HLG 600 R-Spec vs Spider Farmer SF7000 LED Comparison
In this technical comparison, we put two high-output LED grow lights head-to-head: the HLG 600 R-Spec LED grow light and the Spider Farmer SF7000 LED grow light. Both fixtures are designed for serious indoor and hydroponic growers looking to cover up to a 5' x 5' flowering footprint with a high-efficiency, LED lighting solution.
From a price standpoint, the Spider Farmer SF7000 carries a higher MSRP of around $999, while the HLG 600 R-Spec is retailing at approximately $699. Right away, the HLG LED grow light starts with an advantage in upfront cost, which matters a lot when you are outfitting multiple hydroponic grow rooms or grow tents.
Technical Specifications: HLG 600 R-Spec vs Spider Farmer SF7000
| LED Specifications | HLG 600 R-Spec LED | Spider Farmer SF7000 LED |
|---|---|---|
| Wattage (Input Power) | 600 W | 650 W |
| Voltage Options | 100–277 V | 100–277 V |
| Efficiency µmol/J [380–780 nm] | 2.55+ | 2.58 |
| Total PPF Intensity [380–780 nm] | 1,522 µmol/s | 1,681 µmol/s |
| LED Diodes | Samsung LM301H (White) + Deep Red | Seoul White + Blue + Red |
| Amps | 5.1 @ 120 V | 2.5 @ 240 V | 2.17 @ 277 V | 5.4 @ 120 V | 2.6 @ 240 V | 2.26 @ 277 V |
| Mounting Height | 28"–36" from canopy, ~48" for veg | 12"–30" from canopy |
| Coverage Footprint (Veg) | Up to 7' x 7' | Up to 6' x 6' |
| Coverage Footprint (Flower) | Up to 5' x 5' | Up to 5' x 5' |
| Length | 26" (66 cm) | 29" (82.3 cm) |
| Width | 21.5" (54.6 cm) | 22" (55.8 cm) |
| Height | 2.75" (7 cm) | 4" (10.3 cm) |
| Weight | 23 lbs | 28.3 lbs |
| Warranty | 3 years | 3 years |
| Controllable | No | Daisy-chain dimming (up to 15 fixtures) |
| DLC Listed for Energy Rebates | Yes | Yes |
| IP Rating | None given, waterproofing | None given, waterproofing |
| UV and/or IR Spectra | No | No |
| Dimming | Yes, manual or 0–10 V | Yes |
| Cooling | Passive | Passive |
Both LED grow lights share very similar core specifications and clearly compete directly in the same category: high-efficiency, passively cooled, full-spectrum LED fixtures for 5' x 5' flowering areas. However, a few key differences—especially diode selection, spectrum balance, controllability, and cost—are highly relevant for hydroponic growers focused on yield, resin production, and energy efficiency.
LED Diodes, Build Quality, and Design Discussion
A critical difference between these two LED lights lies in the brand and performance of the diodes. The HLG 600 R-Spec uses Samsung LM301H (White) plus Deep Red diodes, which are known for very high PAR efficiency, reported in the range of approximately 3.1 µmol/J for both white and deep red chips. Samsung horticultural diodes are widely regarded for their tight quality control, long-term reliability, and consistent photon output over time. This gives the HLG fixture a strong advantage in expected longevity and stability in demanding hydroponic environments.
The Spider Farmer SF7000 uses high-quality Seoul (South Korea) white, blue, and red diodes. These are respectable components, and the inclusion of dedicated blue diodes helps push the spectrum slightly cooler. However, the higher relative blue content makes the Spider Farmer spectrum less optimized for peak reproductive (bloom) output compared with the R-Spec board, which leans heavier into the red and deep red region.
On the control side, the Spider Farmer SF7000 has a notable advantage: it can be daisy-chained for dimming control across up to 15 fixtures. For larger hydroponic facilities with multiple lights in a single zone, this can simplify daily operation and improve consistency. The HLG 600 R-Spec, by contrast, offers manual or 0–10 V dimming but is not designed for built-in daisy-chain control across many fixtures.
In terms of form factor and mounting, the Spider Farmer SF7000 appears more comfortable being mounted closer to the canopy, which can help in low-ceiling grow tents or compact hydroponic setups, while the HLG is generally run a bit higher above the crop for optimal PAR distribution.
Spectrum Differences and What They Mean for Hydroponic Bloom and Veg
Spectrum Comparison: HLG 600 R-Spec vs Spider Farmer SF7000
The spectrums produced by the HLG 600 R-Spec and Spider Farmer SF7000 between 380–780 nm are compared in the first graphic below, alongside the absorption spectrums for chlorophyll and carotenoids. This shows how each LED grow light aligns with the wavelengths plants actually use for photosynthesis and secondary metabolite production.
A second graphic includes additional LED spectrums from well-established brands for direct comparison, including Growers Choice and FLUENCE:
Technical Discussion: Spectrum Graphics
Graphic #1 Discussion: The first spectrum comparison shows a clear difference between the two fixtures. The HLG 600 R-Spec produces higher relative intensities of Red (~1.0) and Deep Red (~0.95) compared with the Spider Farmer SF7000, which peaks higher in the Blue region (~1.0 blue vs ~0.8 blue on the HLG). In other words, the HLG LED grows heavier in red and deep red, while the Spider Farmer is somewhat more blue-heavy.
