Of the dozens of tent sizes now available, 4′ x 4′ remains the standard choice amongst cannabis cultivators, so you’ll want the best LED lights for 4×4 grow tents. This mid-sized tent gives at-home growers enough space to increase yield without sacrificing discretion. Easy to set up, the 4′ x 4′ grow tent helps cultivators rake in a respectable cannabis yield.
However, just because 4′ x 4′ tents have a mid-range size doesn’t mean you could get away with smaller grow lights. Indeed, if you’re used to growing in smaller closet conditions, you should consider upgrading your lights to fit this new space. Remember: the more light you can provide your plants, the better chance they will flourish.
Currently, LED lights have become the top choice with many indoor cultivators. Unlike more traditional HIDs, LEDs give off less heat, weigh less, and are typically more cost-effective. Moreover, LED lights are easy to assemble, making them a popular choice with beginner cultivators.
To make the decision process of the best LED lights for 4×4 grow tents a little simpler, please check out this handy LED comparison chart:
[table “3” not found /]Five For Four — The Five Best LED Lights For 4′ x 4′ Grow Tents
While many LED brands work in 4′ x 4′ tents, a few names have gained increased notoriety in recent years. Whether you want an affordable light or a premier brand, you’ll find something to fit in your 4′ x 4′ tent below.
VIPARSPECTRA’s 1200W LED “Dimmable Series”

VIPARSPECTRA is a famous China-based manufacturer that aims to provide hobbyist growers with affordable LEDs. Despite its mid-range price, each of VIPARSPECTRA’s products has higher-quality features like 12-band full-spectrum diodes, aluminum heat sinks, and built-in fans. VIPARSPECTRA also makes it easy to switch between vegetative and flowering with the flick of a switch.
Currently, VIPARSPECTRA offers two “series” of LED lights: reflector and dimmable. Both of these LED lines share many features, but the dimmable models give growers far more control. Indeed, with a dimmable VIPARSPECTRA LED, you choose the intensities of blue, white, and red lights. This is excellent news if you’re an experienced cultivator who loves fine-tuning your grow space.
For a 4′ x 4′ tent, you should focus on VIPARSPECTRA’s 1200W LED light. With just a 330 W draw, this light can produce a max PPFD of over 1000 μmol/m2/s. Just keep in mind this bulkier model has fans in the middle, which can make your grow space a little noisy.
All-in-all, VIPARSPECTRA’s dimmable 1200W LED is a good mid-range buy for 4′ x 4′ grow tents. While it’s neither a premier brand nor a “cheap” option, this light offers a good balance of affordability and bonus features.
Specs
- Dimensions: 19.7’’ x 17.3’’ x 3.5’’
- Weight: 17.2 lbs
- Actual Draw Power: 326W
- Max PPFD: 1020 μmol/m2/s at 24″
- Lifespan: ≥100,000 hours
- Warranty: 3 year
Pros
- Growers have complete control over dimming the red, white, or blue lights.
- Durable and aesthetically pleasing design.
- 12-band full-spectrum LEDs.
Cons
- Separate dimming feature may not be worth it for beginner cultivators.
- Built-in fan will make noise; not great for discretion.
- This model isn’t as thin or easy to carry as other LEDs.
PhytoMAX-2 400 LED Grow Lights
Black Dog is a Colorado-based company that has a reputation for building impressive high-end LEDs. One of Black Dog’s best models for a 4′ x 4′ tent is known as the “PhytoMAX-2 400.”
The term “PhytoMAX” in this light’s title refers to Black Dog’s unique Phyto-Genesis Spectrum®. According to Black Dog executives, this proprietary spectrum display replicates natural sunlight. The 168 diodes in this hefty unit give off a full range of spectrums, including UV and NIR.
Since this grow light is American-made and has state-of-the-art technology, you’d better believe it costs a pretty penny. On the positive side, the PhytoMAX-2 400 offers a long warranty policy of five years.
Overall, the PhytoMAX-2 400 is best suited for serious cultivators who want an easy-to-use premium product. While this LED is a serious investment, it will reward experienced growers with above-average yields.
Specs
- Dimensions: 15.74’’ x 15.75’’ x 5’’
- Weight: 24 lbs.
- Actual Draw Power: 420 W
- Max PPFD: 329 μMol/m2/s at 21’’
- Lifespan: ≥ 50,000 hours
- Warranty: 5 year
Pros
- Durable construction from a Colorado team.
- Patent-pending Phyto-Genesis Spectrum®.
- Simple to install and use.
- Generous five-year warranty.
Cons
- No options to control LED colors.
- Heavy and bulky construction.
- Expensive.
MARS HYDRO TS 3000W

