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The 15 best value grow lights for your 4 x 4 grow tent 2024

Selecting the best grow lights for a 4ft x 4ft or 1.2m x 1.2m grow tent

I have tested 16 of the best grow lights for a 4ft x 4ft or 1.2m x 1.2m grow tent and compare them for PAR output, efficiency and value for money.

The 4ft x 4ft or 1.2m x 1.2m grow area is one of the most popular grow tent sizes and also a common modular size for commercial grow setups. There are a large number of grow lights on the market for 4 x 4 grow areas including a lot of commercial grade fixtures.

Not your size? try here:

12 best grow lights for a 2 x 2 grow space (0.6m x 0.6m)

7 best grow lights for a 3 x 3 grow space (1m x 1m)

10 best grow lights for a 4 x 2 grow space (1.2m x .6m)

21 best grow lights for a 5 x 5 grow space (1.5m x 1.5m)

How many grow light watts for a 4x4?

To maximise the potential yield from the space you need LED grow light wattage of about 400 to 600 watts of high efficiency LED lighting to achieve an average of 700 to 800 µmols PAR intensity. Some fixtures are in the 800 watt range and designed to delivery very high average PAR intensity of about 1,200 µmols which would require CO2 supplementation to make use of the high light intensity.

Ideally the light fixture will be suitably sized to cover the area evenly i.e. the fixture is square and close to the physical size of the grow tent. The PAR chart is shown below for each model so you can judge the best solution for your grow space.

Comparing the grow light spectrum

All of the lights have a mixture of mid temperature white LEDs with 660nm reds to improve their electrical and photosynthetic efficiency. Therefore all of the grow lights tested are full spectrum and suitable for growing from seed to harvest.

MIGRO ARAY spectrum output

Grow light comparison method

The comparison chart uses the results from Shanes PAR output and efficiency tests to calculate and compare the total cost of each fixture to deliver an average PAR of 800µmols/m²/second over a 4x4 grow area over a 3 year period. The 3 year costing includes the cost of the fixture and adds the electricity costs at 16.8c/KW hour over 12 hours per day average. 

Best value LED grow light 2024

4x4 grow space | 400 - 600 watts

Make Model Grow area Watts USD $ Price Usable PPF*/
Watt
Usable PPF* output 3 year** elect. cost Total cost
3 years
MARS Hydro FC-E1000 4x4 995 $819.00 2.44 2428 $1,042.24 $1,430.86
MIGRO ARAY 4X4 4x4 500 $475.00 2.47 1235 $1,029.58 $1,472.66
Medicgrow Minisun 320W 4x4 328 $239.00 2.28 748 $1,115.38 $1,483.54
Viparspectra KS5000 4x4 491 $400.00 2.3 1129 $1,105.68 $1,513.72
Spider Farmer SE7000 4x4 733 $759.00 2.46 1803 $1,033.77 $1,518.67
Spider Farmer SE5000 4x4 474 $569.00 2.5 1185 $1,017.23 $1,570.38
MARS Hydro FC8000 4x4 813 $799.00 2.3 1870 $1,105.68 $1,597.92
Forever Green Indoors Uniformity pro flex 4x4 634 $699.00 2.35 1490 $1,082.15 $1,622.63
Parlite Expert 600 4x4 666 $738.72 2.31 1538 $1,100.89 $1,654.04
Hyphotonflux HPF4000 4x4 494 $449.00 2.16 1067 $1,177.34 $1,662.09
MARS Hydro FC4800 4x4 480 $530.00 2.21 1061 $1,150.71 $1,726.27
Spider Farmer SF4000 4x4 438 $459.00 2.06 902 $1,234.50 $1,820.53
Vivosun Aerolight 4 pack 4x4 420 $420.00 2 840 $1,271.53 $1,847.53
Grower's Choice ROI-E420 4x4 392 $699.00 2.32 909 $1,096.15 $1,981.58
Lumatek/Photontek 465w pro 4x4 470 $849.00 2.22 1043 $1,145.52 $2,082.89
* Usable PPF is the amount of PAR light reaching the plant canopy in a system test with reflective walls
** 3 year electricity cost to deliver average 800 µmols/m²/sec usable PPF for 12 hours per day at US national average of 16.8c per Kw hour
*** 3 year elecricity cost + fixture cost to deliver average 800 µmols/m²/sec

 

 

Grow light reviews for a 4 x 4 grow space

MIGRO ARAY 4X4 | 500W

The MIGRO ARAY 4X4 is 500 watts and a foldable LED grow light with remote LED driver as standard which can be located outside of the grow tent.

