Mars Hydro LED Grow Lights Review 2023 – How Good Is It?

Mars Hydro is one of the leading companies that provide cheap grow lights that are highly efficient. This means optimal lighting for your plants. 

But what makes the company’s products good, effective, and popular in the market? Let us find out in this review.

Design & Durability

The grow lights are made affordable without sacrificing design and functionality. Mars Hydro offers good quality products, despite its low price, and this is evident in the construction and quality. 

Type of Lights Used

When it comes to the type of light, the company uses full-spectrum (1) for all its grow lights. This means that their grow lights can support all stages of the cannabis plants’ growth cycles. 

You do not have to worry about using different LED lights to support the plants’ different stages of growth. You just need to adjust certain Mars Hydro grow light products to provide the needed light at different stages. 

LED Material and Casing Construction

Mars Hydro ensures that they only use high-quality but also economical LED chips, which is why they use mostly Epistar chips for their LED, particularly for the company’s affordable options. It also uses Cree and Osram LED chips, which are also top quality but are more expensive than Epistar. 

As for the casing construction, Mars Hydro uses mostly steel casing to ensure a durable and strong cover for their LED lights. Some products use a thick all-aluminum casing, which improves the heat-releasing capability.

Grow Light Lifespan

The longevity of the grow lights will depend on your usage, and how you handle and take care of the equipment. If you are careful, you can prolong the lifespan of your grow light and not wear it out too soon.

The company says that the lifespan of their grow lights is at 50,000 hours. The figure can either go down or go up, depending on care and handling. 

Safety Features

All of the grow light products that Mars Hydro offers have CE and RoHS certification (2). Some products even have the ETL certification, which shows that their products have passed the rigorous safety testing and inspections. This ensures they are safe to use. This also shows that the products do not contain any hazardous materials.

Most of the company’s tents also come with ventilation fans and aluminum heat sinks to add to the cooling feature and ensure the entire setup will not catch fire.

Grow Light Sizes & Assembly

Series

Mars Hydro offers many different grow light models and each one belongs under a certain series. The company currently has 7 series, and they are the Mars Pro II, Mars II, Mars Reflector Series, Mars Cree Cob, Mars ECO, Mars SP, and Mars TS.

In this section, I will focus more on the company’s 3 more popular series. 

Mars Pro II

The Mars Hydro Pro II LED Grow Light is the best grow light series that the company has to offer. Each product provides the highest Photosynthetic Photon Flux Density (PPFD). This means that your plants get a higher percentage of the protons that the grow light produces. The series also has great cooling features, and they are not expensive. It is a great series for intermediate or commercial cannabis growers.

Mars II

Although Mars Hydro Pro II is the best series, they are not the most favorite. That title goes to Mars II LED Grow Light. Growers prefer this series because of its good light penetration. It also has a high PPFD and the grow lights from this series uses new SMD chips. This makes the LED light more efficient at consuming energy and have longer lifespan.     The series is a good option for intermediate or commercial cannabis growers.

Mars Reflector Series

This is the most cost-efficient from Mars Hydro. The grow lights from this series uses new SMD chips for more power-efficient LED lights. The items have a longer lifespan as well. The models also have an upgraded reflector design, which improves plant coverage. This will allow you to have high THC output. Highly recommended for beginners, intermediate, and small growers.

What Comes with the Box

When you purchase one of the grow lights from Mars Hydro, it will be shipped with all of the items you will need to properly install the fixture inside the tent. This includes the hanging kit, LED lighting with the casing, power cords, adjustable rope hanger, and instruction manual.

Ease of Use

The instruction manual that comes with the grow light box is simple and easy enough to follow, which will make it quicker for you to assemble and install the grow light inside the tent. You can request assistance for faster and easier installation, but you can definitely do it on your own. Just follow the instruction manual.

It is recommended to set up your grow light in a way that you can still adjust its distance from your plants. Doing this will provide you with the flexibility to increase or decrease the distance, depending on your plants’ needs.

