If you are an indoor gardener, you know how important it is to provide your plants with enough light for photosynthesis and growth. However, not all grow lights are created equal. There are many factors to consider when choosing the best grow lights for your indoor plants, such as the type, size, shape, spectrum, efficiency, lifespan, cost, and design of the light source.

One of the most popular types of grow lights in the market today is the COB LED grow light. COB stands for chip on board, which means that multiple LED chips are mounted on a single substrate. This makes COB-LED grow lights more powerful and compact than other types of LED grow lamps, such as SMD (surface mounted device) or quantum board, which have individual LED chips spread over a larger area.

But how do you know if COB-LED grow light are the best choice for your indoor plants? In this article, we will explain one of the key factors that you need to consider when choosing grow lights: light output per unit area. We will also compare COB LED based grow lights with other types of LED grow light in terms of light output per unit area and other factors. By the end of this article, you will have a better understanding of how to choose the best COB LED grow lamps for your indoor plants.

Definition of Light Output Per Unit Area and Its Key Role in Enhancing LED Grow Lights

Light output per unit area, also known as luminous flux density or luminance, is a measure of how much light is emitted by a light source per unit area of its surface. It is usually expressed in lumens per square meter (lm/m2) or candelas per square meter (cd/m2).

Light output per unit area is an important factor to consider when choosing grow lights, as it affects the intensity and uniformity of the light that reaches the plants. The higher the light output per unit area, the more light the plants receive from a given distance and angle. The lower the light output per unit area, the less light the plants receive from a given distance and angle.

Light output per unit area depends on several factors, such as the type, size, shape, and arrangement of the light source, as well as the reflectivity and transparency of the surrounding materials. For example, a large and flat light source will have a lower light output per unit area than a small and round light source, as the former will spread the light over a larger area than the latter. Similarly, a reflective and transparent material will increase the light output per unit area of a light source, as it will reflect and transmit more light than an absorbent and opaque material.

Why is light output per unit area important for grow lights? Because different plants have different preferences and tolerances for light intensity and uniformity. Some plants need more intense and concentrated light to thrive, while others need less intense and more diffuse light to avoid stress and damage. Moreover, different parts of the plant may have different light requirements. For example, the leaves may need more light than the roots or stems.

Therefore, it is important to choose grow lights that have the right light output per unit area for your plants. You can use a lux meter or a PAR meter to measure the light output per unit area of your grow lights at different distances and angles from your plants. Lux meters measure the luminous flux density in lm/m2, while PAR meters measure the photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) in µmol/m2/s. PAR is the portion of the light spectrum that plants use for photosynthesis.

How Do COB LED Grow Lights Compare with Other Types of LED Grow Lights in Terms of Light Output Per Unit Area

One of the advantages of COB LED-grow hydroponic lights is that they have a high light output per unit area, as they pack multiple LED chips on a single substrate. This means that they can produce more intense and concentrated light than other types of LED grow lights, such as SMD or quantum board LED grow indoor lights, which have a lower light output per unit area, as they spread the LED chips over a larger area.

This also means that it can penetrate deeper into the plant canopy and cover more plants with less power consumption than other types of LED grow lighting. For example, according to a study, COB LED plant grow lights had an average PAR value of 1 200 µmol/m2/s at 30 cm distance from the plant canopy, while SMD-LED grow light had an average PAR value of 800 µmol/m2/s at 30 cm distance from the plant canopy.

However, having a high light output per unit area does not necessarily mean that COB lights are better than other types of LED types grow lights. There are other factors to consider, such as:

