Best Plasma Grow Light Reviews 2021 – Finding The Newest Lamps For Indoor Growing

Introduction to plasma lights

When it comes to lighting up your grow space there are different point of views, each of them having their pros, cons and enthusiast supporters. Passionate debates are often seen among blogs and specialized websites and many comparative studies are available on the subject, everyone looking for the ultimate light source.

Even if common grounds can be found among growers regarding various lamps, nothing divides them more than plasma grow lighting, some of them claiming they are the truly efficient indoor grow light revolution we’ve all been waiting for, while others consider them as a money waste.

Let’s try to get a better insight of what it’s all about.

Plasma Grow Lights Comparison Table

A plasma lamp? What is that?

Invented by the famous engineer Nikola Tesla in the late 1800s, they use induction or electromagnetic fields to transfer power instead of electrodes, and thus are called LEP lamps ( Light Emitting Plasma).

« Plasma » is a generic term referring to different kinds of induction lights. Sulfur and metal halide plasma are the main kinds of plasma grow lights for sale.

As they are fairly new grow lights on the market and quite expensive, very few people use them and there is a lack of feedback information regarding their efficiency.

General overview

Benefits provided by LEP grow-light:

• A very complete light spectrum adapted for vegetative periods (around 5500 Kelvin).
• An increased lifespan due to the lack of electrodes. Average run time is around 30,000 to 40,000 hours.
• Long-lasting light intensity as opposed to HPS and MH bulbs, resulting in lower maintenance costs and a greener ecological outcome.
• Deeper light penetration than CFL bulbs, T5 fluorescent tubes and most LED lamps.
• Power savings, as they consume less than HID lights – https://plantsily.com/grow-lights/hps-high-pressure-sodium-bulbs-review/.

Inconveniences of inductions lighting:

• Poor light penetration compared to HID lamps, the light won’t reach to the lower parts of your plants.
• Very high initial cost compared to other lamps, sometimes exceeding the price of last generation LED panels.
• High heat is produced by the bulb itself, and a fan is often needed for heat dispersion and to prevent the plants from burning.
• Average lower lumen per watt production than HPS / MH lamps, meaning less efficiency for equivalent power-use.
• As they are fairly new grow lights on the market and due to their price, very few people use them and there is a lack of feedback information regarding their efficiency. Many information are in fact claims made by manufacturers themselves and shouldn’t be necessarily regarded as reliable.

Plasma grow light review:

1. Alphalite Plasma Grow Light (Light Emitting Plasma Horticultural Grow Light)

• Features of the Simply Green Solutions Plasma Grow Light
• Energy saving up to 50% over HID lighting
• Provides full color spectrum close to sunlight
• CRI up to 94
• Light weight and easy maintenance and Lifetime 30,000 Hours

Available for less than $500 this light is produced by Alphalite, which is a leading company in the induction lighting business. It’s been designed to have a light-weight, which might be interesting if you use a small grow box unable to hold a heavy lamp.

– Read Full Review

2. Hydrofarm Plasma Induction Light 400W “Grow” 5500K

• Long lumen maintenance – 90% output at 70,000 hours
• Energy efficient – consumes 50% of conventional lighting systems
• Lower heat output
• Color temperature 5,500K – perfect for plant growth
• Environmentally safe

First model under $700, its 5500K light is ideal for vegetative periods. It has a low heat output, considerably reducing cooling costs and a long lifespan, delivering long-lasting intense light.

3. Rocket Plasma Grow Light System, 120V/240V 230W

•  Rocket Plasma – The first and only red plasma grow light!
• Runs at 120V or 240V with very low amperage draw
• Optimized for 4′ x 4′ coverage
• 3,000 K Lamp takes plants from seed to flower
• Made in the USA

Still very high-priced, but you can find it under $1,000. It’s the only model I know specifically designed to produce red light (around 3,000 K) which makes it the right one to use during flowering stages. It seems to produce little heat, and thus being a good solution for grow spaces with a limited ventilation setup.

4. Gavita Pro 300 LEP Plasma Grow Light System 240V

• Solid state horticultural plasma light fixture.
• LUXIM STA 41.02 LiFi light-source, rated average life of 30,000 hours.
• The glass wide spectrum filter allows for low quantities UVB light to pass while shielding you and your crop from UVC.
• The Vega aluminum reflector generates an even square light pattern.
• The absence of heat radiation in the light allows you to hang the lamp close to your crop.

Although available at half the price of the previous one, this light is still very expensive, and few information are available concerning its efficiency in marijuana grows. One thing is for sure, this lamps is very heavy and you should take this in consideration if you plan to include it in your setup.

5. Alphalite Plasma Grow Light (Topanga Light Source) 470W

• Energy saving up to 50% or more
• Single Light Source
• Provides full color spectrum close to sunlight
• High CRI
• Long Lasting life and full control ability

This model is supposed to have a high lumen output, and to be able to replace a 1000 watt HID lamp. However, its price is very high and most average growers won’t be able to buy it, ever. There is very little to no reports of people using it.

Conclusion:

Plasma lights have undoubtedly raised questions and hopes. Unfortunately their very steep price discourage many potential users and so few experimenting is taking place.

Even if the future of this systems in the indoor growing field is yet to be written, new technologies like plasma led lights are full of promises and will perhaps lead to cheaper, more effective light sources.