The best small grow light for a 2 x 2 or 0.6m x 0.6m grow tent

I have tested 12 of the best grow lights for a 2ft x 2ft or 0.6m x 0.6m grow tent and compare them for PAR output, efficiency and value for money.

The 2ft x 2ft or 0.6m x 0.6m grow area is the smallest standard grow tent size available but will deliver a sufficient yield for personal use in a compact grow space. To maximise the potential yield from the space you need about 100 to 150 watts of high efficiency LED lighting. Ideally the light fixture will be suitably sized to cover the area evenly i.e. the fixture is rectangular and close to the physical size of the grow tent. The PAR chart is shown below for each model so you can judge the best solution for your grow space.

Spectrum

 All of the lights have a mixture of mid temperature white LEDs with 660nm reds to improve their electrical and photosynthetic efficiency. Therefore all of the grow lights tested are full spectrum and suitable for growing from seed to harvest.

Grow light comparison method

The comparison chart uses the results from Shanes PAR output and efficiency tests to calculate and compare the total cost of each fixture to deliver an average PAR of 750µmols/m²/second over 1m² grow area over a 3 year period. The 3 year costing includes the cost of the fixture and adds the electricity costs at 17c/KW hour over 14 hours per day average.

MIGRO ARAY 2

The ARAY 2 has two variants, the ARAY 2 +RED red and the higher efficiency PRO version.

It is a 120 Watt to 130 Watt 2 led bar light for a 2ft x 2ft (0.6m x 0.6m) grow area with the following features:

On board dimming from 10% to 100% output

High efficiency LED driver can be located outside the tent to minimise heat input in the grow tent.

Full spectrum output to grow from seed to harvest

LEDs are acrylic coated to protest from dirt and moisture

Low hanging height for small spaces

Our own MIGRO ARAY 2 is designed by Shane and built here at MIGRO. The ARAY is an LED bar type light which is unusual for a small grow light for a 2 x 2. The relatively wide spread of the LEDs allows a low hanging height, very useful for small grows paces.

The 16cm and 18cm hanging height for the ARAY 2 +RED and PRO versions  delivers an even spread with system efficiency of 2.26 to 2.37 usable PPF per watt, respectively.

The ARAY 2 is excellent build quality and uses the highest quality and efficient white LEDs by Seoul Semiconductors and Osram 660nm reds.

The ARAY is also a modular system and can be upgraded to larger grow sizes by simply adding on additional fixtures.

Buy the ARAY 2 here

Senelux SE1000

This is a very good looking grow light by Senelux. The SE-1000 is specified for a 2ft x 2ft (60cm x 60cm) grow area and has a lot of nice features like: On board dimming Full spectrum light output LEDs coated with silicone to protect from dust and moisture.

I found the optimum hanging height at 10 inches or 25cm in the test setup with silver mylar walls. The Senelux SE-1000 delivers an average PAR intensity of 570 µmols/m²/second across the test plane. The light consumed 103.3 watts at the wall and a resultant system efficiency of 1.99 µmols/watt (usable ppf/watt) which is a good result for a fixture of this quality and value for money.

MAXSISUN MF2000

Maxsisun is one of Shanes' favourite LED grow light brands because of the mix of excellent build quality and low price. Designed for a 2t x 2ft or 0.6m x 0.6m space and to hang at 40cm or 16" over the plant canopy.

Growealth G1500 LED grow light with UVA & IR

The Growealth G1500 is an excellent value for money grow light. The G1500 is 150 watts of White and Red LEDs with added Far Red and UVA LEDs.

It is designed for a 2ft x 2t or 60cm x 60cm grow area and delivers a high PAR intensity and good spread.

It has all the features you would want including:

Good Efficiency with Samsung LM301b LEDs Full spectrum (grow from seed to harvest) Added UVA and IR Diodes Silicone coated LEDs for protection Can connect the grow light with controller or APP On board dimming from 20% to 100% output

MARS HYDRO TS1000

The latest version of the MARS HYDRO TS1000 LED grow light for a 2.5ft x 2.5ft or 80cm x 80cm grow space.

The light draws 145 Watts from the wall and at 30cm or 12" hanging height delivers an average PAR of 510 µmols/m²/second which is a good level. The system efficiency is 1.96 µmols/watt (usable PPF/watt)

Viparspectra P1000

Tested in a 2 x 2 or 60cm x 60cm space at 25cm hanging height it delivers 1.89 umols/watt usable PPF to the grow canopy and 533 umols average in a 2x2. A very good result for a very cheap light like this.

Atreum Lighting Hydra 1000 Pro

The new HYDRA 1000 PRO by Atreum Lighting is a good quality and good value light suitable for a 2 x 2 or 60cm x 60cm grow space.

It is a 'quantum board' style light, LEDs mounted on a square aluminium plate, but with the LEDs cleverly distributed towards the edges so that there is more even light spread than the competition. The Hydra PRO includes a high quality Meanwell driver and clever (linkable) dimmer control mounted on the back of the light.

 AC Infinity Iongrid T22

AC Infinity are a well known brand to most indoor grower for producing high quality extract fans and now they are making sophisticated LED grow lights.

The new IONGRID T22 Grow light is beautifully designed and packed with features including: On board controller for dimming, timer scheduling and connecting to other light fixtures, fans etc. Samsung LM301B LEDs with silicone coating for protection from dirt and moisture. Full spectrum output for growing from seed to harvest

I found the optimum hanging height in a 2ft x 2ft (60cm x 60cm) test area to be 30cm or 12" from the underside of the light to the top of the simulated plant canopy. The Average PAR intensity delivered was 721 µmols/m²/second and a system efficiency of 1.91 µmols/watt (usable PPF/watt)

 Bestva Pro Series 100W

The BESTVA pro series LE grow light is now available on Amazon.

The build quality is very good and it has nice features such as on board dimming, silicone coating on the LEDs and specified with a Meanwell driver and Samsung LEDs. However it is not efficient as the components suggest.

This 100W version is sold to flower up to 2.5ft x 2.5ft or 75cm x 75cm but, as tested, I would recommend for a 2ft x 2ft or 60cm x 60cm space. The efficiency and PAR output is a little below the competition at 1.84µmols/watt or usable PPF per watt (I would expect over 2 for the components specified).

 Viparspectra XS1500

Slightly more expensive than the Viparspectra P1000 and not as good in terms of performance means we would not recommend this fixture. We would recommend the XS1500 instead.

Spider Farmer SF1000

The spider Farmer SF1000 is a 97 Watt panel grow light.

The light is specified as dimmable, however it is not really dimmable as the dimmer is not accessible without removing the driver and the method of dimming is the internal screw type which is not suitable for regular use. The driver is located on the back of the light (also a heat source). The driver should be remote from the light source to keep it as cool as possible.

The LEDs are protected by a silicone protective layer but the silicone layer is delicate and can be easily scratched off itself.It is a full spectrum light output of 3600K with some added Far Red and a good efficiency of 1.96 PAR output per watt to the grow area.