Bulbs (MH + HPS + CMH)

HID grow light bulbs restore the output a worn lamp loses, with MH for compact veg, HPS for heavy flowering and CMH for full-cycle rooms. Match wattage and base to your ballast, then choose 1000W double ended HPS for commercial bloom rooms or 315W CMH for tents and small rooms.

20 products

Bulbs (MH + HPS + CMH)

HID Grow Light Bulbs: MH, HPS and CMH Replacement Lamps

HID grow light bulbs are the replacement lamps for metal halide, high pressure sodium and ceramic metal halide fixtures. The lineup runs from a 150W SunPulse CMH to 1000W double ended HPS from Ushio, Philips and Iluminar. New to HID? Start with our guide to understanding HID grow lights....

HID grow light bulbs infographic: MH, HPS and CMH types, bases, ballast matching, photon output and replacement timing

Every lamp has to match its ballast in wattage and type, and double ended lamps need a DE fixture. For bloom-only rooms, browse our HPS bulbs. Bulbs + Lamps adds T5 tubes, and the full grow lights range covers complete fixtures.

Types of HID Lamps

Metal Halide (MH) Bulbs

Metal halide gives a blue-white spectrum that keeps veg growth compact. The Ushio HiLUX GRO 600W DE runs at 5500K and 1040 µmol/s, and the Growers Choice 6K covers 1000W DE veg rooms. The Eye Hortilux 250W e-Start suits tents at 4250K.

High Pressure Sodium (HPS) Bulbs

HPS runs near 2000K, a red-orange spectrum for flowering. Philips GreenPower Xtra and Ushio Pro-Plus 1000W DE lamps are rated at 2100 µmol/s, Iluminar at 2050, with Growlite Real Red and Interlux alongside. The single ended Grow Crew 1000W fits mogul reflectors.

Ceramic Metal Halide (CMH) Bulbs

CMH gives a broad, high-CRI spectrum from a 315W lamp. Pick 3000–3200K for flower and 4000–4200K for veg. Ushio's HiLux Gro 3000K is rated at 620 µmol/s, and Growers Choice offers 3100K and 4200K. GrowLite makes mogul and DE versions, and the SunPulse 150W fits small spaces.

How Growers Use HID Lamps

The classic plan runs MH in veg and HPS from the flip to flower, while CMH can run the full cycle. A 1000W lamp covers about 5x5 feet and a 600W about 4x4. Hold double ended lamps by the ends: Eye Hortilux warns that skin oil damages the quartz.

Frequently Asked Questions

CMH vs HPS: which is better?

It depends on the room. A 1000W double ended HPS such as the Ushio Pro-Plus is rated at 2100 µmol/s for a 5x5 ft flower canopy. A 315W CMH delivers 520 to 620 µmol/s and Ushio rates its lamps at CRI 90 or higher. It suits tents and single-lamp rooms.

When to switch from MH to HPS?

Switch at the flip to flower, when you change the light schedule. MH's blue light keeps veg growth tight, and HPS's red-orange output drives bloom. A digital ballast runs either lamp at the same wattage. The Growers Choice DE 600W MH 4K, at 4000K, eases that change.

How often should you replace HID bulbs?

Eye Hortilux recommends replacing single ended lamps every 12 months and double ended lamps every 12 to 16 months. Output fades before a lamp burns out: Ushio's Pro-Plus holds about 90% of its intensity after 10,000 hours. Log install dates and swap a room's lamps together.

How do you dispose of HID bulbs?

Recycle them. The EPA lists metal halide and high pressure sodium lamps as mercury-containing bulbs, and recycling keeps that mercury out of the environment. Federal rules require many businesses to recycle them. Keep spent lamps intact and take them to a lamp recycler or hazardous waste site.