Sabahat Waseem 
Plants need three things to grow the right amount of water, air and light. Some people think that bombing the plant with bright light will give magical results, but it does more harm than benefit. Because light is not the determining factor, the right light colour is essential, and the best PAR light meters for indoor plants is the perfect equipment.
Plants reflect most of the light and keep Photosynthetic Active Radiations to use. PAR has a wavelength of 400nm to 700nm in the light spectrum. The PAR light meter will determine whether the PAR value is correct for your indoor plants.
Many companies claim they have the best par light meters for indoor plants, but many determining factors exist. Moreover, the market is saturated with Par light meters. We have tested the best PAR light meters for indoor plants, and here is the review.
The article will cover the five best par light meters for indoor plants, a buying guide, and some frequently asked questions about the par light meter.
Five Best PAR Light Meters for Indoor Plants
Triplett LT80 LED Illuminance
· 4-digit LCD
· 0 to 400,000 Lux, Lux range
· Resolution: 0.01 Fc/0.1 Lux
· Accuracy: white LEDs ±3% reading ±30d (0 to 50Fc/0 to 500 Lux) ±3% reading (>50FC/500 Lux)
Features:
LED Illuminance Meter
The Triplett LT80 LED light meter has various features, making it among the best par light meters for indoor plants. It can measure the light intensity of up to 40K foot candles or 400k Lux. It can even measure lights from fluorescent, metal halide, high-pressure sodium, and other sources.
OSHA safety requirements
Nowadays, Triplett LT80 LED light meter can measure light intensity and quickly verify the OSHA safety requirements from white LED light sources to 40k Fc. It is now incorporated in factories, schools, offices, hospitals, warehouses, and other common places.
Min/Max/Avg
Another feature of the Triplett LT80 LED light meter is that it has a silicon photodiode sensor. It also has a spectral response filter and a Min/Max/Avg function. Min/Max/Avg function recalls for the highest, lowest, and average reading.
Data Hold with easy-to-read display
Triplett light meter has a 9999 count LCD with Data Hold. It allows you to freeze the reading for easy viewing. It also has an auto power-off to conserve battery life.
URCERI digital Illuminance meter
· 4 digit color LCD display
· Measuring range 0-200,000 Lux or 0-20,000 Fc
· Accuracy: ±3% rdg ± 8 dgts (<10,000 Lux), ±4% rdg ±10 dgts (>10,000 Lux)
· Response time: within two seconds
Features:
Provide accurate measurements and fast response
URCERI light meter can cover a measuring range of up to 200,000 Lux with high accuracy. Its frequency is two per second. So the high response rate ensures fast and accurate readings. This is the reason why it is among the best par light meters for indoor plants.
Versatile other features
URCERI digital light meter features a uniquely designed 4 colour LCD screen. You can check reading at any time of the day. It comes with a low battery reminder that reminds you when you ran out of battery. It also features an auto power-off function that will run automatically off the meter if not in use for more than 15 minutes.
Versatile Applications
The light meter is not limited to any use. It has a wide range of applications, including schools, factories, warehouses, offices, homes, or photography projects.
Apogee MQ-500 Full-Spectrum Quantum Sensor & Meter
Apogee MQ-500 Full-Spectrum Quantum Sensor & Meter
· LCD
· Measurement range: 0 to 4000 µmol mˉ² sˉ
· Response time: less than 1ms
Features:
Full Spectrum series apogee instruments quantum sensors are essential tools for researchers and agricultural professionals to measure active photosynthetic radiation.
Versatile applications
Quantum sensors are mainly of two types: the original quantum sensors and the full spectrum quantum sensors. The original quantum sensors best work with broadband radiation sources like sun, high-pressure sodium, metal halide, cool white fluorescent lamps. On the other hand, full-spectrum quantum sensors are best for all light sources, including LEDs.
Accurate and precise measurements
Full-spectrum quantum sensors provide accurate and stable measurements determined from multiple replicate quantum sensors in accelerated ageing tests.
Full-spectrum quantum sensors are hand-held meters attached with a cable. They feature a blue enhanced silicon diode with customized optical filters. These meters widely use greenhouses, fields, growth chambers, saltwater, aquariums, freshwater lakes, and streams.
REED Instruments LM-81LX Compact Light Meter
· 5 digit LCD
· Measuring ranges: 0 to 20,000 Lux or 0 to 2000 Fc
· Accuracy ±(5% rdg.+ 8 dgt)
· Response time: 1 second.
