Best Grow Lights for 3x3 Tents (2026): Complete Buyer's Guide
The 3x3 grow tent is the sweet spot for personal cultivation - compact enough for a closet or corner, yet spacious enough for serious yields. Finding the right light for this 9 square foot space is critical. Too little and you'll have airy buds; too much and you'll waste electricity and risk light burn.
Quick Recommendations
Best Overall: Spider Farmer SF-2000 ($180-200) - perfect wattage for 3x3, excellent efficiency with Samsung LM301B diodes, proven reliability.
Budget Pick: Mars Hydro TS 1000 ($80-100) - solid entry-level option, 150W covers veg perfectly and works for smaller flowering areas.
Premium Pick: AC Infinity IONBOARD S33 ($280-320) - smart features, Samsung LM301H diodes, app control and excellent build quality.
How Much Wattage for a 3x3 Tent?
A 3x3 tent provides 9 square feet of grow space. Here's what you need based on your plants:
| Plant Type | Watts/sqft | Total for 3x3 |
|---|---|---|
| Leafy greens, herbs | 20-25W | 180-225W |
| Tomatoes, peppers | 30-35W | 270-315W |
| Cannabis (veg) | 20-30W | 180-270W |
| Cannabis (flower) | 30-40W | 270-360W |
For maximum flowering performance, we recommend 200-300W of quality LED for a 3x3. This delivers 22-33W per square foot - the sweet spot for dense, potent flowers without wasting energy. See our complete watts per square foot guide for more details.
The "Goldilocks Zone" for 3x3
A 3x3 is unique because it's small enough that overpowering is a real risk. A 400W light that's perfect for a 4x4 will be too intense unless significantly dimmed. Stick to the 200-300W range and you'll have the flexibility to run at full power when needed without risking light stress.
The 6 Best Grow Lights for 3x3 Tents
1. Spider Farmer SF-2000
Best Overall- Actual Wattage: 200W
- Diodes: Samsung LM301B
- Efficiency: 2.7 umol/J
- Coverage: 3x3 flower, 4x4 veg
- Spectrum: Full spectrum + IR
- Dimming: Yes (knob)
- Warranty: 5 years
The SF-2000 is the go-to light for 3x3 tents. It runs cool enough that you don't need a powerful exhaust, efficient enough to keep electric bills reasonable, and produces excellent results. Samsung diodes and MeanWell driver ensure reliability.
Pros: Perfect wattage for 3x3, excellent efficiency, quiet passive cooling, great warranty
Cons: No UV/far-red, fixed spectrum
2. Mars Hydro TSW 2000
High Power- Actual Wattage: 300W
- Diodes: BridgeLux / Epistar
- Efficiency: 2.2 umol/J
- Coverage: 3x3 flower, 4x4 veg
- Spectrum: Full spectrum
- Dimming: Yes
- Warranty: 5 years
The TSW 2000 pushes the upper limit for 3x3 at 300W. For aggressive growers who want maximum light penetration, it delivers. Just plan to use the dimmer - full blast in a 3x3 is too intense for most plants. Great for larger plants or SCROG setups.
Pros: Powerful output, great for CO2-enhanced grows, affordable
Cons: Runs warmer, lower efficiency than Samsung diodes
3. AC Infinity IONBOARD S33
Smart Features- Actual Wattage: 240W
- Diodes: Samsung LM301H
- Efficiency: 2.75 umol/J
- Coverage: 3x3 flower
- Spectrum: Full spectrum
- Dimming: Yes + App Control
- Warranty: 5 years
AC Infinity combines their ventilation expertise with quality lighting. The S33 uses top-tier Samsung LM301H diodes and integrates with their Controller 69 for scheduling, sunrise simulation, and app-based monitoring. Premium choice for automated grows.
Pros: Smart home integration, excellent build, Samsung LM301H (best binning)
Cons: Premium price, full features need controller
4. Mars Hydro TS 1000
Budget Pick- Actual Wattage: 150W
- Diodes: BridgeLux / Epistar
- Efficiency: 2.2 umol/J
- Coverage: 2.5x2.5 flower, 3x3 veg
- Spectrum: Full spectrum
- Dimming: Yes
- Warranty: 5 years
The TS 1000 is an excellent entry-level light. At 150W, it's slightly underpowered for flowering a full 3x3 but perfect for vegetative growth or 2-3 plants. Many growers start here and add a second unit later for flowering.
