This Tested Grow Light Helps Spinach and Tomato Seeds Grow Faster in Colder Climates, and It’s on Sale

Here in New York, the springtime sun can look bright and warm from a window, but it’ll actually feel deceptively cold when you step out the door. As a result of this misleading weather and unpredictable frost, I suffer, and so do my seed season seedlings that I’ve been preparing since the end of March. Planting days end up getting pushed further and further back, leaving gardeners like me no choice but to keep plants indoors for longer. The best way to prevent small seedlings from dying while waiting for warmer temperatures is to use a grow light.

If you’re feeling stuck as to which grow light is worth buying, we tested dozens of them over a period of six weeks to determine our favorites. And right now, the one we named “Best Overall” is on sale for only $21—perfect for recently sprouted seeds that aren’t quite ready to transfer outdoors yet.

Leoter Grow Light

This grow light comes with three time intervals, three spectral modes, and 10 light brightness levels to choose from. Unlike other models that feature sedentary bulbs that can’t be adjusted, the Leoter grow light has four malleable gooseneck arms that bend whichever way the seeds need them throughout the growth stage. The light also features a clamp design, which provides even more flexible lighting direction for your seedlings. 

The light itself is made up of 80 LEDs, including 32 red, 12 blue, and 36 full spectrum lights, which are ideal for rooting and sprouting, and blue spectrum lights promote flowering, seed germination, and chlorophyll production necessary for strong, healthy stems in already-blooming plants and fruits. You can turn on all three light types together to create the ultimate environment for encouraging photosynthesis, allowing for quicker, more efficient growing. Notably, the Leoter Grow Light was actually the only light we tested that offered all three LED color options.

You can also choose between three timer options: three, nine, and 12 hours. The one con we found during our six weeks of testing was that the timer needed to be reset when the light was powered off. It’s not a big deal, but if you’re used to running a consistent schedule, it’s inconvenient. 

What is convenient though is how simple and easy the setup is. The light comes with a USB connector, so you can connect it to a portable device or use the included adaptor to charge it into an AC power outlet.

Whether you want plants to grow faster or need to keep seedlings away from the cold weather for longer—or both—the grow light we named “Best Overall” is the answer. Shop the Leoter Grow Light at Amazon while it’s marked down to only $21, and check out more of our editor-tested and -loved grow lights below.

Mars Hydro LED Grow Light

LBW LED Grow Light

GooingTop LED Grow Light

iGrowTek Grow Light

Lordem Grow Light