Product Line 

Mars Hydro Pro II Series 600w Epistar 120

Specification

• Series: Pro II Series
• Power Wattage: 600w
• Size: 23.2”x14.6”x6.3”
• Weight: 17.6 lbs
• Actual Power Consumption: 219w – 252w
• Coverage Area: 2.5’x2.5’ during Vegetation; 2’x3’ during Bloom
• Price: $$$

When it comes to the best model from the company’s outstanding series, the Mars Hydro 600w Epistar 120 is your choice. The company equipped this model with a 12-band IR spectrum to provide cannabis plants with good lighting that results in better yields.

The model also has the highest PAR value, so you are assured that your cannabis plants are getting all the light that it will need. It ensures your plants will remain healthy, regardless of its growth stage. It also comes with large cooling fans and aluminum heat sinks to make sure the temperature stays cool,even during prolonged use.

This makes the grow light the perfect option for people who are looking to grow Marijuana plants. The Mars Hydro 600w does not come with dimmable features, however. It instead has a Veg-Bloom switch. This feature is good for some professional growers, but most pro would prefer the option to manually dim the red, white, and blue lights.

The grow light’s coverage area is not that wide. If you are planning to grow large crops, then you will need an additional grow light or get a bigger model. Good thing this model comes with a flexible U-Connector to make it easier to connect it to other grow lights. You can also check out the Mars Hydro 1200w grow light, which is bigger and has more coverage area. It also uses New SMD Cree LED chips for a more efficient use of power.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Provides exceptional lighting to produce better cannabis yields
• Easy to connect to other grow lights
• Has an affordable price tag

Cons

• Does not have dimmable feature
• Coverage area is small
• More expensive compared to other brands

Mars Hydro Mars II 900w Full Spectrum LED Grow Light

Specification

• Series: Mars II Series
• Power Wattage: 900w
• Size: 20.5”x20.1”x6.7”
• Weight: 24.3 lbs
• Actual Power Consumption: 323w – 357w
• Coverage Area: 4’x4’ during Vegetation; 3.5’x3.5’ during Bloom
• Price: $$$$

For the Mars II Series, the best model they have is the Mars II 900 Full Spectrum LED Grow Light. It offers great features including good lighting, efficient power consumption, and decent cooling system.

The company uses new SMD chips for the model’s grow lights, which makes the LED lights brighter, but also consumes less power. This model actually consumes only about 323w to 357w. The company also included a good number of heat sinks and cooling fans on this model to make sure that they keep the temperature cool. The best feature that the 900w offers is that it has a wide coverage area.

During vegetation, it can cover a 4×4’ area. When your plant is already blooming, the coverage is still decent at 3.5×3.5’. It is unfortunate that this model does not come with a dimmable feature to provide you with full control over your plant’s lighting. It only comes with a switch for Veg or for Bloom. There are also issues that the LED lights burn out faster.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Provides bright and intense light
• Efficient power consumption
• Large coverage area
• Affordable

Cons

• Does not have dimmable feature
• Some LED lights burn out faster

Mars Hydro 300w Reflector 48 LED Grow Light

Specification

• Series: Reflector Series
• Power Wattage: 300w
• Size: 12”x12”x2”
• Weight: 5.4 lbs
• Actual Power Consumption: 91w – 103w
• Coverage Area: 2’x2’ during Vegetation; 1.5’x1.5’ during Bloom
• Price: $

If you are a beginner, or you only need a small grow light, the Mars Hydro 300w Reflector 48 is a good option. Since this model is part of the company’s reflector series, you are assured that this product is very cost-efficient. This model uses reflectors, which allows it to provide equal light coverage to your plants, ensuring all parts of the plant are getting ample light.

It also uses full spectrum lights, allowing you to provide differ light spectrum to your plants. The company also uses new SMD chips, which improves this product’s power efficiency. The model actually consumes less than 100w when you plug it in a 110V socket. It only uses 102w if plugged in 220V. 

