HPS grow lights are one of the original grow lights, and have been used throughout the industry for decades. LEDs on the other hand, are already becoming a favorite across the world.Depending on the types of plants you’re growing, and the size of your operation, there may be one light type that’s better than the other.Which is why in this article, we’re going to compare the two lights to help you understand which may be best for you. To start, it’s worth reminding yourself about the pros and cons of LED grow lights vs HPS lighting.ContentsThe pros and cons of HPS lightingThe pros and cons of LED lightingLED vs HPS YieldHPS vs LED LumensLED vs HPS Power ConsumptionAre LED grow lights better than HPS? The pros and cons of HPS lighting Pro: Cheaper set up costGreat light intensity for producing great yieldsCon: They use more energy than LEDs and are less efficientHPS lights generate more heat and often require cooling systems to be in placeBulbs typically need to be replaced every 12-18 monthsThe pros and cons of LED lighting Pro: There’s massive saving to be made when it comes to energy efficiencyLED technology is being continuously developed to become better and better year on year.Much cooler running temperaturesPlants can be place closer to the lights without damage (great for small spaces)Con: Higher up-front costGrowing in cold spaces may require you to buy additional heat devicesLED vs HPS Yield HPS grow lights have always been known for their high yields. Which is why they’ve always been so popular for commercial growing. However, more and more commercial operations are now making the switch to LED.High quality LEDs can provide the same yield – if not more - as HPS lighting with half the power. It’s why LEDs are rated so highly for energy efficiency.HPS vs LED Lumens When looking at lumens, HPS lights are pretty great. Even by the end of the bulb’s lifespan, HPS lights can efficiently retain around 80% of their lumens.Both types of lighting produce around the same number of lumens per watt. However, as HPS lights spread the light in all directions, they often feel duller or less bright than their LED counterparts.LED vs HPS Power Consumption When considering the current state of energy prices, it’s pretty crucial to think about how much energy is being used in your grow space. High-pressure sodium lights often take a period of time to warm up when turned on. To ensure maximum illumination, you probably need to be putting your HPS lights on 20 minutes before you need to use them. And those 20-minute periods can really add up.Are LED grow lights more efficient?This is where LEDs excel: There’s no warm up time needed so your plants can enjoy the full illumination as soon as they’re switched on. They also have one-directional lenses meaning the light goes directly to the plants in a much more efficient way. HPS lights are omni-directional, meaning light and heat can be wasted if it’s not properly reflected around the space.All of this generally makes LED lights much more efficient than HPS lighting.Are LED grow lights better than HPS? With all this information, it definitely seems there’s a clear winner for HPS grow lights vs LED. High-pressure sodium lights certainly have their place in the industry. But for the average grower, it’s worth investing in LEDs for long term success.
HPS grow lights are one of the original grow lights, and have been used throughout the industry for decades. LEDs on the other hand, are already becoming a favorite across the world. Depending on the types of plants you’re growing, and the size of your operation, there may be one light type that’s better than the other. Which is why in this article, we’re going to compare the two lights to help you understand which may be best for you. To start, it’s worth reminding yourself about the pros and cons of LED grow lights vs HPS lighting. Contents The pros and cons of HPS lighting The pros and cons of LED lighting LED vs HPS Yield HPS vs LED Lumens LED vs HPS Power Consumption Are LED grow lights better than HPS? The pros and cons of HPS lighting Pro: Cheaper set up cost Great light intensity for producing great yields Con: They use more energy than LEDs and are less efficient HPS lights generate more heat and often require cooling systems to be in place Bulbs typically need to be replaced every 12-18 months The pros and cons of LED lighting Pro: There’s massive saving to be made when it comes to energy efficiency LED technology is being continuously developed to become better and better year on year. Much cooler running temperatures Plants can be place closer to the lights without damage (great for small spaces) Con: Higher up-front cost Growing in cold spaces may require you to buy additional heat devices LED vs HPS Yield HPS grow lights have always been known for their high yields. Which is why they’ve always been so popular for commercial growing. However, more and more commercial operations are now making the switch to LED. High quality LEDs can provide the same yield – if not more - as HPS lighting with half the power. It’s why LEDs are rated so highly for energy efficiency. HPS vs LED Lumens When looking at lumens, HPS lights are pretty great. Even by the end of the bulb’s lifespan, HPS lights can efficiently retain around 80% of their lumens. Both types of lighting produce around the same number of lumens per watt. However, as HPS lights spread the light in all directions, they often feel duller or less bright than their LED counterparts. LED vs HPS Power Consumption When considering the current state of energy prices, it’s pretty crucial to think about how much energy is being used in your grow space. High-pressure sodium lights often take a period of time to warm up when turned on. To ensure maximum illumination, you probably need to be putting your HPS lights on 20 minutes before you need to use them. And those 20-minute periods can really add up. Are LED grow lights more efficient? This is where LEDs excel: There’s no warm up time needed so your plants can enjoy the full illumination as soon as they’re switched on. They also have one-directional lenses meaning the light goes directly to the plants in a much more efficient way. HPS lights are omni-directional, meaning light and heat can be wasted if it’s not properly reflected around the space. All of this generally makes LED lights much more efficient than HPS lighting. Are LED grow lights better than HPS? With all this information, it definitely seems there’s a clear winner for HPS grow lights vs LED. High-pressure sodium lights certainly have their place in the industry. But for the average grower, it’s worth investing in LEDs for long term success.
