COB LED Strip Lights: A Comparison with SMDs LED

COB LED Strip Lights: A Comparison with SMDs LED

• Uniform Light Source

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COB LED strips provide a continuous and smooth lighting source rather than the noticeable bright dots seen in SMD strips. This diffuse light is gentle on the eyes, avoiding the harshness associated with targeted center dots.

Standard SMD flex strips can create noticeable hotspots when the light is close to a surface or when the strip is visible. In contrast, COB strips emit a soft, steady light from end to end, presenting an appealing effect without a visible lighting dot.

Ideal Uses for COB Strips:

1. 1. Locations where hiding the strip is not possible.
   2. Surfaces illuminated within 2 feet of the light bar.
   3. Perfect for reflective surfaces like glass or granite.
   4. Areas where a neon effect is desired.

• Enhanced Flexibility

Due to their compact size and uniform light distribution, COB strips are more flexible. They fit easily into tight spaces and are less likely to protrude compared to SMD strips.

• Improved Stability

The design of COB strips uses three chips: one in parallel, one in each group, and one in series to form a step. This means that even if one or two chips fail, the strip will continue to produce light without dark spots.

• Wider Emitting Angle

COB LED lights offer a 180-degree beam angle, compared to the 120-degree angle of SMD LED strip lights, resulting in a larger lighting area.

Differences Between COB and SMD Strip Lights

What is COB LED Lighting?

COB LED, short for Chip-on-Board LED, consists of multiple LED chips mounted directly onto a circuit board, creating a single, compact light source that is both brighter and more efficient than traditional LEDs.

What is SMD LED Lighting?

SMD LED stands for Surface-Mount Device LED, a type of LED soldered directly onto a printed circuit board (PCB), making them smaller and easier to manufacture than traditional LED packages.

How Much Brighter is COB Compared to SMD?

COB LEDs are generally three times brighter than SMD LEDs due to multiple chips mounted on a circuit board. This results in significantly higher lumens per watt, as illustrated in this comparison:

COB LEDs deliver higher lumens per watt than SMD LEDs, making them more efficient.

Is COB Light Smoother than SMD?

COB LEDs provide smoother illumination as their multiple chips evenly distribute light over the circuit board. This reduces shadows and hotspots, resulting in a more pleasant light output. In contrast, SMD LEDs tend to have more visible shadows and hotspots due to the closer spacing of individual chips.

Does COB Have a Wider Beam Angle than SMD?

COB LEDs generally have a wider beam angle due to their multiple chips mounted on a circuit board, allowing for broader light distribution. In contrast, SMD LEDs with a single chip emit a more narrow beam of light.

Are COB and SMD Strip Lights Installed Similarly?

While both types of strip lights are installed similarly, there are differences due to their packaging structures:

COB Strip Lights Installation:

1. Clean the surface with alcohol to remove dirt, dust, and grease.
2. Measure and cut the strip lights along designated cutting marks.
3. Connect the power supply, ensuring the correct polarity.
4. Mount the strip lights using the adhesive backing or mounting clips for additional support.
5. Test the lights by plugging in the power supply.

SMD Strip Lights Installation:

1. Clean the surface thoroughly.
2. Measure and cut the strip lights along cutting marks.
3. Attach end caps to protect the exposed circuit board.
4. Connect the power supply, ensuring proper polarity.
5. Mount the strip lights and use mounting clips if needed.
6. Test the lights.

Key Differences:

COB strip lights generally don't require soldering, whereas SMD strip lights might need soldering for certain applications. SMD strip lights often require end caps for protection, unlike the more robust design of COB strip lights.

Energy Efficiency: COB vs. SMD

Generally, COB LED strip lights are more energy-efficient than SMD LED strip lights due to their denser chip placement, allowing more light per watt. Here’s a comparison of their efficiency:

COB LEDs can be up to 40% more light-efficient, reducing the number needed to achieve desired brightness and saving on energy costs over time.

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Cost Comparison: COB vs. SMD

COB LED strip lights typically cost more than SMD LED strip lights due to their complex manufacturing process and denser chip arrangement, usually about 20-30% higher. However, their advantages in energy efficiency, uniform light output, and durability may justify the additional cost.

Lifespan of COB vs. SMD LED Strip Lights

Both COB and SMD LED strip lights generally have long lifespans, ranging from 50,000 to 100,000 hours. Factors that can influence their longevity include:

• Quality of the LED chips: Higher quality chips last longer.
• Operating temperature: Overheating can reduce lifespan.
• Humidity: High humidity can cause corrosion.
• Dimming: Stress from dimming can shorten lifespan.

COB LEDs usually have slightly better heat dissipation, potentially extending their lifespan, though both types should last for several years.

Heat Generation: COB vs. SMD

COB LED strip lights typically generate more heat than SMD LED strip lights due to their denser chip placement. Proper heat dissipation is necessary to maintain performance and lifespan.

Wattage: COB vs. SMD

COB LED strip lights generally consume more wattage than SMD LED strip lights due to closer chip placement. The power consumption can be compared as follows:

Color Options for COB LED Strip Lights

COB LED strip lights come in various colors, including:

• RGB: Mix of red, green, and blue LEDs for a wide range of colors.
• RGBW: RGB with an added white LED for more color options.
• Single-color: Available in red, green, blue, yellow, white, pink, etc.
• White: Adjustable to any color temperature from warm to cool white.

Controlling COB LED Strip Lights

COB LED strip lights can change color using controllers like remote controls, smartphone apps, or voice assistants, available in various RGB and single-color options. They can also be controlled using DMX protocols for more precise and professional setups.

Different Controllers for COB and SMD LED Strip Lights

COB and SMD LED strip lights require different controllers due to their unique electrical characteristics. COB LEDs often require constant voltage (CV) controllers, while SMD LEDs need constant current (CC) controllers. Additionally, they have different connector types, which are not compatible.

Choosing Between COB and SMD LEDs

Decision factors for using COB over SMD include:

• COB LEDs:
• High brightness needs
• Uniform light distribution
• Wider beam angle
• Manageable heat dissipation

• SMD LEDs:
• Cost-effectiveness
• Compactness
• Versatility in color temperature
• Durability

Your choice depends on specific application requirements such as brightness, light distribution, beam angle, cost, space availability, color versatility, and durability.