Pros: Unbeatable price, great for beginners, low heat output
Cons: Slightly underpowered for full 3x3 flower
5. VIPARSPECTRA P2000
Value Option- Actual Wattage: 200W
- Diodes: Samsung LM301B
- Efficiency: 2.5 umol/J
- Coverage: 3x3 flower, 4x4 veg
- Spectrum: Full spectrum + IR
- Dimming: Yes
- Warranty: 3 years
VIPARSPECTRA has evolved from their purple LED era. The P2000 uses Samsung diodes and delivers solid performance at a competitive price. Slightly lower efficiency than Spider Farmer but often $20-30 cheaper.
Pros: Competitive pricing, Samsung diodes, improved reputation
Cons: Shorter warranty, slightly lower efficiency
6. Spider Farmer SF-1000
Seedlings/Veg- Actual Wattage: 100W
- Diodes: Samsung LM301B
- Efficiency: 2.7 umol/J
- Coverage: 2x2 flower, 3x3 veg
- Spectrum: Full spectrum
- Dimming: Yes
- Warranty: 5 years
The SF-1000 is purpose-built for seedlings, clones, and vegetative growth in a 3x3. Many growers use two SF-1000s instead of one SF-2000 for better coverage and redundancy. Also perfect as a supplemental side light.
Pros: Excellent for veg, compact size, can add second unit
Cons: Too weak for full 3x3 flowering alone
Comparison Chart: All 3x3 Lights
| Light | Watts | Efficiency | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spider Farmer SF-2000 | 200W | 2.7 umol/J | $179-199 | Most growers |
| Mars Hydro TSW 2000 | 300W | 2.2 umol/J | $159-179 | Max power |
| AC Infinity S33 | 240W | 2.75 umol/J | $279-319 | Smart features |
| Mars Hydro TS 1000 | 150W | 2.2 umol/J | $79-99 | Budget/beginners |
| VIPARSPECTRA P2000 | 200W | 2.5 umol/J | $149-169 | Value seekers |
| Spider Farmer SF-1000 | 100W | 2.7 umol/J | $89-109 | Veg/seedlings |
What Can You Grow in a 3x3?
Plant Capacity
- SOG (Sea of Green): 9-16 small plants
- Standard pots: 4 plants (5-gallon)
- SCROG: 1-2 trained plants
- Autoflowers: 4-6 plants
Expected Yields
- Beginner: 150-250g per cycle
- Intermediate: 250-400g per cycle
- Expert: 400-500g+ per cycle
- Target: 0.8-1.2g per watt
Complete 3x3 Setup Costs
Here's what a full 3x3 setup costs, including the grow light:
| Component | Budget | Mid-Range | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grow Tent | $60 | $90 | $150 |
| Grow Light | $80 | $180 | $300 |
| Exhaust Fan + Filter | $80 | $150 | $200 |
| Pots, Soil, Nutrients | $50 | $80 | $150 |
| Timer, Hangers, Clips | $20 | $40 | $60 |
| Total | $290 | $540 | $860 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How many watts do I need for a 3x3 grow tent?
For flowering, 225-350W of quality LED. For vegetative growth only, 150-200W is sufficient. Aim for 25-40W per square foot with efficient diodes.
What PPFD should I target in a 3x3 tent?
Target 600-900 PPFD for flowering and 400-600 PPFD for vegetative growth. Seedlings need only 200-400 PPFD. Learn more about DLI and light requirements for different plants. Use a PAR meter or smartphone app to verify readings.
Can I use a 400W light in a 3x3?
Yes, but you'll need to dim it or raise the height significantly. A 400W light at full power in a 3x3 can cause light burn. Consider a 250-300W light instead, or use a 400W at 60-75% power.
Is a 3x3 tent big enough for growing?
Absolutely. A 3x3 tent comfortably fits 1-4 plants depending on training method. It's perfect for personal grows, limited spaces, or beginners. Expect 200-500g yields per cycle with proper lighting.
Spider Farmer SF-2000 or Mars Hydro TSW 2000 for 3x3?
Both work well. The Spider Farmer SF-2000 (200W) is more efficient with Samsung diodes and runs cooler. The Mars Hydro TSW 2000 (300W) provides more power but requires dimming and produces more heat. For most 3x3 growers, the SF-2000 is the better match.
Final Recommendations
Best Overall
Spider Farmer SF-2000
Perfect wattage, great efficiency, reliable brand. The default choice for 3x3.
Budget Option
Mars Hydro TS 1000
Under $100, great for veg or beginners. Add a second for flowering.
Premium Choice
AC Infinity S33
Smart controls, premium diodes, professional build quality.
Calculate Your Exact Requirements
Use our free calculator to get personalized light recommendations based on your 3x3 setup and plant requirements.
Use Calculator