The best grow light for a 4ft x 2ft or 1.2m x 0.6m grow tent 2022 

I have tested 12 of the best grow lights for a 4ft x 2ft or 1.2m x 0.6m grow tent and compare them for PAR output, efficiency and value for money.

The 4ft x 2ft or 1.2m x 0.6m grow area will deliver a good yield for personal use in a compact grow space. To maximise the potential yield from the space you need about 200 to 300 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 4

Our own MIGRO ARAY 4 is designed by Shane and built here at MIGRO. The ARAY 4 delivers a very even spread across the grow area with the lowest hanging height of all the lights tested. The high efficiency LED driver can be located outside of the grow tent to minimise heat in the grow tent and has on board dimming so you have full control for all stages of growth. 

The ARAY 4 +RED is the standard output model

 

The ARAY 4 PRO is the higher output model

The ARAY 4 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 4 here

Grow 200 and Grow 300 by Grow Light Science

MAXSISUN MF2000 (Discontinued)

Maxsisun is one of Shanes' favourite LED grow light brands because of the mix of excellent build quality and low price. Designed for a 4t x 2ft or 1.2m x 0.6m space and to hang at 40cm or 16" over the plant canopy.

HLG 350R Diablo

 The HLG 350R diablo is designed for a 5ft x 3ft space but will also fit into a 4ft x 2ft space. It is amongst the most efficient grow lights on the market and uses the highest quality Samsung and Osram LEDs combined with a Meanwell LED driver.

The PAR chart below is for a 5ft x 3ft space. In a 4ft x 2ft space the HLG 350R would deliver an average PAR of about 1,160 µmols/m²/second which is in the range where elevated CO2 would be required to utilise the high PAR intensity.

If you want a very high PAR intensity and you are running CO2 in your 4 x 2 the HLG 350R diablo is an excellent solutio

MARS HYDRO SP3000

The MARS HYDRO SP3000 is a high quality led grow light designed for a 4 x 2 grow area. It consumes 300 watts and has on board dimming with daisy chain control

 The system efficiency is good and the light spread is excellent over a 4ft x 2ft area.

Viparspectra P2000

The P2000 delivers a relatively low system efficiency and is one of the lower wattage grow lights in this selection hence it has a lower average PAR intensity

The lowest priced grow light on this list makes this a great light for those on a tight budget.

Bavagreen 260W with UVA and Far Red

This grow light from BavaGREEN has added 380nm UVA, 660nm Red and 730nm Far Red. The UV, red and far red can be switched on separately.

It delivers an ok average PAR intensity but does not cover the whole grow area evenly.

Positives are great spectrum, good efficiency and low price.
Negatives are lack of protection of the LEDs, general build quality and lack of setup information. For these reasons I do not recommend this light.

Spider Farmer SF2000

The SF2000 by Spider Farmer consumes 200 watts, has on board dimming and daisy chain control. It is a rectangular 'quantum board' style light of very simple construction.

It is one of the lower wattage and efficiency grow lights in this selection and delivers a relatively low average PAR intensity and spread.

FEIT Electric 175w LED grow light

A test and review of the Home Depot grow light, the FEI Electric 175W LED grow light. A low system efficiency result of 1.77 PPFD/Watt and a high running temperature means I cannot recommend it.

It is also very expensive for what it is in the Home Depot and Amazon shop. However you can pick one up for much less on Ebay where it is priced more suitably for its performance

Chilled 330W ultra

The highest efficiency grow light in this selection. A very well built light that runs incredible cool

The Chilled Tech ULTRA has surpasses the previous record by the HLG Diablo at 2.68 µmols/watt (usable PPF/watt) system efficacy.

Not a cheap light but it has so many LEDs packed into it I think it is good value for what it is. However it is hard to justify the additional up front cost for this efficiency when it is not paying back in three years.