Features:
Easy to use compact design
REED LM-81LX light meters is a compact par light meter and can take both foot-candle and Lux measurements. It is auto-ranging and keeps track of the highest and lowest readings. It LM-81LX features both zero adjustment and data hold function. LM-81LX also includes a wrist strap and battery. Moreover, you will also get a wrist strap in the box.
Autoranging
Autoranging features are handy and practical. Its sensor is stable, solid and allows measurement in the visible range. There are many other features like selectable LUX or footcandle measurement. Minimum and maximum data hold function, zero adjustment button etc.
BTMETER BT-881D Digital Illuminance Light Meter
BTMETER BT-881D Digital Illuminance Light Meter
· 3999 counts digital display
· Measuring range: 0.01 to 400,000 Lux
· Response time: 0.4 seconds
· Accuracy: ±4% ± 0.5% f.s (0-20000 Lux); ±5% ± 10 (20000 Lux-400000 Lux)
Features:
Luminosity measurement
This BETMETER digital Illuminance light meter is considered among the best par light meters for indoor plants. Its luminosity measurements range from 0.1 to 200,000 Lux. Moreover, it has a resolution of 1 Lux with a sampling rate of two times than others.
Versatile applications
BETMETER BT-881D digital Illuminance light meter can detect various light sources like incandescent, fluorescent, flashlight, aquarium fish tank lamps. It can even measure the light from bulbs of schools, offices, and homes. It can measure the intensity of light quite accurately and precisely.
Plants require sufficient light, not too excessive or too low, to thrive. This par meter measures the light available to the plant. It indicates whether the light to the plant is sufficient or it is damaging them. Similarly, it helps you to avoid over-lighting and serve as a brightness tool. BETMETER digital light meter helps you to keep the light to the optimum.
Backlit feature
This digital light meter’s display is backlit with a clear and large display. This backlit feature helps in reading in the dim light areas or the dark areas. In addition, it has a data hold feature for freezing of data. In that way, you can easily read the readings from the display.
Portable
The digital par meter comes with a top-quality zippered case which makes it convenient to carry around. You can conveniently use it to the outdoors or move around indoors. Moreover, it has a sensitive silicon diode with a filter that provides the measurements with high accuracy.
| Product Name | Measurement Range | Response Time | Weight |
| Triplett LT80 LED Illuminance | 0 to 400,000 Lux | Less than 1 second | 8.8 ounces |
| URCERI digital Illuminance meter | 0-200,000 Lux | within two seconds | 7.2 ounces |
| Apogee MQ-500 Full-Spectrum Quantum Sensor & Meter | 0 to 4000 µmol mˉ² sˉ | less than 1msless than 1ms | 8.1 ounces |
| REED Instruments LM-81LX Compact Light Meter | 0 to 20,000 Lux | less than 1 second. | 4.2 ounces |
| BTMETER BT-881D Digital Illuminance Light Meter | 0.01 to 400,000 Lux | 0.4 seconds | 8.1 ounces |
Design and Durability:
The light meter must be portable, lightweight. It must be easy to carry around. The material must be solid; it should not break or cause any hazard to plants.
LCD has to be big to should display all the necessary information. An extra feature is a backlit LCD because it allows you to see in the dark.
Battery:
PAR light meters usually runs on a lithium battery. The battery timing is excellent; they keep on working for a long time. PAR meters comes with a USB cable that charges them.
Most meters have a battery conservation system that turns off the meter after a specific time. There are low battery indicators, and the meter gets charged in an hour.
Light Measurement:
In this, you will look for the range of light intensity measurement. The measurement range must lie between 400nm to 700nm. Moreover, the umol range must be up to 30000 umol light.
Taking the reading is pretty easy, switch on the PAR meter, and it automatically calibrates and become ready to measure the light. Then simply point it towards the electric bulb, sunlight or any light source to measure intensity.
Data-logging:
Data logging is another beneficial feature of Par meters. On the meter, the data appear in a constant linear curve, or some meters display the result in the gaussian curve. Moreover, you can log up to 99 readings on a meter. The logs are saved in some excel sheet-like format and can be extracted by connecting them to a computer, allowing you to process and analyze readings afterwards.
Budget:
Budget is an obvious factor. Look at the features you need and select the best PAR light meters for indoor plants. It is possible the meter with your desired features might be out of your budget; in this case, choose a cheap one with the same features. But here is a thing do not buy cheap to save some bucks. You will regret the decision, and the approach can cost you more than an expensive Par light meter.
meter can efficiently enhance indoor plants growth. So, if you are looking for a PAR light meter, then this list of best PAR light meters for indoor plants will help you choose. Our best pick is REED Instruments LM-81LX Compact Light Meter; it’s a lightweight and fast PAR light meter that will fit all your needs.
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