Are you looking for a device to check out how much light reaches your cannabis grow? Do you wonder how to measure light in a room? Well, a light meter is exactly what you are looking for.

By means of the best light meter, you can easily determine the amount of light your herbs are receiving in your grow area. This way you can find out the amount of light at any specific point. It tells you if you have sufficient lighting in a room, as well as if your plants are properly positioned toward the lighting system.

It takes lots of skill and knowledge to get premium quality products when growing cannabis. It’s not possible to grow a first-class yield of crops without the top-notch equipment. That said, anyone wanting to grow cannabis indoors shouldn’t proceed without a light temperature meter and a digital light meter.

Top 10 Light Meter for Growing Cannabis

There is a diverse range of light meters on the market to choose from. Only a handful of lighter meters truly do a good job, though. That’s why we have picked out only the best ones for marijuana growers. Below, you can find light meter reviews on the best light meters available on the market today.

Best Light Meters for Growing Cannabis 2023

1. Dr.Meter LX1330B Digital Light Meter

Looking for a low-priced digital light meter? Dr.Meter LX1330B is the best cheap light meter for the money you can find on the market. This 9-volt digital light meter is perfect for anyone working in the field of lightning or electricity.

It gives you an objective measure of brightness in a building, which makes this product very useful for homeowners. In addition, it is often used as a plant light meter for indoor cannabis growing.

Dr.Meter LX1330B Digital Light Meter provides an over-range indication, ranging from 0 to 200,000 Lux, which makes it suitable for a variety of applications. You can easily measure the amount of illumination for an indoor room with high accuracy in a matter of seconds.

Easy of use makes this product one of the best light meter for beginners. Simply switch between Lux and FC when measuring the amount of light in your indoor garden. It’s even possible to capture the max measured reading, but keep in mind that you can store only one reading at a time.

On the downside, this digital lighter meter is non-linear over a spectrum because of the sensitivity graph displays. Therefore, it is not a good option for measuring light of different wavelengths.

Key Features:

• Measures up to 200,000 lux (about 20,000 fc)
• Auto Zeroing
• Low power consumption
• Silicon Photo Diode
• Data Hold and Peak Data hold
• 18-mm LCD Display
• Accuracy: ±3% up to 20,000 lux / ±5% over 20,000 Lux
• Sampling rate (bargraph): 2-3 times per second
• Power: 9V battery
• 1 Year Warranty

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2. Extech LT45 LED Light Meter

The Extech LT45 is a fully portable and highly versatile option for growing marijuana. Although it is primarily intended for LED light (both white and color LEDs like red, purple, yellow, green, and blue), you can also utilize it for conventional light sources.

This LED light meter doesn’t only measure the amount of illumination from LEDs, but also metal halide, fluorescent, incandescent, and high-pressure sodium light sources. That makes it a good fit for manufacturing plants, as well as offices and warehouses.

You can use it for a wide range of settings to ensure regulatory compliance and safety. Simply switch between foot-candles and Lumens by pressing the LUX/FC button.

Actually, this led lux meter shows how much LED light in foot-candles or in Lumens per square meter is falling on a surface. It records the light up to 40,000 Fc, i.e, up to 400,000 Lux. Note that this led light meter doesn’t measure PAR.

The Extech LT45 allows you to store up to 99 readings at a time thanks to its recall function. The meter records the minimum, average, or maximum of the logged readings and performs basic statistical calculations alike. Unluckily, it is not easy to the export values into the software so that you will have to enter them manually.

The meter comes fitted with the sensors for precise reading. The accuracy of light measurement is within a 3% error margin. It contains a built-in coiled cable that can be expanded up to 59 inches. Additionally, this model comes along with a protective sensor cover, a hard case, a 9-Volt battery, and a user manual.

Key features:

• Measures up to 40,000 foot-candles or 400,000 lux
• Detects both LED and standard lighting
• Detects both white and color LEDs
• Easy to read display
• MAX/AVG/MIN mode for extremes
• Auto-Ranging option
• One-button zero calibration
• Basic Accuracy: ±3%
• Weight: 8.8oz

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3. Extech LT300 Light Meter

Here’s another Extech model convenient for people growing cannabis. Many weed growers opt for this light meter to measure lumens in their indoor crops because it is very affordable and simple to use. But this is not everything this model has to offer.

The Extech LT300 is a compact light meter which is capable of measuring illuminance in 5 ranges: 40, 400, 4,000, 40,000 and 400,000 Lux. Measurements are switchable between foot candles and LUX.

The accuracy of measurement is within a 5% error margin. It boasts a big LCD backlit display, which lets you read your records in any light condition right. Easy note-taking is enabled through the Data Hold function.

The remote light sensor is mated with a 12-inch coiled cable that can be expanded up to 24 inches. Relative and Peak modes are another big plus of this model. Peak mode serves to capture the highest reading, whereas Relative mode can indicate every change in light levels.

There is also Max/Min feature that lets users record the lowest and highest readings. You can record extremes as many times as you need. Just make use of recall function and begin recording anew.

