What Is a T5 Grow Light and Should You Use It in 2026
Higher wattage T5s produce more intense light output. A 54W T5 grow light generates around 5,000 lumens —making it great for leafy greens or herbs. Whereas high
T5 lights come in 2ft (24w) and 4ft (54w) sizes. The wattage of a T5 light is mentioned in the parentheses next to the size.
Higher wattage T5s produce more intense light output. A 54W T5 grow light generates around 5,000 lumens —making it great for leafy greens or herbs. Whereas high-light plants like fruiting veggies may benefit from 80W+ variants. There are a few color temperature/spectrum options to choose from: Full Spectrum: 5000K-7000K.
Each 54w T5 bulb has approximately 5,*000 lumens. With an eight-bulb fixture, you can reach the same 36,*000 lumen output of a 400w MH bulb, with a footprint of 4ft x 2ft at 12 inches above plants. For a 2700k T5 bulb, each 54w bulb is typically around 4,*950 lumens.
T5 grow lights are energy efficient, but they can sometimes be spatially inefficient, taking up more room in your grow than anticipated. Their energy efficiency depends on the coverage and power you need, which in turn determines the size of the reflector you need.
PDF version includes complete article with source references.
Get technical specifications, ROI analysis tools, and pricing information for our BESS integration and energy storage solutions.
Av. de la Innovación 15
28042 Madrid, Spain
+34 91 133 2769
Monday - Friday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM CET