Ten years ago, LEDs in cannabis grows were purple UFOs that heated like ovens and produced bonsai-sized buds. Today, it’s a different story: the market is dominated by panels with Samsung LM301 diodes, full spectrum output, and efficiency that actually competes with HPS. The three brands you’ll see most often in grow journals are Mars Hydro, Spider Farmer, and Viparspectra. So how do they perform in practice, not just on paper?
Specs and real PPFD
- Mars Hydro FC-E3000 (300 W)
- PPFD: ~950 µmol/m²/s at 30 cm
- Coverage: 60×60–80×80 cm
- Price: €280–320
- Spider Farmer SF-2000 (200 W)
- PPFD: ~900 µmol/m²/s at 30 cm
- Coverage: 60×120 cm
- Price: €270–310
- Viparspectra XS2000 (240 W)
- PPFD: ~950 µmol/m²/s at 30 cm
- Coverage: 60×120 cm
- Price: €220–260
Real grow yields
From forum journals (Rollitup, Reddit, GrowDiaries) and YouTube side-by-side tests. Standard conditions: 120×60 cm tent, lamp at 30 cm over canopy, mineral nutrients, 8–9 weeks of flower.
- Mars Hydro FC-E3000 (300 W)
- Yield: 420–480 g per 120×60 tent
- Efficiency: 1.3–1.5 g/W
- Bud style: big, heavy colas, runs hotter than the others.
- Spider Farmer SF-2000 (200 W)
- Yield: 350–400 g per 120×60 tent
- Efficiency: 1.7–1.9 g/W
- Bud style: compact, resin-rich, with stronger aroma profiles.
- Viparspectra XS2000 (240 W)
- Yield: 370–420 g per 120×60 tent
- Efficiency: 1.5–1.7 g/W
- Bud style: solid, balanced results, slightly looser flowers than Spider Farmer.
👉 Verdict: Spider Farmer leads on efficiency, Mars Hydro delivers the heaviest harvest, and Viparspectra is the solid budget contender.
Grower feedback
- Mars Hydro — “a tank”: reliable, strong, great for those who want weight. Needs more ventilation.
- Spider Farmer — praised for clean spectrum and efficiency. Especially liked by growers chasing quality.
- Viparspectra — seen as “best bang for the buck”: affordable, simple, and surprisingly competitive, though cooling is weaker than Mars/Spider.
Price vs. quality
- Cheapest: Viparspectra (~€240 for 240 W).
- Best spectrum and efficiency: Spider Farmer.
- Strongest mass harvests: Mars Hydro.
Conclusion
All three brands now offer LEDs that compete head-to-head with HPS. The difference comes down to your priorities:
- Mars Hydro = max weight, robust design, reliable.
- Spider Farmer = best efficiency and quality buds.
- Viparspectra = top pick for budget grows.
👉 If you count every euro, go Viparspectra. If you want the most resin and aroma — Spider Farmer. If you’re after maximum grams and a no-nonsense workhorse — Mars Hydro.
