California Light Works Solar Storm 440w LED Grow Light W/ UVB Review

The SolarStorm 440w LED Grow Light is another powerful innovation from California Light Works. It has 88 5-watt LED bulbs producing 440 watts of total nominal power. It has a unique UVB mode feature that effectively increases crop potency among plants.

This feature allows these grow lights to imitate the UVB emitted by the sun and it is the only grow light to offer such feature in the market today because of its LED diodes. The SolarStorm 440w is ideal for use in a medium-sized or home grown operation.

It's designed to replace a 600 watt High Pressure Sodium or Metal Halide system. It is also used on light movers to obtain optimal results while covering a larger area. This grow light is great for smaller indoor grows that do not need the power provided by the California Light Works 880w model.

• 88 x 5-watt LED bulbs for deep penetration into the plant canopy.

• High photo-synthetic photon flux that reaches the plant canopy and contains a higher PPF than a 600w HPS grow light system.

• Dual color spectrum design for switching between Veg Mode and Bloom Mode.

• Power consumption: 235 watts in Veg Mode; 320 watts in Bloom Mode; and 350 watts in UVB Mode.

• More than 80,000 hours of lifespan.

The SolarStorm 440w has a lot of good things in store for growers. It provides a wide light spectrum. Aside from lighting the plants using LED, Light Works also included two fluorescent T8 tubes to provide the plants with everything that they need and produce large harvests.

The SolarStorm 440w can also save you 50% in power consumption compared to other grow lights. This means you can make more money in the long run.

It's encased in high quality materials. Light Works made sure of that by using high quality ceramic substrates, a sealed electronics section, jewel quality glass optics, and long-lasting aluminum and sheet metal construction.

You might not believe it if you are told that this led grow light operates at 90% efficiency. No light and money are wasted in the process.

Since this light only measures 15" x 18" x 5", it can fit within small cabinet grows or your standard grow tent or greenhouse.

The only drawback in using the SolarStorm 440w is its expensive price tag. At $900, small-time growers might hesitate to invest their money on it. However, this grow light will pay for itself over time.

Overall, the California Light Works SolarStorm 440w is a great choice for small to medium-sized growers who are looking for a great source of light energy that improves the growth of indoor plants for a bountiful harvest. It may be expensive, but you can be certain that it's far from the quality of the cheap yet subpar grow lights available in the market today.

Do I have to use a florecent lighting or growing lights?

Grow lights are specifically designed for plants. Standard fluorescent lights can be used (a little less efficient) as well as high output fluorescent lights. Do not use cool white fluorescent lamps - they are not the best color spectrum and temperature for plant growth.

How much would be a very cheap growing light at walmart?

I've used a regular fluorescent bulb above my african violets and they have thrived

What is the difference between aquarium lights and growing lights for plants?

Growing lights [in the actinic range] are for aquariums but not the other way around. Most matel halide lights will do for both, but do not expect to grow plants under a normal flourescent bulb

Where can I buy a growing light?

I agree with Freedom....you do not need to buy the expensive grow lights....flourescents work just as well. Just make sure the light is very close to the plants so they do not become leggy

The 5 Best Indoor Herb Garden Kits - [2021 Reviews]

