Best LED Grow Lights For Plants in A 4X4 Grow Tent

Knowing the right LED wattage for grow lights for plants in a 4×4 grow tent will help you mimic sunlight to ensure that your plants receive the proper amount of lighting.

This buying guide reveals how to calculate the wattage as well as the best LED grow lights that provide sufficient wattage for a 4×4 grow tent.

Plants need sunlight for growth. Yet, there’s no direct sunshine inside an indoor growing space.

This is why it is crucial that you learn how to determine wattage so you can pick the right LED grow light for your 4×4 grow tent.

As a solution, we are presenting the best led grow lights for plants grown in a 4×4 grow tent. The models produce the necessary 120 to 550 wattage. Likewise, they can decrease operating costs while boosting revenue.

Not only that, we will teach you how to determine the right wattage depending on your growing situation.

Wondering what’s the use of wattage, as well as PAR and PPFD levels?

Worry no more! We have all the information, suggestions, and tips you need.

Here we present the features and aspects that make LED grow lights suitable for a 4×4 grow tent. They are designed to spread light evenly across your marijuana’s canopy.

​Top 4 Best LED Grow Lights for Plants in a 4×4 Grow Tent In 2024

• MARS HYDRO Pro II Epistar 1600W LED Grow Light
• BESTVA 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light
• VIPARSPECTRA V1200 1200W Grow Light
• Phlizon Cree Cob Series Full Spectrum Grow Light

*Note: Certain models may not reflect identical model that was tested due to updated models by the manufacturer.

1. Top Pick For 4×4 Grow Tent: MARS HYDRO Pro II Epistar 1600W LED Grow Light

Quick Facts

• Actual Power: 800 watts
• PAR Value: 918 μmol
• PPFD Value: 1845 μmol/m2/s
• Rated Power: 1600 watts
• Core Coverage: 4.5×4.5 feet
• Lifespan: ≥ 100,000 hours
• Warranty: 3 years

You’ll only need one set of the MARS HYDRO Pro II Epistar 1600W LED Grow Light to help cannabis plants inside a 4.5×4.5 feet grow tent undergo photosynthesis. It comes with full-power functionality for maximum light intensity and robust plant growth.

This unit boasts economical features such as veg and bloom switches instead of using a remote control.

Each growing stage emits a different amount of power, letting you save on power usage and bills.

This LED grow light produces more red and blue PAR per watt to boost yield. Even so, you get quality output at low operating costs.

Without the need for extra ballast, your plants get a PPFD value of 1845 μmol/m2/s.

Its IR LED bulbs ensure the highest penetration into the marijuana canopy. In particular, the full spectrum is perfect for the vegetative and flowering stages. The package includes 440nm, 460nm, 630nm, 660nm, 730nm, and 2700k–3000k.

In addition, the new LED chips have an expanded 12-band spectrum. These chips are easy to use because all you need to do is plug and play.

Likewise, the MARS HYDRO Pro II Epistar 1600W LED Grow Light contains SMD LED technology. This means the lights make excellent heat dissipation while keeping high PPFD lumens. Consequently, it encourages a longer lifetime.

In addition to a better power supply and Epistar chips, this unit has a better reflector cup design that makes it possible to get 100% output. This combines PAR/lumen output and coverage well.

What’s more, this LED grow light features a flexible U-connector that links many lights together. It makes switching vegetable and bloom settings easier and more manageable.

As a bonus, the whole lighting setup is ETL-certified. Even the plugs and wires have VDE and UL certifications. You can keep the lights on while maintaining temperature levels between 85 to 105 degrees Celsius.

Even if the product is not waterproof, note that this is for indoor use only. If operated properly, you can optimize the 100-degree angle for up to 100,000 hours.

Growing Phase	Distance from the Plants	Recommended Hours
Germination	24 to 30 feet	12 ON / 14 OFF
Seedling	24 to 30 feet	12 ON / 18 OFF
Vegetative	18 to 24 feet	18 ON / 6 OFF
Flowering	12 to 18 feet	12 ON / 12 OFF

The Verdict

The MARS Hydro Pro II Epistar 1600W LED Grow Light delivers increased power at a low operating temperature and cost.

