Last Updated on September, 2023 by Rob Wilson
Indoor horticulture is both fascinating and exciting. You’ll find lots of trustworthy pieces of equipment, which you’ll need if you want to properly grow your cannabis indoors. Double-ended (DE) grow lights are essential if you need to compensate for a lack of solar energy, wind, soil, or nutrients when you’re growing cannabis indoors. If you want exceptional growth results without these sources of energy, you’ll need the right types of equipment to give your plants what they need. Therefore, we’ve put together a bunch of DE grow lights reviews in this article to give you some helpful insight into the world of cannabis-growing equipment; we’re here to cover some of the best double-ended high-pressure sodium vapor (HPS) lights which, despite being relatively old, are grow lights that many people still prefer for a myriad number of reasons. These superstar DE grow lights are: the TopoGrow 1000W Double-Ended HPS Grow Light; the Hongruilite DE 1000W HPS Double-Ended Grow Light; the Nanolux DE 1000W Double-Ended Fixture; the 1000W EnergyStation Grow Light Reflector Kit; the GreenHouser Double-Ended Grow Light Fixture; and the Yield Lab Horticulture 1000W Double-Ended HPS MH Grow Light.
We invite you to discover what makes the best DE grow lights so great at what they do – who knows, you may even consider ordering one for yourself. So, without further adieu, let’s go through the options below in detail to help you choose the product that’s right for your cannabis-growing needs.
Best Double-Ended Grow Lights Reviews (2023)
1. TopoGrow 1000W Double Ended HPS Grow Light
- 23" x 10" x 12",120v plug K12x30s lamp holder,3KV, Double-ended system delivers higher PAR value with incredible uniformity, Premium aluminum European hammer-tone interior: 99.85% pure, 95% reflectivity, Plastic K12 x 30S high temperature lamp holders
- DE 120/240V Ballast: Size:10.77'' (L) 7.01''(W) 3.64''(H) , nput: 120~240V / 50~60Hz, Min Power Factor: 99%, Dimming Type: 600W/750W/1000W and Super output 1150W, Runs on 120/ 240V volt power; FC listed; ETL certified
- Watts operation:- 1000 watts
- Type:- HPS Double-Ended Grow Light Kit
- Warranty:- Manufacturer’s Warranty
Double-ended grow lights with hps bulbs aren’t always the most efficient, don’t always distribute light too well, and can have shorter-than-expected lifespans. So, when you’re entering the world of cannabis-growing equipment in search of lights like these, it doesn’t hurt to have some guidance like ours to find what you’re looking for. We couldn’t help ourselves — we had to kick our list off with a double-ended light + HPS bulb combo review because the TopoGrow 1000W Double-Ended HPS Grow Light is just that good.
The TopoGrow 1000W is one of the best double-ended lights with a dimmable ballast for a few reasons: it’s got one of the highest efficiency levels on the market, has a ridiculously long operating life, and distributes light incredibly effectively. Its double-ended system delivers a huge PAR value with incredible uniformity, and its unique open design guarantees maximum light output and optimal levels of heat management.
One of the first things we noticed when we gave this product a spin was its DE-enclosed reflector. The TopoGrow 1000W DE HPS Grow Light is probably one of the best double-ended lights with an enclosed reflector that we’ve ever seen; the reflector is made of imported German aluminum and boasts an impressive premium aluminum European hammer-tone interior. We found this light to be highly efficient for overlapping footprints of multi-light configurations, and it seemed to provide a much higher percentage of available energy than other HPS lamps.
With this double-ended HPS grow light kit fixture, yields are guaranteed to be impressive (definitely more impressive than yields you’ve gotten from any other DE + HPS combo you’ve used in the past). The model comes in different variants, and you can opt for either open or enclosed hoods. If you’re in the market for a light that’ll help with a massive grow area that has multiple plants, you can’t go wrong with the TopoGrow 1000 Double-Ended HPS Grow Light.
Pros
- Extremely powerful
- Dimmable ballast with operational watts settings
- Heavy-duty ballast and aluminum hood
- The light comes with fittings for installation
Cons
- Thin aluminum hood
2. Hongruilite DE 1000W HPS Double Ended Grow
- DE 1000W HPS Double Ended Grow Light Fixture Grow Light System Enclosed Kit Plus / Open Kit Plus/Adjustable for Horticulture Gardening
- Highly efficient for overlapping footprints of multi-light configurations
- Watts operation:- 1000 Watts
- Type:- HPS Open Hood Double-Ended Grow Light Kit
- Warranty:- Manufacturer’s warranty
Okay, so you’re still searching for one of the best double-ended lights with an HPS bulb, probably because you’re still feeling wary about committing to something that might not be that efficient or that might not have the greatest light coverage. Don’t worry, we get it — that’s why we’re here to introduce you to the Hongruilite DE 1000W HPS Double-Ended Grow Light.