Key features:

• Measures up to 40,000 foot-candles or 400,000 Lux
• Large LCD backlit display
• Color correction filter
• Remote light sensor
• Easy note-taking
• Data Hold function
• Basic Accuracy ± 5%
• Sampling Rate: 13.3 times per second

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4. Hydrofarm LGBQM Quantum PAR Meter

Are you planning to work with a tight budget? If you are thinking of how to measure lumens with a light meter that will not break the bank, consider this appealing model. It is pretty cheap and offers most of the features available on costly lighter meters.

It’s actually hard to go wrong with any Hydrofarm model because it is known as a well-established supplier of hydroponics equipment. The Hydrofarm LGBQM Quantum is deemed to be the best affordable light meter by many.

With this light lumen meter, you can measure different types of grow lights aside from the sunlight. It doesn’t only act as a sunlight meter but also as a LED light meter. Simply switch when you want to gauge the amount of LED light and quickly calibrate it.

As its name implies, this device can measure PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) flux in a range of wavelengths that go from 400 nm (blue light) to 700 nm (red light). This feature set the Hydrofarm LGBQM Quantum apart from the rest. Unlike many light meters on the market, this one can measure up to 10,000 mol of light.

LCD display features large numbers that make readings fairly clear. However, the screen is not backlit so that it’s not appropriate for use in a dark environment. For more precise reading, there are three scales.

This fully portable model is made from rigid plastic, which is both durable and lightweight. The unit weighs only 7.7 ounces while measuring 6.7 x 4.4 x 2.4 inches. It comes with lithium batteries included in the package. Bear in mind that this meter is not waterproof, meaning you are supposed to use it in a place with low humidity.

Key features:

• Measures up to 40,000 foot-candles or 400,000 Lux
• Detects sunlight and grow lights
• 3 scales for precise readings
• Low battery indicator
• Hand-held remote sensor
• Includes lithium battery
• Comes with a booklet
• Weight: 7.7 ounces

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5. Amprobe LM-200 LED Light Meter

In basic, this model is a dual-scale light meter that measures up to 400,000 Lumens per square meter or 40,000 foot-candles of LED light sources. It is fitted with a silicon diode sensor and a filter for work at altitudes up to 2,000 meters.

The meter comes with an embedded memory that allows you to store 99 records at a time. There’s a data hold function that lets you freeze all the readings that pop up on the display. To read the highest reading, use a maximum recording option.

Besides, there’s an angled light cosine correction for calculation of the amount of light at any light’s angle. You can use this option for angle light projection.

The sampling rate for digital display is 2.5 times per second, whilst the accuracy of measurement is + or – 3 percent. This light meter lumens tester comes with a 1.5-meter cable and a 9-Volt battery. The battery has a lifespan of 200 hours on average.

Key features:

• Measures up to 40,000 foot-candles or 400,000 Lux
• Silicon diode sensor
• Built-in memory keeps up to 99 records
• Data hold function
• Angled light cosine correction
• 5-meter wire to position light sensor
• Basic Accuracy: ± 3%
• Sampling Rate: 2.5 times per second
• 9V battery included

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6. Amprobe LM-100 Light Meter

This Amprobe model supports various light sources, including meter metal halide, fluorescent, incandescent, and high-pressure sodium sources. It is capable of measuring up to 20,000 foot-candles or 200,000 lux.

Being designed as a dual-scale gadget for indoor operation, this greenhouse light meter comes equipped with silicon diode sensors. Note that it is intended for operations at altitudes below 2,000 meters.

Apart from this, the meter features zeroing functionality, auto-ranging feature, angled light cosine correction option, and a data hold feature. How to use digital lux meter in question?

If you want to freeze your readings on display, just go for the data hold feature. Reset it to the null point when the need arises. Calculate the amount of light at a light’s angle by using angled light cosine correction.

The Amprobe LM-100 Light Meter is powered by a 9-Volt battery that is included in the package. It comes with a protective sensor cap. The sensor is fitted with a 1.5-meter-long wire, which eases sensor positioning.

Key features:

• Measures up to 20,000 foot-candles or 200,000 lux
• Detects multiple light sources
• Data hold function
• Angled light cosine correction
• Silicon photodiode sensor
• Zeroing functionality
• Accuracy: ± 3%
• Sampling Rate: 2.5 times per second
• 5-meter wire
• 9V battery

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7. HDE LX-1010B Digital Luxmeter Light Meter

This digital Luxmeter light meter is great for home use, as it offers good functionality and decent accuracy. It measures up to 50,000 lux or about 5,000 foot-candles, allowing you to roughly measure the brightness of light according to the human eye.

You can use this light meter lux measurement tool to check out what amount of light fall on your plants. People use it in different areas, including photography, inspection, construction, etc.

Basic accuracy of measurements is within 5%. There is also a separate light sensor which lets you measure the light at an optimal position. You can read your records on an LED display.

The meter is powered by a 9V battery; note that the battery is not included. It is made of thin black plastic, which is good in terms of weight, but it’s not good when it comes to the durability since the unit can’t withstand frequent drops.