The Mars Hydro 300w also has a cooling fan and aluminum heat sinks to ensure its temperature stays optimal. Though it is a small grow light, its coverage is very decent. You also don’t have to spend a lot of money to buy this product. But since this is a budget model, don’t expect it to have top-quality materials. You can check the specification table for the complete list of models and series that Mars Hydro offers.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Efficient at consuming power
• Equally distributes light to plants
• Cheap
• Decent coverage for size

Cons

• Materials and parts are not top quality

Customer Service & Warranty 

Mars Hydro offers a great warranty (3) for their grow lights. The company provides a 3-year warranty for all of their grow light products. When you will avail of the warranty, you can choose 3 solutions, first is to have the product repaired yourself. The company will provide the RMA and send the necessary component you need to repair it, along with instructions.

The second way is to have Mars Hydro repair the product themselves. They will send an RMA and you send it back along with the product and provide the tracking number. It’s important to note that the shipping fee of the component or product is free within the first year. After that, you pay for the shipping fee. The third way is for the company to replace the product, but it will undergo an investigation first as they check the reason. To learn more about the warranty visit the company’s warranty page.

Mars Hydro also has an excellent customer service team that you can contact in several ways (4). The company makes sure that their customer service team will reply to each inquiry or concern within 24 hours. So far, they are doing it properly since there are no complaints yet with regards to the company’s customer service. 

Value For Money

The company offers a good quality product that is effective, durable, easy to use, and has an excellent warranty. They also have one of the most affordable grow light models in the market, providing you with great value for the money that you will spend.

Even the company’s more expensive products still offer great value since they have added features like waterproof and daisy chain connection. The products are also known to last longer, further adding to the value that it offers. You are definitely getting the best bang for your buck if you go for Mars Hydro grow lights. The cheapest grow light you can buy from Mars Hydro will cost less than $80 while the most expensive will cost less than $690.

Who Should Buy This Grow Light?

The grow lights from Mars Hydro are good for several types of cannabis growers because the company offers different models of lights. They have grow lights that are good for beginners or people who are only looking to start a small indoor garden.

The company also have grow light models that are perfect for commercial growers or people who want to have a large indoor cannabis crop. The many different models that Mars Hydro offers provides them the flexibility to target different types of growers. Best of all, their products are affordable, which makes it even more enticing for different types of growers, particularly those who have a tight budget.

Final Verdict

I give the Mars Hydro LED Grow Lights a score of 4.12 out of 5.

The company offers a great line up of grow lights with excellent features, including highly effective light intensity and durable materials. The grow lights are also easy to set up and use, making it the perfect equipment to use for beginners or those who are just starting out with their indoor garden.

The grow tents also have several safety certifications, which shows that the products are safe and secure to use. You won’t have to worry about the lights causing fire or burning your crops. Of course, there are still a few issues with Mars Hydro grow lights that the company needs to improve on.

Nevertheless, this is a great product that offers a diverse selection of grow lights for every type of cannabis grower. The best part of all of this is that the product is affordable and Mars Hydro backs it up with a great 3-year warranty, ensuring you are getting your money’s worth.

Mars Hydro Grow Light Unboxing Video Review

Frequently Asked Questions

Specifications Table

• Input Voltage: 85V to 265V
• Temperature: -20C to 40C
• Coverage Area
• Life Span: 40,000 – 60,000 hours
• Full Spectrum: Yes
• Warranty: 3-year warranty