This kit comes with 1000W HPS DE bulbs, an open aluminum hood (perfect for massive grow areas and lots of bulbs), and a dimmable ballast. Plus, the Hongruilite DE Grow Light comes complete with fittings for installation that include 1/8″ rope hangers and stainless steel latches with wide compatibility.
One of the first things we fiddled with when we got our hands on this kit was the wattage settings; we found that we could set the electronic ballast of this kit to 600, 750, and, of course, 1000 watts. You can even ramp it up to 1150 watts if you want. To top it off, this double-ended grow light kit’s ballast is ETL-certified and has an impressive minimum power factor of 99%. We were super pleased with the heat dissipation that the Hongruilite DE 1000 HPS DE Grow Light was capable of, as well as its long-lasting lamp life and light spread.
The Hongruilite DE 1000W HPS Double-Ended Grow Light is one of the best double-ended + HPS bulb combos you can currently find, especially if you’re looking for something with an impressive light output and color temperature. This kit also comes with a manufacturer’s warranty for your complete peace of mind.
Pros
- Complete kit with installation fixtures
- Dimmable ballast with 99% minimum power factor
- Open hood for better heat dissipation
Cons
- None
3. Nanolux DE – APP Fixture NCCS Updated Double Ended Fixture
- Designed for 5' x 5' growing grid
- Ceramic lamp receptacles (no melting plastics)
- Watts operation:- 1000 Watts
- Type:- Double-Ended HPS Grow Light Kit
- Warranty:- Manufacturer warranty
If you’ve spent any length of time in the world of DE grow lights, you’ll know that certain lights are simply more technically advanced than others. If you’ve got highly specific cannabis-growing needs, it may be the case that you’re looking for something with lots of bells and whistles: enter our Nanolux DE 1000W Double-Ended Fixture review.
The Nanolux DE – APP Fixture NCCS Updated Double Ended Fixture 220/240V is certainly more technically advanced than its peers thanks to its six-phase dimmable ballast with highly adjustable settings (particularly helpful when it comes to lots of bulbs and dealing with multiple stages of plant growth). The Nanolux DE excels in full coverage of your plants thanks to its high levels of coverage intensity and ceramic lamp receptacles, which are superior to the more typical plastic lamp receptacles.
A couple of our favorite things about the Nanolux DE Fixture were its plug-and-play installation capabilities and the fact that its ceramic lamp receptacles weren’t at all susceptible to melting. Its design is perfect for a 5′ x 5′ growing grid. The best part, though, was that the Nanolux DE 1000W is great for footprints that overlap in grow areas with multi-light configurations.
There is also the added benefit of the compatibility of this fixture’s light with the Nanolux cloud control system, which works with the Nanolux mobile app. The Nanolux DE 1000 DE Fixture is among the most trusted options worldwide and is backed by a manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- Heavy-duty fixtures with ceramic receptacles
- 6-stage dimmable ballast
- Compatible with NCCS for mobile app use
Cons
- None
4. 1000 Watt – EnergyStation – Grow Light Reflector Kit
- Watts operation:- 1000 Watts
- Type:- Double-ended HPS grow light kit
- Warranty:- 2-year manufacturer’s warranty
We’ve worked our way through a good chunk of our double-ended grow lights reviews at this point, which means it’s a good time to introduce something that’s well-suited to people with a wide range of grow light needs. Some products on our list have been a bit more niche and technically specific, so we’d like you to meet the 1000W EnergyStation Grow Light Reflector Kit.
This EnergyStation kit earns its place in our list of the best double-ended grow lights thanks to its ability to meet a wide range of grow light needs: it’s got a reflector, an HPS lamp, and a ballast that includes three light settings (50%, 75%, and 100% light output depending on your stages of plant growth.
We were pleased to find that the EnergyStation Grow Light Reflector Kit’s reflector is constructed from highly reflective hammered aluminum, and we noted that this kit’s design includes a vertically tall ballast and dome-like reflector shape, notably different from most other kits but still highly effective for wide light coverage.