It focuses on concentrating the full spectrum of LEDs for the marijuana canopy inside a 4×4 grow tent.

2. Also Great: BESTVA 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light

Quick Facts

• Actual Power: 185 watts
• PAR Value: 929 μmol
• PPFD Value: 1221 μmol/m2/s
• Rated Power: 1000 watts
• Core Coverage: 5×4 feet
• Lifespan: ≥ 100,000 hours
• Warranty: 3 years

You can use two to three BESTVA 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights to nurture your marijuana plants inside a 4×4 grow tent. This is possible thanks to dual-chip LEDs, which are brighter and more efficient than traditional LEDs.

Make indoor planting easier using the full spectrum design. This model produces 380-780nm visible light, replacing natural light.

Furthermore, nine different bands of LEDs make up the full spectrum of light. These LEDs mimic natural sunshine to help cannabis plants grow at all stages.

To maintain a powerful cooling system, the lights use a 3mm thick aluminum plate radiator for better heat dissipation.

The holes on the aluminum plate and the glass make heat convection. As a result, the LEDs run 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit lower than other lights.

When you place this LED light 24 inches above the canopy, it will only consume 185 watts while covering even a 5×4 grow tent. In effect, there’s no need for daisy chains.

The BESTVA 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light has 100 pieces of dual-chip 10W Bridgelux/Epileds LEDs. You can angle the LEDs up to 120 degrees.

Since this unit doesn’t need an extra ballast, you can maintain the working temperatures from 68 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

For more convenience, you can program the timer to let the lights do their job even when you need to go out.

Remember that the lights are for indoor use only. Thus, make sure your watering system won’t reach the lights. When you take care of the LEDs, they can serve you ≥ 100,000 hours.

Growing Phase	Distance from the Plants	Recommended Hours
Germination	26 to 30 feet	15 to 18 hours a day
Seedling	26 to 30 feet	15 to 18 hours a day
Vegetative	20 to 26 feet	15 to 18 hours a day
Flowering	18 to 24 feet	12 to 14 hours a day

The Verdict

You can rely on the BESTVA 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Lights to produce high-lumen PAR.

Its full spectrum light can serve a wide coverage area without heating too much. The unit comes with cooling and security features that help the plant’s 24/7 growth.

3. Best Value For Money: VIPARSPECTRA V1200 1200W Grow Light

Quick Facts

• Actual Power: 520 watts
• PAR Value: 490 μmol
• PPFD Value: 870 μmol/m2/s
• Rated Power: 1,200 watts
• Core Coverage: 3.5×3.5 feet
• Lifespan: ≥100,000 hours
• Warranty: 3 years

The VIPARSPECTRA V1200 Grow Light features optimal full-spectrum lighting that helps marijuana plants get natural sunlight in all growing stages. In effect, you get bigger buds and a higher yield while saving on energy costs.

It has a full-cycle top-lighting solution for 3.5×3.5 grow tents. With its PPFD value of 870 μmol/m2/s, the LEDs have separated VEG and BLOOM switch to control the veg and bloom spectrum individually.

The LEDs provide 90-degree pre-focused optics for precise spectral compositions and unrivaled performance. Hence, you can guarantee electrical efficiency and longevity.

There are 240 pieces of high-intensity 5W EPILED or Bridgelux LEDs. The full spectrum includes IR at 730nm, 660nm, 630nm, 615nm, 595nm, 589nm, 475nm, 460nm, 445nm, 440nm, 3000K, and 7500K.

Aside from the built-in technology to reduce operating costs, this LED is expected to mimic sunlight for up to 100,000 hours.

The VIPARSPECTRA V1200 Grow Light is designed to balance PAR and coverage. Even though it has a rated power of 1000 watts, you’ll only consume 520 watts to penetrate canopies inside 4×4 grow tents.

