Table Of Contents (show/hide)
If you’re not entirely sure why having an adequate lighting fixture is such a big deal, I suggest that you hit “Pause” and go check out my article about the role of light in plant growth.
Now, let’s get back to one of the most important aspects of indoor cultivation – the grow light.
If you’re looking for a lighting fixture with a bit more power to it, you came to the right place. You’ll find all the essential info in my VIPARSPECTRA 1200 Watt review!
- 【Optimal Spectrum】The secret to VIPARSPECTRA’s success is optimal full spectrum lighting which provides plants in all stages...
- 【Outstanding Design】Sturdy durable construction with fire-resistant iron housing. VEG and BLOOM switches are suitable for each...
- 【VEG & BLOOM Double Channel】The VEG channel includes mainly blue and white LED, which is needed for germinating seedlings and...
VIPARSPECTRA 1200W Review
The question I hope to answer today is whether the VIPARSPECTRA 1200W grow light genuinely is a powerhouse everyone seems to believe it is – or is it yet another overhyped unit with a carefully constructed marketing plan?
If you were wondering the same thing, and want to find out whether this lighting fixture is worth your time and money, stick around – we’ll go through it together!
While you’re at it, take a look at my VIPARSPECTRA 600W Led Grow Light Review, too.
VIPARSPECTRA 1200 Watt Specs & Features
Product Dimensions: 19.4×19.4×3 inches
Weight: 20 pounds
Coverage Area (Vegetative Stage): 4.5×4.5 feet
Coverage Area (Flowering Stage): 3.5×3.5 feet
Average Power Draw: 520W ± 3% at 120V
Input Voltage: AC100-240V, 50-60Hz
Frequency: 50-60Hz
Spectrum: Full Spectrum
Lifespan: ≥100,000 hours
Warranty Period: 3-year US local warranty
Optimal Full Spectrum and PAR Output
The VIPARSPECTRA lighting fixture utilizes a total of 240 5W LED chips, which work together to ensure a blend of white, red, and blue light in perfect proportion. Their spectrum is known to sometimes lean toward the blue side, but they managed to avoid this issue in the VIPARSPECTRA 1200W grow light.
Furthermore, to meet the different light spectrum demands of plants in both vegetative and blooming stages throughout their growth cycles, the unit uses two separate switches – a “Veg” and a “Bloom” one – allowing you to control them individually.
However, after comparing its PAR output to other models with identical wattage, we came to the conclusion that there’s room for improvements in that department.
Don’t get me wrong; the light’s intensity is still powerful enough for thriving plant growth. Adding even more power to it would make it even better, though!
Coverage
The VIPARSPECTRA 1200W is a full-cycle top-lighting solution designed to cover medium-sized growing areas of about 4 x 4 feet. It’s not mind-boggling, but it’s still more than enough for an indoor grow operation.
Now, let’s give you the exact numbers:
During the vegetative phase, it covers an area of 4.5 x 4.5 feet at a height of 32 inches. For the blooming stage, it’s recommended to cut the height of the fixture down to 24 inches, which should give you a decent coverage area of 3.5 x 3.5 feet.
Power Efficiency
While it may be rated as a 1200 Watt unit, this VIPARSPECTRA grow light doesn’t draw nearly as much energy. In fact, according to the info provided by the manufacturer, even at full power, the fixture will only consume about 520W. Considering what it’s putting out, I have to say that this is a remarkable difference.
Also, I’m pretty sure that number gets cut by nearly a half when you’re running it in “Veg Mode” only.
So, if you had your concerns about energy consumption and electricity bills, rest assured that you’re looking at an energy-efficient fixture here.
Cooling System
To tackle the issue of overheating, the designers of this VIPARSPECTRA LED grow light incorporated a total of six in-line fans directly into the light’s panel – a smart move on a 1200-watt fixture.
The fans boast high-quality construction and are paired with aluminum heat sinks to ensure rapid dissipation of any built-up heat inside the unit.
According to the manufacturer, the VIPARSPECTRA 1200W LED grow light reduces heat by up to 70 percent, compared to grow lights of comparable wattage.
You might be thinking that six fans running at the same time means a lot of noise, but you’re wrong. The cooling system makes a lot less noise than even some two-fan setups I came across!
Warranty
As with any other product in their line of grow lights, VIPARSPECTRA offers a more than generous three-year local warranty with the 1200 Watt model. The terms and conditions of the warranty may vary depending on the area or country you live in, though, so be sure to check how it applies to you.
The 30-day money-back guarantee, on the other hand, applies to everyone equally.
VIPARSPECTRA 1200W Pros and Cons
Let’s do a quick re-cap:
Things I Liked
- Provides full-spectrum lighting for plants in all stages
- Has Veg and Bloom switches for precise light control
- Boasts 1200 watts of power, but draws around 520 watts
- Employs six-in-line fans and heat sinks for heat dissipation
- The unit is UL-certified to ensure safe operation
- Doesn’t require any additional ballast
- Covered by a three-year warranty
Things I Didn’t Like
- The fixture isn’t waterproof, so it’s only suitable for indoor use
- Falls short in the PAR output department
- It’s a bit pricey
What’s In the Box?
VIPARSPECTRA ships their products in discrete packaging – a plain cardboard box with nothing but an Amazon logo and shipping label on it.
Once you open the box, you’ll find:
- One 1200W light fixture
- One standard US power cord
- One hanging kit
They kept it pretty basic, so don’t expect any bells and whistles to come with it.
Viparspectra 1200W Review: Final Thoughts
I’m sure that you can already tell by now that I’m a fan of this grow light. It’s a perfectly balanced, full-spectrum lighting system that will keep your plants happy and healthy throughout their entire growth cycles – from seed to harvest.
Sure, it has its drawbacks, but if there’s one thing I learned over the years, it’s that no product is perfect. After all, the only thing that matters here is performance.
Does it perform as promised? Does it meet the needs of an average grower? Does it ensure decent yields?
Yes – on all three accounts.
Based on factors discussed in my VIPARSPECTRA 1200W review, I’d say that it’s one of the best grow lights on the market. It offers excellent value for your money.
In short, this highly-recommended indoor LED lighting system is worth considering!
Last update on 2023-05-31 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API