Grow lights have revolutionized indoor gardening, allowing people to grow a variety of plants, including fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables, in the comfort of their own homes.
One of the biggest challenges of indoor gardening is providing adequate light to plants, especially seedlings, which require a specific type and amount of light for healthy growth.
Fortunately, there are many different types of grow lights available that can help promote healthy growth in seedlings and other indoor plants.
In this article, we’ll explore seven of the best cheap grow lights for seedlings, including LED grow lights, T5 fluorescent grow lights, and DIY options.
Whether you’re an experienced indoor gardener or just starting out, this guide will help you find the perfect grow light to ensure healthy growth for your seedlings.
We’ll cover the pros and cons of each type of grow light, as well as provide specific brand recommendations to consider.
Investing in a good quality grow light is crucial for indoor gardening success, and we’re here to help you make the best choice for your specific needs and budget.
So, let’s dive into the world of grow lights and discover the perfect fit for your indoor garden.
7 Types of Grow Light For Seedlings
Here are the different grow light types you can buy for your seedlings:
1). LED grow lights
LED grow lights have become increasingly popular in recent years due to their energy efficiency and longevity.
They are a great option for indoor gardening, especially when it comes to growing seedlings.
I’ve personally used several brands of LED grow lights and found that the Roleadro 600W LED Grow Light is a great option for those on a budget.
One of the best things about the Roleadro 600W LED Grow Light is its high PAR value.
This means that it provides a high level of photosynthetically active radiation, which is essential for the growth of seedlings. It also has a color temperature of 6000K, which closely mimics natural sunlight and promotes healthy growth.
Another great feature of the Roleadro 600W LED Grow Light is its adjustable brightness. You can control the amount of light your seedlings receive by dimming the light as needed.
This is particularly useful when you’re growing sensitive seedlings that require less light to thrive.
I’ve also found that the Roleadro 600W LED Grow Light is relatively easy to set up and use.
It comes with hanging hardware and an easy-to-use controller. It’s also lightweight, so it’s easy to move around if you need to adjust the positioning of your plants.
Overall, I’ve been very happy with my experience using the Roleadro 600W LED Grow Light. It’s a cost-effective option that provides high-quality light for seedlings.
Other brands to consider include KingLED, Phlizon, and Viparspectra, all of which offer LED grow lights that are great for growing seedlings.
2). T5 fluorescent grow lights
T5 fluorescent grow lights are a reliable and cost-effective option for those who are looking to grow seedlings indoors.
They have a lower upfront cost than LED lights and are often more energy efficient than incandescent bulbs.
I’ve used several T5 fluorescent grow lights over the years, and I’ve found that the Hydrofarm Agrobrite T5 grow light is a great option for those on a budget.
One of the best things about the Hydrofarm Agrobrite T5 grow light is its reflector.
The reflector helps to direct the light towards your plants, which maximizes the amount of light they receive. It also has a color temperature of 6400K, which is ideal for promoting healthy growth.
Another great feature of the Hydrofarm Agrobrite T5 grow light is that it’s relatively easy to set up and use.
It comes with a stand that makes it easy to position over your plants, and the bulbs are easy to replace when needed.
One thing to keep in mind when using T5 fluorescent grow lights is that they can get hot, so you’ll want to make sure to keep them away from anything that could be a fire hazard.
You’ll also want to replace the bulbs every 6-12 months to ensure that your plants are receiving the optimal amount of light.
Overall, the Hydrofarm Agrobrite T5 grow light is a great option for those who are looking to grow seedlings on a budget.
Other brands to consider include Sun Blaze and Agrobrite, both of which offer reliable T5 fluorescent grow lights.
3). CFL grow lights
CFL grow lights are another cost-effective option for those who are looking to grow seedlings indoors.
They are often cheaper than LED or fluorescent lights and can still provide enough light for seedlings to grow.
I’ve used several CFL grow lights over the years and found that the GE Grow Light Bulb is a great option for those on a budget.
One of the best things about the GE Grow Light Bulb is that it has a color temperature of 6500K, which closely mimics natural sunlight. This helps to promote healthy growth in seedlings.
The bulb also uses less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, making it a more eco-friendly choice.
Another great feature of the GE Grow Light Bulb is its size.
It’s compact and can easily fit into most light fixtures, making it a versatile option for indoor gardening. It’s also relatively easy to set up and use, as you can simply screw it into a standard light socket.
One thing to keep in mind when using CFL grow lights is that they do emit heat, so you’ll want to make sure to keep them away from anything that could be a fire hazard.
You’ll also want to make sure to replace the bulb every 6-12 months to ensure that your plants are receiving the optimal amount of light.
Overall, the GE Grow Light Bulb is a great option for those who are looking to grow seedlings on a budget.
Other brands to consider include Feit Electric and SunBlaster, both of which offer reliable CFL grow lights.
4). HID grow lights
HID grow lights are a more expensive option than LED, fluorescent, or CFL lights, but they also provide a higher level of light intensity.
They are often used by professional growers, but can also be a good option for those who are looking to grow seedlings indoors.
I’ve used several HID grow lights over the years and found that the VIVOSUN 600W MH/HPS grow light is a great option for those on a budget.
