Best Grow Lights Under $100: Budget-Friendly Options for 2026
Start indoor gardening without breaking the bank. We tested and compared 12 budget grow lights to find the best options for houseplants, seedlings, herbs, and small grow spaces.
Quick Summary
You don't need to spend $300+ on grow lights. Modern budget LEDs with quality diodes can successfully grow houseplants, seedlings, herbs, and even flowering plants in small spaces. Here are our top picks:
- Best Overall: Spider Farmer SF-300 (~$60) - Best value Samsung diodes
- Best for 2x2 Tent: Mars Hydro TS-600 (~$70) - Great coverage, quiet operation
- Best for Seedlings: Barrina T5 4-Pack (~$35) - Even coverage, low heat
- Best for Houseplants: GE BR30 Grow Bulb (~$15) - Screw-in convenience
Why Budget Grow Lights Work in 2026
The grow light market has changed dramatically. Five years ago, $100 bought you a mediocre light that barely kept plants alive. Today, LED efficiency improvements and manufacturing scale have brought quality lights into reach for any budget.
What Changed?
- Diode efficiency: Budget LEDs now use Samsung and Epistar diodes delivering 2.0-2.7 umol/J vs. 1.0-1.5 umol/J five years ago
- Full spectrum standard: "Blurple" purple lights are mostly gone; white full-spectrum is now default even at $30
- Manufacturing scale: Chinese factories like Mars Hydro and Spider Farmer scaled to millions of units, dropping prices 50-70%
- Driver improvements: Budget lights now include dimmable drivers and passive cooling
The catch? Coverage area. A $70 light won't illuminate a 4x4 tent at flowering intensity. But for houseplants, seedlings, herbs, microgreens, and 2x2 spaces, budget lights deliver excellent results.
Use Our Calculator: Not sure how much light you need? Our free grow light calculator tells you exact wattage and DLI requirements for your space and plant type.
Top 12 Grow Lights Under $100
We tested each light for actual power draw, coverage uniformity, heat output, and build quality. Here are our ranked recommendations:
Tier 1: Premium Budget ($60-100)
Best performance-per-dollar. These lights use quality Samsung or equivalent diodes and compete with $150+ lights from 2-3 years ago.
Spider Farmer SF-300
33W actual draw | Samsung LM301B diodes | 2x2 ft coverage
The SF-300 is the budget light we recommend most often. It uses genuine Samsung LM301B diodes (same as their $400+ models) in a compact, fanless design. Perfect for seedlings, houseplants, and vegetative growth in small spaces.
Pros
- + Samsung LM301B diodes (high efficiency)
- + Fanless, silent operation
- + Dimmable 0-100%
- + 3-year warranty
- + Excellent for seedlings and clones
Cons
- - Only 33W (not enough for flowering alone)
- - Small coverage (max 2x2 veg, 1.5x1.5 flower)
- - Daisy-chain limited to 15 lights
Best for: Seedling trays, houseplant shelves, clone propagation, supplemental lighting, 1-2 small plants
Mars Hydro TS-600
100W actual draw | Epistar/BridgeLux diodes | 2x2 ft coverage
The TS-600 is Mars Hydro's entry-level workhorse. With 100W actual draw, it provides enough intensity for small flowering plants. The reflector design creates excellent canopy uniformity. A proven performer with thousands of positive reviews.
Pros
- + 100W actual power (real flowering capability)
- + Excellent reflector design
- + Fanless, silent
- + 5-year warranty (industry best for budget lights)
- + Thousands of proven grows
Cons
- - Not dimmable on this model
- - Epistar diodes less efficient than Samsung
- - Fixed spectrum (no veg/bloom switch)
Best for: 2x2 grow tents, 1-4 plants through flower, beginner cannabis grows, tomatoes, peppers
VIPARSPECTRA P600
100W actual draw | Samsung LM281B diodes | 2x2 ft coverage
VIPARSPECTRA upgraded their budget line with Samsung LM281B diodes and a proper dimmer knob. The P600 hits a sweet spot between the SF-300 and TS-600: Samsung diode quality with 100W flowering power.