Key features:

• Measures up to 50,000 lux or 5,000 foot-candles
• Data Hold
• Over-range indication
• Auto Zeroing
• 3-1/2 digit LCD Display
• Accuracy: ±5%
• Sampling rate: 0.4second
• Power: 9V battery

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8. MH LX-1010B Digital Luxmeter Light Meter

With this digital lux meter, you can easily and accurately measure lighting up to 100,000 Lux in any area. It measures the amount of light with an accuracy of ±5%, which is quite satisfactorily for those growing cannabis. This is why many weed growers select this model when choosing a light meter.

A major plus of the digital Lux meter is the LCD display, which is clear and highly responsive. Another big advantage is a light sensor that comes separated from the reading device, enabling you to measure lighting at an optimal position. The sampling rate is also decent; it takes 0.4 seconds to make a sample.

As for the functions and features, the MH LX-1010B light meter is not stingy at all. It provides the auto-zero feature that turns back the displayed frequency to zero when a pulse input isn’t received within a fixed time.

There is also an over-range indication, which is very helpful during the process of measurement. You can store your records thanks to the data memory feature. Another useful feature is low battery alert that notifies you when the 9-Volt battery is critically low.

The product is extremely lightweight (only 0.71 pounds), thereby easy to carry, but it’s prone to slip from hand because of the poor grip.

Besides the Lux meter itself, you get the 9V battery and carrying case in the package as well.

Key features:

• Measures up to 100,000 lux or 10,000 foot-candles
• LCD Display
• Data Hold
• Over-range indication
• Auto Zeroing
• Sampling rate: 0.4 second
• Accuracy: ±5%
• Low battery alert

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9. Sun System PAR Meter w/ Remote Sensor

Sun System PAR Meter is an expensive lumen tester that offers fairly good value for the money. Whether you are growing the plants exposed to the sunlight, or you’re using some other type of lighting, this garden light meter can precisely measure the amount of light your herbs are receiving at any point.

The meter is very easy to use, so it presents a good option for novices.It’s not a big deal to use this model even if you have not used a lux meter before. The meter is equipped with a remote sensor that can detect photosynthetically active radiation (PAR).

The product features compact size and sleek design. Weighing about 7 ounces only, it will not feel heavy in your hand. But take care where you will be using this meter (preferably in a dry space with low humidity) because it is not waterproof.

Key features:

• Detects photosynthetically active radiation (PAR)
• Suitable for both natural sunlight and system grow lights
• Remote sensor
• Compact size
• Simple and easy to use
• Weight: 7.2 ounces

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10. Professional LX821 Digital Light Meter

Make sure to check this professional light meter, no matter it is listed in the last place, as it is proven to provide very accurate readings. It is a great tool for greenhouse and hydroponics use.

Regardless of the type of light source you are using, it will help you measure the lumens in your crop. You can use this device for sunlight, fluorescent light, and metal halide light sources. It covers 4 light ranges, measuring up to 20,000 foot-candles.

Although Professional LX821 light meter does not have a battery level indicator embedded, it uses a 9V battery that can last for a long time. Note that the sensor is not waterproof.

Key features:

• Measures up to 20,000 foot-candles or 200,000 Lux
• Useful for both natural and unnatural light sources
• Repeatability ±2%
• Accuracy ±3%
• Measures 3.3 X 2.1 X 6 inches
• Weighs 0.3 lbs
• Standard 9V battery included

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What to Consider When Buying a Light Meter

In addition to your budget, there are other things you should take into consideration when shopping a light meter for growing cannabis.

Type of Lighting (Light Source)

As you could see, some light meters can only detect sunlight while others can also be used for artificial light that comes from fluorescent, incandescent, metal-halide, or high-pressure sodium light sources. With that being said, consider what type of lighting you are using for your plants. Some growers use LED light bulbs instead of standard light sources. If you use led lamps, make sure that a certain light meter can measure LED lighting. Also, keep in mind that many models are not intended for PAR (Photosynthetically Active Radiation) light.

Lux Range

Your best choice would be to choose a meter that can measure up to 400K lumens per square meter (lux). However, you will not go wrong with those models that can measure up to 200,000 lux, since the amount of light rarely reaches higher values indoors.

Features

Pay close attention to what features light meter offers. Check out the features like Auto Zeroing, Data Hold, memory capacity, accuracy, sampling rate, and low battery indicator. Then take a closer look at the light sensor, correction filter, buttons, and display. The screen should be large, clear, and preferably to come with backlight for work in dark conditions.

What is In the Package

Check out what is included in the package aside from a light meter. It could be the battery, sensor cover, hard case, booklet, cable, and so on. The more you get, the better for you.

Choose a Light Meter For Your Intended Grow Operation

A light meter is a smart investment if you are growing cannabis indoors. It is an essential tool for serious growers who are in business to make money. Not only that this device tells you the amount of light is in the room, but also helps you to find out whether your plants receive enough light. That helps you avoid putting your whole crop at risk. Therefore, choose only the best equipment and tools, and start producing the best results.