LED grow lights are a tough thing to understand – there are hundreds of companies selling through different brand names, making outlandish claims, and so on…
What’s a grower to do?
Today, I’m reviewing one of the most accessible options in the industry. I’m talking about MarsHydro, a Chinese company whose very affordable LED grow lights have slowly gained acceptance among growers. As a Chinese manufacturer of lights, you still have to bridge the America-China gap in communication with the company sometimes, but they are coming a long way. And better yet, they offer truly low-cost grow lights.
In this in-depth MarsHydro review, I’m going to take a look at their product line, build quality, and the company itself review from top to bottom. We’ll look at:
- The features their lights offer
- The build quality of their lights
- All of the technical specifications
- Their warranty policy and company history
…and much more. Without further ado — let’s dive in to Mars Hydro.
My Quick Take on MarsHydro
If you want my quick opinion, here you go:
Mars Hydro’s grow lights are quite affordable relative to their quality, especially the new version of the Mars Hydro 300W. It uses new SMD technology and they’re able to be daisy-chained. They perform much better than older versions, which has a bigger problem with burnt diodes. It’s a great choice for a beginner grower.
It’s an affordable light that will suffice for most hobby gardens and low-cost gardens. All of their offerings are available through eBay, Amazon, or their official website.
Their current lights are split into these categories:
- Mars Pro II
- Mars II
- Mars Reflector Series
- Mars Cree COB
- Mars SP (Available soon)
- Mars TS (Available soon)
There are too many models to individually cover in this review, so I’ve decided to cover the Pro II and Reflector Series, which are their most popular lines.
Recommended Models
- XC3LBI2XC3LBI2XC3LBI2XC3LBI2
The only Mars Hydro light I personally can recommend is the 300w Full Spectrum, as it’s the one that I’ve used in my personal grow room.
The newer version has more red diodes to achieve bigger flowers, larger fruit, and higher yields. It’s got an upgraded power switch, plus you can finally daisy-chain them to allow more scalability to your grow room.
If you’re interested in getting one of their grow lights, I’d recommend you purchase through a third party like Amazon to make sure you get your money back if you get a dead light or have any build quality issues.
Should You Buy a Mars Hydro Light?
If you’re interested in the MarsHydro 300W, then yes…it’s still a good value. They’re coming out with some higher-end white LED models, which I am going to get my hands on soon for an in-depth review both here on the blog and my YouTube channel.
Company Background
When I was looking up all I could find about Mars Hydro I noticed that they had very little information about themselves in their website. So I wrote them an email expressing my concerns over their lack of information asking them for more, and they answered!
Here are some parts of their answer:
We are a real company in China, with a 10 year history since 2009. With a professional research, development, production, and sales team on our LED grow lights, grow tents, and related accessories, we strive for continuous technology innovation. Our main goal is to let more and more budget customers get a high-quality LED light.
Our factory is located in Shenzhen, China and we have 5 overseas warehouses (USA, Canada, UK, Germany, and Australia). Products are shipped fast from a local warehouse.
The only problem is we are not native English speakers, so we use nicknames which is normal in international trade.
It’s important to remember that there’s a cultural divide between how business is conducted in America and in China, so the practices of a Chinese company may seem strange to us as Americans, but it’s simply a culture gap most of the time…not anything malicious or unprofessional.
What Type of LEDs Do They Use?
Marshydro utilizes mostly Epistar LED chips, but in some of their higher quality models they also utilize Cree or Osram LED chips.
Here’s some information about their spectrums according to their product description.
White LEDs in the ranges of:
- 2700K
- 3000K
Nanometer specific LEDs with the following outputs:
- 455nm
- 460nm
- 465nm
- 470nm
- 615nm
- 625nm
- 630n
- 640nm
- 645nm
- 650nm
Infrared (IR)
Mars also offers centered PAR (micromoles) measurements readings with most of their grow lights.
Further Resources:
Mars Hydro Warranty
Mars Hydro provides a 3 year true warranty. Whenever you buy a LED grow light, it’s important to check the warranty that the company offers. I can’t tell you how many times I hear about people buying lights and then the light dies on them in the first month of operation. To protect against that, the better companies offer a warranty that covers any initial light failures. The best companies offer even more protection than that. The quality of a light manufacturer’s warranty is a direct signal as to how much they believe in the product that they’re making and selling to you.
