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Today we’re talking about a question growers get all the time:
“How high should I hang my grow light?”
Now, the truth is—there’s no one-size-fits-all answer.
Different lights and grow spaces mean different setups. But don’t worry—this article is going to walk you through exactly how to find the right hanging height for your setup.
Basically, it’s all about finding a balance:
Hang the light lower = more light hits the plants, faster growth, bigger yields.
But too close = hot spots in the center, light stress, and possibly burnt tips.
Hang it higher = better light spread, healthier edges, but less intensity.
So the real goal? Balance efficiency (how much light the plants get) with uniformity (how evenly it’s spread).
Data from LED Gardener provides a useful comparison of four well-known grow lights across different grow tent sizes.
Manufacturer recommends: 12–18 inches
12 inches: Center PAR = 1150 μmol. Great intensity, but poor uniformity (50%).
18 inches: Slight drop in efficiency (-13%) but uniformity jumps to 79%!
✅ My take: If you’re chasing yields, go with 12″. If you want safer, more even coverage—18″ is the way to go.
Manufacturer recommends: minimum 8 inches
8 inches: 2.5 μmol/W efficiency, 1082 μmol center—powerful!
14 inches: Only 9% efficiency drop, but uniformity jumps by 33%.
✅ My take: For growers who want nice, even light distribution, 14″ is the sweet spot.
Recommended: 8–12 inches
Note: 8″ is only safe if you’re running CO₂!
8 inches: Massive center PAR = 1430 μmol, but only if you’re adding CO₂.
12 inches: Drops to 1200 μmol, better uniformity (72%).
16 inches: Slightly lower PAR, but excellent uniformity at 82%.
✅ My take: Unless you’ve got a sealed room with CO₂, aim for 16 inches.
A quantum board style light with a spread-out design.
28 inches (recommended): 927 μmol center, but poor uniformity (37%).
32 inches: Uniformity improves a bit (48%), minor efficiency drop.
✅ My take: This style needs to hang higher for safety. Accept the trade-off for better balance.
Increase the recommended height by 40–50% if you want better uniformity and safer plant growth;
Quantum boards need more height, while bar-style lights can hang lower and still spread light well;
Lower = more intensity, higher = more uniformity. You pick based on your grow goals.
One of the most common questions new growers ask is:
“I do not have a fancy light meter—how do I know if my grow light is hung at the right height?” No worries!
1. If You’ve Got a Budget — Get a Real Meter
If you’re willing to spend a bit, the best way is to get a quantum sensor. These are tools specifically made to measure the light plants can actually use (called PPFD).
Here are two popular options:
SpotOn Quantum Sensor – great balance of accuracy and price
Apogee MQ-500 – professional-grade, but more expensive
The SpotOn is almost as accurate as the Apogee, but about half the price. For home growers or hobby setups, it’s more than enough.
2. On a Budget? Use Your Phone!
If you’re not ready to invest in gear, don’t worry—there are some surprisingly good workarounds using just your phone.
Recommended App:
Photone (formerly Korona)
Works great with iPhone’s built-in sensors
Android version is in the works
3. No Meter, No App? Use the Manufacturer’s PAR Map!
If you don’t want to measure anything at all, here’s a no-cost method:
Check your light’s official PAR chart. Most decent brands now provide one.
Look for:
The light model
Suggested hanging height
The PAR heatmap (pay attention to center vs. corner readings)
Desde planificación de iluminación personalizada hasta presupuestos personalizados y todo lo demás, nuestro equipo de expertos en horticultura siempre está listo para ayudarlo.
Manopla LED
Guzhen, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China
WhatsApp: +86 180 2409 6862
Correo electrónico: info@vantenled.com
Somos un fabricante profesional de luces LED para plantas, comprometidos con el uso de la tecnología para mejorar el máximo potencial de la lámpara, maximizando continuamente los beneficios para los productores y ahorrando energía para el planeta.
