ViparSpectra XS 1000 Review

The ViparSpectra XS-1000 is the latest addition to the XS series. It is the smallest fixture in the line and draws only about 120 watts. I tested the somewhat larger XS1500 last fall. It earned my top pick for 2×2 coverage. The XS-1000 is also meant for 2×2 coverage. It does not put out quite as much light as the XS-1500, but I was pleased with how well it lit up the 2×2 area. I think the ViparSpectra XS-1000 is a perfect light for seedlings, clones and mothers. If you have modest harvest goals, it will be a perfect lamp for your 2×2 space.

The ViparSpectra XS series uses top of the line components with Samsung LM301b diodes and a Mean Well driver. They use both 3000k and 5000k full spectrum diodes. They also include a few 660nm red and 730nm infrared diodes. There is a total of 252 diodes. With a power draw of 120 watts, it has 2.1 diodes per watt, which is average. Other fixtures in this class have between 218 and 350 diodes. However, the XS-1000 uses the best.

I tested the ViparSpectra XS-1000 in a 60cm x 60 cm (about 2’ x 2’) area. I assumed that it would be underpowered. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the PAR map. The XS-1000 comes very close to fully lighting the 2’ x 2’ space, which is impressive because I measured the power draw at only 117 watts.

I hung the XS-1000 at a height of only 28.5cm (about 11.25 inches) above the sensor. The Maximum PPFD in the center was 1000 µmol/m². The corners are all in the mid-400s, which is lower than ideal, but higher than I expected. The lowest PPFD was 431, which is reasonable. Aside from the corners, the PPFD is excellent across the rest of the map.

The larger ViparSpectra XS-1500 fills in a 2’ x 2’ PAR map better than the XS-1000. The XS-1500 that I tested drew 153 watts and filled the 2’ x 2’ test area with perfect density light. If you are looking to maximize production in a 2×2 area, the XS-1500 is a great option. We estimate that you can harvest 7.5 ounces from one XS-1500 in a 2’ x 2’ area. See my complete test report for the ViparSpectra XS-1500.

The ViparSpectra XS-1000 comes very close to fully lighting the 2’ x 2’ area. Although the corners are below 500 µmol/m², they are close enough to power the growth of high-quality buds. The XS-1000 would be a great choice if you are more interested in efficiency than maximizing production. We estimate that good growers will be able to harvest 6.0 ounces from a 2’ x 2’ area with an XS-1000.

In our official PAR test, the XS-1000 delivered an average PPFD of 620 µmol/m². This means that it delivered a total of 223.2 µmol of Usable light to the canopy. With a power draw of only 117 watts, the XS-1000 has a Usable Photon Efficiency of 1.91 µmol/w. This is somewhat higher than the XS-1500 that I tested, which measured 1.83 µmol/w.

The ViparSpectra XS-1000 and XS-1500 come at attractive prices. ViparSpectra sells primarily through Amazon. Use code DrMJCoco for 3% off all XS-series fixtures on Amazon. With the discount, the XS-1000 will cost less than $120, or about $0.52/ µmol. The XS-1500 will be less than $150 with the discount, or about $0.53/ µmol. These are incredible prices for quality, high-efficiency LED grow lights.

Both the ViparSpectra XS-1000 and XS-1500 are great little lights. They have convenient dimmers which make them perfect for raising seedlings or clones. In fact, I am tempted to keep this XS-1000 for my own seedlings. They would also make excellent lights for mother plants. So, even if you have a large grow with large lights, these little fixtures may come in handy.

For growers with modest goals of about 6-7.5 ounces per harvest, The XS-1000 or XS-1500 are great options. They are high efficiency fixtures at an excellent price. They will both light up a 2’ x 2’ space and power your plants through to a great harvest.