Mars has improved their warranty page since the initial draft of this review, adding more information as well as including a full return policy and replacement parts cost sheet.
Product Line
Pro II
This is the latest generation MarsHydro offering, they’re equipped with CREE & Epistar Diodes, Switches to turn “Stage Specific” Vegetative and Flowering lighting.
Mars Pro II Epistar 80 150w
| Name | Mars Pro II Epistar 80 |
| Wattage Equivalent | 200w |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:81W±5%|Bloom:170W±5% / 220V:Growth79W±5%|Bloom:165W±5% |
| Amps | 1.377A/110v / 0.699A/220v |
| Voltage | 85v – 265v Amperage: 3.18 @ 110v | 1.55 @ 220v |
| Coverage | 1.5’x1.5′ |
| Lifespan | 50000 hours |
| Viewing Angle | 100° |
| Spectrum | 440nm, 460nm, 630nm ，660nm,730nm, 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 290*290*95mm |
| Working Temperature | 4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars Pro II Epistar 120 250w
| Name | Mars Pro II Epistar 120 250w |
| Wattage Equivalent | 300W |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:83W±5%110V:Growth:83W±5%|Bloom:260.5W±5% 220V:Growth81W±5%|Bloom:253.5W±5%|Bloom:260.5W±5% |
| Amps | 2.2A/110V 1.07A/220V |
| Voltage | 85v – 265v Amperage: [email protected] 110v | 1.07 @ 220v
Decibel value:54.1DB |
| Coverage | 2’x1.5′ |
| Lifespan | 50000 hours |
| Viewing Angle | 100° |
| Spectrum | 440nm, 460nm, 630nm ，660nm,730nm, 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 490*300*100 |
| Working Temperature | 4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars Pro II Epistar 160 350w
| Name | Mars Pro II Epistar 160 350w |
| Wattage Equivalent | 400 watt |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:170W±5%|Bloom:362W±5% 220V:Growth166W±5%|Bloom:352W±5% |
| Amps | 3.1A/120v 1.5A/120v |
| Voltage | Input voltage: 85v – 265v Amperage: 3.18 @ 110v | 1.55 @ 220v |
| Coverage | 2’x3′ (61cm x 90 cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000 hours |
| Viewing Angle | 100° |
| Spectrum | 440nm, 460nm, 630nm ，660nm,730nm, 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 21 “x14″ x 4” (52cm x 34cm x 10cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars Pro II Epistar 320 750w
| Name | Mars Pro II Epistar 320 |
| Wattage Equivalent | 800watt |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:350W±5%|Bloom:740W±5% 220V:Growth345W±5%|Bloom:721W±5% |
| Amps | 6.4A/120v 3.2A/240v |
| Voltage | 85v – 265v Amperage: 4.7 @ 120v | 2.4 @ 240v |
| Coverage | 4’x4′ (122 cm x 122 cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000 hours |
| Viewing Angle | 100° |
| Spectrum | 440nm, 460nm, 630nm ，660nm,730nm, 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 23″ x 22″ x 4″ (59cm x 57cm x 10cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars Pro II Cree128 320w
| Name | MarsPro II Cree128 ASIA |
| Wattage Equivalent | 400W |
| Draw Power | 110V: Veg : 166w±5% / Bloom: 325.2w±5%|220V: Veg: 160w±5% / Bloom: 317w±5% |
| Amps | 2.84A/120v | 1.41A/240v |
| Voltage | AC85-265V |
| Coverage | 2’x3′ (61cm x 90 cm) |
| Lifespan | 50K Hours |
| Viewing Angle | 100° |
| Spectrum | Cree™ 440nm, 630nm，660nm, 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 20 “x13″ x 5” (50cm x 32cm x 12cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip |
Mars Pro II Cree256 650w
| Name | MarsPro II Cree256 Asia |
| Wattage Equivalent | 800W |
| Draw Power | 110V: Veg : 340w±5% / Bloom: 664w±5%|220V: Veg: 330.7w±5% / Bloom: |
| Amps | 5.7 @ 110v 2.8 @ 220v |
| Voltage | AC85-265V |
| Coverage | 4’x4′ (122×122)cm |
| Lifespan | 50K Hours |
| Viewing Angle | 100° |
| Spectrum | Cree™ 440nm, 630nm，660nm, 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 23 “x21″ x 5” (57cm x 53cm x 12cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip |
Mars II
Their standard, grow light line up. It’s Powered by 5W (theoretical max) Epistar Diodes. With an introductory price of $155.99 USD for the 400W model (actually 162W), all the way up to $689.99 USD for the biggest model.
