HLG 350R vs Mars Hydro FC 3000 LED Grow Light Comparison
LED lights are an ideal choice for most growers and choosing the right one can save you money while improving the quality of your harvest. Today we are comparing the HLG 350R by Horticulture Lighting Group and the Mars Hydro FC 3000. Right now only the HLG 350R is sold by GrowersHouse.
Mars Hydro FC 3000 VS. HLG 350R SpecsUse the chart below to compare the most important LED specs for the Mars Hydro FC 3000 and the HLG 350R.
| Mars Hydro FC 3000 | HLG 350R | |
| Power (wattage draw) | 300 Watts dimmable | 60-350 Watts dimmable |
| Voltage range | AC110-277V | AC120-277V |
| LEDs | Samsung lm301B + 660nm Osram Deep Red | Samsung LM301H + LM351H Osram Deep Red |
| Veg Footprint | 3' x 3' at 18" | 3' x 5' at 15" |
| Flowering Footprint | 4' x 4' at 21" | 5' x 5' at 24" |
| PPF Efficacy (PPE) | Claimed: 2.8 µmol/j | Claimed: 2.9µmol/j |
| PPF Efficacy (PPE) | Tested: 2.4µmol/j | Tested: 2.75 µmol/j |
| Total PPF Output | 970 µmol/s | 911 µmol/s |
| Dimensions | 30.6 x 25.4 x 3.7 inches | 34.5" x 10" x 2.75" |
| Thermal Management | Passive cooling | Passive cooling |
| Recommended Mounting Height | 18"-21" above canopy | 15"-24" above canopy |
| IP65 Water Resistance | Yes | Yes |
| Manufacturer's Warranty | 1 year full; 4 additional years parts | 3 years full, repair or replacement |
Canopy Coverage
The HLG 350R has superior coverage—9 square feet more canopy than the Mars Hydro FC 3000 in flowering phase and 6 square feet more in veg phase. It holds the potential to boost yield because it can nourish more plants. While the HLG 350R is slightly larger in dimensions than the Marsh Hydro FC 3000, its overall light intensity is lower by about 59 micromoles per second (µmol/s), which is about 6.5 percent.
Wattage Draw, Output
The HLG 350R draws about 30 watts more than the Mars Hydro FC 3000, but it's more efficient, so the higher draw is mitigated. The HLG produces around 0.35 micromoles per joule (µmol/j), which is about 15 percent higher than the Mars Hydro.
Light Intensity
Although the Mars Hydro FC 3000 puts out around 59 µmol/s more than the HLG 350R, its light is spread over a smaller canopy space. The HLG 350R, while slightly less intense than the Mars Hydro, gives you greater canopy coverage, partly because of its larger dimensions.
Dimming
Both the Mars Hydro FC 3000 and the HLG 350R include a dimming feature. This makes customizing your light needs convenient and easy.
Price & Warranty
The Mars Hydro FC 3000, which costs $330.99, includes a one-year full warranty and a five-year limited warranty. After the first year, the Mars Hydro warranty covers parts only; the Mars Hydro customer must pay for shipping and repairs in the second through fifth years.
The HLG 350R LED grow light costs $219 more and has a three-year warranty, but it covers more potential problems at a lower cost to the customer. HLG will repair or replace the fixture within the warranty period at no cost to the customer, once a return merchandise authorization is obtained from the manufacturer. If you buy from GrowersHouse, contact us for help.
Compare All LED Grow Light Warranties Here
Spectrum Comparison
The HLG 350R's spectrum has less red light between 580nm and 780nm compared with the Mars Hydro FC 3000. Into the greens, blues and whites, below 580nm, the two lights have a similar spectrum intensity.
The Mars Hydro has a greater light intensity than the HGL 350R, but it covers a 36% smaller canopy space —16 square feet, or 4' x 4', for the Mars Hydro and 25 square feet, or 5' x 5', for the HGL. Theoretically, the HGL could nourish more plants in a bigger space, or maybe the same space, than the Mars Hydro could.
Both lights include deep red in their spectrums, but the Mars Hydro has more. Deep red wavelengths are great for thickening central flower clusters at the point of maturity.
Cost Comparison
The HGL 350R costs more to purchase, but it runs at higher efficacy. The HGL 350R covers more overall canopy space.
The HGL costs about 10% more to run than the Mars Hydro in the veg or flower phases. While the Mars Hydro draws less wattage and produces greater light intensity, it spreads its output over a smaller canopy area, so the potential for a bigger harvest goes to the HGL.
| Mars Hydro FC 3000 | HGL 350R | |
| Fixture Cost | $330.99 (MSRP) | $549 at GrowersHouse |
| Adapter for Controller | N/A | N/A |
| Dimmer | Mounted dimmer box | Built-in dimmer with multiple preset levels |
| Cost to run per month @ $0.13 per kWh (U.S. average)(12-16 hr DLI) | 12hrs. Daily 108 kWh/month = $14.04 16hrs. Daily 144 kWh/month $18.72 |
12hrs. Daily 118.8 kWh/mth = $15.44 16hrs. Daily 158.4 kWh/mth.= $20.59 |
FAQ
Which has more light intensity, the Mars Hydro FC 3000 or the HGL 350R?
The Mars Hydro FC 3000 has a greater light intensity but covers a smaller footprint.
Which light covers a bigger canopy space, the Mars Hydro FC 3000 or the HGL 350R?
The HGL 350R covers 9 square feet more canopy space.
Which LED grow light is cheaper, the Mars Hydro FC 3000 or the HGL 350R?
The Mars Hydro FC 3000 is priced lower @ $3.30 per light.
Which LED grow light is more efficient, the Mars Hydro FC 3000 or the HGL 350R?
The HGL 350R is slightly more efficient than the Mars Hydro FC 3000 LED grow light.
More LED Test Results & Comparisons
We hope this helps you pick between the HLG 350 and the Mars Hydro FC 3000. If you didn't find what you were looking for here, then be sure to browse our full catalog of indoor LED grow lights and try our customized grow tent kit builder.
GrowersHouse is working constantly to highlight the best LED grow lights through product testing and comparisons.
See our links below to some of our other comparisons and if you found this content helpful, please share it out with others on social media and growers' forums!
Shop All LED LightsHLG 350R
Mars Hydro FC 3000 