1. LED
LED lights are the most efficient type of grow light. Although they are a newer grow light type available in the market, they last longer than most grow lights. In terms of the light spectrum, there are LED lights that produce a full light spectrum for the vegetative and flowering stage. A full spectrum light is cost-efficient because there is no reason to change into a new light setup every growth stage. 9 out of 10 times LED’s are the best choice for home growing.
2. HID
Manufacturers primarily created HID lights to produce extreme light for illuminating stadiums, street lights, and vehicular headlights. It makes a blue and yellow light that aids the plants in their vegetative and flowering stage. However, due to their primary function, these lights tend to produce high temperatures that may cause light burn in plants and have to maintain distance from the plants.
3. HPS
HPS lights produce bright lights, but they also have heat. It is not advisable to use HPS lights in a small grow space. It requires a minimum distance of a meter away from the plant. However, HPS lights are the "golden standard" for growing cannabis due to their consistency in producing excellent yields and results.
4. MH
MH grows lights are best for keeping your plants from growing tall. An indoor grower might not have enough space in a growing area to accommodate tall cannabis plants. MH lights prevent the plants from stretching or growing tall since stretching occurs when the plants don’t receive enough sunlight or blue light. Since MH produces blue light, the plants become abundant with it, preventing elongation over each other.
5. CMH
CMH lights provide a more balanced light spectrum compared to HPS and MH lights. Using them as a seed-to-flower light may be better than using either HPS or MH. It also has a lower upfront cost compared to its high-powered light counterparts. At a lower wattage, you get the same amount of light at a lower power consumption cost. Overall, CMH lights last longer than HPS and MH lights.
6. CFL
CFLs are known for being cheap, grow lights. They are not as expensive as the other types of grow light, but they perform as much. But their downside is the need for more CFL bulbs than other grow lights, which only require one or two. The number of bulbs makes up for a single CFL bulb’s lack of power and brightness.