Mars II 400
| Name | Mars II 400 |
| Wattage Equivalent | 250 watt |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:106.5W±5%|Bloom:161.7W±5% / 220V:Growth104.9W±5%|Bloom:158.4W±5% |
| Amps | [email protected] 120v | [email protected] 240v |
| Voltage | 85v – 265v |
| Coverage | 2.5’x2.5′ (76cm x 76 cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000 HOURS |
| Viewing Angle | 90°-120° |
| Spectrum | 440nm, 460nm, 630nm ，660nm,730nm(IR), 2400k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 11.5 “x11.5″ x 4” (34cm x 34cm x 9cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars II 700
| Name | Mars II 700 |
| Wattage Equivalent | 350 watt |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:221.3W±5%|Bloom:282.2W±5% / 220V:Growth216.8W±5%|Bloom:274.5W±5% |
| Amps | [email protected] 120v | [email protected] 240v |
| Voltage | 85v-265v |
| Coverage | 3’x3′ (92cm x 92 cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000 hours |
| Viewing Angle | 90°-120° |
| Spectrum | 440nm, 460nm, 630nm ，660nm,730nm(IR), 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 15 “x15″ x 4” (38cmX38cmX9cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars II 900
| Name | MarsII 900 |
| 450 watt | 450 watt |
| Draw Power | 420W±5% |
| Amps | [email protected] 120v | [email protected] 240v |
| Voltage | 85v-265v |
| Coverage | 3.5’x3.5′ (105cm x 105 cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000 hours |
| Viewing Angle | 90°-120° |
| Spectrum | 440nm 460nm 2700~3000K; 9000~10000K |
| Dimensions | 16″x16″ x 4″ (42cm x 42cm x 9cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars II 1200
| Name | Mars II 1200 |
| Wattage Equivalent | 600w |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:316.6W±5%|Bloom:489.3W±5% / 220V:Growth308.9W±5%|Bloom:476W±5% |
| Amps | [email protected] [email protected] |
| Voltage | 85v – 265v |
| Coverage | 4’X4′ (122cm x 122cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000hours |
| Viewing Angle | 90°-120° |
| Spectrum | 440nm, 460nm, 630nm ，660nm,730nm(IR), 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 19″ x 19″ x 3″ (460*460*90)mm |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars II 1600
| Name | Mars II 1600 |
| Wattage Equivalent | 800w |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:427W±5%|Bloom:632W±5%/ 220V:Growth429W±5%|Bloom:630W±5% |
| Amps | [email protected] [email protected] |
| Voltage | 85v – 265v |
| Coverage | 4.2’x4.2′ (128cm x 128 cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000hours |
| Viewing Angle | 90°-120° |
| Spectrum | 630nm, 660nm, 730nm(IR), 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 23 “x23″ x 4” (52cm x 52cm x 9cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars II 900 Veg Spectrum
| Name | MarsII 900 veg spectrum |
| Wattage Equivalent | 450 watt |
| Draw Power | 420W±5% |
| Amps | [email protected] 120v | [email protected] 240v |
| Voltage | 85v-265v |
| Coverage | 3.5’x3.5′ (105cm x 105 cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000 hours |
| Viewing Angle | 90°-120° |
| Spectrum | 440nm 460nm 2700~3000K; 9000~10000K |
| Dimensions | 16″x16″ x 4″ (42cm x 42cm x 9cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars II 1600 Flowering Spectrum
| Name | Mars II 1600 Flowering Spectrum |
| Wattage Equivalent | 800w |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:427W±5%|Bloom:632W±5%/ 220V:Growth429W±5%|Bloom:630W±5% |
| Amps | [email protected] [email protected] |
| Voltage | 85v – 265v |
| Coverage | 4.2’x4.2′ (128cm x 128 cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000hours |
| Viewing Angle | 90°-120° |
| Spectrum | 630nm, 660nm, 730nm(IR), 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 23 “x23″ x 4” (52cm x 52cm x 9cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars Reflector Series
The Reflector Series is Mars Hydro’s most affordable grow light line up. Starting at $91.99 USD, they’re designed around using integrated reflectors, and 5W Diodes. They have changed their naming strategy for the better in this series, stating the actual number of LEDs rather than the theoretical maximum output.