Our Editors independently research, test, and rate what we feel are the best products. We use affiliate links and may receive a small commission on purchases. If you are serious about growing herbs indoors, then you will love one of these best indoor herb garden kits, and they are all discussed in detail right here! Also see How To Choose The Best Indoor Herb Garden Kit later in this article. The Miracle-Gro AeroGarden Ultra LED is kind of like the Rolls Royce of indoor herb garden kits. It makes growing fresh herbs and vegetables almost too easy. If you are tired of growing herbs in pots or outdoor gardens, then consider this top-rated indoor herb garden kit as your solution. This smart countertop indoor garden kit can grow herbs, veggies, salad greens, flowers, and more (up to 7 plants at a time) by using water and patented nutrients to grow the plants. Say "goodbye" to pesticides, and anything potentially-harmful. As if 30 watts of high-performance LED lighting was not enough, the lights are fine-tuned to the perfect spectrum to let plants maximize photosynthesis. Daylight white LEDS give rapid, natural growth, blue LEDS provide abundant harvests, and red LEDs are ideal for growing flowers and fruit. The lights are so effective, that they grow an impressive 5 times faster than when grown traditionally, in soil. To control it all, the user-friendly interactive LCD screen control panel essentially leads you from the initial set-up, to harvest, and even gives useful gardening tips so you have the most bountiful, beautiful harvest possible. Set it up in just minutes, insert the included Seed Pods, add water, nutrients, and you are all set! If you do not mind spending a bit more cash, we highly recommend this one! The Click and Grow Smart Garden is one of the most stylish, beautiful indoor herb garden kits we've seen. The bright, fresh greenery combined with the sleek Scandinavian design (available in Beige, Gray, or White) will only add to the style of your home, and will add something tasty to the table. This indoor garden kit only allows for three plants to be grown at the same time, so if you are just starting out or do not want to grow a lot at once, this is an excellent option. You can get started as soon as you receive your kit! It comes with 3 mini tomato, 3 basil, and 3 green lettuce pods. None of them contain GMOs, pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides, so you can rest assure you and your family will be eating safe and healthy. However, if you would like to purchase other types of plants, they have a huge selection of over 40 plants for you to choose from. You can also use your own seeds, if you would like! The AquaSprouts Garden is definitely one of the most unique herb growing kits we've seen. The design will turn heads, but the way it's set up also serves a purpose. The freestanding unit features a gorgeous aquarium (does not come included) on the bottom, and an indoor garden on the top. This essentially eliminates the need for "normal" fertilizers. Upkeep is extremely simple and is self-sustaining. The fish fertilize the plants, while the plants keep the water clean for the fish. The kit comes with a special clay, which helps support the plants in the grow bed, while also converting fish waste into nutrients, and filtering out uneaten fish food. The design is perfect for a modern, sleek kitchen, and as it is black matte, it goes with just about anything. Assembly may look complicated, but it's actually extremely simple. The removable light bar can attach to any standard grow light you would like. Adjust according to the plants that you have. The kit also comes with a submersible 9.5 watt/120 V 160 gallons per hour pump. In addition, a 24-hour timer can be placed to go off at every 15 minutes. The iRSE Indoor Garden is the perfect kitchen herb garden if you want something super low-maintenance, or you are buying it to teach children about gardening. It also works as a wonderful piece of dcor for the office or kitchen. The kit includes two mode click LED lights: either white for regular "grow" lighting, and pink/red for growing more abundant plants, as it mimics sunlight. The great thing about hydroponics, is that you can grow fresh herbs and other plants (teas, veggies, fruits, etc.) without having to deal with the mess or worrying about not watering it enough. It also includes two detachable pods and a water reservoir. As you can probably guess from that, that means it only grows two plants at a time. The box comes with lettuce seeds, fertilizers, as well as planting media so you have everything you or your little one needs to get started. Just set it up, and forget it's even there until they are ready to be consumed! Not all kitchen herb garden kits have to be high-tech, or even hydroponic. Sometimes doing things the "traditional way" gives us even more satisfaction. The Planter Pro's Herb Garden Planter is one of the most beautiful ones out there, coming in either hand-painted Coastal Turquoise, or Wicker Brown. Both are sure to warm your home, and make you happy each time you see them. The kit comes with three premium red Cedar mini planters, with a blackboard on the front of each, so you can write what is growing, seeds, a water-resistant Cedar drip tray, a seed storage bag, and compressed nutrient-rich soil. Each planter is naturally rot-and-insect-resistant, and looks great, year after year. The lightweight Wondersoil is made from premium coco coir with low salts, promoting strong roots, faster germination, and boosted growth. It also comes with 6 different seed herbs: Basil, Thyme, Chives, Oregano, Cilantro, and Parsley - all GMO-free. Despite not being hydroponic, it's also surprisingly low-maintenance and quite clean. How To Choose the Best Indoor Herb Garden Kit Let's be honest: buying herbs at the store just is not as satisfying as growing them on your own. While many grow theirs in their own garden, farm, or backyard, not everyone has that option. Weather may not be ideal where you live to grow the herbs you want, so you may have to opt for an indoor herb garden, which is honestly way more fun! So what is the best herb garden for growing indoors? While there are an abundance of indoor kits out there, not every single one is going to