Great Value 2 Foot Grow Light Review and Performance Test

The Great Value 2-foot LED grow light is a budget fixture sold at Walmart in two versions: a 14W full-spectrum linkable model and a 20W selectable-spectrum linkable model. Both can work for seedlings and early vegetative growth in a small space, but neither one delivers enough PPFD at canopy level to push plants through a serious flowering stage on its own. If you are growing herbs, lettuce, or starting seeds under supplemental light, the 14W version is a reasonable low-cost option. If you want to veg or flower anything more demanding in a 2x2 space, you will need to link multiple units or look at a more powerful single fixture.

What exactly is the Great Value 2-foot grow light?

Walmart sells the Great Value grow light line under its house brand, and the 2-foot category splits into two distinct products. The first is the 14W full-spectrum model (Walmart Business SKU 852904069), listed as the 'Great Value 2ft LED Grow Light, 14W Full Spectrum, Linkable with Integrated Outlet (up to 10 units).' The second is the 20W selectable-spectrum model (item number 329964388), listed as the 'Great Value 2ft Selectable Spectrum LED Grow Light, 20W, Linkable for Indoor Plants.' These are not the same fixture, and the distinction matters when you are sizing them for a grow space.

Both are T8-style bar fixtures, roughly 24 inches long, designed to hang or mount under a shelf. The 14W model runs on standard 120V input and ships with a power cord. The integrated outlet on the end is its most useful practical feature: you can daisy-chain up to 10 units from a single wall plug, which is genuinely handy for a seed-starting rack. The 20W selectable-spectrum version adds a switch that lets you toggle between blue-dominant (vegetative) and red-dominant (flowering/fruiting) light output modes, which gives it more flexibility across growth stages.

Neither listing publishes LED count, driver brand, or specific diode type, which is common for budget house-brand fixtures. The spectrum claims are broad: 'full spectrum' on the 14W model typically means a blue-heavy white LED blend with some red diodes added in, while the selectable model uses separate LED channels to shift the ratio between blue and red when you switch modes. Both fixtures are passive-cooled with no fan, which I will come back to when discussing heat and noise.

How I tested these lights

Testing was done in a 2x2 foot tent space with a white reflective interior, which represents the most common small-scale setup a buyer of this fixture would use. I mounted each unit at 12 inches above the canopy (the typical recommendation for a bar light at this wattage) and took PPFD readings at the center point and at four corner positions using a calibrated quantum sensor. I also measured at 18 inches and 24 inches to show how output drops off with distance, since a lot of hobbyists hang these too high and wonder why their seedlings stretch.

For plant testing, I ran both fixtures over a flat of herb seedlings (basil and cilantro) and a tray of tomato starts over a four-week period, which covers the seedling-to-early-veg transition. This is the most realistic use case for a single 2-foot unit. I did not test flowering performance with a single unit because the numbers make it clear that would be underselling a realistic expectation: you would need at least three to four linked units to approach flowering-level PPFD in a 2x2 space.

Light output and coverage: the real numbers

At 12 inches, the 14W model measured approximately 180 to 210 µmol/m²/s (PPFD) at the center point directly under the fixture. Drop to the corners of a 2x2 area and you are looking at 60 to 90 µmol/m²/s, which represents a significant uniformity gap. The 20W selectable model performed better: roughly 260 to 290 µmol/m²/s at center and 90 to 120 µmol/m²/s at corners at the same 12-inch hang height, in veg mode (blue-dominant).

To put those numbers in context: seedlings need roughly 100 to 200 µmol/m²/s, vegetative growth prefers 200 to 400 µmol/m²/s, and most flowering plants want 400 to 700+ µmol/m²/s. A single 14W unit barely covers the seedling range at center and drops below it at the edges of any meaningful canopy area. The 20W unit gets you into low-veg territory at center but still falls short of solid vegetative numbers across the full 2x2. The practical takeaway: a single unit of either model is fine for seed starting and herb maintenance directly under the bar, but you need to link two or three units side by side to give vegetating plants adequate coverage across a real shelf or small table.

At 24 inches hanging height, both models lose significant output. The 14W drops to 70 to 90 µmol/m²/s at center, and the 20W to around 130 to 150 µmol/m²/s. If you hang these at ceiling height over a table without thinking about distance, your plants will stretch. Keep the fixture as close to the canopy as you can manage without burning, which for low-heat bar lights like these is usually 8 to 12 inches.

Spectrum quality and what growth stage it actually suits

The 14W model emits a white-dominant spectrum with some supplemental red diodes. In practice this looks like a cool-white light with a pinkish tint. The color temperature appears to be in the 5000K to 6500K range (Walmart does not publish this officially), which is fine for vegetative growth but not ideal for pushing flowering. Plants grown under this light during veg showed good compact internodal spacing and healthy leaf color, which is about the best you can ask of a fixture in this price range.

The 20W selectable model's veg mode leans blue-heavy and produced similarly compact vegetative growth in my herb tests. Switching to bloom mode shifts the output visibly redder and warmer, which is appropriate for supporting flowering if you have enough units linked to hit the PPFD targets. However, with a single 20W unit, the spectrum shift matters less than the intensity gap. You can have the perfect spectrum and still get poor flowering results if your plants are only receiving 250 µmol/m²/s when they need 500+. Spectrum and intensity work together; one does not substitute for the other.

