LED grow lights have revolutionized the way indoor cultivation is carried out. The emergence of LED grow lights has made it possible to provide plants with the right spectrum of light needed for their growth and development, while at the same time reducing energy consumption and lowering heat emissions. One of the most critical decisions that growers face when choosing LED grow lights is whether to go for bar-style or board-style LED grow lights.
In this article, we will discuss the differences between these two types of LED grow lights, their features, advantages, disadvantages, and how to choose between them.
What Are Bar-Style LED and Board-Style LED?
Bar-style LED grow lights and board-style LED grow lights are two different types of LED grow lighting solutions used in indoor plant cultivation.
The Bar-Style Grow Light
A bar-style LED grow light is typically a long and narrow light fixture, consisting of a series of LED diodes mounted on a slim, rectangular bar. The bars can be connected together to form a longer light fixture or arranged in a uniform layout to create a square light fixture which is called the Multi-Bar-Style light.
Bar-style LED grow lights are flexible to be applied in smaller grow setups, for individual plants, or in big-scale commercial cultivation (multi-bar-style), as they offer either a more precise or more uniform light distribution, making them ideal for all kinds of indoor gardens.
The Board-style Grow Light
Board-style LED grow lights, on the other hand, are the more traditional type of LED grow lights,consisting of a flat board or panel with multiple LED diodes mounted on it, which the Quantum Board light is the most popular. They are named after their flat, rectangular shape and usually come in various sizes and shapes.
Board led grow lights are flexible to be applied in smaller grow setups and for individual plants.
What Are The Differences?
Although they both use LED technology to provide the necessary light spectrum for plant growth, there are significant differences between bar-style and board types of LED grow lights.
Light Design
Bar-style LED grow lights typically consist of a slim and narrow rectangular bar that contains a series of LED diodes. Multi-bar design is another type of bar-style led that has become increasingly popular in recent years. This design features multiple bars of LED chips arranged in a linear pattern. The bars can be arranged in different configurations to provide optimal light coverage for the specific shape and size of the grow space.
Board-style LED grow lights, on the other hand, are flat panels with multiple LED diodes mounted on them. In the board LEDs, Quantum Board design is a relatively new type that has gained popularity in recent years. The design uses a large flat circuit board with a grid of LED chips arranged in a specific pattern. The LED chips are evenly distributed on the board, providing a relatively uniform light distribution and coverage that other board LEDs.
Light Distribution
A key factor that sets bar-style and board-style LED grow lights apart is their light distribution. Bar-style LED grow lights provide a more accurate and even distribution of light, as they can be positioned to ensure that every plant receives the required amount of light for optimum growth and yield.
In contrast, board-style LED grow lights have a more centralized light distribution, leading to higher central light intensity. However, the light distribution is not as precise as with bar-style LED grow lights.
Energy Efficiency
Bar-style and board-style LED grow lights are both energy-efficient options, using less electricity than traditional HID lights.
However, in terms of energy efficiency, bar-style LED grow lights are generally considered to be more efficient than board-style LED grow lights. This is because they offer greater precision in light distribution and spectrum, which means they can deliver the required light to each plant more effectively. Additionally, the bar-style design can help to dissipate less junction heat, resulting in a lower running temperature and less energy waste.
Pay attention: that being said, the energy efficiency of LED grow lights can vary depending on the specific model and brand.
Cost
Board-style LED grow lights are generally less expensive than bar-style LED grow lights because of the differences in their design and manufacturing processes.
Board-style LED grow lights are constructed using a printed circuit board (PCB), which is a flat board that has electronic components mounted on it. The PCB design allows for the efficient production of many LED chips in a small area, which reduces the manufacturing cost. Additionally, the design of board-style LED grow lights is simpler, with fewer components and fewer points of attachment than bar-style LED grow lights. This results in a lower cost of materials and a simpler manufacturing process.
Heat Emission
Bar-style LED grow lights generally produce less heat than board-style LED grow lights because of their design and the way they are constructed.
In a bar-style LED grow light, the LED chips are arranged in a linear pattern along the length of the bar. This design allows for better heat dissipation because the heat generated by the LED chips is spread out over a larger surface area. Additionally, bar-style LED grow lights typically have larger heat sinks to help dissipate the heat generated by the LED chips.
On the other hand, board-style LED grow lights are constructed using a flat PCB, which is smaller in size and more compact. This can lead to less efficient heat dissipation, resulting in higher operating temperatures.
What Are The Similarities?
Although bar-style and board-style LED grow lights have several differences, there are also similarities between the two types of LED grow lights.
Spectrum Design
both bar-style and board-style LED grow lights can be designed to provide various types of spectra to meet the specific needs of different plants at different growth stages, such as full spectrum (white light), targeted spectrum, broad spectrum, and narrow spectrum.
Longevity
Both bar-style and board-style LED grow lights have a longer lifespan than traditional HID lights. They also require less maintenance and replacement over time, making them more cost-effective in the long run. The two types of lights don't have a significant difference in lifespan between each other. However, LEDs with active cooling fans will have a much shorter lifespan.
Environmental Sustainability
Both bar-style and board-style LED grow lights are environmentally sustainable, as they consume less energy and emit less heat compared to traditional HID lights. This means that they are not only better for indoor plant cultivation, but also for the environment.
Choosing between bar-style and board-style LED grow lights
When choosing between bar-style and board-style LED grow lights, several factors should be considered. And for bae-style leds, we divide them into single-bar and multi-bar lights.
For small-scale indoor cultivation, single LED grow lights are generally more suitable, as they are more flexible for any angle of installation and support versatile placement, allowing for more precise and flexible lighting adjustments.
For larger indoor growing setups, multi-bar style LED grow lights are generally more suitable, as they cover a larger area with higher energy efficiency and produce better products. On the other hand, Board-style grow lighting is another choice, as they are often more cost-effective due to mature craftsmanship。
For greenhouses, single-bar and multi-bar style LED grow lights are suitable because of their narrow body design, which allows for minimal shading from natural sunlight. This ensures that the plants receive the necessary amount of light for optimal growth and development.
For individual grow tent setups, both bar-style and board-style LED grow lights can be suitable, depending on the specific needs and requirements of the plants being grown. However, if high output is a priority, bar-style LED grow lights are generally a better choice than board-style LED grow lights, due to their excellent heat dissipation ability. On the other hand, if budget is a concern, board LED grow lights are a better solution.
In a grow tent setup, the heat produced by the LED grow lights can be a concern, as it can raise the temperature inside the tent and potentially harm the plants. Bar-style LED grow lights are designed with heat dissipation in mind, and they typically dissipate less heat than board-style LED grow lights due to their more compact and efficient design. Therefore, if you're growing in a grow tent and heat is a problem rather than help you, choose the bar-style led grow light.
In conclusion, both bar-style and board-style LED grow lights have their advantages and disadvantages, and growers should carefully consider their specific needs and requirements before making a decision. As LED technology continues to evolve, new types of LED grow lights may emerge, offering even more options and flexibility for indoor cultivators.