Additionally, the LEDs are fitted with aluminum heat skins and high-speed fans. These add-ons provide instant cooling in the case of overheating.

Another notable thing about this model is its outstanding design and sturdy durable construction. It even has a fire-resistant iron housing.

For safety, the good news is that this unit is UL Certified. This means it has undergone rigorous tests and safety standards to guarantee safe operation.

Growing Phase	Distance from the Plants	Recommended Hours
Germination	44 to 48 inches	10 ON / 14 OFF
Seedling	44 to 48 inches	10 ON / 14 OFF
Vegetative	32 to 40 inches	18 ON / 6 OFF
Flowering	24 to 28 inches	12 ON / 12 OFF

The Verdict

The VIPARSPECTRA V1200 Grow Light delivers constant, high-quality light for year-round cannabis crop production. The bulb is designed to provide a light spectrum, which boosts plant growth and yield.

All of these are happening while consuming less energy and operational costs.

4. Best Innovative Powerful LEDs: Phlizon Cree Cob Series Full Spectrum Grow Light

Quick Facts

• Actual Power: 245 watts
• PAR Value: 880 μmol
• PPFD Value: 941μmol/m2/s
• Rated Power: 1000 watts
• Core Coverage: 3×3 feet
• Lifespan: ≥ 50,000 hours
• Warranty: 2 years

Although the Phlizon Cree COB Series Full Spectrum Grow Light is best used for a 3×3 space, it can cover a 4×4 grow tent because of its PPFD value of 941.4 watts.

Its actual power is only 245 watts, but it can provide a full spectrum design with a high PPFD value. This value promotes faster and better plant growth.

Moreover, there are additional light beads in various bands. These light beads guarantee a full spectrum.

There are two pieces of COB, 40 pieces of 630-660nm, six pieces of 470nm, five pieces of 6500k, three pieces of 3000K, two pieces of UV, and two pieces of IR.

Phlizon is a professional LED light direct manufacturer. It is a well-trusted brand because of its powerful and qualified lights.

As a result, the Phlizon Cree COB Series Full Spectrum Grow Light boasts higher brightness and smaller thermal resistance. In addition, the LEDs have less light attenuation and longer life.

One of the best things about this unit is its maximum energy-saving effects. It is more energy-efficient than HPS, HID, and MH lights.

When it comes to construction, the brand didn’t sacrifice quality because it invested in materials such as metal frames. The unit also comes with UV protection and a fireproof PC cover.

Aside from that, Phlizon researchers execute a large number of tests and experiments to ensure the lamp beads’ scientific and effective spectrum.

With a lifespan of ≥ 50,000 hours, you’ll definitely be able to produce abundant yields for many years to come.

This LED light is suitable for any growing stage of your crops inside a 4×4 tent. It provides a full spectrum design that fulfills the needs of marijuana plant growth.

Growing Phase	Distance from the Plants	Recommended Hours
Germination	30 to 40 inches	10 ON / 14 OFF
Seedling	30 to 40 inches	10 ON / 14 OFF
Vegetative	24 to 30 inches	18 ON / 6 OFF
Flowering	24 to 30 inches	12h ON / 12h OFF

The Verdict

Lightweight, fire-resistant, high PPFD rating, and efficient – what more could you ask for?

The Phlizon Cree COB Series Full Spectrum Grow Light delivers high-intensity outcomes while ensuring low power consumption.

Related article: Best LED grow lights to have in your grow tent.

Top 4 Led Grow Lights for Plants in a 4×4 Grow Tent: How Do They Compare?

The MARS Hydro Pro II Epistar 1600W LED Grow Light balances actual power, PAR and PPFD values, and core coverage. Its LED lights are the perfect light for growing inside a 4×4 grow tent.

Meanwhile, the BESTVA 1000W Full Spectrum LED Grow Light comes second best when it comes to PAR and PPFD levels, as well as compact design.

The VIPARSPECTRA V1200 Grow Light and Phlizon Cree Cob Series Full Spectrum Grow Light are best used for 3×3 grow tents.

