Do LEDs need tents?

There's not a whole load of light coming off to the side, would you loose much not using a tent to reflect back the light that escapes to the sides?

All other lights I've had are more 360deg light so a lot is reflected away not just down. Without a reflector I loose a lot maybe 30_40percent.

Could LEDs be more efficient adding some side lighting instead of a tent wall? I think I could imagine more efficient led systems than just the above plant hanging of the light.

Side lighting is always going to better than reflection because of the inverse law so no you don't need a tent. To me tents are not about reflecting light but about controlling air-flow/smell etc, but they had to color the walls something so may as well be reflective.

If I make the switch to LED's in the flower room I don't plan on using a tent.
There are a lot of solid growers not using a tent with LED.
I have two tents and plan to use one for vegging some clones with a hlg 288 v2.
I like to be intimate with each individual plant in the flower room and it makes it harder to access each plant, at least in my case.
I suppose it's different for each individual as some don't have the space or need it for environment or stealth.

When you have a real light you don't need a tent

Under powered lights yeah