From a plant physiology standpoint, red (around 600 nm) and deep red (around 660 nm) are critical for reproductive and flowering growth, driving bud and flower biomass. Blue light (around 450 nm) is heavily involved in vegetative growth, internode spacing, and can enhance resin and terpene content. Both fixtures provide useful amounts of each, but the HLG spectrum is better tuned for flowering-heavy cycles in a 12-hour Daily Light Integral (DLI) photoperiod, where you want maximum return per hour of light.
Graphic #2 Discussion: In the second graphic, the HLG 600 R-Spec spectrum aligns much more closely with the spectrums from other top-tier horticultural LED brands in the industry. All of these “reference” spectrums emphasize strong red + deep red output while keeping enough blue to maintain plant structure and resin production.
An ideal full-spectrum LED grow light for bloom in hydroponic systems typically provides elevated red and deep red intensity to maximize reproductive yield per square foot. This is especially important during flowering, when the DLI is effectively capped at around 12 hours per day. With a relative blue intensity around 0.8, the HLG 600 R-Spec should still generate excellent resin content, trichome development, and overall quality, while its stronger red channel pushes total flower yield. The SF7000, with lower relative red and deep red output, may struggle to match the HLG’s yield potential if all other factors are equal.
PAR Grid Chart Differences in a 5' x 5' Grow Area
PPFD Measurements and Uniformity
Below are PAR (PPFD) grid charts for each LED grow light. The HLG 600 R-Spec PAR data was tested and verified by GrowersHouse experts in a 5' x 5' grow area at a mounting height of 30". The Spider Farmer SF7000 PAR data was provided by the manufacturer, reportedly taken in a 5' x 5' area at a height of 22".
Discussion: Directly comparing these two PPFD charts is not ideal because the Spider Farmer data is outsourced, we do not have full transparency on the testing method, and the measurements were taken at different hanging heights (22" vs 30"). Those differences can significantly affect peak PPFD values and uniformity.
Even with those caveats, the data suggests that the Spider Farmer SF7000 can deliver good PAR uniformity when mounted relatively close to the canopy. For growers with low ceilings or compact hydroponic grow tents where lights must be hung closer to plants, that could be a practical advantage. The HLG, on the other hand, demonstrates very strong overall output and a proven 5' x 5' flower footprint at 30", with enough intensity to support high-yield hydroponic crops throughout the canopy.
Fixture Cost and Monthly Operating Cost
| HLG 600 R-Spec LED | Spider Farmer SF7000 LED | |
|---|---|---|
| Estimated Fixture Cost | $700 | $800 |
| Adapter for Controller | N/A | N/A |
| Controller | No | No |
| Cost to Run per Month @ $0.13/kWh (US average) (12–16 hr DLI) | $28.08 (12-hr DLI) – $37.44 (16-hr DLI) @ 600 W | $30.42 (12-hr DLI) – $40.56 (16-hr DLI) @ 650 W |
Discussion: From a cost perspective, the HLG 600 R-Spec LED grow light is clearly more favorable. The fixture itself is roughly 12.5% cheaper than the Spider Farmer SF7000 in the example above, and the monthly operating cost is lower due to the HLG’s 600 W power draw vs 650 W on the Spider Farmer.
The trade-off is that the slightly lower wattage on the HLG translates to a somewhat lower total PPF intensity compared with the SF7000. However, given the stronger red + deep red spectrum and high diode efficiency, the HLG can still deliver excellent grams-per-watt performance for flowering hydroponic crops—often where it matters most financially.
How Hydroponic Growers Can Save Money with These LEDs
If your goal is to maximize return on investment in a hydroponic grow room or grow tent, the first step is choosing the LED grow light that aligns best with your priorities: yield, quality, control, and budget.
In this comparison, the HLG 600 R-Spec offers a lower upfront cost (around $699 vs $999 MSRP for the Spider Farmer SF7000) and lower monthly electricity costs. Even when the Spider Farmer SF7000 is discounted down to about $800, the HLG 600 R-Spec still comes in cheaper while providing a spectrum that is highly optimized for flowering yield in a 5' x 5' hydroponic footprint.
Conclusions
For hydroponic and indoor growers focused on dense, high-yield flowering in a 5' x 5' area, the HLG 600 R-Spec LED grow light stands out as the more strategic choice overall. Its Samsung LM301H + Deep Red diode mix, full-spectrum profile that leans into the flowering band, strong alignment with other top-tier horticultural spectrums, and lower purchase and operating costs all support better long-term return on investment.
The Spider Farmer SF7000 LED grow light still has clear advantages for some setups—particularly its daisy-chain dimming for up to 15 fixtures and its ability to be hung closer to the canopy with good PAR uniformity. For growers prioritizing centralized control and tight mounting heights, that may be worth the higher cost and bluer spectrum.
But if you are running hydroponic systems where flowering performance, energy efficiency, and cost per harvest are the main metrics, the data here points toward the HLG 600 R-Spec as the more efficient and cost-effective LED grow light choice, without changing the underlying results or conclusions of the comparison.