MIGRO ARAY 4X4 500W LED grow light for a 4ft x 4ft or 1.2m x 1.2m grow space

The MIGRO ARAY 4X4 is designed for a 4ft x 4ft (1.2m x 1.2m) grow area with the following features:

  • Full spectrum - grow from seed to harvest
  • High Efficiency 2.7 - high PAR - low power
  • 2860 LEDs - intelligent spacing - uniform spread
  • Supersized heatsinks - LEDs run cool for longer life
  • Power supply  remote mounted - reduce heat for longer life 
  • Dimming - on board - daisy chain - external controller compatible

ARAY 4x4 LED grow light for a 1.2m x 1.2m grow space

The MIGRO ARAY 4X4 500W LED grow light delivers high PAR and incredibly uniform intensity over a 4ft x 4ft or 1.2m x 1.2m grow space.

MIGRO ARAY 4X4 grow light PAR chart

The ARAY 4X4 is excellent build quality and uses the highest quality and efficient white LEDs by Samsung and Osram 660nm reds.

Buy the ARAY 4X4 here

MARS HYDRO FC-E1000

Mars Hydro FC-E1000W is a 1000 watt LED grow light with a full spectrum light targeting full cycle plant growth. Built for high PPFD cultivation and designed for sealed grow rooms with added CO2 to make use of the very high average PAR delivered by this fixture. The most powerful grow light by MARS HYDRO to date  date with a whopping PPF of 2,766 µmol/s and an average PPFD of over 1,800 μmol/m²/s.

MARS HYDRO FC-E1000 LED grow light review for a 4x4 grow tent

Different from the other FC-E LEDs, FC-E1000W offers scalable flexibility, with 10 light bars that can be configured for 4'x4' or 4'x6' grow spaces to be used as 4x4 enhanced bloom grow lights, or as specific grow stand lights for 6-ft-wide rolling tables.

The fixture was tested in a 4x4 space with the light configured in the smaller size and the average PAR intensity is 1,668 µmols/m²/second and a system efficiency of 2.44 usable PPF/watt.

MARS HYDRO FC-E1000 LED grow light review for a 4ft x 4ft grow tent

Medic Grow minisun 320W

The Medic Grow Mini Sun 2 LED Grow Light is an excellent fixture in one, very affordable, package. The fixture is suitable for a 3x3 up to a 4x4 sized grow tent. At 320 watts it is the lowest wattage fixture in this comparison.

The white LEDs are San'an and the red LEDs are Osram.

Medic Grow mini sun 320W LED grow light PAR test and review

The light was tested in a 4x4 or 1.2m x 1.2m area at 16" or 40cm hanging height and the system efficiency result was 2.28 µmols/watt or usable PPF per watt.

Medic Grow mini sun 320W LED grow light PAR chart for a 4x4 grow space

An excellent quality grow light packed with features and with a very innovative feature in the light timer incorporated into the fixture.

Viparspectra KS5000

The Viparspectra KS5000 is a new LED bar type light for a 4 x 4 or 1.2m x 1.2m grow space. It is a foldable grow light and is pre assembled and ready to hang. It is very well built and includes high quality LEDs, the LM301H by Samsung and the 660nm Reds by Osram.

Viparspectra KS5000

The LED driver is remote with a long power cable with on board and daisy chain dimming as standard. There are 6 LED bars unevenly spaced & with LEDs more dense at the end of each bar to ensure the most even spread of light possible.

The light is recommended for a 16" or 40cm hanging height and delivers an excellent 750 µmols average PAR across the grow area and consumes 491.43 wats at the wall. The efficiency test result is 2.2 usable PPF per watt which is excellent for a light with this price tag.

Viparspectra KS5000 PAR chart

 

Spider Farmer SE7000

The SE7000 is a very high powered LED bar type light for a 4 x 4 delivering an average PAR intensity of 1,257 µmols/m²/second. In order to make use of this high intensity it is recommended that CO2 levels are raised to about the same figure as the PAR intensity i.e. 1,257 ppm.

