I recently got a couple of Ficus bonsai for my living room, and that’s when I came to know about grow lights.
That’s because I have mostly been an avid outdoor gardener all my life, remaining largely oblivious to the marvels of science and technology that can replicate the natural environment for plants. But there’s a first time for everything, right?
So, when I asked my best friend Angie about bonsai plants and their requirements, she wasted no time introducing me to these lights. And as I tried some of them out, I decided to share the experience with my readers.
Hey there! I’m Stacy, and today, I have this guide to the top 5 grow lights out there.
Top 5 Bonsai Grow Lights Reviews
1. Shengsite LED Grow Light
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One of the first recommendations on my list is this full-spectrum grow light from Shengsite. Featuring a robust frame and advanced LED chips, this unit is designed to be suitable for a wide variety of indoor plants. So, whether you’re looking for the perfect gift for that garden-enthusiast friend or want to illuminate your indoor garden, this can fit the bill.
Product Highlights
Right off the bat, I loved the full-spectrum design of this grow light, which is not something I have seen in a lot of options. While most grow lights on the market employ only blue and red lights, this one has everything in the 380 to 800nm range, including UV, IR, and 500k warm white light.
As a result, it can mimic the natural properties of sunlight to promote optimum photosynthesis and subsequent growth of the plants. In hindsight, this 75-watt unit uses advanced LED chips to create light that supports the plants through various stages like fruiting, blooming, seeding, etc. Not only that, but a few wavelengths also come in handy for sterilizing the greens.
I also liked how the brand uses a lightweight yet durable frame that weighs only 1.2 pounds. The unit can be easily assembled in a few minutes and hung almost anywhere indoors to cut down on my effort.
What’s There To Like About It?
I absolutely detest assembling equipment or tools the DIY way, and my husband rarely offers a helping hand, as he wants me to learn the art. And although I was a bit terrified by the steel hanging kit, the process of installing it was rather easy. So, brownie points for that!
But what impressed me the most was the Cree LED beads, which are specially designed to facilitate even light distribution without heating up unnecessarily. This makes it an energy-efficient unit, which is a huge advantage for users.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Perhaps, the only thing that I rue with this grow light is the absence of a waterproof design, as I have to be extra careful to shield it from water while watering my bonsai. Other than that, the brightness is pretty high, so I prefer wearing shades when working under it. However, given its efficiency, these problems won’t prove to be deal-breakers.
Pros and Cons of Shengsite LED Grow Light
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2. EZORKAS Grow Light
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I never knew that adjustable grow lights are a thing until I came across this unit from EAORKAS. It has a compact design and user-friendly features that make it ideal for novice users like me. And the brand has ensured that it doesn’t miss out on any necessary elements.
Product Highlights
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much from this grow light, especially after seeing the intensive design of its predecessor. But I was pleasantly surprised that the smart design has all the right features without blocking an entire corner of your home.
For starters, it’s integrated with 48 high-efficiency LED lights, of which 16 are blue and 32 are red. As such, this distribution of red and blue lights replicates natural sunlight to boost the development of the plants. Moreover, you can switch between the blue and red lights or use them simultaneously.
Likewise, it has 9 brightness modes, allowing you to adjust the brightness anywhere between 20% and 100%. Long story short, you can customize the lights and their brightness according to the specific growth stage of the plant. And the switch on/off button is conveniently located so that you can manually turn it off when not in use.
What’s There To Like About It?
Before anything else, let me tell you about the 3 cycle timing modes that made my life so much easier. I could easily program it to run for 3, 9 or 12 hours by pressing the “timer” and “power” buttons together. And once the period is over, the light will automatically switch off. Talk about being user-friendly!
Furthermore, the robust clip at the base can be used to attach it to almost any surface that’s 3-inch thick.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
One thing to note is that the compact structure and fewer LED light beads don't make it very suitable for covering large areas. If you want to illuminate multiple bonsais at a go, then I’d recommend getting two or more such units. So, you may need to stretch your budget by a bit.
Pros and Cons of EZORKAS Grow Light
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3. Lxyoug LED Grow Lights
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Next up on my list is the Lxyoug LED grow light, which garnered my attention owing to its distinct design. Not only can it provide extensive coverage to your bonsai and indoor garden, but it can also be remote controlled to cut down on the user’s efforts.
