3 Best CFL Grow Lights – Why Are They Great For Starters?
Compact fluorescent lights are one of the most popular light bulbs on the market. These lights can be found in offices, homes, and even in grow rooms.
This is because the lights are easy to find, affordable, easy to use, and they don’t produce a lot of heat. Also, the cost of maintaining CFL lamps is lower when compared to other types of bulbs.
Even though CFL lights are not as durable as LEDs or HPS lights, they still have a longer lifespan than incandescent bulbs. So, if you’ve been looking for an affordable and reliable light for your small grow room, then you will like these lamps.
We’ve conducted thorough research to bring you the best CFL grow lights on the market. Read our review to the end to make an informed choice. The CFL lights that we’ve highlighted feature some of the best features you can desire in a grow light. These are as follows:
KOR 13 watt Mini-Spiral GU24 Base T2 CFL Light Bulb
Hydrofarm Agrobite FLCDG125D CFL Bulb
Philips T2 Spiral CFL Light Bulb
KOR 13-watt Mini-Spiral GU24 Base T2 Mini-Twist CFL light Bulb
What We Liked Most about the Product
If you have a slightly larger grow room and want to install several lamps to give your plants the much-needed light for growth, then you will like the Kor 13-watt mini-spiral CFL light.
Featuring a pack of 4, these lights have 13 watts, equivalent to 60-watt incandescent bulbs, which means less energy consumption.
What we liked most about the Kor 13-watt mini-spiral GU24 base T2 mini-twist CFL lights bulbs is that they are cheap but still long-lasting. They have a lifespan of 10, 000 hours, which is better than incandescent bulbs.
Product Overview
The Kor 13-watt mini-spiral lamps are versatile as they can be utilized in different environments. It can be in the office, grow room, hallway, bathroom, kitchen, etc. The manufacturer also provides different color options for different purposes.
Since the overall cost of putting up a grow room is high, having such affordable lights help you to save on the total cost. These lights are inexpensive, considering they come in a pack of 4.
Also, they help you save on your electricity bill as they consume less energy when compared to incandescent, HPS, and LED lamps.
Besides, these CFL lights produce brilliant 800 lumens, which are enough for most grow plants. On top of that, it produces a warm white light with 2700-k, which makes them suitable for the flowering stage.
Ensure to space your plants well in the grow space so that they all get equal light for proper growth. With these CFL bulbs, you can grow your plants indoors without worrying about different seasons.
Even though these lights are easy to install and use, they get extremely hot. So, you should be careful when handling them after they have been on for some time. Also, you should dispose of them correctly as they contain hazardous material when they break.
Pros
- Energy saver bulbs
- Simple to install
- Produces a warm white color ideal for the flowering stage
- Easy to maintain with 10, 000 hours lifespan
- Warm white color is ideal for the flowering stage of plants
- Four units are enough for a 4×4 – inches grow room
- It has a longer lifespan when compared to a 60-watt bulb
Cons
- Several users have complained that the light gets extremely hot
- The lamps break with much ease
The Kor 4 pack 13-watt mini-spiral CFL light bulbs are versatile and reliable. They will also help you to save on your electricity bill as they consume less energy. Use these bulbs during the flowering phase to get the best out of them.
Hydrofarm Agrobite FLCDG125D CFL Bulb
What We Liked Most About the Product
If you’re ready to spend to get one of the best CFL grow lights on the market, then you will like the Hydrofarm Agrobite FLCDG125D Fluorowing CFL bulb.
This is a complete light system with a compact reflector. Unlike the CFL lights that we’ve discussed above, this one comes with all the fixtures that you need, making it ready for installation.
What we like most about this light is that it features a compact reflector that allows the light to cover a larger area than most CFL lights. As a result, it can be used in a small to medium-sized grow room of up to 4’ x 3 ‘.
In short, the light can be used to cover up to three plants. However, you’re not limited as you can use more lights to cover a larger grow area.
Product Overview
The Hydrofarm Agrobite utilizes 125-watts, which is equivalent to 450-watts incandescent bulb. Alternatively, the Hydrofarm Agrobite system can accommodate a 200-watt CFL bulb, which is just exceptional.
Producing maximum lumens of 7000, this is the brightest CFL light bulb on our list. As a result, it covers the largest area of 4ft X 3ft and up to 3 plants.
With such excellent coverage, this is the perfect CFL light for covering a larger grow area. On top of that, this CFL lamp is made for the vegetative and flowering phases as it has a full spectrum of 6400-k. However, the daylight white light is still ideal for all of your indoor plant’s growing phases.
Moreover, this light uses more energy when compared to other CFL lights on this list. As a result, it provides a more brilliant light but it’s slightly hotter. Also, you will end up paying more on your electricity bill, which is understandable.
What we don’t like about this CFL light is that it becomes slightly hot. Also, the initial price is high, which may be unfavorable to new growers who want a simple light for one or two crops.
Since it comes with a 1-year warranty, you don’t have to worry about the product arriving damaged as your investment is protected.
Pros
- Super easy to install
- Provides full-day spectrum for all year use
- Utilizes 125-watts, which is equivalent to 450-watts
- Produces less heat than other bulbs
- Even light output unlike spiral design
- Comes with a 1-year warranty
- Compact reflector spreads the light far
Cons
- Not ideal for larger grow rooms
- Not very ideal for the flowering stage
- Users have complained about the light arriving damaged
Generally, the Hydrofarm Agrobite Fluorowing CFL system with a CFL bulb is easy to install, use, low-maintenance, and cost-effective. With the compact reflector, the light bulb will cover a larger area than most CFL bulbs.