The EnergyStation Grow Light Reflector Kit’s 1000 watts requires a 240-volt electric connection and comes with a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty for your total peace of mind.
Pros
- Dimmable ballast with three settings
- Different and practical design
- Cool operation
Cons
- None
5. GreenHouser Double-Ended Grow Light
- [Premium 1000W Double Ended HPS Grow Light Fixture]:Highly efficient for overlapping footprints of multi-light configurations Premium aluminum European hammer-tone interior: 99.85% pure, 95% reflectivity
- [1000W Dimmable Digital Ballast]: Size:10.77'' (L) 7.01''(W) 3.64''(H) , input: 240V / 50~60Hz, Min Power Factor: 99%,; FC listed; ETL certified
- Watts operation:- 1000 Watts
- Type:- Double-Ended HPS Grow Light Kit
- Warranty:- Manufacturer’s warranty
If you’ve made it this far down our list of reviews, you’re still searching for something of premium quality that’s also practical for your grow light needs. The HPS grow light kit from GreenHouser is one such premium and practical offering.
The GreenHouser DE Grow Light Fixture is complete with a dimmable ballast, a highly reflective aluminum hood, and a high-quality HPS bulb, making it incredibly efficient for overlapping footprints that you’ll find in operations that are configured with multiple lights.
We found the build quality and functionality of this DE grow light kit to be exceptional, and we were more than pleased to find that the GreenHouser DE Grow Light Fixture came with fitting for installation like roper hangers and steel latches and hangers. We also noted that this kit’s hood is highly reflective (it’s got 95% reflectivity, to be exact). The GreenHouser DE Grow Light is a package deal and also comes with a manufacturer’s warranty.
Pros
- 4-stages dimmable ballast
- Heavy-duty make of product and installation fittings
- Comes with a “ V “ stainless steel hanger
Cons
- None
6. Yield Lab Horticulture 1000w Double Ended HPS MH Grow Light
- EXTRA LARGE WING REFLECTOR: Double Ended large wing span reflector with multiple focal points produces a balanced and focused light for full coverage of your plants. Supports 6 plants in a 36 square foot area. Double ended bulbs provide 30% more efficency over single ended bulbs. The winged design helps provide increase coverage intensity and with its light weight construction makes it easy to hang from any surface
- INCLUDED COMPONENTS: 1x Yield Lab 1000w digital dimmable ballast 120~240V (120V power chord included), 1x Yield Lab double ended 1000w metal halide bulb (MH), 1x Yield Lab double ended 1000w high pressure sodium bulb (HPS), 1x Yield Lab Double Ended Wing Reflector, 1x ratchet light hangers, 1x FREE BONUS Analog timer and in depth 12 week grow guide
https://www.amazon.com/Yield-Lab-Double-Reflector-Complete/dp/B00YT70KNM/
- Watts operation:- 1000 Watts
- Type:- Double-Ended HPS and MH Bulb Grow Light Kit
- Warranty:- 3-years on ballast and 1-year on bulbs
We’ve come to the end of our double-ended grow lights reviews list — how sad! The silver lining is that we’re here to end our list with a bang by covering one final, premium product offering: the Yield Lab Horticulture 1000W Double-Ended HPS MH Grow Light.
This product is an excellent grow light and comes equipped with two separate bulbs, a dimmable ballast, a large reflector, and a free analog timer — it even offers a grow guide which is, admittedly, a steal at the price point you’re going to be getting this at. The Yield Lab’s grow light and ballast are reviewed very highly, in particular, which attest to the Yield Lab DE Grow Light’s ability to generate a balanced and focused light for full coverage of your plants.
We were especially pleased with how high-performing this kit’s ballast was, mainly thanks to its multiple light output settings. These settings let you decrease or increase your light’s intensity, which we found highly useful for various stages of our plants’ growth. We also noted how efficiently reflective the Yield Lab 1000W DE Grow Light’s reflector was, which is due to its hammered interior.
This DE grow light kit is a steal if you’re looking for something that lets you choose from double-ended MH and HPS bulbs and that’s designed for plug-and-play use. The Yield Lab Horticulture 1000W Double-Ended HPS MH Grow Light, like the other products we’ve covered, comes with a manufacturer’s warranty (3 years for the ballast and 1 year for the bulbs).
Pros
- Kit includes one HPS and one MH bulb
- Heavy-duty ballast and bulbs
- Extended warranty on products
- Free analog timer and a grow guide
Cons
- None
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Buyer’s Guide to Double-Ended (DE) Grow Lights.
