Best grow lights for a 4-foot wire shelf
Three 4-foot fixtures that fit a 4-foot shelf, compared on what their makers publish. Which suits you depends on the shelf depth and on LED versus fluorescent.
Not tested. These picks come from the specifications each maker publishes, read on the date below. We have not used the products. See how we pick products. Prices and stock change, so check the current listing before you buy.
How many you need
For a 48 x 24 inch shelf, the University of Saskatchewan shows two 4-foot fixtures. With 20 W bars the calculator gives 2 bars and 40 W in total, and 4 1020 trays. See the 4-foot shelf page for other depths.
Comparison
| Fixture | Type | Published specifications | Good for | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barrina T5 20W grow light 4 ft 5000K (ML20) | LED | 20 W, 5000K, 120 degree beam, linkable up to 8 lamps. No lumen figure on the page. | Linked rows on one plug | No timer mentioned. Brightness is not stated as a number, so compare on watts and distance. |
| Barrina T5 20W shop light 4 ft 5000K 2200LM (AAL20) | LED | 20 W, 5000K, 2,200 lumens, linkable | Buyers who want a lumen figure to compare with extension guidance | Sold as a shop light. Hang it close, as Mississippi State says shop lights must be. |
| Hydrofarm Jump Start T5 fixture with lamp and timer 4 ft (JSFS4T) | Fluorescent T5 | 4 ft fixture sold with a lamp and a timer | Buyers who want a timer in the box | Fluorescent distances are closer and tube output declines with use (Illinois). Check the listing for lamp wattage and lumens. |
Where to buy
- Barrina ML20 (manufacturer page)
- Barrina AAL20 (manufacturer page)
- Hydrofarm JSFS4T (manufacturer page)
On Amazon
These are links to Amazon product pages, not affiliate links. We chose them from Amazon search results by title and customer rating. We have not checked their specifications line by line, so read the current listing before you buy. Prices change, so none are shown here.
- Barrina T5 4 ft 160W (8 x 20W), 8-pack. Sold as a pack of 8, and you need 2 for a 48 x 24 inch shelf.
How to pick
- Start from the shelf. Measure length and depth and run the calculator.
- If you want a number you can check against extension guidance, choose a listing that states lumens.
- If you want one timer for several bars, see linking bars to one timer.
- Read the current listing for price, ratings and recent complaints about durability or safety before you buy.
Sources
- Barrina: T5 20W LED grow light 4FT 5000K (ML20), manufacturer page
- Barrina: T5 20W LED shop lights 4FT 5000K 2200LM (AAL20), manufacturer page
- Hydrofarm: Jump Start T5 fixture with lamp and timer, 4 ft (JSFS4T)
- University of Saskatchewan: Indoor garden, Little Green Thumbs style
- Mississippi State University Extension: LED lights for starting seeds indoors
- University of Illinois Extension: Starting the garden, supplemental lighting for indoor seed starting (2020)