What T8 Bulbs Are Best For Plant Growth?

Best T8 Bulbs For Growing Plants

As a hydroponic indoor grower, one of the major things to put in place to get optimal growth is good lighting. Among various types of grow light, we have in the market, T8 grow light is the type that can supply your plants with good lighting. This is why you need to know the best T8 bulbs for growing plants.

Your indoor hydroponic plants will require excellent grow light that can duplicate the effect or work of sunlight. We will be reviewing the best T8 bulbs you can choose for growing plants in your indoor hydroponic garden so you can enjoy optimal yield. So, read on to decide your best pick.

What Are T8 Grow Light?

T8 grows are fluorescent grow lights that are one inch in diameter. It is approximately 40% smaller than a T5 fluorescent light and also longer than T5 grow light.

List Of The Best T8 Bulbs For Growing Plants

With so many options of T8 bulbs in the market, deciding which to go for might be confusing. This is why we are taking the stress off and listing some amazing T8 bulb grow lights you can go for. So, let’s explore our options:

1.    SHOPLED LED Grow Light 2FT, Full Spectrum, 20W Plant Lights for Seed Starting, Seedlings, Sunlight Replacement, Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, 4-Pack

This grows light is one great T8 grow light bulb you can choose. It features full spectrum red and blue light spectrum in a V-shape which is specially required for the optimal growth of plants. This T8 grow light will usher your plants all through their growing phase (germination, vegetative, and flowering or fruiting phase).

It comes with a three speed timing regulator allowing you to adjust the light output depending on the growing stage. The grow light is very flexible and you can set them up in various positions in your indoor garden such as a growing rack, vertical farm, or plant factory.

Another added advantage is that the bulbs emit low heat. Thus, you can position them a little close to your plant so they can receive optimal light and not worry about it burning your plants.

In addition, this grows light will not take too much power thereby you get to save a good amount on your lightning utility bill. They will also serve you a long time till you ever think of making any change.

The drawback we notice is that the light may be too bright for your eyes. So when handling or going near it, you can make use of some protective eye wears.

Pros

  • Supplies both red and blue spectrum which is great for plant growth.
  • Easy to use and set up.
  • The heat emitted is minimal.
  • Energy-saving grows light.
  • Long-lasting.

Cons

  • The light produced may be too bright for your eyes.
SHOPLED LED Grow Light 2FT, Full Spectrum, 20W Plant Lights for Seed Starting, Seedlings, Sunlight Replacement, Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, 4-Pack

Full spectrum red and blue T8 Grow light containing 3-speed light output to align with the growing stages of your plants.

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2.    GE Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, T8 LED Light Bulbs

The GE T8 LED Grow Light Bulbs offer a full-spectrum light tailored for indoor plants, especially those flowering and fruiting. With a lifespan of 25,000 hours, these 48-inch bulbs are designed to fit standard T8 fixtures, providing an energy-efficient solution for plant enthusiasts.

Pros:

  • Advanced Red Light Spectrum: Enhances flowering and fruiting stages, promoting healthier plant development.
  • Energy Efficiency: Consumes less power compared to traditional grow lights, reducing electricity costs.
  • Long Lifespan: With 25,000 hours of use, these bulbs require less frequent replacements.

Cons:

  • Fixture Compatibility: Designed for T8 fixtures; may not fit other types without modification.
  • Initial Investment: Higher upfront cost compared to standard fluorescent bulbs.

Overall, the GE T8 LED Grow Light Bulbs are a solid choice for indoor gardeners seeking efficient and effective lighting solutions for their flowering and fruiting plants.

GE Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, T8 LED Light Bulbs
$99.77

GE T8 LED Lights bulbs for Flowers and Fruit with Advanced Red Light Spectrum, 25,000 Hours Lifespan, 34 PPF, 48 Inches, 6 Pack (Packaging May Vary)

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01/19/2025 04:56 pm GMT

3.    Barrina LED Grow Light, 252W(6 x 42W) 4ft T8, Full Spectrum

The T8 Barrina LED grow light is another excellent grow light that will supply a full light spectrum to your plants. This grow light is easy to install and it comes with different wires for connections.

It is built with an aluminum reflector that improves the efficiency of light supplied to plants. This T8 bulb light can last as long as 50,000 hours non-stop. The aluminum reflector also assists in spreading the heat emitted evenly.

This T8 grow light will usher your plants into their various stages such as germinating, vegetative, and flowering or fruiting. The full spectrum Barrina grow light offers consist of red, blue, and green wavelengths which are great for boosting the growth of plants.

Additionally, this growth light can as well extend the flowering time of any plant you wish to extend. Thus, it will also help enhance the quality of the budding of your plants. You enjoy higher efficiency of light at a reduced cost as well as low consumption.

Another added benefit is the ability to connect up to 6 bulbs at once without requiring connecting chords. Thus, installation costs and timing are reduced.

