LED strip lights are flexible circuit boards populated with surface-mounted light-emitting diodes (LEDs) that are typically used for decorative, ambient, or task lighting. They come in various lengths and can be cut or connected to fit different spaces. LED strip lights are known for their versatility, energy efficiency, and ability to produce various colors and lighting effects.

LED strip lights are commonly used for accent lighting, under cabinet lighting, cove lighting, signage, and other decorative applications. They are easy to install, low-profile, and can be controlled remotely, making them a popular choice for both residential and commercial lighting projects.

LED strip lights come in various types to suit different applications and preferences. Generally, there are 5 common types of LED strip lights:

1. Silicone Neon Strip Light

Silicone Neon Strips are a modern alternative to traditional glass neon lights. They adopt a high light transmittance and environmental protection grade silicone gel material with an integrated extrusion molding process. Their protection grade can reach up to IP67/IP68. With excellent heat resistance, cold resistance, aging resistance, yellowing resistance, UV resistance, and saltwater resistance, the outstanding feature of the material is a wide temperature range from -50 to 200 degrees, making them ideal for accent lighting, signage, architectural lighting, and decorative purposes.

2. Flexible LED Wall Washer

Flexible LED wall washers are lighting fixtures designed to illuminate walls, facades, or other surfaces with a broad wash of light. These fixtures consist of multiple LED light sources arranged in a linear configuration, allowing for an even distribution of light across a surface. They’re flexible to be bent or adjusted to different angles, enabling them to conform to various architectural features or design requirements. This flexibility makes them versatile for highlighting curved surfaces, corners, or intricate details within a space. Flexible wall washers are commonly used in architectural lighting to enhance the aesthetics of buildings, bridges, landscapes, and interior spaces. They can create dramatic lighting effects, emphasize textures, and set the mood in both indoor and outdoor environments.

3. COB LED Strip Lights

COB (Chip-on-Board) LED strip lights are a type of LED lighting solution that features multiple LED chips mounted closely together on a single board. This design allows for a high density of LED chips, resulting in a brighter and more intense light output compared to traditional LED strips. COB strip lights are known for their excellent brightness, uniform light distribution, and high color rendering capabilities, making them ideal for applications where high-intensity lighting is required. The close proximity of the LED chips on the board also helps to reduce glare and create a smooth, dotless, continuous lighting effect.

4. Universal LED Strip Lights

Universal LED strip lights are the foundational type of LED strip lighting commonly used for various applications. Constructed with a flexible circuit board hosting surface-mounted light-emitting diodes (LEDs) arranged at consistent intervals, these strips offer a versatile and adaptable lighting solution for a diverse range of residential, commercial, and decorative settings. They are available in various lengths and color temperatures, allowing users to customize the lighting effects to suit their specific needs and preferences. These standard strip lights are commonly employed for accent lighting, task lighting, ambient lighting, and decorative purposes in both indoor and outdoor environments.

5. Waterproof LED Strip Lights

Waterproof LED strip lights are designed to withstand exposure to moisture, water, and humidity, making them suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications where protection against environmental elements is necessary. These waterproof strip lights are encased in a protective waterproof material, typically silicone or a special resin coating, that shields the LED components from water and moisture infiltration. This protective layer prevents damage to the LEDs and ensures the longevity and reliability of the strip lights in damp or wet conditions. Luminouslite’s waterproof strip light series includes Silicone Waterproof, PU Waterproof, Shrink Wrap Covering, Nano Coating, Silicone square tube/solid extrusion, and Silicone half round tube/solid extrusion.

When considering purchasing LED strip lights, it’s important to delve deeper into several key factors to ensure you make an informed decision:

• Brightness and Color Rendering

LED strip lights come in various brightness levels measured in lumens per foot/meter. For example, Luminouslite has a power range from 5w/m, 10w/m, 15w/m and 20w/m. Consider the brightness needed for the desired lighting effect for different projects and space requirements. Additionally, the Color Rendering Index (CRI) indicates how accurately the light source renders colors; higher CRI values (typically above 80) are preferable for applications where color accuracy is important.