Like VIPARSPECTRA, MARS HYDRO is a Chinese brand that specializes in making budget-friendly LED grow lights. This company’s TS 3000W is one of the best LED lights for 4×4 grow tents. According to MARS HYDRO, this light can cover 5′ x 5′ during vegetation and 4′ x 4′ during flowering.
The power behind this LED model comes from its Epistar diodes, which offer four different light intensities. Just keep in mind that these diodes are fully exposed. Rather than placing their LEDs behind a case, this light has diodes on top of a thin quantum board.
Customers should also know this LED panel is attached to a metallic plate. While this thin layer acts as a mini heat sink and reflector, it’s not the prettiest choice. On the other hand, this reflective layer helps concentrate light onto your plants without driving up cost.
Lastly, please keep in mind the MARS HYDRO TS 3000W isn’t assembly-free. Thankfully, this LED isn’t too difficult to put together, even if you have minimal technical experience. As a perk, users can place the light’s drivers outside the tent if they need to diffuse heat.
Considering its low cost, the MARS HYDRO TS 3000W offers solid light penetration for a 4′ x 4′ grow tent. While it may not be the sleekest LED light, it provides exceptional power for the price.
Specs
- Dimensions: 25.3″ x 22.8″ x 2.7″
- Weight: 11.3 lbs
- Actual Draw Power: 450W
- Max PPFD: 1150 μmol/m2/s at 18’’
- Lifespan: ≥ 50,000 hours
- Warranty: 3 year
Pros
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver.
- Affordable brand.
- You can transfer drivers out of your grow tent.
Cons
- Cheap feeling design.
- No protection over diodes
- Requires some assembly.
- Uses Epistar diodes rather than a more respected brand like Samsung.
MAXSISUN 400W PB 4000 Grow Light

Founded in 2009, MAXSISUN puts out dozens of LED grow lights for at-home cultivators. For those growing in a 4′ x 4′ space, the company’s PB 4000 grow light is the best option to consider.
Each of these lights comes with Samsung diodes protected with a thin silicone coating. The company says its light offers four intensities: 3500K, 5000K, 660nm, and 730nm. As a bonus, the PB 4000 light has a dimming option to help control your electricity bill.
A common issue customers have with the MAXISUN PB 4000 is that it can get pretty hot. While this device’s ultra-thin design makes it easy to handle, it has no fan to cool down. Some growers complain the aluminum sink doesn’t do a terrific job dispersing heat. Also, unlike the MARS HYDRO listed above, the MAXISUN PB 4000 doesn’t let you take the drivers off.
On the positive side, since the PB 4000 has no fan, it is a silent option for discreet grows. Just be sure to keep these temperature trade-offs in mind if you’re interested in this LED.
Specs
- Dimensions: 24’’ x 21.6’’ x 2.4’’
- Weight: 17.5 pounds
- Actual Draw Power: 400 W
- Max PPFD: ~1089 μmol/m2/s at 18’’
- Lifespan: ≥100,000 hours
- Warranty: 3 year
Pros
- Cheap and powerful LED light.
- Silent fanless design.
- High-quality Samsung diodes.
Cons
- Unit can get excessively hot.
- Can’t remove drivers to reduce heat.
- Lights spectrums are better suited for veg than flowering.
California Light Works SolarXtreme 1000 LED

You may not have heard about chip on board technology (COB), but it’s a pretty big deal in the LED world. Proponents of COB are hopeful it could increase the power of standard LEDs while reducing their energy output. Not to get too technical, but COB lights “string together” many diodes to create one super bright light.
While scientists are still developing COB technology, a few manufacturers are now offering this revolutionary technology. One of the best COB brands for a 4′ x 4′ tent is California Light Works’ SolarXtreme 1000 LED.
This American-made product will deliver full-spectrum light to all the buds in your 4′ x 4′ tent. Beginner growers also don’t have to worry about adjusting different colors at different stages of growth. California Light Works says its COBs are great for all plant phases. This light also has a temperature control mechanism and advanced AC drive technology.
While you will have to pay extra for all these features, the SolarXtreme 1000W receives high praise from the majority of customers. If you don’t care about the higher price (and the heftier weight), this may be a good option for your 4′ x 4′ tent.
Specs
- Dimensions: 18’’ x 18’’ x 4’’
- Weight: 22 lbs.
- Actual Draw Power: 800W
- Max PPFD: 800 μMol/s at μmol/m2/s at 28’’
- Lifespan: ≥ 50,000
- Warranty: 3 year
Pros
- Features high-end COB technology.
- Internal temperature control.
- Sleek design from a trusted California team.
- Highly-praised customer service department.
Cons
- Draws more wattage than most other models.
- Expensive.
- Heavy to handle.
Final Thoughts: How To Choose the Best LED Light For a 4 x 4 Grow Tent?
Choosing an LED grow light can be difficult, especially if you’ve never used a 4′ x 4′ grow tent before. With so many LED brands on the market, it can be challenging to distinguish quality manufacturers from con artists. Luckily for modern growers, it’s now easier for cultivators to share unbiased opinions on cannabis forums.
The five brands listed above have a solid rating in the current cannabis cultivation space. While each of these companies targets different customers, they all offer reliable light coverage in a 4′ x 4′ space. Please take your time analyzing the specs with each of these LED models to determine the best LED lights for 4×4 grow tents you have.
VIPARSPECTRA Dimmable 1200W LED Grow Light | Black Dog PhytoMAX-2 400 | MAXSISUN PB 4000 | MARS HYDRO TS 3000W | SolarXtreme 1000 LED |
A good “mid-range option,” the VIPARSPECTRA 1200W dimmable light is best suited for growers who want max control over their operation. | Black Dog’s PhytoMAX-2 400 is ideal for experienced cultivators who want premier light penetration for a premier price. | The MAXSISUN PB 4000 can get excessively hot, but it offers a high-quality LED power at a bargain price. | While it may feel cheap, the MARS HYDRO TS 3000 offers powerful light penetration for a low price. | Experienced customers with extra cash will most enjoy the SolarXtreme 1000’s industry-leading COB technology. |

Zach is the founder of HempCBDExchange.com. Amateur writer. Social media ninja. Travelaholic. Passionate about all things cannabis & hemp.