California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 LED vs Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2 LED
Searching for the best affordable, small-space LED grow light? GrowersHouse is bringing you a comparison of two LED grow lights with high value and good yield: the California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 LED vs. the Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2 LED.
SolarXtreme 250 vs. HLG 100 V2 SpecsUse the chart below to compare the most important LED specs for the California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 and the Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2.
Canopy Coverage
Both the SolarXtreme 250 and the Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2 are designed for a 2' x 2' or 3' x 3' grow tent or canopy.
The California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 LED light produces significantly more light intensity, but it's priced more than $100 higher than the Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2.
Although the HLG 100 V2 is almost twice as big as the SolarXtreme 250 LED, it still works well in a small grow tent. The HLG 2.5-inch profile is about a third lower than that of the California LightWorks fixture.
Wattage Draw
The California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 pulls 200 watts, while the HLG 100 V2 pulls just 95 watts. If your electric bill is a big factor in your LED grow light choice, a lower wattage draw will mean a lower bill. The tradeoff is that with lower wattage you'll sacrifice light intensity and possibly yield.
Light Intensity
The SolarXtreme 250 draws more than double the wattage of the HLG 100 V2, emitting a significantly more intense light. Although the SolarXtreme 250 is about half the size of the HLG 100 V2, it can illuminate a slightly larger canopy, according to our tests.
Dimming
Neither grow light has dimming capabilities.
Price and Warranty
The higher price of the SolarXtreme 250 gets you some advantages. The SolarXtreme carries a three-year warranty instead of one year and it delivers stronger light. The canopy coverage is slightly bigger on the smaller but stronger SolarXtreme 250, and its extra light intensity is productive, especially in a grow tent with reflective walls.
| California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 LED | Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2 LED | |
| Manufacturer's Price | $289 | $149 |
| Wattage Draw | 200W | 95W |
| Voltage Range | 120V-240V (3.3A@120V) | 90 VAC-264 AC(.9A @ 120V) |
| LEDs | Osram | 192 Samsung LM301H LEDs |
| Veg phase footprint | 3' x 3' | 3' x 3' |
| Flower phase footprint | 2' x 2' | 2' x 2' |
| PPF Efficacy (PPE) | 2.25µmol/j | 2.43µmol/j |
| Total PPF output | 500-800 (12"-18") | 224.51 |
| Dimensions | 8.5" x 8.5" x 4" | 12.75" x 11" x 2.5" |
| Thermal Management | Active (640 BTU heat output) | Passive |
| Recommended mounting height | 12"-18" | 12"-18" above the canopy |
| Water resistance | IP65 | IP68 (cord to driver connection) |
| Manufacturer's Warranty | 3 years | 1 year |
The HLG 100 V2 grow light spectrum has elevated blue light but tapers off sharply in the red spectrum around 650nm. It also features robust green and yellow wavelengths compared with the SolarXtreme 250.
The SolarXtreme 250 grow light features significantly more red wavelengths in the 620nm-720nm range, while the HLG 100 V2 drops sharply at about 600nm.
Blue light is great for the veg phase, but a spectrum that's darker toward red helps plants to beef up with thicker stems and heartier colas.
The HLG spectrum has more blue and less red than that of the SolarXtreme 250, but it is a weaker light already, which means it might not beef up your plants quite as much as the SolarXtreme. In our "Best LED Grow Lights Tested," we identify the SolarXtreme 250 as the better choice for a higher yield.
See All California Lightworks Products - See All HLG Products
Cost ComparisonThe SolarXtreme 250 LED grow light by California LightWorks is about twice as expensive to run as the HLG 100 V2.
That said, it is a more powerful light with a greater warranty of three years, as opposed to one year for the HLG. At around $14 per month to run the SolarXtreme and less than $7 per month to operate the HLG, neither light will run up the electric bill too much.
| California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 LED | Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2 LED | |
| Fixture Cost | $289 | $149 |
| Adapter for Controller | N/A | N/A |
| Controller | N/A | N/A |
| Watts | 200 W | 95 W |
| Cost to run per month @ $0.13 per kWh (US average)(18 hrs. veg) | $14.04 / month | $6.67 / month |
In our best grow light comparison, we chose the SolarXtreme 250 for better yield, but we found the less expensive HLG 100 as the better value.
Either light will serve you well in a small tent.
FAQWhich has more light intensity, the California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 or the Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2?
The SolarXtreme, which costs more to run and is more expensive to purchase, has significantly more light intensity.
Which fixture lights a bigger canopy space, the California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 or the Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2?
The HLG 100 V2 has larger dimensions, but GrowersHouse tests show that the SolarXtreme 250 can effectively cover a slightly larger canopy space. It illuminates a 2' x 2' area with more than twice as many watts per square foot as the HLG.
Which LED grow light is cheaper, the California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 or the Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2?
The less powerful Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2 is more than $100 cheaper than the SolarXtreme 250.
Which LED grow light is more efficient, the California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 or the Horticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2?
Both lights have a similar efficiency rate. The California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 features active cooling, which bites into its efficiency a bit, but it also has high-efficiency LEDs that don't require drivers. Don't get too caught up on efficiency with smaller grow lights like these, but consider your electrical amps and plugs when purchasing. Some grow lights are not recommended for use with electrical extensions and certain voltages, so be sure your light will work well with your setup.
More LED Test Results & ComparisonsCheck out some of our additional LED lights comparisons below. We have also selected some of our top grow light picks here.
Shop All LED LightsHorticulture Lighting Group HLG 100 V2 LED
California LightWorks SolarXtreme 250 LED