Series	Grow LightModel	Powe Wattage	Size	Weight	Actual Power Consumption	Coverage Area	Price
Mars Pro II	Epistar 80	400W	15.6″x14.2″x6.3″	11 lbs	142W – 158W	2.5’x2.5′ duringvegetation2’x2′ during bloom	$$
Mars Pro II	Epistar 120	600W	23.2″x14.6″x6.3″	17.6 lbs	219W – 242W	2.5’x3.5′ duringvegetation2’x3′ during bloom	$$$
Mars Pro II	Epistart 160	800W	26.8″x15.7″x6.3″	22 lbs	285W – 315W	2.5’x4.5′ duringvegetation2’x4′ during bloom	$$$
Mars Pro II	Epistar 320	1600W	27.2″x2.6″x6.7″	37.5 lbs	589W – 651W	4.5’x4.5′ duringvegetation4’x4′ during bloom	$$$$$
Mars Pro II	Cree 128	600W	24″x16.1″x7.9″	22 lbs	333W – 368W	2.5’x4.5′ duringvegetation2’x4′ during bloom	$$$$
Mars Pro II	Cree 256	1200W	26.4″x25.2″x7.9″	37.5 lbs	542W – 599W	4.5’x4.5′ duringvegetation4’x4′ during bloom	$$$$$
Mars II	400	400W	17.3″x16.9″6.7″	15.4 lbs	142W – 158W	3’x3′ duringvegetation2.5’x2.5′ during bloom	$$
Mars II	900	900W	20.5″x20.1″x6.7″	24.3 lbs	323W – 357W	4’x4′ duringvegetation3.5’x3.5′ during bloom	$$$$
Mars II	1600	1600W	24.4″x24″x7.5″	37.5 lbs	570W – 630W	5’x5′ duringvegetation4.5’x4.5′ during bloom	$$$$$
Mars Reflector Series	48	300W	15.3″x12.9″x5.5″	9.9 lbs	87W – 97W	2.5’x2.5′ duringvegetation2’x2′ during bloom	$
Mars Reflector Series	96	600W	25.9″x12.9″x5.5″	15.4 lbs	176W – 194W	2.5’x3.5 duringvegetation2’x3′ during bloom	$$
Mars Reflector Series	144	800W	36.6″x12.9″x5.5″	19.8 lbs	266W – 294W	2.5’x4.5′ duringvegetation2’x4′ during bloom	$$$
Mars Reflector Series	192	1000W	25.9″x12.9″x5.5″	24.3 lbs	333W – 368W	4.5’x4.5′ duringvegetation4’x4′ during bloom	$$$
Mars Cree COB	Cree COB	300W	10.6″x11″12.6″	7.5 lbs	114W – 126W	2.5’x2.5′ duringvegetation2’x2′ during bloom	$$
Mars ECO	ECO 120	600W	26.3″x14″x5.9″	13.2 lbs	209W – 231W	3’x5′ duringvegetation2’x4′ during bloom	$$
Mars SP	SP 150	250W	6.3″x5.9″x25.9″	8.8 lbs	133W – 147W	2’x3′ duringvegetation1.5’x3′ during bloom	$$
Mars SP	SP 250	400W	6.3″x6.3″45.3″	15.4 lbs	233W – 257W	3’x5′ duringvegetation2’x4′ during bloom	$$$
Mars TS	TS 1000	250W	17.3″x16.9″x59″	12.5 lbs	143W – 158W	3’x3′ duringvegetation2’x2′ during bloom	$$
Mars TS	TS 600	150W	14″x12.2″x1.5″	2 lbs	95W – 105W	2’x2′ duringvegetation1.5’x1.5′ during bloom	$
Mars TS	TSW 2000	450W	23.2″x22.4″x5.1″	27.2 lbs	295W – 326W	4’x4′ duringvegetation3’x3′ during bloom	$$$
Mars TS	TSL 2000	450W	6.3″x13.8″x42.5″	27.2 lbs	285W – 315W	3’x5′ duringvegetation2’x4′ during bloom	$$$
Mars TS	TS 3000	800W	25.1″x122.8″x5.1″	26.5 lbs	428W – 473W	5’x5′ duringvegetation4’x4′ during bloom	$$$$$

Reference List

1. https://www.gardeners.com/how-to/gardening-under-lights/5080.html
2. https://certification-company.com/ce-certification/rohs/
3. https://www.mars-hydro.com/mars-hydro-warranty
4. https://www.mars-hydro.com/contacts