MQ-500 Full-Spectrum Quantum PAR Meter - Digital PPFD Meter for Indoor Grow Lights, Sunlight & Plant Monitoring
Condition: New
Buy Now, Pay Later
As low as
/ mo
Learn more
- – Up to 36-month term if approved
- – No impact on credit to apply
- – Instant approval decision
- – Secure and straightforward checkout
Ready to go? Add this product to your cart and select a plan during checkout.
Payment plans are offered through our trusted finance partners Klarna, Affirm, Afterpay, Zip, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. No-credit-needed leasing options through Acima may also be available at checkout.
Learn more about financing & leasing here.
Selected Option
Free shipping on this product
30-day returns
Learn more
FREE 30-day refund/replacement
To qualify for a full refund, items must be returned in their original, unused condition. If an item is returned in a used, damaged, or materially different state, you may be granted a partial refund.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
Availability:
11 left in stock
Arrives
Thursday, Sep 17
Recently Viewed
Style: MQ-500
Features
- DR BRUCE BUGBEE: Apogee PAR meters have been designed and refined by Dr. Bruce Bugbee, a world-famous crop physiologist.
- PREMIUM QUALITY: The MQ-500 is preferred by scientists and serious growers for accurate PAR measurements. Our meters stay accurate and reliable while other budget PAR meters can have readings drift by over 50%.
- FEATURES: The rugged detector measures photosynthetic photons from 400-700 nm from any light source by taking instantaneous or logged measurements.
- RUGGED DESIGN: The sensor head is made of machined aluminum and fully potted, making it waterproof and rugged. The tangle-free cable facilitates measurements over a large plant canopy, while still allowing the user to view the high-contract display screen.
- MANUFACTURED IN THE USA: All meters are backed by our four-year warranty and supported by our US-based customer support team.
Package Dimensions: 9.69 x 6.38 x 2.32 inches
Item Weight: 6.4 ounces
Department: All Ages
Manufacturer: Apogee Instruments
Batteries: 1 Lithium Metal batteries required. (included)
Date First Available: January 1, 2022
Frequently asked questions
If you place your order now, the estimated arrival date for this product is:
Thursday, Sep 17
Yes, absolutely! You may return this product for a full refund within 30 days of receiving it.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
To initiate a return, please visit our Returns Center.
View our full returns policy here.
- Klarna Financing
- Affirm Pay in 4
- Affirm Financing
- Afterpay Financing
- Zip Pay in 4
- Financing through Apple Pay
- Financing through Google Pay
Learn more about financing & leasing here.
Similar Products
Top Amazon Reviews
Expensive but necessary.
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2025 by Dennis Stanworth
This product works great!
Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2022 by Nelson
lead plant scientist for Utah state university and for NASA space plant experiments. I was excited to buy this piece of kit till I received it. Since I have no other par meter than a phone app to compare, this review isn't about testing it but value for you money. The light sensor is the heart of the system. So far it seems more responsive to PAR than other light meters. Theres 1-2 stars Bruce. Then it falls straight on its face for build quality. I'll start from the outside and work my way in. Soft case? Are you kidding Bruce? This is a sensitive piece of electronic equipment. Or you have us thinking so due to you vids. Softcase? Get real in protection. Build of the box/display. Absolutely 6th grade quality. Yes i opened it. Cold solder joints! Shame on you. My neighbor kid could find a better enclosure at 1/3 your price and 3 times your build quality. And solder better than this device. All said,with Apogee, I expect readings to be accurate hence the purchase. Should I find later, the meter is inaccurate, I will update this review to a more negative. At this time, 4 stars for presumed accuracy based solely on the light sensor chosen.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on December 31, 2024 by j
I think my battery cover is defective. I'm spent at least an hour trying to get it back on but seems like it doesn't fit and I'm scared i'm going to break the device. I'll update the review if I can figure how to get the unit working. Kinda frustrated so far.
Reviewed in the United States on April 10, 2022 by bingeboy
I have a lot of rare tropical plants indoors that I'm constantly fussing with, so getting lighting right is extremely important. Measuring light shouldn't be that complicated or expensive but it is. I was happy to get this as a promotional item, I have no idea if it measures accuratly or not, but how to work this doesn't exist really in the box. I mean, you put the sensor at the plant and push a button and it gives a reading, but a millimeter tilt one way or another and your reading goes dramatically up or down. I don't see much direction one way or another on how to use other features, if they exist, besides point and push a button. But it does give a reading and I am trusting it to be accurate, I just wish this had an actual proper manual in the box and that it wasn't so much money to get.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on March 13, 2024 by MissFancyPantz
I'm happy with the accuracy of this product, I've done a few weeks of testing and the results are spot on. Past that, I don't believe it is worth the very hefty price tag, I have one that runs about $200 that I actually prefer. The interface is very basic and requires a lot of hand held recording to calculate the results you actually want. It would have also been nice if some sort of simple clip was included for the sensor. I didn't upgrade to the bundle for the telescopic wand, as is it is very hard to keep the sensor in place. Other than that, I do appreciate the accuracy in this tool as I will use it to properly care for around 175 houseplants. Overall, if you have the income I wouldn't steer you away, but it's worth researching many more affordable options out there.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2024 by jenecomprendspas
My thoughts in short on the MQ-500 are that its well built, accurate but the user interface is a bit basic. After several weeks of testing the results I've gotten from the sensor are very accurate. Despite dunking the sensor in water multiple times it hasn't affected sensor functionality or accuracy. While I'm happy with the data I've collected from the MQ-500, I'm just not crazy about the UI. It's not intuitive to use, its basic and it will require a PC for further analysis. This isn't a deal breaker, but its in my opinion the meter's biggest flaw. Outside of that its a robust and accurate PAR meter.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on January 21, 2024 by Cameron