Yet, their high PAR and PPFD values can compensate for and cover the canopy inside a 4×4 space.

As a solution, we are presenting the best LED light for 4×4 grow tents. The models produce the necessary 120 to 550 wattage. Likewise, they can decrease operating costs while boosting revenue.

Not only that, we will teach you how to determine the right wattage depending on your growing situation.

Wondering what’s the use of wattage, as well as PAR and PPFD levels? Worry no more! We have all the information, suggestions, and tips you need.

Know Your Wattage: How Many Watts is Needed Per Square Foot?

Wattage is the measure of electric power that a light bulb uses. It identifies the approximate correct fixture size for your grow tent.

Note that wattage does not measure brightness, but there is a correlation between the brightness of the bulb and the number of watts.

Total growing area, plant density, and growing stages are the crucial aspects that will help you determine the LED wattage.

Germination, vegetative, and flowering stages all require a different amount of light. Even so, the larger grow area, the bigger wattage you’ll need.

But in general, a 4×4 grow tent must have an actual wattage range between 120 to 550. In general, a LED grow light draws about 32 watts to provide sunshine to cover one square foot of canopy.

The good thing about LEDs is that they can give off the same amount of light while using fewer watts.​

Calculate The Wattage Needed

As mentioned, growers commonly use 32 watts per square foot as the basis. If this is the case for a 4×4 grow tent, then:

• 4 feet x 4 feet = 16 square feet
• 16 square feet x 32 watts = 512 watts of light energy

Here is a quick guide into watts per coverage area.

Tent Size	Grow light Size	Actual Wattage
1×1	32 watts	~30 to 40 watts
2×1	60 watts	~60 to 120 watts
2×2	128 watts	~120 to 140 watts
2×4	256 watts	~240 to 300 watts
3×3	288 watts	~250 to 30 watts
4×4	512 watts	~500 to 650 watts
5x5	800 watts	~700 to 900 watts
4×8	1024 watts	~900 to 1100 watts
6×6	1152 watts	~1000 to 1200 watts

Meanwhile, here’s a general wattage chart for different densities of plants:

Total Number of Plants	1 square foot for each plant	2 square foot for each plant	4 square foot for each plant
1	30-40 watts	60-80 watts	120-140 watts
2	60-80 watts	120-140 watts	240-300 watts
4	120-140 watts	240-300 watts	500-650 watts
6	180-200 watts	360-400 watts	700-860 watts
8	240-300 watts	500-650 watts	900-1100 watts
10	300-340 watts	600-800 watts	1100-1400 watts

Advice On LED Wattage/Par For 4×4 Grow Tent

There’s a notion that the bigger the wattage, the better the light output. While this is somehow correct, wattage is not the only source of good lighting. In reality, it is part of what makes a LED light better.

So, let us establish first how a LED light works its magic.

PAR Vs PPFD

PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) is a measure of energy coming from a light source. It helps plants undergo photosynthesis to reach optimum growth.

The higher the PAR output, the better for your plants because it means there’s more edible light.

However, the PAR output must depend on the growth stage of your plants.

Furthermore, PAR is the range of blue, red, and green wavelengths.

Growth Stage	Optimal PAR Output
Germination/Seedling	200-400 (µmol/m2/sec)
Vegetative	400-600 (µmol/m2/sec)
Flowering	600-1000 (µmol/m2/sec)

On the other hand, PPFD is short for Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density. It measures the amount of PAR that reaches the plant.

A 4×4 tent usually needs a PPFD level of above 1100 µmol/m²/sec or so.

Similar to PAR, it is better for your plants if there’s a high PPFD value.

This table shows the major light systems and their corresponding PPFD per watt or associated efficiencies.

• 0.9 – 1.2 PPFD per watt: Budget Red/Blue
• 1.3 – 1.5 PPFD per watt: High Spec Red/Blue
• 1.2 – 1.5 PPFD per watt: Full Spectrum LED

A LED light with a full spectrum design provides every kind of light that plants need. Note that not all lights on the market offering a full spectrum.