fit your needs, or even your style. Just because one looks good does not mean it's going to work well with your expectations or lifestyle. To make sure you choose the best one for you, let's briefly clarify what you should be looking for in each one. As you can see above, there are various different types. The two main kinds we have featured above, are hydroponic, along with one a couple that are non-hydroponic, or "traditional". Hydroponic herb garden planters work with LED lights to grow your plants. That's right - no water or messy soil needed at all to grow luscious, beautiful plants! There is one item on our list which works in conjunction with an aquarium, which is a bit different than all other types. This one operates by having the fish fertilize the plants, while the plants work to clean the water. The last type is the traditional type, where you will use soil and water. If you are going this route, realize it will take more upkeep and time than the others. However, they are gorgeous, and can be fun to look after. The choice is yours. If you have an extremely busy lifestyle and do not want to have to worry about watering the plants, hydroponic is an excellent choice. Let's say you decide you would like to go with a hydroponic indoor garden kit. Great! They are easy to use, and great if you would like a low-maintenance way to grow herbs and other plants. However, not every one is the same. As you can see, based on the products above, they vary greatly with their LEDs. With that, you will get a variation in the wattage. Many consumers, when purchasing their first hydroponic kit, do not pay attention or think to look into how much electricity their new unit is going to use. Powerful players, like the AeroGarden Bounty, uses up to a whopping 45 watts (which honestly is not bad for such a large system), while smaller units tend to use around a low 5 watts, due to onboard LED lighting systems. How many plants would you ideally like to grow at the same time? Are you just starting out or are purchasing one for a child? If so, then 2 or 3 is ideal. They are small, portable, and very low-maintenance. However, if you are experienced, or want to fill your table with fresh herbs, then you could easily pick a system that allows more - once again, like the AeroGarden, which offers up to 7 at a time. Are you on the hunt for a more basic, traditional herb growing kit? In that case, maybe you would like the Planter Pro's Herb Garden Grower, which provides 3 red Cedar units to grow plants the "traditional" way. If you want to go hydroponic, they all kind of vary in terms of technology. The more elite kits are going to come with touch-screen control panels that guides you through every step of the process. It will alert you when you need to water or add nutrients, and even activate onboard LED lighting for you. All you have to do is select the herb in questions, and it will lead you through set-up, all the way to the dinner table. As with most things in life, we tend to base things off of price. Of course, price does not always equal quality, but your budget is important. Try to settle on a budget before yourself and do not go over that, before you even start looking. Typically, price is going to increase with the level of technology, or perhaps even style. If you want a high-tech system that's going to essentially do everything for you, be prepared to pay more than you would for one that requires soil, sun, and water. Question: Should I choose a complete kit or just purchase the system? Answer: Unless you want to be running back and forth from your home to your local garden supply store, we highly recommend purchasing a complete kit. If you are like us, you are going to want to start growing as soon as your kit lands on your doorstep. No one wants to have to go searching around for all of the parts that are missing. A full kit is going to provide you everything you need, including the seeds, soil, lights, and whatever else to grow right away. Question: How easy will it be to set up? Answer: This will of course depend on the kit that you buy, but even with the most high-tech, best indoor garden kits, they are relatively simple. Any of the ones that you select from our guide is going to come with instructions. Various models will come with all kinds of features, but do not worry about them being complicated. Question: How well do the kits even work? Answer: While every garden herb kit out there is going to say it's the best, we've done weeks of research and actually found the best. You can rest assured that with any one of these, you are going to see abundant yields. After all, what is the point of having an indoor herb kit if it does not work as well as traditional gardening? You will find you yield a steady, bountiful yield once you set up your kit. Thanks for trusting us with finding the best indoor herb garden for you. We hope that this article has helped you select one that will fit perfectly in your home, and with your lifestyle, and we will see you soon! Thanks for reading Top 5 Best Indoor Herb Garden Kits. We hope this article has helped you to discover the best grow kit for herbs and spices to enhance your cooking and fulfill all your indoor growing needs. And if you are shopping for other gear take a look at these related review articles from Outside Pursuits: To come up with the top indoor herb garden kits, we researched a variety of sources for reviews such as Home Depot, Lowes, Target and AcmeTools along with our own personal experience. We also consulted online magazines for product research and reviews to get as much unbiased information as we could. To help weed out fake reviews we used Fakespot.com to make sure we only looked at genuine reviews. With so much quality gear available, we had to narrow it down based on what we felt were the best options were for the price. The staff authors have a wide and varied background in yard maintenance and home repairs. The authors have decades of experience and are eager to share their knowledge with readers. To help narrow down the selection we used personal experiences along with recommendations from landscapers, bloggers and contractors. After extensive research, we came up with our list to help you choose the right one for you.