Skip to content

Just added to your cart

    Qty:
    View cart ()
    Questions?
    (720) 420-1209
    • Wholesalers
    • FAQs
    • Search
    • Sign In

    Black Dog LED Black Dog LED

      • Commercial Growing
      • PhytoMAX-4 LED Grow Lights
      • PhytoMAX Power and Data Connectors
      • Accessories
      • Superior Yields
      • Unique Science Based Spectrum
      • Case Studies / Testimonials
      • Leaf Surface Temperature
      • SupportLocal
      • All Articles
      • All Videos
      • Calculators
      • Home Growing
      • Commercial Growing
      • Spectrum / Color
      • Light Measurements / Comparing Lights
      • Product Design
      • Deployment / Installation
      • All Categories
      • Our Story
      • News & Press
    • Contact
    • Cart
      0 items
      Products
      • Commercial Growing
      • PhytoMAX-4 LED Grow Lights
      • PhytoMAX Power and Data Connectors
      • Accessories
      Our Technology
      • Superior Yields
      • Unique Science Based Spectrum
      • Case Studies / Testimonials
      • Leaf Surface Temperature
      Education
      • SupportLocal
      • All Articles
      • All Videos
      • Calculators
      • Home Growing
      • Commercial Growing
      • Spectrum / Color
      • Light Measurements / Comparing Lights
      • Product Design
      • Deployment / Installation
      • All Categories
      About Black Dog
      • Our Story
      • News & Press
      Contact
    • My Cart
    • Wholesalers
    • FAQs
    • Sign In
    Search
    Home / Education / What is the difference between "LED Watts" and "True Watts"?
    Access Denied
    IMPORTANT! If you’re a store owner, please make sure you have Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin, as you have customer based locks set up with EasyLockdown app. Enable Customer Accounts

    What is the difference between "LED Watts" and "True Watts"?

    LED diodes are rated based on the amount of power (wattage) they can theoretically handle, if they are perfectly cooled. Some LED grow light companies advertise their lights based on this theoretical wattage- we call it "LED watts". However, excessive heat generated by running LEDs at this theoretical maximum causes LEDs to degrade ("burn out") and makes them shift the color of light they are giving off, so in the real world LEDs are never run at their full rated wattage. This means that "LED Watts" is a completely useless number for comparing the light output from two different lights-- for example, you can have two "500 LED Watt" lights, with one running 100 watts of actual power through the LEDs, and the other running 300 watts of actual power.

    Many companies selling LED grow lights only use the "LED watts" to advertise their lights, as the number is always larger and more impressive than the actual power draw, but it really tells you nothing about how much wattage is actually being used to produce light. The only reason we include LED light watts on our website is because so many people request it as a means of comparison (for which it is completely useless-- true wattage is the most accurate means of comparing relative power of any plant grow light).

    • Share Share on Facebook
    • Tweet Tweet on Twitter
    Back to Education
    Invalid password
    Enter
    Black Dog LED

    Products

    • PhytoMAX-4 Grow Lights
    • Accessories

    Our Technology

    • Unique Science Based Spectrum
    • Superior Yields
    • Case Studies / Testimonials
    • Leaf Surface Temperature

    Education

    • Home Growing
    • Commercial Growing
    • Spectrum / Color
    • Light Measurements / Comparing Lights
    • Product Design
    • Deployment / Installation
    • All Categories

    Quick Resources

    • Growing 101
    • Galleries
    • Growing Calculators

    Black Dog LED

    1120 Delaware Ave.
    Longmont, CO 80501

    720-420-1209
    800-380-2291
    Office Hours:
    M-F: 9 am - 5 pm
    M-F: After 5 By Appointment
    Sat - Sun: By Appointment

    Products
    • PhytoMAX-4 Grow Lights
    • Accessories
    Our Technology
    • Unique Science Based Spectrum
    • Superior Yields
    • Case Studies / Testimonials
    • Leaf Surface Temperature
    Education
    • Home Growing
    • Commercial Growing
    • Spectrum / Color
    • Light Measurements / Comparing Lights
    • Product Design
    • Deployment / Installation
    • All Categories
    Quick Resources
    • Growing 101
    • Galleries
    • Growing Calculators
    Black Dog LED

    1120 Delaware Ave.
    Longmont, CO 80501

    720-420-1209
    800-380-2291
    Office Hours:
    M-F: 9 am - 5 pm
    M-F: After 5 By Appointment
    Sat - Sun: By Appointment

    • About
    • Retailers
    • Blog
    • FAQs
    • Shipping
    • Affiliate Program
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Warranty
    © 2025 Black Dog Horticulture Technologies & Consulting. All Rights Reserved.
    Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device
    • Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
    • Press the space key then arrow keys to make a selection.