Don’t know much about DE grow lights? We’ve whipped up a handy little guide for you.
These types of lights fall under the category of grow lights, which also has a separate sub-category for single-ended grow lights. These lights are different due to their HID bulbs, which are comprised of either HPS or Metal Halide and fit into a reflector.
The distinguishing feature of the double-ended grow light is that it has a robust operation with connections at both ends, which offers bright operation against its single-ended counterparts. The single-ended grow lights are the same as double-ended but are only connected with power at one end.
The distinguishing feature of a double-ended grow light is its robust operation that includes connections at either end, allowing for a brighter operation when compared to single-ended lights. One thing to note about DE lights is that, because of how powerfully they operate, they can experience issues with heating. This intense heat is due to the double-ended connection. With that said, many users prefer DE grow lights over single-ended lights or LED lights if they’re working with large grow areas with multi-light configurations.
Other Recommended:
- Viparspectra PAR600 600W LED Grow Light
- King Plus 3000W LED Grow Light
- Spider Farmer SF-(600, 1000, 2000, 4000) LED Grow Light
- HiGrow 1500W LED Grow Light
- King Plus 1000W LED Grow Light
- Bestva DC 2000W LED Grow Ligh
- Viparspectra V300 300W LED Grow Light
- Viparspectra 1200W LED Grow Light
- Roleadro GalaxyHydro 1000W Led Grow Lights
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Regarding DE Grow Lights
1. Are double-ended grow lights better?
Double-ended grow lights have been largely replaced by LED grow lights. However, they have been used for growing plants and marijuana for a long time and are still good choices for large grow operations.
2. What are double-ended grow lights?
Double-ended grow lights are HPS- and MH bulb-equipped grow lights, which have electric fixture connections on both ends. The double-ended connection offers power, brightness, and efficiency, making DE grow lights ideal for growing cannabis plants.
3. How long do double-ended bulbs last?
Double-ended bulbs last a very long time. They need no early replacement and last up to 10,000 hours.
4. Is it okay to put a 600w bulb in a 1000w ballast?
Using a 600w bulb in a non-dimmable ballast of 1000W is not ideal. However, with a dimmable ballast, it is possible and ideal to use a 600W bulb with a capacity of 1000W by dimming the setting to 600W of light output.
5. Are HPS or LED grow lights better?
LED grow lights are better than HPS lights as they are more advanced, modern, and energy-efficient. LED grow lights use less power, are comparatively cooler, have a full spectrum of light output, and can be customized to suit various stages of plant growth. However, HPS grow lights are functional and are still in use in the context of indoor horticulture.
6. Are double-ended grow lights still worthwhile compared to LED grow lights?
LED grow lights are typically the better choice, but DE grow lights are still ideal to use if you prefer them for large grow operations with multi-light configurations.
7. What’s the difference between Double-Ended (DE) and Single-Ended Grow Lights?
A double-ended grow light, as the name suggests, is connected to electric fixtures from both ends. A single-ended grow light, again as the name suggests, is single-ended, and is connected to an electric fixture from just one end. DE grow lights also draw more power and provide a higher energy output compared to single-ended grow lights.
8. What’s the best type of DE grow light to purchase?
DE grow lights are available with a variety of bulbs. The different types of bulbs are HPS (High-Pressure Sodium), CMH (Ceramic Metal Halide), and Metal Halide. The best amongst them or widely preferred is the HPS bulb, which is bright and draws a large amount of energy.
Other Recommended:
- Phlizon 1200W LED Grow Light
- Viparspectra LED Grow Light
- King Plus 1200W LED Grow Light
- Viparspectra 600W LED Grow Light
- Bloomspect 600W LED Grow Light
- Mars Hydro 300W LED Grow Light
- Meizhi 600W Reflector LED Grow Light
- Lightimetunnel 600W LED Grow Light
- Bestva 600W LED Grow Light
The Final Word
Our DE grow lights review is at an end, but your shopping experience has just begun! If you’re feeling keen on getting back to the old days of cannabis growing and want to give some great DE grow lights a spin, then you can’t go wrong with any of the products we’ve outlined in this review. We also encourage you to peruse our buyer’s guide to learn a little bit more about the world of cannabis growing and how different grow lights can impact your grow operations. With that said, the products we liked the most are the Yield Lab Horticulture 1000w Double-Ended HPS MH Grow Light and the TopoGrow 1000W Double-Ended HPS Grow Light. Happy shopping and growing!
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