Mars Reflector 48
| Name | Mars Reflector 48 |
| Wattage Equivalent | 150 watt |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:64.7W±5%|Bloom:98.3W±5% / 220V:Growth63.37W±5%|Bloom:96W±5% |
| Amps | [email protected] 120v | [email protected] 240v |
| Voltage | 85v-265v |
| Coverage | 2′ x 2′ (60cm x 60cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000 hours |
| Viewing Angle | 90°-120° |
| Spectrum | 440nm, 460nm, 630nm ，660nm,730nm(IR), 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 12″ x 12″ x 2″ (30cm x 30cm x 6cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars Reflector 96
| Name | Mars Reflector 96 |
| Wattage Equivalent | 250 watt |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:127W±5%|Bloom:190W±5% / 220V:Growth125.7W±5%|Bloom:187.3W±5% |
| Amps | [email protected] 120v | [email protected] 240v |
| Voltage | 85v-265v |
| Coverage | 2′ x 3′ (60cm x 90cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000 hours |
| Viewing Angle | 90°-120° |
| Spectrum | 440nm, 460nm, 630nm ，660nm,730nm(IR), 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 23″ x 10″ x 2″ (56cm x 26cm x 6cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars Reflector 144
| Name | Mars-Hydro Reflector 144 |
| Wattage Equivalent | 350 watt |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:193.7W±5%|Bloom:298W±5% / 220V:Growth193.4W±5%|Bloom:291.2W±5% |
| Amps | [email protected] 120v | [email protected] 240v |
| Voltage | 85v-265v |
| Coverage | 2′ x 4′ (60cm x 122cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000 hours |
| Viewing Angle | 90°-120° |
| Spectrum | 440nm, 460nm, 630nm ，660nm,730nm(IR), 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 28″ x 10″ x 2″ (83 cm x 26 cm x 6 cm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars Reflector 192
| Name | Mars-Hydro Reflector 192 |
| Wattage Equivalent | 450 watt |
| Draw Power | 110V:Growth:254.4W±5%|Bloom:387.4W±5% /220V:Growth247.5W±5%|Bloom:373.7W±5% |
| Amps | [email protected] 120v | [email protected] 240v |
| Voltage | 85v-265v |
| Coverage | 4′ x 4′ (122 cm x 122 cm) |
| Lifespan | 50000 hours |
| Viewing Angle | 90°-120° |
| Spectrum | 440nm, 460nm, 630nm ，660nm,730nm(IR), 2700k-3000k |
| Dimensions | 22″x18.7″x2.5″(558mmx476mmx63mm) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Epistar |
Mars COB 100w
Last but not least we have MarsHydro’s offering of a mainly CREE powered COB LED Light that comes in an IP65 enclosure which offers water protection. It is powered by a Meanwell driver which is actually very high quality, and a combination of a CREE CXB 3590 COB, with their more usual Epistar red and blue diodes around the COB. To ensure the longevity of the COB they cool the grow light actively with a radiator and a fan.
[My take? Too Expensive for what it is. Could be half the price]
| Name | Mars COB 100w |
| Wattage Equivalent | 250w HPS |
| Draw Power | 110W + – 5%@AC120V 108W + – 5%@AC240V |
| Amps | 0.987A/120V 0.46 A/240V |
| Voltage | AC100-240V AC277 for North America only |
| Coverage | Core coverage: 2.5’x2.5′ / Max coverage: 4.5’x4.5′ |
| Lifespan | 50000 hours |
| Viewing Angle | |
| Spectrum | 450~475nm 620~630nm, 650~660nm, and white |
| Dimensions | 290*220*210mm (12’x9’x8′) |
| Working Temperature | -4°F ~105°F (-20°C ~ 40°C) |
| Chip | Osram, Cree |
