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LED technology has become widely popular in recent times. From decoration bulbs to halogens, you see LED lights almost everywhere. But what is a COB LED? Why is everyone talking about it? Let’s find out.
Understanding COB LED
COB is short for Chips-On-Board. It is a type of LED packing technology that includes multiple LED chips mounted on a substrate forming a single module. The manufacturer puts numerous LEDs and packs it together to create a copper or ceramic board that functions as a single light source. When you light a COB LED, it looks like a lighting panel instead of multiple lights. Usually, other LED packages cannot rectify this drawback. SMD LEDs look as if you can see hundreds of tiny lights from one spot. COB LEDs work differently.
The LED chips used in these setups are very small. This makes packaging a crucial part of the setup. These substrates have a higher packing density compared to surface mount technology or SMD.
What are COB LED grow lights?
Those who have a greenhouse in their garden or their backyard would know the importance of lights at night. Several plants require specific lighting conditions even at night to grow properly. Spending on regular light bulbs may not be effective because they don’t have the intensity that the respective plants need. For example, the intensity of the sun’s rays doesn’t remain the same throughout the day. The plants adapt to the changing intensities accordingly.
Over the years, HID bulbs became very popular for gardens and greenhouses. They are inexpensive, but they don’t have control over their intensities. Instead, COB LED grow lights are far more effective. Although they are more expensive than HID bulbs, their benefits outweigh the cost by a significant margin. Moreover, the amount of money you save in the long-run will pay off the price you invest now. But does the technology of this bulb justify its cost? Yes, it does. Here’s why.
1. Better electrical efficiency
Efficiency is the most crucial factor for grow lights more than anything else. The more the photosynthetically active photons in the light, the better it is for the plants. These grow lights have improved electrical efficiency compared to HID bulbs.
Source: California light works
2. Better lifespan
There is no doubt that HID bulbs are cheaper than COB LED grow lights. However, they don’t last as long as a COB LED. One of the main reasons why everyone is embracing LED technology is because of its lifespan. Once you invest in these lights, you don’t have to worry about buying new ones in the next few years.
Most of the COB LED grow lights come with at least 30,000 hours lifespan. That means if you use the light for eight hours every night, the entire set will last for nearly ten years. Ten years is enough time to pay off the investment, especially when you consider the amount of money you will save.
3. Better spectrum
The spectrum of the light is crucial for the plant’s chlorophyll. COB LED grow lights have almost the perfect light spectrum that plants need. The manufacturers try to match the spectrum similar to the sun’s rays. No other type of light can produce a similar spectrum from a single light source. This is what keeps COB LED grow lights ahead of the others.
4. Better lighting quality
The improved color rendering index is another reason why gardeners prefer using COB LED grow lights. These lights have not only a broader spectrum but also a color rendering index of more than 80. That’s more than adequate for your plants. That’s more than adequate for your plants. Color rendering index is the ability of the light source to make an object clearly to the human eye. The equation is simple. The higher the color rendering index, the better the lighting quality.
Most COB LED grow light manufacturers have a minimum of 70 CRI Broad Spectrum. This can go up to 97 CRI, which is sufficient for almost any type of plant in your garden.
5. Better light distribution
Both COB LED, and HID bulbs have a single light source. But COB LED grow lights are easier to handle and position compared to HID bulbs. You can keep COB LEDs in various areas to maintain the uniformity. It helps to avoid low-intensity areas and hotspots in the greenhouse. That means you should use 6 COB LEDs instead of a single 600W HID bulb. It will allow you to distribute the lights evenly on all the plants instead of using the bigger light.
Best manufacturer of COB grow lights
There is fierce competition to become the best COB grow light manufacturer in the market. Every company is trying to introduce something new in their latest COB LED grow light model. But which one is the best company of them all? Which one is more reliable than the others? Honestly, it is a tough call. Different people prefer different features while buying COB LED grow light. Hence, you should know the top three companies prevalent in the market right now.
• CREE
If you want the best, you need to pay for it. CREE’s COB LED grow lights are expensive than the others, but they are worth every penny. Their high-intensity grow lights are the best in the business. The light has the most accurate CRI, which is ideal for plants to grow quickly.
• CF-Grow
If you don’t want to spend a lot on COB grow lights, go for CF-Grow. It provides low-budget COB grow lights without compromising on its spectrum. These lights are ideal for small greenhouses. They come with an approximate lifespan of 50,000 hours.
• Roleadro
This brand focuses on the performance of the COB grow lights more than anything else. A single unit contains two COB LEDs that provide full spectrum grow light. It uses sunflower radiating technology to prevent the lights from overheating.
Source for this list is from: Canada Grows Indoors – Top 11 Best COB LED Grow Lights
Don’t hesitate to buy COB LED grow lights if you are fond of gardening. They are the best when it comes to lighting your plants at night. A small investment now will help to reap a lot of benefits in the future.
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