The downside is that the light emitted may be too bright for your eyes. Wear protective eye wears if they’re bothering your eyes.

Pros

  • Highly efficientT8 grow light.
  • Long-lasting with a life span of 50,000 hours of non-stop light.
  • Great for all plant life cycle.
  • Easy to assemble and use.
  • Features aluminum right reflectors for better functionality.

Cons

  • Light may be too bright for the eyes.
Top Pick
Barrina Grow Lights for Indoor Plants, Full Spectrum Sunlight, 2ft 40W (4 x 10W, 250W Equivalent), LED Grow Light Bulbs, T5 Grow Lights, Plug and Play, Pinkish White, 4-Pack
$41.99

The T8 Barrina LED grow light is another excellent grow light that will supply a full light spectrum to your plants. This grow light is easy to install and it comes with different wires for connections.

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01/19/2025 10:02 am GMT

4.    SpeePlant T8 LED Grow Light Strips, 1FT Plant Grow Lights for Indoor Plants Full Spectrum

Another option for the best T8 bulbs for growing plants is the SpeePlant T8 integrated fixtures. It is perfect for greenhouse cultivation, house gardens, etc.

They are super easy to assemble and use, and the bulbs are bright enough for your plants to do well under them. They are pretty versatile and lightweight, so they can be installed on your walls, shelves, and so on.

The SpeePlant T8 integrated light fixtures offer your plant a full light spectrum. Thus, they will assist your plant transition from germination to flowering to vegetative, and flowering or fruiting stages. They will also help your plant take in adequate nutrients even trace elements for optimal yield.

The grow light is highly efficient and long-lasting and its power consumption is also minimal. You can also link up to 6 fixtures at once.

The disadvantage we notice is that the light produced may be too bright for your eyes. Thus, ensure you wear protective eyewear when close to the plant if the light affects your eyes.

Pros

  • A lightweight and versatile grow-light
  • Perfect for all plant stages.
  • Easy to install and use.
  • Long-lasting T8 grow light.

Cons

  • Light may be too bright for the eyes.

5.    White Light Full Spectrum LED Grow Light, 2FT 2-Row V-Shape T8 Integrated Growing Lamp Fixture

One of the best options for T8 bulbs for growing plants is this white light full spectrum. They supply bright white lights and they’re great for an indoor hydroponic garden. The wavelength ranges from 420nm to 780nm.

The white light they produce will not cause harm to your eyes as they are healthier for both you and your plants. They are also full-spectrum light that will support your plant throughout the stages of its growth cycle.

The installation is pretty easy and it requires no wiring or reconstruction. All you need do is plug and on your grow light. They are highly efficient that give high output even with low power consumption. Thus, you get to save up to 70% energy on your electricity bill.

Additionally, they can also link up to 6 bulbs at once. Thus, you can extend your grow tent to a bigger size as you wish.

However, the drawback we notice is that it produces too much heat. So, ensure you place them at least 4 to 12 inches away from your plants.

All in all, the white light full spectrum T8 bulb is a great option you can choose when it comes to the best T8 bulb for growing plants.

Pros

  • Energy-saving T8 grow light.
  • Great efficiency with high output.
  • Ability to link up to 6 bulbs at once.
  • Supports all plant growth stages.

Cons

  • The heat producded mab burn your plants. Thus the lights should be position a proper distance away from the lgiths

FAQ’s

Are T8 LED lights good for growing?

Yes, they are.
T8 bulbs have a higher color rendering index (CRI) and a better output spectrum. They also emit more visible light. The bulbs produce roughly the same amount of light. The higher CRI is helpful in plants that have a photosynthetic response to blue wavelengths. It is also helpful when trying to see details in plants. There are two main types of T8s. There are T8s with a filament and T8s without a filament. A T8 bulb with a filament produces more light than a T8 bulb without a filament. T5 bulbs do not require a filament.

Is T5 better than T8?

T8 is one of the most popular bulb types for growing plants. A t8 bulb is an artificial light bulb designed for growing plants. Most of the bulbs are used in hydroponics, or with a nutrient solution. Hydroponic systems have been around for a long time and are the most common way to grow plants indoors. A t8 bulb is similar to a T5 bulb but with one big difference:
it has a much higher wattage than a regular T5 bulb. The higher wattage means that the plant will require less energy, which in turn means that you will be saving money on your electricity bill.

Best Fluorescent Light For Plants Conclusion

There’s no denying that nothing beats natural sunlight. T8 bulbs will still support your indoor plant growth by mimicking the work done by sunlight.  But even if they do not give you 100% natural sunlight supply, they will still deliver great results for your plants’ needs.

So, we have listed some of the best T8 bulbs you can go for when growing your plants indoors.

01/19/2025 10:02 am GMT