COB LED vs. SMD LED: Which One Shines Brighter?
COB LED vs. SMD LED: Which One Shines Brighter?
You love your LED lights because they have long lifespans and are more efficient than traditional fluorescent bulbs. Moreover, these lights are safer and incur lower maintenance costs.
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However, not all LED lights are created equal.
In fact, there are two main types of LEDs: the chip on board (COB) LED and the surface-mounted device (SMD) LED.
Both options produce quality light and offer longevity and efficiency, but they come with unique advantages.
Let's explore the differences between COB LEDs and SMD LEDs to help you decide which is right for your space.
Let's dive in!
COB LED
A COB LED light integrates multiple LED chips mounted onto a single board. With all the light's output concentrated in one area, enhanced cooling capacity is necessary.
This leads to a sizable heat sink, typically constructed from aluminum, to dissipate the heat effectively.
Due to the larger heat sink, COB LEDs might be costlier compared to SMD LEDs.
SMD LED
While COB LEDs are efficient, SMD LEDs often offer even greater efficiency with more lumens generated per watt.
In essence, you can achieve a higher light output using less wattage with SMD LEDs.
SMD LEDs produce a wider beam of light, reducing the need for an extensive heat sink. Consequently, SMD LEDs tend to be less expensive. Additionally, they come with frosted reflectors that facilitate even light dispersion and conceal the chip array.
Why Opt for COB LED?
Generally, COB LEDs are regarded as higher-quality light sources due to their reflectors that provide focused and controlled illumination. Unlike SMD LEDs, they do not have frosted lenses, resulting in cleaner and sharper light. This feature makes COB LEDs particularly advantageous in spaces with high ceilings.
Often perceived as a premium option, cob LEDs contribute to a more architectural aesthetic. If you plan on long-term use in your home, choose COB; for investment properties, SMD is sufficient.
Why Choose SMD LED?
As mentioned, SMD LEDs are particularly effective for widespread lighting across a large area, making them ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, or bedrooms. However, they may exhibit more glare compared to COB LED lights.
How We Can Assist
We provide a vast array of high-quality LED lighting options, including emergency lights, spike lights, floodlights, and dimmers.
Our mission is to help you reduce your carbon footprint by utilizing lights that consume 80% less power, and with lifespans that are ten times longer than traditional bulbs.
Contact us today to learn more about our COB LED and SMD LED options and experience their unique benefits first-hand!
What are the differences between COB and SMD Strip ...
What is COB LED Lighting? COB LED stands for Chip-on-Board LED. This type consists of multiple LED chips directly mounted onto a circuit board, creating a compact light source that is brighter and more efficient than conventional LEDs.
What is SMD LED Lighting? SMD LED stands for Surface-Mount Device LED. These are soldered directly onto a printed circuit board (PCB), making them smaller and easier to manufacture compared to traditional LED packages.
How much brighter is COB over SMD? COB LEDs are typically brighter than SMD LEDs, with the capacity to produce up to three times more light. This is due to the multiple chips mounted on the board, allowing for increased light production.
Here’s a comparison of lumens:
SMD 5W: 480 Lumens | COB 5W: 576 Lumens
SMD 10W: 960 Lumens | COB 10W: Lumens
SMD 15W: Lumens | COB 15W: Lumens
Clearly, COB LEDs exhibit a higher lumens-per-watt ratio than SMD LEDs, producing more light for the same electrical consumption.
Does COB output smoother light than SMD? Generally, COB LEDs yield smoother light due to the evenly dispersed chips on the circuit board, resulting in less shadowing. Conversely, SMD LEDs, with chips spaced closer together, can produce uneven light distribution.
Does COB have a wider angle than SMD? Typically, COB LEDs provide a wider beam angle, offering a broader distribution of light, ideal for general illumination and various applications.
Are COB and SMD Strip Lights installed similarly? Installation processes can be comparable, with minor differences tied to their packaging. Generally, COB can be simpler with no soldering, while SMD may require more setup for connections.
How much energy does COB LED strip lights use compared to SMD LED Strip Lights? COB LED strip lights are generally more energy efficient because they generate more light per watt, with COB producing 80-120 lumens and SMD 50-80 lumens per watt.
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Thus, COB LED strips commonly yield 40% more light per watt compared to SMD LED strips.
Do COB LED Strip Lights cost more than SMD LED Strip Lights? Yes, COB LED strip lights generally run higher in cost — about 20-30% — due to their more intricate manufacturing process and materials.
However, COB lights may justify the cost with advantages such as superior efficiency, consistent light quality, and durability, making them a strong choice for demanding applications.
Will COB LED Strip Lights last as long as SMD LED Strip Lights? Both types share a long lifespan of around 50,000 to 100,000 hours, but COB LEDs may slightly outlast SMDs due to their superior heat dissipation.
Factors affecting lifespan include chip quality, temperature management, humidity exposure, and appropriate dimming techniques.
Will COB LED Strip Lights run hotter than SMD LED Strip Lights? Yes, COB strips can get hotter due to their density and power. Proper heat management is crucial for optimal performance.
Do COB LED Strip Lights use the same wattage as SMD LED Strip Lights? Generally, COB strips consume more wattage compared to SMD, which affects their heat and power requirements.
Typical wattages are 5-20 watts for COB and 3-12 watts for SMD.
What are the cut points on COB LED Strip Lights? There are diverse lighting options, including RGB, RGBW, and single-color variants, catering to various applications.
Can COB LED Strip Lights change color? Yes, COB strips can change colors with the help of appropriate controllers for a customized lighting experience.
Can COB LED Strip Lights be controlled using DMX? COB LED strips are compatible with DMX, necessitating a DMX decoder for effective management of brightness and color.
Do COB LED Strip Lights need a different controller than SMD LED Strip Lights? Yes, controllers vary due to distinct characteristics in voltage and current requirements between the two types.
When is it best to use COB LED over SMD LED? Choose COB for higher brightness, uniform distribution, broader angles, and when heat management is feasible. Opt for SMD when cost-efficiency and compactness are essential.
For more details, please consult our page on how to solder smd led.
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