Gavita LED review for cannabis home growers
Gavita LED fixtures are professional grade bar style lights built mainly for commercial greenhouses and grow rooms. For home growers, Gavita’s Pro 1700e LED has been the most home friendly model, but it appears to be discontinued, so check Gavita’s current lineup before you buy. Gavita listed it at about 1700 µmol/s and suggested it for lower ceilings and larger tents, though its roughly 44 inch footprint may be oversized for many 4×4 tents. It is a strong, well built light, but it costs much more than most home grow LEDs and needs extra gear for dimming. If you have a larger tent and want a premium light, check the current Gavita lineup and the exact footprint first. Pair a strong light with productive genetics like our high yield seeds. This guide is for adults 21 and older growing where home cultivation is legal.
This is a spec based review. We compared Gavita’s published specifications and design to what home growers need. We did not run our own test grow under these lights. Kind Seed Co is not affiliated with Gavita.
Who is Gavita?
Gavita is a long running lighting brand known in the commercial greenhouse world, first for high pressure sodium fixtures and later for LEDs. Its lights are designed for large rooms, high ceilings and controlled environments. That background shows in the build quality, and also in features like centralized controllers that matter more in a warehouse than in a closet.
The Gavita LED lineup for cannabis growers
Specs below are from Gavita’s product pages when we checked. Always confirm the current spec sheet, because models and versions change.
| Model | Listed output | Style | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro 1700e LED | about 1700 µmol/s | 8 bar, passive cooling | Larger home tents, discontinued, check footprint and current lineup |
| CT 1930e LED (discontinued) | high output | Bar style, HPS footprint | Growers replacing older HPS fixtures, check manufacturer for current replacement |
| RS 1900e LED | about 1900 µmol/s | 6 bar, 208 to 480 V | Larger rooms |
| Pro RS 2400e LED | about 2400 µmol/s | Commercial | Commercial rooms with high voltage power |
Gavita Pro 1700e LED (discontinued)
This has been the most home friendly model, but it appears to be discontinued, so check Gavita’s current lineup and buy only from a seller with genuine stock. Gavita lists it at about 1700 µmol/s from eight passively cooled bars, with a footprint of roughly 44 by 44 inches. The company suggested it for low rooms and larger tents, but check the footprint against your tent, since it may be oversized for many 4x4s. It runs on standard 120 to 277 volt power, which means it can plug into a typical US household circuit. It is ETL listed, tested to UL standards and IP66 rated for moisture resistance.
Dimming is where home growers should pay attention. Gavita lists dimming down to half power, but it requires a Gavita Master Controller and an adaptor, which are sold separately. Without them, the light runs at full power. That is a big difference from many home grow LEDs, which have a dimming knob on the driver.
Gavita CT 1930e LED (discontinued)
Gavita designed this light as a drop in replacement for growers moving from a double ended HPS layout to LED. It mostly suits growers who already have a room laid out for HPS. It appears to be discontinued, so check the manufacturer for the current replacement.
Gavita RS 1900e and Pro RS 2400e LED
These are larger, higher output fixtures for big rooms. Gavita lists the Pro RS 2400e at about 2400 µmol/s and 3.0 µmol/J, running on 208 to 480 volt power, with dimming to a low level on its commercial controller. That voltage range is common in commercial buildings but not in most homes, so it is not a practical pick for a tent.
What we like for home growers
- Strong output for a larger tent. The Pro 1700e has enough power to light a full flowering canopy, if its footprint fits your space.
- Passive cooling. No fans on the fixture means fewer moving parts and less noise.
- Even coverage. Bar designs spread light across the canopy rather than concentrating it in the center.
- Build quality. Commercial roots usually mean sturdy materials and long rated life.
- Moisture rating. An IP66 rating gives peace of mind in a humid tent.
What to consider before you buy
- Price. Gavita lights are premium. Many home grow LEDs cost far less for similar coverage in small tents.
- Dimming needs extra gear. On the Pro 1700e, dimming requires a separately sold controller and adaptor.
- Size. At roughly 44 inches square, the Pro 1700e is too big for 2×2, 2×4 and 3×3 tents.
- Overkill for small grows. If you only run a couple of autoflowers, a smaller light makes more sense.
Fitting a large bar light in a home tent
A large bar fixture needs a tent with enough headroom and a frame strong enough to hold it. Check the fixture weight on the spec sheet and compare it to your tent’s rated load before you hang it. Use sturdy adjustable hangers on all four corners so the light stays level. Leave space above the light for heat to rise toward the exhaust fan, and keep cords tidy and off the floor. Because the light is close to the tent’s full footprint, plan your plant layout and training so the whole canopy sits evenly under the bars. Our grow tent setup guide covers the rest of the build.
How to hang and run a high output LED
Strong LEDs can bleach tops if they are too close. Start higher than you think, raise intensity slowly, and watch for pale or yellowing upper leaves. Our guides to LED light distance and light bleaching in cannabis explain what to watch for. Learning about DLI helps you think about total daily light, not just intensity.
A light this strong also raises temperatures and water use. Make sure your inline fan can keep up, and keep an eye on heat stress.
Does a premium light raise your yield?
A strong, even light is one of the biggest factors in indoor harvests, but it is not the only one. Genetics, plant training, airflow and feeding all matter. A premium light will not fix a crowded canopy or a pest problem. Use plant training to build an even canopy under the light, and see how to boost cannabis yields indoors for more.
Best strains for a high output light
Strong light rewards productive genetics. Heavy producers that were in stock when we wrote this:
Browse all high yield seeds for more.
Gavita versus typical home grow LEDs
| Factor | Gavita Pro 1700e LED (discontinued) | Typical home grow LED |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Premium | Low to mid |
| Dimming | Separate controller needed | Often a knob on the driver |
| Best tent size | Larger tents, check footprint | Wide range of sizes |
| Build | Commercial grade | Varies |
| Cooling | Passive | Usually passive |
For more help choosing a light, see choose the right LED lights for your cannabis grow.
Frequently asked questions
Is Gavita good for home growers?
The Pro 1700e LED was the most home friendly model, but it appears to be discontinued, so check Gavita’s current lineup. Most other Gavita models are built for commercial rooms.
Can I dim a Gavita LED?
Gavita lists dimming on the Pro 1700e, but it requires a separately sold controller and adaptor. Check the current spec sheet.
What size tent is a Gavita Pro 1700e for?
Gavita suggested it for larger tents, but at roughly 44 inches square it may be oversized for many 4x4s and is too large for smaller tents. Check the footprint, and note the model appears to be discontinued.
Is Gavita worth the price?
It depends on your goals. If you want commercial build quality in a large tent, it can be. For small grows, a less costly LED is usually a better value.
Does a Gavita LED run hot?
LEDs run cooler than HPS, but any high output light adds heat. Plan for good ventilation.
Did you test these lights?
No. This review compares Gavita’s published specifications with what home growers need. Always check the current spec sheet.
The bottom line
The Pro 1700e LED from Gavita is a premium, commercial grade light for larger home tents, with the catch that dimming needs extra gear and it appears to be discontinued. If you have the space and budget, check Gavita’s current lineup and the exact footprint before you buy. Whatever light you choose, start with productive genetics from our high yield seeds collection or browse the full Kind Seed Co shop. Kind Seed Co sells only to adults 21 and older. Always follow the home grow laws where you live.
