Judd uses this fluorescent grow light to start her seeds indoors every year. The unit comes with either two, four, or eight tube lights that can be hung from a ceiling or attached to a shelving unit. She says that for the price, it does a great job at distributing light to all her seedlings and keeping them from getting too leggy before their journey outdoors.

6500K 2FT T5 HO Fluorescent Grow Light, VIVOSUN ($81)

Bendable LEDs can be adjusted to direct light where it's needed, and both Thomas and Kostovick note that they're great for keeping larger houseplants happy all year long. This affordable model also comes in multiple red-blue color modes with adjustable brightness. As an added bonus, it runs on a set-it-and-forget-it timer, making it a convenient pick for anyone who's new to using grow lights.

9 Dimmable Levels Grow Light, EZORKAS ($20)

In her home setup, Christy Wilhelmi, the organic gardener behind Gardenerd, opts for this Sunlite garden that takes up 4 feet of table space. "I use it for starting all my seeds in trays before planting them out to the garden. I'm not sure it's ideal for long-term plant care, but it's perfect for getting a jump on the season," she says of the fluorescent unit. She appreciates that its lightweight lights can be lowered and raised as needed with an attached pull chain, making it well-suited to different types of plants.

Tabletop Sunlite® Garden, Gardener's Supply Co. ($299)

This high-wattage unit from EXLENVCE will give you a good sense of the power of LEDs: It comes in red mode and blue modes—both of which are bright but surprisingly energy efficient—and hangs on chains for easy maneuvering. Kostovick likes to use it for starting taller, more finicky plants like tomatoes.

1500W LED Grow Light, EXLENVCE ($98)

This LED bulb is full-spectrum, so it delivers multiple frequencies of light that come together to appear white. Viljoen appreciates that the bulb is unassuming and screws into a standard bulb socket. She has two of them screwed into desk lamps perched on a tall piece of furniture; she places her light-loving Meyer lemon tree underneath the light when she brings it indoors for winter and throughout the rest of the year, she can just use those lamps as normal. One note of caution: "The bulbs are heavy, so make sure the lamps are sturdy enough and don't tip over," she says.

LED Full Spectrum Grow Light Bulb, SANSI ($30)

Espiritu says his Agrobrite T5 fluorescent light systems are "very energy-efficient, long-lasting, and don't put out a lot of heat that could damage plants." He chose it over an LED model because it was less expensive up front, and he knew its replacement bulbs were affordable and readily available. "If you want to have a hybrid system, you can even buy LED bulbs for your T5 light fixture," he adds, making this a versatile pick that can grow with you over time.

Agrobrite FLT48 T5 Fluorescent, Hydrofarm ($278)

If you're ready to "bat in the big leagues," Kostovick says this is a great splurge. It comes with two removable shelves and magnetic LED fixtures that can be adjusted as needed. At 6,400 Kelvin, the lights appear white and are suitable for most plants. While it can be used year-round, this undercover grower can also store other items in the chance of an offseason.

Oslo 2-Tier LED Grow Light Garden ($289)