Pros
- + Samsung LM281B diodes
- + Dimmable 0-100%
- + 100W actual draw
- + Daisy-chainable
Cons
- - Slightly less efficient than TS-600
- - Newer model (fewer proven grows)
AC Infinity IONBOARD S22
100W actual draw | Samsung LM301H diodes | 2x2 ft coverage
At the top of the budget range, AC Infinity brings premium build quality typically seen in $200+ lights. Samsung LM301H EVO diodes (latest generation), aluminum heatsink, and UL-listed components. The best budget light if you value longevity.
Pros
- + Samsung LM301H EVO (best efficiency)
- + Premium aluminum construction
- + Dimmer + daisy-chain
- + UL listed (rare at this price)
Cons
- - At top of budget range ($100)
- - Limited availability sometimes
Tier 2: Mid-Budget ($30-60)
Solid performers for houseplants, seedlings, and small grows. These lights sacrifice some efficiency for lower upfront cost.
Barrina T5 LED 4-Pack (4ft)
168W total (42W each) | Full spectrum | 4ft x 2ft coverage
Four T5 LED bars that link together for $35. Unbeatable value for seedling shelves, clone trays, and microgreens. The low-profile design fits anywhere, and the even light distribution prevents stretchy seedlings.
Pros
- + 4 lights for $35 (incredible value)
- + Link up to 8 together
- + Very even light distribution
- + Low heat
- + Perfect for shelving units
Cons
- - Not intense enough for flowering
- - No dimmer
- - Plastic housing
Best for: Seedling shelves, microgreens, lettuce, clone trays, supplemental houseplant lighting
SANSI 36W LED Grow Light Bulb
36W actual draw | Full spectrum | E26 socket
The SANSI 36W packs serious intensity into a standard light bulb socket. Use with any E26 fixture, desk lamp, or clamp light. Better build quality than most bulbs - ceramic heat sink instead of plastic.
Pros
- + Fits any E26 socket
- + Ceramic heat sink (durable)
- + 36W actual draw
- + Good for 1-3 houseplants
Cons
- - Needs clamp fixture or lamp
- - Spot coverage only
GooingTop LED Grow Light (6000K)
~10W per bar | Full spectrum | Clip mount
Budget-friendly gooseneck lights with auto-on/off timer. Perfect for single houseplants or desk setups. The flexible neck lets you position light exactly where needed.
Pros
- + Built-in timer (3/9/12 hours)
- + Flexible gooseneck
- + Clip or desk mount
- + Super affordable
Cons
- - Low wattage (houseplants only)
- - Plastic build
Tier 3: Ultra-Budget ($10-30)
Entry-level lights for testing the hobby or supplementing natural light. Limited power but surprisingly effective for houseplants.
GE BR30 LED Grow Light Bulb
9W actual draw | Balanced spectrum | E26 socket
The simplest way to start. Screw into any lamp and point at your houseplants. GE's "balanced light" spectrum is optimized for foliage plants. One bulb handles 1-2 small plants; combine multiple for larger collections.
Pros
- + Cheapest entry point
- + Uses existing lamps
- + Name brand (GE)
- + Pleasant white light
Cons
- - Only 9W (low intensity)
- - Need multiple for coverage
Best for: Single houseplants, windowsill supplementation, winter light boost, apartment growing
Feit Electric LED Grow Light (2-Pack)
9W each | Full spectrum | E26 socket
Similar to the GE bulbs but comes as a 2-pack. Good value if you have multiple plants or lamps. Slightly warmer spectrum that some find more pleasant for living spaces.
Check Price on AmazonMosthink LED Grow Light Strips (2-Pack)
~20W total | Red/Blue spectrum | Adhesive mount
Peel-and-stick LED strips for shelving units or closets. USB-powered with timer. Good for small herb gardens or supplementing natural light.