Philips T2 Spiral CFL Light Bulb
What We Liked Most About the Product
Philips is one of the leading lighting companies in the world. The Philips T2 Spiral CFL light bulb is one of the best CFL grow lights on the market.
The light bulb is compact, bright, eco-friendly, and cheap. This unit comes in a pack of 4 at a very affordable price. So, you can place all the bulbs in a larger grow room or cover a few plants and keep other bulbs away for replacing later.
What stands out most about this CFL light bulb is that it produces an astonishing 1600 lumens using an equivalent of 100-watts. Besides, it delivers bright white daylight of 6400-k, which means that you can use the light for all the grow plant’s growth stages. However, it is best suited for the vegetative phase and not flowering stage, yet you can utilize it for both.
Product Overview
The compact fluorescent light bulb is compatible with 120 Volt devices and it is recommended for indoor use only. What’s more, the light bulb saves energy, which in returns reduces your electricity bill.
Besides, this CFL bulb produces an ambient light which is also suitable for offices, living rooms, kitchen, and bedrooms.
The Philips T2 Spiral CFL light bulb is an eco-friendly unit, which makes it perfect for grow rooms and even greenhouses.
No harmful gases are emitted, thus your plants will grow healthily. The 23-watt bulb is an equivalent of 100-watts incandescent bulb. Therefore, it may end up using slightly more energy than a 13-watt bulb. However, this CFL light is 13 times more durable than an incandescent bulb.
When installing this light, note that it fits with a medium screw base and not with the Philips HUE products. The good thing is that installing the unit is simple and straightforward.
Also, you can fully trust that it will work as stated as it is energy star-certified.
Pros
- Eco-friendly bulb
- Easy to install
- Simple to use
- Durable bulbs that last 13 times longer than incandescent bulbs
- Energy saver light bulb
- Versatile bulb for all uses
- Affordable bulbs
- Daylight color for all plant growth stages
- 2-year warranty
Cons
- They are only for indoor use and not outdoor use
- It gets hot after being on for some time
The Philips T2 Spiral CFL light bulb is not only an affordable light but as well as reliable. You can use it for the vegetative and flowering phases of your grow plants. It is simple to use, compact, and very bright.
Advantages of CFL grow lights:
- Compact, thus ideal for tight places
- They produce less heat, thus can be put close to your plants without burning them
- They are cheaper
- Installing is simple and straightforward
- They are readily available in stores, online, and even in remote places
- They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and wattages
- They consume less electricity when compared to incandescent, LEDs, and HPS lights
Disadvantages of CFL grow lights:
- They have a short lifespan than HPS and LED bulbs
- Not ideal for larger grow rooms or a wider variety of plants
- Very labor-intensive
- They contain mercury, which is a life-threatening material
Our most frequently asked questions on CFL grow light.
What is CFL grow light?
When Thomas Edison devised the classic incandescent lamp, it was one of the greatest inventions at that time. But today, these bulbs are no longer efficient ad that’s why CFLs were created to replace them.
In full, CFL refers to compact fluorescent lights. These lamps are easily distinguished by their spiral, curly design. As a result, these lights are more compact than fluorescent bulbs.
What to consider when selecting a CFL grow light?
Since there are several CFL grow lamps to pick from, it is vital to know what type of grow light will be ideal for your grow tent or grow room.
And if you want to select the best light, then you should consider the following factors: wattage, lumens, and kelvins. These factors will help you land a lamp that suits your plants and grow space.
How far should I put the CFL light from my grow plants?
Unlike other bulbs, the CFL lights don’t put off a lot of heat; thus, you can install them close to your plants. You can install them somewhere between 2-inches and 4-inches.
Putting other types of bulbs like LEDs and HPS close to your plants may burn them. But this is not the case with CFL lights. However, you should adjust them accordingly as they can also burn your plants if they are extremely close.
Why should I use CFL grow lights instead of other types?
Instead of using lights such as HPS, LEDs, or metal halides, you can CFL grow lights in your grow room because of these reasons.
First of all, CFL grow lights are cheap when compared to the ones that we’ve mentioned. Secondly, these lamps are easily available.
Also, they consume little electricity and don’t produce a lot of heat. Besides, you don’t need special fixtures to install these grow lamps.
How much wattage do I need per square foot?
The wattage of a CFL grow light is crucial because it shows its performance. Also, you should calculate wattage per square foot so that your plants don’t get less or more.
It is recommended that you provide between 80 and 100 wattages per square foot. Most plants need 40 to 70 watts. So, if you have three plants in your grow area, then you may require a total of 150 wattages.
Bottom line
CFL grow lamps are the perfect lights for new growers with small grow rooms. The lights are cost-effective, easy to install, compact, versatile, and produce less heat.
What’s more, you won’t have to change them during different stages of plant growth. Also, most of the CFLs run cool, so you won’t need fans to keep them cool.
However, compact fluorescent lights are not very efficient and have a shorter lifespan. Overall, these are quality grow lamps that will help you growing plants indoors healthily and get higher yields. Take your time and pick the best CFL lamps from our list above.