Product Highlights
First things first, this unit has 4 light heads equipped with 3 light spectrums, viz., warm white, red and blue, red, blue, and white. While the warm white light replicates the sunlight to provide the plant with its natural environment, the red and blue wavelengths aid the different stages of plant development, like germination, rooting, photosynthesis, etc.
Apart from that, the remote control allows users to operate the unit conveniently by choosing the auto-timer mode, the required brightness level (10 levels between 10% and 100%) as well as the light color. These buttons are also present on the in-line controller so that accessing the functions is never a problem.
Plus, the tripod stand design facilitates adjusting the light heads from anywhere between 15 and 60 degrees. In tandem with the 360-degree gooseneck, it provides optimum coverage to both smaller and larger areas.
Last but not least, the brand offers a 24-month warranty and 90-day return guarantee.
What’s There To Like About It?
Much like the EZORKAS grow light, this model is integrated with 3 auto timing memory functions that can operate for 4, 8 or 12 hours. The desired setting automatically switches on the light at a pre-fixed time and switches it off after the said period.
Hence, I don’t have to worry about keeping my bonsai babies light-deprived when I’m not at home. Besides, the LED beads are pretty energy-saving and don’t get hot to touch.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
The only caveat that I found while testing out this unit is that the tripod tends to wobble a bit when I try adjusting the head. However, rest assured that it won’t topple over. Additionally, the wide base may be difficult to fit in compact spaces.
Pros and Cons of Lxyoug LED Grow Lights
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4. Juhefa Dual-Head Plant Lamp
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Before concluding the list, here’s another option that you should consider. Sporting a sleek design, the Juhefa dual-head plant lamp has almost all the features that you will find in some higher-end models. Additionally, the simple setup is a boon for novices.
Product Highlights
If space constraint is a major concern for you, then this unit may bail you out of trouble. It has 2 light heads originating from the base clip, which account for a tri-color spectrum. Furthermore, both heads have 20 red, 20 blue, and 20 white LEDs.
Interestingly, the final output lights are purple, warm white, and mixed white, which are quite unusual. Nevertheless, this unit can assist the different growth stages so that your plants can develop fully.
Moreover, the light heads are equipped with the latest drive processor chips for brighter and better illumination. But you can still adjust the brightness level according to the existing natural light and the growth stage of the bonsai.
Although I had opted for the 50-watt model, you can choose the 100-watt variant if required. Both of them come at reasonable prices, so you don’t have to break the bank. Besides, they are backed with an 18-month warranty.
What’s There To Like About It?
Since my husband isn’t a gardener per se, I don’t expect him to take care of my greens when I go out with friends or visit my son. And the timer function of this grow light takes all my worries away, as I can set it to operate for 4, 8, or 12 hours at a stretch.
Furthermore, the clip base makes the setup process a breeze. At the same, its sturdy build ensures that the light doesn’t fall off the surface.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
I was disappointed to find the cord length shorter than what most grow lights come with. Plus, the adapter didn’t fit my surge protector, so it may have only been designed to be compatible with wall power outlets. Besides, some users have reported that the light protector tends to get displaced.
Pros and Cons of Juhefa Dual-Head Plant Lamp
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5. Pylyfe Grow Light
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Yet another full-spectrum grow light that made it to my list today is this unit from Pylyfe. Comprising 20 LED beads, it has 3 color modes that can be used throughout the plant growth cycle. Read on to find more about its key features.
Product Highlights
First and foremost, the Pylyfe grow light supports a diverse wavelength ranging between 380 nm and 780 mn and 2 colors - red and blue. This means that users can choose either the red light, the blue light, or a mixed beam. And the total output is 20 watts per hour. However, you can also choose the 40-watt or 60-watt per hour variant.
Additionally, the brightness can be adjusted through 9 modes so that you can replicate natural sunlight, no matter the growth stage of the plant.
Similar to most of its other predecessors, this one doesn’t miss out on an auto switch on-switch off feature. Hence, it’s safe to say that user convenience won’t be a problem. Finished off with a durable attachment clip and 360-degree gooseneck, it’s an easy-to-use unit suitable for novices and experts alike.
What’s There To Like About It?
I liked the smooth rotation of the gooseneck, which ensured that I could customize the illumination without worrying about the light tumbling off the table. Likewise, the multi-function controller is attached to the power cord for convenient access to the brightness and auto-timer modes.
Moreover, it can be used for a wide range of succulents, flowering plants, and fruit plants to boost the germination, seeding, and flowering or fruiting process.
What’s There Not To Like About It?