Check Price on AmazonQuick Comparison Table
| Light | Watts | Coverage | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spider Farmer SF-300 | 33W | 2x2 ft | Seedlings, clones | ~$60 |
| Mars Hydro TS-600 | 100W | 2x2 ft | 2x2 tent, flowering | ~$70 |
| VIPARSPECTRA P600 | 100W | 2x2 ft | Dimmable grows | ~$80 |
| AC Infinity S22 | 100W | 2x2 ft | Premium builds | ~$100 |
| Barrina T5 4-Pack | 168W total | 4x2 ft | Seedling shelves | ~$35 |
| SANSI 36W Bulb | 36W | 1-3 plants | Spot lighting | ~$30 |
| GE BR30 Bulb | 9W | 1-2 plants | Houseplants | ~$12 |
How to Choose the Right Budget Light
Step 1: Define Your Use Case
- Houseplants: GE/Feit bulbs ($12-15) or GooingTop clip lights ($20)
- Seedlings/Clones: Barrina T5 bars ($35) or Spider Farmer SF-300 ($60)
- Herbs/Leafy Greens: SANSI 36W ($30) or Barrina 4-pack ($35)
- Small Flowering Plants: Mars Hydro TS-600 ($70) or VIPARSPECTRA P600 ($80)
- 2x2 Tent: Mars Hydro TS-600, VIPARSPECTRA P600, or AC Infinity S22
Step 2: Calculate Required Wattage
Use our grow light calculator for precise requirements, and check our DLI guide for the science behind light needs. General guidelines:
- Houseplants/Low-light: 10-20W per square foot
- Seedlings/Vegetative: 25-35W per square foot
- Flowering (tomatoes, peppers): 35-50W per square foot
- High-intensity flowering: 50-75W per square foot
Step 3: Consider Features
- Dimmer: Essential for adjusting intensity as plants grow (SF-300, VIPARSPECTRA P600, AC Infinity)
- Daisy-chain: Link multiple lights to one outlet (most panel lights)
- Timer: Built-in on some (GooingTop), otherwise add $12 outlet timer
- Warranty: Mars Hydro (5yr), Spider Farmer (3yr) lead the budget market
Budget Grow Setup Examples
$50 Houseplant Setup
- 2x GE BR30 bulbs ($24)
- 2x Clamp lamps ($16)
- 1x Outlet timer ($10)
- Total: ~$50 - Covers 3-6 houseplants
$75 Seedling Shelf Setup
- Barrina T5 4-Pack ($35)
- Wire shelving unit (~$30)
- Digital timer ($10)
- Total: ~$75 - Start 100+ seedlings
$150 2x2 Tent Setup (Under Budget)
- Mars Hydro TS-600 ($70)
- 2x2 grow tent ($45)
- Clip fan ($15)
- Timer ($10)
- Fabric pots 5-pack ($10)
- Total: ~$150 - Complete small grow setup
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the best grow light under $100 for beginners?
The Spider Farmer SF-300 (~$60) is the best overall budget grow light for beginners. It delivers 33W of efficient Samsung LM301 diodes, covers 2x2 feet, and produces minimal heat. For larger coverage, the Mars Hydro TS-600 (~$70) covers 1.5x1.5 feet at full intensity and is excellent value.
Can cheap grow lights actually grow plants?
Yes, budget grow lights under $100 can absolutely grow healthy plants. Modern LED technology has made affordable lights much more efficient. The key is choosing lights with Samsung or Epistar diodes, adequate wattage for your space (30-50W per square foot for flowering), and full-spectrum output.
How many watts do I need for a 2x2 grow space?
For a 2x2 foot (4 square feet) grow space, you need 120-200W of actual LED power for flowering plants or 60-100W for vegetative growth and seedlings. Most budget lights in the 30-50W range work well for houseplants, herbs, and seedlings.
Are T5 fluorescent lights better than cheap LEDs?
In 2026, budget LEDs have surpassed T5 fluorescents in almost every metric. LEDs use 40-50% less electricity, produce less heat, last 3-5x longer (50,000 vs 15,000 hours), and don't require bulb replacements. T5s still work well for seedling trays but LEDs are the better long-term investment.
What's the difference between Samsung LM301 and other diodes?
Samsung LM301B and LM301H diodes are the gold standard in grow light efficiency, delivering 2.7-3.0+ umol/J. Budget lights often use Samsung LM281B (slightly less efficient but still good) or Epistar/BridgeLux diodes. Lights with Samsung diodes typically cost $20-40 more but deliver better yields per watt.
Do I need a grow tent with a budget grow light?
A grow tent isn't required but significantly improves results. The reflective interior can increase effective light by 20-40% by bouncing light back to plants. A 2x2 tent costs $40-60 and pairs perfectly with budget lights. However, for houseplants on a shelf or windowsill supplementation, no tent is needed.
Calculate Your Exact Requirements
Not sure which budget light fits your setup? Our free calculator determines exact wattage, DLI, and coverage requirements based on your space and plant type.
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