is necessary for its growth and development through the various stages of growth. For example, some growers will require a light suited for vegetative growth of their plant, while others may require a light specially tailored for flowering.
Similarly, other growers may need a light suitable for the plant’s entire life cycle. The spectrum of the light decides at which stage the light can be used. To explain, a grow light with blue diodes is suitable for the initial growth of the plant. But, as the flowering plant approaches maturity, it requires a far-red spectrum to commence blooming.
Above all, in theory, these wavelengths provide the appropriate spectrum to facilitate plant growth. Furthermore, this approach increases the efficiency of photosynthesis in plants.
Consequently, the industry is advancing towards a broad, white light spectrum. By using low-powered white diodes combined with ultraviolet and infrared wavelengths, these grow lights push the plant to its fullest potential.
Spotting pests and diseases on your plant is easier when grown under a white light used in most Mars Hydro grow lights. To sum it up, due to the reasons mentioned above, choosing LED grow lights with the appropriate spectrum can be the make it or break it factor when it comes to indoor farming.
Power Draw
This is a common factor used by growers over the years to assess the potential of a grow light. Yet, beginners often make the mistake of relating the power drawn to the light’s output. Although wattage alone can’t determine the efficiency of a LED grow light, it plays a significant role in deciding its energy consumption.
For instance, a light that draws 350W covers 4 feet by 4 feet grow area. In the same breath, an 800W light covers 5 feet by 5 feet area. The reason for the considerable inconsistency is due to the efficiency of the diodes. A light that draws more power from the wall will have higher PPF and PAR ratings.
But if you’re a home grower worrying about energy consumption, you’re better off picking a grow light rated for a lower power draw. However, for commercial operations, power draw plays a significant role mainly due to the scale of the operation. At that point, choosing grow lights with a lower wattage and high output will drastically affect the performance of the entire farm.
Farming enthusiasts should be cautious of devices advertising their power draw. To illustrate, grow lights titled ‘1200W’ and ‘800W’ and so on usually refer to the power draw of the LED diodes and not the entire grow light. Thus, the self-proclaimed 1200W grow light may end up drawing only 200W from the wall.
Besides this, a rule of thumb is to use around 40W per square foot of growing area. But, this number varies slightly as all plants require different intensities of light.
To conclude, the power draw should be used to estimate the energy consumption of the device. Growers should combine the PPF and PAR readings with the power draw to select the best LED grow light as per their requirements.
Additional Specifications
Based on these technical specifications, you can make an informed decision about a LED grow light. But there are other factors to consider as well. For example, growers must consider the shape of the grow light. There are options like long, bar-shaped lights and quantum board-styled lights.
What’s more, the size of the grow room will determine what type of light it can accommodate. If you have a smaller grow tent, you’re better off with lights that have detachable drivers. This will help you control the temperature of the grow room efficiently.
Verdict
Due to advancements in technology, LED grow lights have changed farming for the better. Using less energy and providing higher yields, these lights have paved the way for indoor farming.
Over the years, Mars Hydro has proven to be a reliable manufacturer of LED grow lights and indoor farming equipment. To help you select the best grow light for your operation, we have compiled a list of the 5 best Mars Hydro grow lights.
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