Spider Farmer SE7000 is a high efficient led grow light. Delivers an uniform PPFD, excellent light spread and very even coverage.

This new light is packed with features:

  • 100% authentic Samsung LM301B. (Spider Farmer is an official partner of Samsung company, which can be verified on Samsung website)
  • Dimmable brightness and wattage from 10% to 100%, for separate growing stages seedling/veg/flower.
  • Dimming daisy chain function allows multiple fixtures controlled at same time -Detachable bar and driver, easy assemble
  • DLC/ETL/CE Certified

Spider Farmer SE5000

Spider Farmer SE5000 is a high efficient led grow light for a 4ft x 4ft grow space. Delivers an uniform PPFD, excellent light spread and very even coverage.

Spider Farmer SE5000 LED grow light test and review

The Grow light includes the following features:

  • 100% authentic Samsung LM301B
  • Added deep blue, deep red and far red leds
  • Dimmable brightness and wattage from 10% to 100%, for separate growing stages seedling/veg/flower.
  • Dimming daisy chain function allows multiple fixtures controlled at same time Detachable bar and driver, easy assemble -DLC/ETL/CE Certified

The SE5000 was tested in a 4ftx 4ft area with silver mylar walls and delivers an average PAR of 780 µmols/m²/second and a system efficiency of 2.3 usable PPF per watt

Spider Farmer SE5000 LED grow light PAR test

MARS HYDRO FC8000

The FC8000 is a very high powered LED bar type grow light for a 4 x 4 delivering an average PAR intensity of 1,298 µmols/m²/second. In order to make use of this high intensity it is recommended that CO2 levels are raised to about the same figure as the PAR intensity i.e. 1,298 ppm.

MARS HYDRO FC8000

The Mars Hydro FC8000 is a commercial grade LED bar type light light with Samsung lm301B diodes and LED bars that are adjustable to vary the light distribution. The system efficiency and light spread are very good.

MARS HYDRO FC8000 PAR chart

This fixture is aimed at the commercial market with features such as:

  • Dimmable from 10%-100%
  • Dimming daisy chain function for up to 30 lights connected together
  • Uniform PPFD in the range of 1200-1800 μmol/m²/s
  • DLC/ETL certified

Forever Green Indoors Uniformity PRO Flex

The Uniformity PRO Flex from Forever Green Indoors is a very high performance grow light for a 4ft x 4ft grow area with a lot of great features.

The fixture is high build quality, easy to assemble and hang and has a few cool features such as wireless control and can be integrated with cloud control systems such as Google home and Amazon Echo.

FGI Uniformity Pro Flex LED

This 630W fixture delivers a very high average PAR intensity of 1,036 µmols/m²/second. As the model name suggests, the uniformity of light spread is incredible; the lowest PAR measurement in our test was 900 µmols/m²/second and the highest was 1,150 µmols/m²/second.

Uniformity PRO flex PAR chart

 

Parlite Expert 600

The Parlite Expert 600 is a beautifully designed and constructed LED grow light.

Parlite Expert 600W LED grow light review

At 660 watts it is in the higher end of this selection in this list. It generates a high average PAR of 1,067 µmols/m²/second over the 4ft x 4ft or 1.2m x 1.2m plant canopy. This is in the range where adding CO2 in a closed system grow room would be necessary to utilise the very high PAR intensity.

Parlite Expert 600W LED grow light PAR Chart

Hyphotonflux HPF4000

The Hyphotonflux HPF4000 LED bar grow light designed for a 3ft x 3ft or 90cm x 90cm up to 5ft x 5ft or 1.5m x 1.5m space and to hang at a minimum 40cm or 16" over the plant canopy.

Hyphotonflux HPF4000

It is not the highest quality construction as other lights in this comparison but has all the features you need including:

  • Full spectrum light output for growing from seed to harvest
  • On board dimming control from 10 to 100%
  • Meanwell driver
  • Daisy chain dimming control

The light spread is good and in our test the fixture output an average PAR of 741 µmols/m²/second over the 4ft x 4ft or 1.2m x 1.2m plant canopy an consumed 493.5 watts for a calculated system efficiency of 2.16 µmols/watt or usable PPF/watt.

Hyphotonflux HPF4000 PAR chart

MARSHYDRO FC4800

The MARS HYDRO FC4800 LED bar type grow light with Samsung LM301B diodes for a 4ft x 4ft or 120cm x 120cm grow space.