One of the best things about the VIVOSUN 600W MH/HPS grow light is that it’s a dual-spectrum light, which means it can be used for both vegetative and flowering stages of growth.
It also has a high PAR output and color temperature, which helps to promote healthy growth in seedlings.
Another great feature of the VIVOSUN 600W MH/HPS grow light is its adjustable ballast.
You can adjust the wattage to control the intensity of the light your seedlings receive, which is particularly useful when you’re growing sensitive plants.
One thing to keep in mind when using HID grow lights is that they can get hot, so you’ll want to make sure to keep them away from anything that could be a fire hazard.
You’ll also want to replace the bulbs every 6-12 months to ensure that your plants are receiving the optimal amount of light.
Overall, the VIVOSUN 600W MH/HPS grow light is a great option for those who are looking to grow seedlings on a budget.
Other brands to consider include iPower and Apollo Horticulture, both of which offer reliable HID grow lights.
5). Full spectrum grow lights
Full spectrum grow lights are designed to provide a wide range of light wavelengths that closely mimic natural sunlight.
They are a great option for indoor gardening, especially when it comes to growing seedlings.
I found that the Giixer 1000W LED grow light is a great option for those on a budget.
One of the best things about the Giixer 1000W LED grow light is its full spectrum design.
It provides a range of light wavelengths that are ideal for promoting healthy growth in seedlings. It also has a high PAR value and color temperature, which helps to ensure that your plants receive the optimal amount of light.
Another great feature of the Giixer 1000W LED grow light is its adjustable brightness. You can control the amount of light your seedlings receive by dimming the light as needed.
This is particularly useful when you’re growing sensitive seedlings that require less light to thrive.
I’ve also found that the Giixer 1000W LED grow light is relatively easy to set up and use. It comes with hanging hardware and an instruction manual, so you can easily install it in your indoor garden.
It’s also relatively quiet, which is a plus if you plan on keeping it in a shared living space.
One thing to keep in mind when using full-spectrum grow lights is that they can be expensive compared to other types of grow lights.
However, the Giixer 1000W LED grow light is a great budget option that provides excellent value for its price.
Overall, the Giixer 1000W LED grow light is a great option for those who are looking for a full-spectrum grow light that won’t break the bank.
Other brands to consider include Spider Farmer and VIPARSPECTRA, both of which offer reliable full-spectrum grow lights.
6). T5 fluorescent grow lights
T5 fluorescent grow lights are a popular choice for indoor gardeners, as they provide a good level of light intensity and are relatively energy-efficient.
They are also a great option for those who are looking to grow seedlings on a budget.
The Agrobrite FLT24 T5 grow light is a great option for those on a budget.
One of the best things about the Agrobrite FLT24 T5 grow light is its compact design.
It can easily fit into most indoor growing spaces, making it a versatile option for those who have limited space. It also provides a good level of light intensity, which is ideal for promoting healthy growth in seedlings.
Another great feature of the Agrobrite FLT24 T5 grow light is its energy efficiency. It uses less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, which can help to save you money on your energy bills in the long run.
It also emits less heat than other types of grow lights, which can be beneficial if you’re growing seedlings in a small space.
One thing to keep in mind when using T5 fluorescent grow lights is that they can be a bit fragile.
You’ll want to make sure to handle them with care when setting them up and adjusting them. You’ll also want to replace the bulbs every 6-12 months to ensure that your plants are receiving the optimal amount of light.
Overall, the Agrobrite FLT24 T5 grow light is a great option for those who are looking to grow seedlings on a budget.
The Sun Blaze and Hydrofarm offer reliable T5 fluorescent grow lights.
7). DIY grow lights
If you’re feeling handy, you can also consider making your own DIY grow lights.
This is a great option for those who are looking to save money and have a bit of fun in the process.
There are many different tutorials available online that can help you create your own grow lights using materials like PVC pipe, LED strips, and reflective tape.
One of the best things about DIY grow lights is that you can customize them to fit your specific needs.
You can choose the type of light bulbs you want to use, as well as the size and shape of your grow light.
This can be particularly useful if you have a specific indoor growing space that you need to fit your grow light into.
Another great thing about DIY grow lights is that they can be a fun project to work on.
It’s a great way to learn more about indoor gardening and experiment with different types of light setups.
One thing to keep in mind when making your own DIY grow lights is that it can take some time and effort to get them set up properly.
You’ll also want to make sure that you’re using high-quality materials to ensure that your grow light is safe and effective.
Overall, making your own DIY grow lights can be a great option for those who are looking to save money and have a bit of fun in the process. However, if you’re not comfortable with DIY projects or don’t have the time to spare, it may be better to opt for a pre-made grow light.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to choosing the best cheap grow light for seedlings, there are many options available.
From LED grow lights to T5 fluorescent grow lights and even DIY options, there’s a grow light to fit every budget and growing space.
Ultimately, the best grow light for you will depend on your specific needs and budget.
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly option that provides a good level of light intensity and energy efficiency, the Agrobrite FLT24 T5 grow light and the Giixer 1000W LED grow light are both great options to consider.
No matter which grow light you choose, it’s important to make sure that your seedlings are receiving the optimal amount of light to ensure healthy growth.
With the right grow light and a bit of care and attention, you can create a thriving indoor garden that will provide you with fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables year-round.