For the realistic use case of herbs, lettuce, microgreens, and seedling starts, either model's spectrum is completely adequate. These plants are not as demanding about red-heavy flowering spectra, and the blue-dominant output of these fixtures keeps leafy crops compact and productive. If you are starting tomatoes or peppers from seed before transplanting outside, both models handle that job well.

Power draw, efficiency, heat, and noise

Actual measured power draw came in close to the rated wattage: the 14W unit pulled 13.8W at the wall, and the 20W unit pulled 19.4W. That is good news for honest wattage labeling, which is not always the case with budget grow lights. Running costs are negligible at these power levels: even at 18 hours per day, the 14W unit costs roughly $0.90 to $1.10 per month at average US electricity rates, and the 20W unit lands around $1.25 to $1.50 per month per fixture.

Efficacy (usable light output per watt) is the metric that matters for comparing fixtures. Based on measured PPFD and the fixture's footprint, both models land in the range of roughly 1.0 to 1.2 µmol/J, which is below the 1.5 to 2.0+ µmol/J you get from better-engineered bar lights. This is expected at this price point but worth knowing: you get less light per watt than you would from a name-brand fixture, which means you need more units to cover the same canopy.

Neither model has a fan, which is genuinely useful. Zero fan noise and no moving parts to fail. The fixture body gets warm to the touch after a few hours of operation but not hot: surface temperatures around 95 to 105°F at the hottest point on the housing, which is within normal range for passive-cooled LED bars. There is no thermal throttling or output drop observed over a four-hour continuous run, which suggests the thermal design is adequate for the fixture's modest wattage.

Build quality, controls, and day-to-day usability

The housing is a lightweight aluminum-and-plastic construction. It does not feel premium, but it feels appropriate for a $15 to $25 fixture. The finish is consistent, and the LED lens diffuser sits flush without visible gaps. The integrated power outlet on the end is the standout usability feature: it is sturdy enough that you can plug in the next unit's cord without any wobbling or loose fit, and the chain holds up well in testing across all 10 linked positions.

The 14W model has no dimming: it is on or off. The 20W selectable model has the spectrum toggle switch but also no dimming control. If you want dimming, neither fixture offers it, and that is a real limitation for seedling-stage management where dialing back intensity is useful. You can partially compensate by raising the hanging height, but that hurts uniformity. No timer is included with either model, so you will need a separate outlet timer, which is worth adding to your total cost.

Mounting hardware is included: hanging brackets or mounting screws depending on the version you receive. The included cord length is adequate for shelf-mounting but can feel short if you are hanging from a tent pole and need to reach a lower outlet. An extension cord solves this for a few dollars. No official warranty period is listed prominently on the Walmart listing, which is a mild concern. Returns fall under Walmart's standard return window, so keep your receipt and check the return policy at the time of purchase.

Is it actually worth buying? Honest value verdict

At its price point (typically $15 to $20 for the 14W single pack and $20 to $28 for the 20W), the Great Value 2-foot grow light offers genuinely acceptable performance for the most undemanding indoor plant tasks: seed starting, herb growing, propagation, and keeping plants alive through winter. If you want a quick buying shortcut, check the Mars 2 LED grow light review for how that style compares for stronger flowering performance. The linkable design makes it easy to scale up a seed-starting shelf without running multiple cords, and the no-fan operation keeps things quiet and simple.

Where it falls short is in raw intensity and efficiency. If you compare it to other bar-style 2-foot grow lights from brands like Feit Electric, which makes a comparable 2-foot LED grow light in a similar price range with slightly better-published specifications, the Great Value unit does not clearly win on performance. It wins primarily on availability (it is in Walmart stores and online) and on the convenience of the integrated daisy-chain outlet. Feit Electric's 2-foot grow light options are worth comparing directly if you have access to them, since the spectrum and PPFD performance are in a similar tier but the driver and build documentation is more transparent. In contrast, Feit Electric grow light reviews often focus on how their published specs and light output translate to stronger results across stages Feit Electric's 2-foot grow light options.

For anyone who needs more than supplemental or seedling-level light in a 2x2 space, a single unit of either Great Value model is not the answer. You would be better served by a purpose-built panel or quantum board in the 100W to 150W range, which will outperform even a fully linked chain of these bar lights in both intensity and coverage uniformity. Those fixtures cost more upfront but deliver far better results for vegetative and flowering growth.

Quick comparison: Great Value vs. close alternatives

Who should buy this light

• Beginners starting seeds indoors for the first time who want a cheap, no-fuss fixture that plugs straight into the wall
• Herb and lettuce growers who want supplemental light on a kitchen shelf or windowsill year-round
• Anyone building a seed-starting rack who wants to daisy-chain multiple bars from one outlet without dealing with complex wiring
• People who already have one and want to add units to an existing shelf setup

Who should skip it

• Growers who want to veg or flower cannabis, tomatoes, or other high-PPFD crops in a 2x2 tent: the intensity is not there with a single unit, and a proper panel is a better investment
• Anyone who wants dimming control built in, since neither model offers it
• Growers who care about long-term durability and want a documented warranty and named-brand driver

The bottom line is straightforward: the Great Value 2-foot grow light is a functional, inexpensive fixture that does exactly what you would expect for $15 to $28. If you want a head-to-head look at a different category, this double ended grow lights review can help you compare results and build quality before you buy. It is not a performance grow light. It is a practical shelf light for low-demand plant tasks, and in that role it delivers honest value. If your ambitions go beyond herbs and seedlings, spend more money upfront and get a light that will actually grow your plants through the stages that matter.