Comparing grow lights suitable for a 3 x 3 grow area
I have tested 7 of the best grow lights for a 3ft x 3ft or 1m x 1m grow tent and compare them for PAR output, efficiency and value for money.
The 3ft x 3ft or 1m x 1m grow area will deliver a good yield for personal use in a compact grow space.
Not your size? try here:
12 best grow lights for a 2 x 2 grow space (0.6m x 0.6m)
10 best grow lights for a 4 x 2 grow space (1.2m x .6m)
16 best grow lights for a 4 x 4 grow space (1.2m x 1.2m)
21 best grow lights for a 5 x 5 grow space (1.5m x 1.5m)
How many grow light watts for a 3x3?
To maximise the potential yield from the space you need LED grow light wattage of 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 square 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.
Comparison of grow light Spectrum
All of the lights tested 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 800µmols/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 23c/KW hour over 14 hours per day average.
List of the best grow lights for a 3x3 grow tent
MIGRO ARAY 3
The MIGRO ARAY 3 is the largest LED bar type light on the list and 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 MIGRO ARAY 3 is a large fixture with excellent spread over a 3x3 area and delivers high PAR intensity all across the plant canopy with an average PAR of 708µmols/m²/second.
The MIGRO ARAY 3 is excellent build quality and uses the highest quality and efficient white LEDs by Samsung and Osram 660nm reds.
Viparspectra KS3000
The Viparspectra KS3000 is a foldable grow light and is pre assembled and ready to hang. It is very well built and includes high quality LEDs, the LM301H by Samsung and the 660nm Reds by Osram.
The LED driver is remote with a long power cable with on board and daisy chain dimming as standard.
There are 6 LED bars unevenly spaced & with LEDs more dense at the end of each bar to ensure the most even spread of light possible.
The light is recommended for a 8" or 21cm hanging height and delivers an excellent 847 µmols average PAR across the grow area and consumes 298 wats at the wall. The efficiency test result is 2.3 usable PPF per watt which is excellent for a light with this price tag.
Overall an excellent light I am happy to recommend.
Growealth G3000
The Growealth G3000 is a 300W LED grow light suitable for a 3ft x 3ft or 90cm x 90cm grow area with a wideband spectrum with added IR and UV.
The Growealth G3000 is an excellent value for money grow light. The G3000 is 300 watts of White and Red LEDs with added 15W each of Infra Red and UVA LEDs. Although it is not the highest build quality of the lights in this list it delivers a high PAR intensity and good spread.
This fixture delivers the highest average PAR of all the models chosen and has the added benefit of a wide band spectrum with added UVA and Far red.
Spider Farmer SE3000
The Spider Farmer SE3000 LED grow light is designed for a 3ft x 3ft or 90cm x 90cm grow space.
The light requires a little assembly which is very easy and quick. The Meanwell LED driver can be mounted on the back of the bars or remotely, whichever suits your setup. The driver has on board dimming as well as ports for daisy chain dimming control. The white LEDs are Samsung LM301B with protective coating and there are also added UVA and Far red diodes.
The light was tested in a 3x3 area at 12" or 30cm hanging height. The average PAR was 775 µmols which is a good level and the system efficiency calculated at 2.17 µmols/watt or usable PPF/watt.
Lightmyleaf 240W
The 240W light by Lightmyleaf is a simple but very nicely finished led grow light. The LED driver is mounted on the back of the light and has on board dimming and has connections for daisy chain dimming control.
The LEDs are a mix of cool and warm white with additional 660nm deep red diodes and it is full spectrum. Suitable for growing from seed to harvest. The LEDs are also protected with a silicone coating to protect them from dirt and moisture. The whole fixture is IP65 rated meaning it is suitable for installation in a wet area.
The light can cover a 4ft x 2ft or 3ft x 3ft grow area. We tested in a 3f x 3ft area at 16inches hanging height.
The average PAR over the 3x3 was 608 µmols and the power draw was 246.1 Watts. The system efficiency of the fixture is 2.0µmols/watt or usable PPF/watt.
Senelux SE4000
The Senelux SE4000 is a 420 watt LED grow light that will cover an area of 3x3 for Photoperiod plants and 4x4 for Autos.
The Spectrum output is a mixture of 3000K warm white and 6500K Cool white LEDs with additional 660nm deep red LEDs for added electrical and photosynthetic efficiency.
The light hangs very simply from two ratchet hanger and has a long 6ft power cable.
The driver is mounted on the back of the LED board and has onboard dimming from 40% to 100% in 20% increments.
I tested it in a 3x3 or 90cm x 90cm test area with silver mylar walls at 18" or 45cm hanging height. The average PAR was 978 µmols across the test area and the fixture consumes 417 watts. The system efficiency for this light is 1.9 usable PPF per watt. I also tested in a 4x4 or 120cm x 120cm space and the average PAR was 575 µmols, suitable for autoflowers.
The fixture is IP65 rated for wet areas and has a protective conformal coating over the LEDs to protect them from dirt and moisture. The light is also ETL listed confirming its quality of design, build and components.
The Photontek (Lumatek) SQ300W PRO
Not your size? try here:
12 best grow lights for a 2 x 2 grow space (0.6m x 0.6m)
10 best grow lights for a 4 x 2 grow space (1.2m x .6m)
16 best grow lights for a 4 x 4 grow space (1.2m x 1.2m)
21 best grow lights for a 5 x 5 grow space (1.5m x 1.5m)
Comments
Mat
The test comparison seems a little biased? The chart for the array3 is comparing hanging height of 8” vs all the others are close to double or more. Why is data presented this way?
June 13, 2023
Partech LED Ltd
Henry, we would suggest our own ARAY 3, it’s way under your budget :)
Link here: https://migrolight.com/collections/aray/products/migro-aray-3-270w#
July 11, 2022
Henry
SOrry, in regards to my last question I forgot to add the big question although your review really brings all fixtures in category and rank to choose from. Considering growing specifically cannabis, Far red intensity, built and longevity of diodes and a total budged of $500.00. Can I place my money on the Photontek for the 3×3 or maybe not? Sorry if is dumb question. Thanks for your reviews! I would definitely recommend and use the code to support your work!!
July 11, 2022
Henry
Hello, I have a question. Let’s say my budged is $500.00 and since I’m growing specifically cannabis, could you please educate me why the comparison with Photontek was displayed with a 100cm while others were calculated at 90cm setup?
I’m asking because on Feb this year you did a test using the 3 × 3 and posted on the instagram where PAR range were different with an efficiency of 1.89 ppfd/w (avg PAR 930) showing a light distribution more evenly spread on the graph.
July 11, 2022
Andre Robichaud
Some of those light don’t have neither UV nor IR which consume way more power than ordinary LM301H LED for instance. So this price/watt survey is useless.
April 12, 2022
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