MARS HYDRO FC4800

The light draws 480 Watts from the wall and at 40cm or 16" hanging height delivers an average PAR of 738 µmols/m²/second which is a good level. The system efficiency is 2.21 µmols/watt (usable PPF/watt)

MARS HYDRO FC4800 Par chart

Spider Farmer SF4000

The SF4000 is a panel type light of basic construction and relatively expensive for the performance and quality of construction.

Spider Farmer SF4000

We found the optimum hanging height to be 48cm or 19" which is relatively high for a light of this size and the light spread is not as good as the LED bar type lights in this comparison. The system efficiency is also the lowest in this comparison.

Spider Farmer SF4000 PAR chart

Vivosun Aerolight 4 pack

This is a package of 4 x 100W Aerolight led grow lights and the GrowHub controller. The Aerolight 100W fixtures join together with 'H' shaped connector brackets that are fixed into position with grub screws. The lights are each powered separately with 4 x plugs and are connected together and to the Growhub controller by RJ11 network cables.

Vivosun 4 pack Aerolight 400W LED grow light PAR test and review

The 4 lights then operate as one using the controller to adjust the brightness and light timing. Each of the Aerolight 100W fixtures have an integrated circulatory fan which will push air down onto the canopy to improve CO2 exchange and general air circulation in the plant canopy. Again the fan speed and timing can be adjusted using the Growhub controller.

There is also the option to integrate the Vivosun AeroZesh extract fans. The Growhub controller has a temperature and humidity sensor with an app to monitor and control the grow room remotely. The controller can also be setup to active devices based on the grow room temperature and humidity.

Vivosun 4 pack Aerolight 400W LED grow light PAR test and review

The white LEDs are Samsung 3000K warm white and 5000K cool white LM301Bs with added 390nm UVA, deep blue, dep red and 730nm Far red LEDs. The overall spectrum is about 4200K CT which is perfect for full cycle growing from seed to harvest.

I tested the fixture in its specified 4 x 4 grow area at 12" hanging height. The power consumed was 420.4 watts and the average PAR over the test area was 583 µmols resulting in a system efficiency of 2.0 µmols per watt or usable PPF per watt.
Vivosun 4 pack Aerolight 400W LED grow light PAR chart

Growers Choice ROI E420

The Growers Choice ROI E420 is and LED bar type light, has been out a few years now and has a solid reputation.

Grower Choice ROI E420

It is a foldable LED grow light consuming 392 Watts in the test. The light was hung low in the test as per the manufacturers recommendations and delivers a good system efficiency of 2.32 µmols/watt. However, for more uniform distribution we would recommend a higher hanging height of about 25cm or 10".

Growers Choice ROI E420 PAR chart

 

Lumatek & Photontek 465W PRO

The Photontek 465W LED bar type grow light is a very high quality fixture. This is the same light as the Lumatek 465W pro which is the UK brand from the same company.

Photontek 465W pro

This light delivers an excellent spread over the 4 x 4 area and a very good system efficiency of 2.22 usable PPF/watt.

 

Photontek 465W PRO PAR chart

 

Not your size? try here:

12 best grow lights for a 2 x 2 grow space (0.6m x 0.6m)

7 best grow lights for a 3 x 3 grow space (1m x 1m)

10 best grow lights for a 4 x 2 grow space (1.2m x .6m)

21 best grow lights for a 5 x 5 grow space (1.5m x 1.5m)

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2 thoughts on “The 15 best value grow lights for your 4 x 4 grow tent 2024

t4s-avatar
Justin Manning

Have questions about my use with the 1000w photontek c02 pro model and how far at what % should I be running fixture at what distance from plants at seedlings vs young adult vs adults veg vs bloom. I’m running 800 watts at 4ft away at 100% and they are 7 weeks old from germination and they have been growing slow under 600w at 75% at 4ft so I turned up light % and added 2 light rails back onto fixture. I use the ppfd meter app on my phone and I measure the light at 42inches at 500ish ppfd at 600w at 100% but 800w at 100% gives me around 900-950ppf. But the plants have been growing slowly and I can’t figure out why. Please help. Thanks

June 23, 2022 at 13:41pm
t4s-avatar
Triangle Farm

Do the UV and IR on the Growealth add to their performance a desirable feature?

May 3, 2022 at 14:48pm

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