SANlight EVO vs Medic SS420+: Which LED Grow Light Is Right for Your Setup?

LED grow lights are now the best choice for indoor hydroponic growing in Australia. Modern full-spectrum LEDs like SANlight deliver equal or better yields than 600W HPS while using 40 to 60 percent less electricity and producing significantly less heat. For most Australian growers, LED is the right choice for both new setups and HPS upgrades.

Why LED has become the default choice for indoor growers in Australia

Five years ago, 600W HPS was still the benchmark for serious indoor growing in Australia. Today, LED has overtaken it for most applications. The reasons are straightforward: lower running costs, less heat to manage, longer fixture lifespan, and efficacy ratings that now match or exceed HPS in terms of usable light delivered to the canopy. The challenge is that not all LEDs are equal. The market is flooded with fixtures that look impressive on paper but underdeliver in practice. If you're weighing a proper fixture against something from a hardware store, our grow lights vs Bunnings comparison walks through exactly why the two are not interchangeable for a fruiting or flowering crop. This guide focuses on two LED options that are genuinely worth considering for Australian indoor growers.

What to look for in an LED grow light

Efficacy measured in µmol/J is the most important number on any LED spec sheet. It measures how efficiently the fixture converts electrical energy into photosynthetically active light. Anything above 2.5 µmol/J is considered high efficiency. Below 2.0 µmol/J and you are paying more to run the light than you need to. PPF measured in µmol/s tells you the total photon output of the fixture. Combined with efficacy, this tells you how much usable light the fixture produces and how efficiently it produces it. A PPFD coverage map shows how evenly the light distributes across your canopy at a given hang height — a high PPF number means nothing if the light creates hotspots in the centre and dark edges. Heat output matters in Australian summers, where a fixture that runs hot adds meaningfully to your cooling load. Look for fixtures with at least a three to five year warranty and a track record of reliable performance.

SANlight EVO Series

The SANlight EVO Series is built in Austria to a standard that most LED manufacturers do not come close to. The EVO 4-120 Single delivers 3.1 µmol/J efficacy, making it one of the most efficient LED fixtures available in Australia. The bar-style design delivers even PPFD distribution across a rectangular canopy, eliminating the hotspot-to-shadow variation that disc-style LEDs create. Passive cooling with no moving parts means no fans to fail, no noise, and significantly less radiant heat than comparable HPS or lower-efficiency LED fixtures. It pairs best with the HOMEbox R120S (120x60cm) for a single unit, or the HOMEbox R120 (120x90cm) for a two-unit configuration. If you're deciding between SANlight and a more budget-oriented brand, our SANlight EVO vs Spider Farmer comparison covers that specific decision in detail.

Medic SS420+

The Medic SS420+ is a 430W full-spectrum LED grow light designed and manufactured in Australia. At 2.52 µmol/J efficacy and 1058 µmol/s PPF, it delivers output comparable to a 600W HPS with significantly lower running costs and heat output. It is designed for Australian conditions with local warranty support and parts availability. It pairs best with the HOMEbox R120 (120x90cm) for a matched footprint and optimal PPFD coverage across the full canopy.

SANlight EVO versus Medic SS420+

The SANlight EVO wins on efficacy at 3.1 µmol/J versus 2.52 µmol/J — over a full season the difference in electricity costs is meaningful. The Medic SS420+ delivers higher total PPF, making it better suited to larger canopies or growers transitioning from 600W HPS. Both run cooler than HPS, with SANlight's passive cooling giving it a slight edge in heat management. Medic has local manufacturing and support. SANlight is imported but well-supported through Australian distributors. Both are premium fixtures — the SANlight EVO commands a higher price per watt, justified by its efficacy rating and build quality.

Moving from HPS to LED

If you are transitioning from a 600W HPS to LED, expect a period of adjustment. LED light has a different spectral profile to HPS and plants often respond with tighter internodal spacing and slightly different leaf morphology in the first cycle. This is normal and resolves as your plants adapt. The practical benefits show up quickly — lower tent temperatures, reduced electricity bills, and less heat stress during Australian summer months are all measurable from the first run. Most growers who make the switch do not go back.

Which one to choose

For growers prioritising maximum efficiency and long-term running cost savings, the SANlight EVO is the stronger choice. For growers transitioning from HPS who want high output in a familiar footprint with local support, the Medic SS420+ is a proven, reliable option. Both will outperform budget LED alternatives in yield quality and consistency over multiple cycles.

Hydroponic grow lights and grow lamps in Australia

For the full range of hydroponic grow lights and grow lamps available in Australia, including the SANlight EVO Series, Medic SS420+, and HPS options, browse our lighting collection.

Written by the Apex Grow Team — Melbourne, Victoria-based hydroponics specialists.

Which Light to Buy

For a single 120x120cm tent, the SANlight EVO Series is the option this guide keeps coming back to, and for good reason, it's the benchmark most other lights here get compared against. If budget is the deciding factor rather than long-term running cost, the Medic SS420+ is the more accessible entry point without dropping to hardware-store quality.

Match the light to your tent, not the other way around, a HOMEbox R120S suits a smaller-footprint single fixture, while the full R120 gives a higher-output light room to actually cover the canopy properly.