How Many LED Grow Lights for Plants Do You Need For A 4×4 Grow Tent?

Short answer—the quantity of LED lights in a 4×4 grow tent would depend on the wattage, as well as PAR and PPFD levels.

Other factors, such as plant density, growth stage, and growing method, are also factors.

A 4×4 grow tent creates a square-shaped grow space. Despite measuring four feet by four feet, this space is sufficient for a cannabis plant’s growing stages. Even so, it can still house accessories such as LED lights.

Therefore, the number of LED grow lights inside a 4×4 grow tents may range from one to four.

Buying Guide For Selecting The Best LED Grow Lights

You will need a lighting system that can deliver the necessary amount of light for your plants. Here are the key points to follow when selecting the best LED grow lights for plants and how well LED grow lights work for growing indoor plants in a 4×4 tent.

Don’t focus on the wattage, go for high par and ppfd levels.

Wattage, as previously stated, is only a system input, whereas PAR and PPFD levels focus on system output.

Let me introduce DLI (mol/m2/d). The DLI measures the total amount of light a plant gets every day.

For instance:

1.5 μmol/j x light output of 500W = PPF of 750 μmol/s

1.0 μmol/j x light output of 700W = PPF of 700 μmol/s

Based on the example above, the second model has a bigger wattage, but is 50 μmol/s shorter. As you can see, the wattage doesn’t define the power draw, it merely refers to the diode wattage.

It is convincing to go for a 20W LED light, but it doesn’t automatically mean it can deliver more light than a 5W LED light.

Hence, always go for high PAR and PPFD values. These values determine the actual light that gets distributed across the canopy.

Actual Power Draw

Rated power describes the LED light’s constant power. The higher the actual power draw, the higher PAR output a lighting system emits to your plants.

Core Coverage

You must compare the core coverage area of various plant lights. When the light reaches the leaves of marijuana plants, the PAR in the core coverage area can meet the normal growth of plants.

During the germination or seedling stages, you can place the LED grow light higher to produce a larger coverage area.

When the plants are entering the vegetative or flowering phases, you can hang the lighting system lower since plants need more light during this period.

Consequently, the cover area becomes smaller.

Plant Density: Consider The Number Of Weed Plants You Are Growing

Normally, a 4×4 tent can grow about four to eight medium-sized plants. A 4×4 grow space can also house about 20 small containers that are about three to five inches in diameter.

However, you have to modify the plant density depending on the growth stage. The number of lights would depend on PAR and PPFD values.

Cost And Warranty

LED lights are more expensive than normal light bulbs. On the bright side, they have longer lifespans compared to other types.

Because of the frequent on-and-off switching, bulbs tend to burn the filament and short circuit. LED grow lights, on the other hand, are made to handle being turned on and off over and over again. 

FAQ

Final Reminders

• Observe your marijuana plants regularly. Adjust the using hour depending on your plants’ need.
• Wattage doesn’t automatically guarantee a broader coverage area.
• The overall coverage area and growing stages would impact your needed wattage.
• Consider the number of your plants or plant density per square foot.
• Monitor the distance between the lights and plants to avoid stunted growth.

Knowing The Right Wattage – Choosing The Best LEDs

You may have made measures to ensure proper air circulation, appropriate plant density, and good soil. However, you can compromise yield if there’s no source of light.

A tent will block natural sunlight from reaching your cannabis canopy. However, a full spectrum LED light will mimic sun rays to help your crop receive the necessary nutrients.

LED grow lights emit a full spectrum of light that serves as sunshine inside a grow tent. Even though they radiate heat, they can maintain a low temperature and save energy.

They are a low-cost but effective alternative light source for your crops all year. Once you’ve determined the right wattage for your 4×4 grow tent, you can optimize the full spectrum of LED lights.

Good quality LEDs are essential investments for any cannabis grower. With the right LED light from this product review and a good tutorial on how to get started on growing plants indoors with artificial light, I’m sure your cannabis plants inside a 4×4 grow tent will flourish.