• Spectrum: The spectrum of the grow light is the range of wavelengths of light that it emits. Different plants have different spectral preferences and needs for different stages of growth. For example, blue light is more beneficial for vegetative growth, while red light is more beneficial for flowering and fruiting. COB LED-grow indoor lights can have a full spectrum or a specific spectrum, depending on the type and color of the LED chips. Some COB LED horticulture grow lights also have additional features, such as UV and IR LEDs, to enhance the spectrum and the plant growth.
• Efficiency: The efficiency of the grow light is the ratio of the electrical power input to the light output. It is usually expressed in lumens per watt (lm/W) or micromoles per joule (µmol/J). The higher the efficiency, the more light the grow light produces with less electricity consumption. COB LED-grow plants lights are generally more efficient than other types of LED grow light, as they have less heat loss and less electrical resistance. However, the efficiency of COB LED grow light can vary depending on the quality and design of the LED chips, drivers, and heat sinks.
• Lifespan: The lifespan of the grow light is the duration of time that it can operate before its light output drops below a certain percentage of its initial value. It is usually expressed in hours or years. The longer the lifespan, the more reliable and durable the grow light is. COB LED grow lights have a longer lifespan than other types of lights, as they have less degradation and failure of the LED chips. However, the lifespan of COB-LED indoor grow lights can also depend on the operating temperature, humidity, and voltage fluctuations.
• Cost: The cost of the grow light is the amount of money that you need to spend to buy and maintain it. It includes the initial purchase price, the electricity bill, and the replacement cost. The lower the cost, the more economical and affordable the grow light is. COB LED grow lamps are generally more expensive than other types of LED grow bulbs, as they have higher quality and performance. However, the cost of COB LED-grow lights can also vary depending on the brand, model, and features of the grow light.
• Design: The design of the grow light is the shape, size, weight, and appearance of the light source and its accessories. It affects the installation, operation, and maintenance of the grow light. The better the design, the more convenient and user-friendly the grow light is. COB-LED hydroponic grow lights have different designs, such as panel, bar, or bulb shape. Some COB LED grow light also have adjustable features, such as dimming, switching, or daisy-chaining functions.

As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing COB LED grow lights for your indoor plants. There is no one-size-fits-all solution for every plant and every situation. You need to do your research and experiment with different COB type s LED-grow lights to find the best one for your indoor garden.

How to Choose the Best COB LED Grow Lights for Your Indoor Plants

Here are some tips to help you choose the best COB LED grow lights for your indoor plants:

• Know your plants: Different plants have different light requirements and preferences. You need to know what kind of plants you are growing, what stage of growth they are in, and what kind of environment they need. You can use online guides or books to learn more about your plants’ light needs.
• Know your space: Different spaces have different dimensions and limitations. You need to know how much space you have available for your indoor garden, how high your ceiling is, how far your plants are from your walls or windows, and how much ventilation you have. You can use a tape measure or a ruler to measure your space.
• Know your budget: Different budgets have different constraints and possibilities. You need to know how much money you are willing to spend on your COB LED grow lights, how much electricity you can afford to use, and how often you are willing to replace your COB LED grow light. You can use a calculator or a spreadsheet to estimate your budget.
• Compare different options: Different options have different pros and cons. You need to compare different types of COB LED grow lamps in terms of their light output per unit area and other factors that we discussed above. You can use online reviews or testimonials to learn more about other people’s experiences with different COB LED grow bulbs.
• Test different settings: Different settings have different outcomes and results. You need to test different distances and angles between your COB-LED grow lamps and your plants, different durations and cycles of lighting, and different combinations and arrangements of COB LED grow lights. You can use a lux meter or a PAR meter to measure the light output per unit area of your COB LED grow lamps at different settings.

Conclusion

COB LED grow lights are one of the most popular types of grow lights in the market today. They have a high light output per unit area, which means that they can produce more intense and concentrated light than other types of LED grow light, such as SMD or quantum board LED grow lamp, which have a lower light output per unit area, as they spread the LED chips over a larger area.

This also means that COB-LED grow light can penetrate deeper into the plant canopy and cover more plants with less power consumption than other types of LED grow light. However, having a high light output per unit area does not necessarily mean that COB LED grow lights are better than other types of LED-grow lights. There are other factors to consider, such as spectrum, efficiency, lifespan, cost, and design.

Therefore, it is important to do your research and experiment with different COB LED plant grow lights to find the best one for your indoor plants. You need to know your plants’ light needs and preferences, your space’s dimensions and limitations, your budget’s constraints and possibilities, and your options’ pros and cons. You also need to test different settings and measure the light output per unit area of your COB LED grow lights at different distances and angles from your plants.

By following these tips, you will be able to choose the best COB LED horticulture grow lights for your indoor plants and enjoy the benefits of growing healthy and beautiful plants indoors. We hope you found this article useful and informative. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below.