Although it can be powered by an USB and AC adapter, some users have reported that the latter doesn’t work as well, making it difficult to plug into any standard power outlet. Apart from that, I found that the brightness didn’t change much from levels 7 to 9.
Pros and Cons of Pylyfe Grow Light
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Buyers Guide
So, did you find the best bonsai grow lights? Don’t worry- no one is going to judge you if you haven’t taken a pick yet. While choosing one for my indoor garden, I discovered that there are a few important things to consider, irrespective of the fact that you’re buying it for the first time or looking for a replacement.
That’s why I thought it’d be a good idea to list some of them in the following sections.
1. Light Spectrum
One of the first things to look for while choosing a grow light for your bonsai is the light spectrum it employs. Since these plants usually require a lot of sunlight, it’s best you go for a light that offers a diverse wavelength, preferably ranging between 380 nm and 800 mn. This will ensure that your greens receive all the frequencies required during the different growth stages.
As far as the color stream is concerned, most grow lights emit blue and red lights, while some may also emit a white stream, and you can opt for either.
2. LED Beads
The last thing you’d want is for the grow light to rack up your power utility bills. Hence, I’d strongly recommend a unit that has energy-efficient LED beads for optimal power consumption. Besides, they don’t get heated up as fast as traditional lights, thereby cutting down on the risk of burn injuries and making them suitable for placement almost anywhere at home.
3. Brightness Levels
Adjustable brightness levels in a grow light facilitate customizing the brightness level as and when required. For instance, you may sometimes need to tone down the lights, simply because there’s too much natural light in the room.
In this regard, most units allow you a brightness adjustment between 20% and 80% or 10% and 100%. So, go through the product description before deciding to buy one.
4. Auto-Timer
This is my favorite feature by far, as it efficiently reduces the need for constant monitoring of the lights. As you may have already understood by now, the auto-timer feature keeps the lights switched on for a said interval and switches it off after that. And this will happen until you disable the feature altogether.
So, if you set the timer for 3 hours, then the light will run for the period, switch off at the right time, and get switched on again after a “rest interval.” And this rest interval will vary from one brand to another. But usually, most units rest for a minimum of 6 hours before turning on again.
5. Hanging Vs. Mountable Design
Whether you opt for a hanging or mounting grow light will depend on the available space. For the former, you may also need to drill a hole in the wall to place a hook that will hold the light in place. Or, you can use an adhesive wall hook. However, hanging lights don’t generally fit compact spaces due to their broad surface.
On the other hand, mountable grow lights can be simply secured to a table or similar surface using a clip-equipped base. Hence, they are easier to install and don’t require you to poke holes in the ceiling or walls. But no matter which type you choose, make sure that the package comes with all the required accessories for installation.
6. Service Life
It’s no secret that you’d want a long-lasting grow light, and the good news is that even a lot of affordable options on the market can last between 30,000 and 50,000 hours, if not more. I’d also suggest investing in a brand that offers a substantial warranty so that repairs and replacements become convenient in case of any issue.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, grow lights can be used for different indoor plants, including the small fruit, flower, or herb plants in your indoor kitchen garden. However, make sure that the brightness and color spectrum is suitable for their growth.
Most grow lights aren’t designed to be waterproof since they aren’t usually placed outdoors, which is why it’s important to shield them from humidity. I always make it a point to clean my grow lights with a soft, clean cloth regularly and especially every time I water the plants in its vicinity.
Depending on the type of bonsai you plan to grow, it may need about 4 to 6 hours of direct exposure to light.
To ensure optimum intensity, the distance between the light and the plant should be 12 inches or less.
I’d advise regularly wiping the grow light with a soft cloth to get rid of loose dust particles and debris. You can also use an earbud to carefully remove the dirt that has accumulated between the light beads. And keep it switched off when not in use to keep the LEDs functional for prolonged periods.
My Final Recommendation
With that, it’s time for me to wrap up this guide on the best bonsai grow lights.
I understand if you need a few minutes to process all that information, so take your time! Meanwhile, let me help you further by naming my favorites from the lot.
The No products found. grow light is my top pick due to its full-spectrum light and easy to install design. But if you want a model with adjustable brightness, then I’d suggest investing in the No products found. grow light, which comes with as many as 9 brightness levels.
And here’s a pro tip: make sure that you have a power outlet in the vicinity of the grow light to avoid the hassle of employing extension cords.
I will see you next time. Till then, happy gardening!