• Color Temperature

LED strip lights are available in different color temperatures, ranging from warm white (around 2700K-3000K) to cool white (5000K-6500K). For home applications, choosing a warm color temperature is preferable. Warm white light (2700K-3000K) emits a cozy and inviting glow, making it ideal for creating a comfortable and relaxing atmosphere in residential spaces like living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas. This color temperature can help promote a sense of warmth and intimacy, making it well-suited for areas where you want to unwind and feel at ease.

On the other hand, in commercial settings like offices, retail stores, or workspaces, neutral white (3500K-4500K) or cool white (5000K-6500K) LED strip lights are commonly used. Neutral white light provides a balanced and natural illumination that is suitable for tasks requiring focus and productivity, making it a good choice for work environments where clarity and alertness are important.

• Type of LED Chips

Different LED chips, such as SMD (Surface Mount Device) or COB (Chip-on-Board), offer varying levels of brightness, efficiency, and color consistency. SMD LEDs are individual diodes mounted on a strip or tape. They are small, flat, and often rectangular in shape. COB LEDs consist of multiple LED chips mounted closely together on a single board. This design allows for high power density and improved thermal management.

If you need high brightness levels and intense light output, COB LEDs may be more suitable. For applications where moderate brightness is sufficient, SMD LEDs could be a good choice. While SMD LEDs can also provide uniform lighting when diffused properly, the individual diodes on the strip may be more noticeable compared to COB LEDs, especially in applications where a dotless appearance is desired. COB LED strip lights are preferred if the strip lights will be installed in a location where they are visible. The close arrangement of LED chips on the COB board can help create a more seamless and dotless lighting effect, providing a continuous and uniform illumination without visible individual diodes.

• IP Rating for Waterproofing

The Ingress Protection (IP) rating indicates the level of protection against solids and liquids. For outdoor or wet environments, opt for LED strip lights with a higher IP rating from IP65, and IP67 to IP68.  IP65 strip light: Suitable for outdoor environments exposed to rain, snow, or splashing water. Provides protection against dust and low-pressure water jets from all directions. IP67 strip light: Suitable for outdoor environments exposed to rain and moisture and can withstand immersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes. IP68 strip light: They are fully sealed against dust ingress and can withstand continuous immersion in water beyond 1 meter. Ideal for underwater applications, such as pool lighting, fountains, or marine environments, where they are exposed to water for prolonged durations.

• Voltage and Power Supply

LED strip lights typically operate at 12V or 24V DC. Ensure that the power supply voltage matches that of the LED strip lights to prevent damage. When selecting the wattage range of a power supply, calculate the power requirements of your LED strip lights by multiplying the wattage per foot/meter by the total length of the strip. Choose a power supply that can deliver at least this amount of power. It’s necessary to leave some headroom (10-20% extra capacity) to accommodate voltage drops or future expansions.

• Dimming and Control Options

Decide whether you need dimmable LED strip lights. Some LED strips come with built-in dimming capabilities, while others require external dimmers. If go with dimmable strip lights, the dimming method also varies, including 0-10v, Triac, DALI, etc.  0-10V dimming is a common dimming method used in commercial and industrial settings. Triac dimmers are commonly used for residential lighting and are compatible with most LED dimmable drivers. DALI is a digital communication protocol that allows for individual control of each light fixture in a lighting system. It offers advanced dimming and control capabilities suitable for larger commercial installations.

• Length and Customization

Measure the length of the installation area accurately to determine the required length of LED strip lights. LED strips often come in standard lengths such as 1m, 2m, or 5m and are mainly packaged as 5m per roll. But if you want to DIY the length, it’s cuttable. LED strip lights usually have marked cut points at specific intervals (e.g., every few centimeters or inches) where you can safely cut the strip without damaging the LEDs. After the cut, you can use solderless connectors, soldering, or special connectors provided by the manufacturer to join cut strips together. When customizing the length of LED strip lights, ensure that the power supply you are using can support the total length of the strips. Before permanently installing the LED strip lights, test the strips to ensure they function correctly and emit the desired amount of light.

• Installation and Accessories

When planning the installation of LED strip lights, it’s important to consider the ease of installation and any additional accessories needed, such as mounting clips, connectors, amplifiers for extending runs, or diffusers for light diffusion and protection. Connectors are essential for joining different segments of LED strip lights together. Ensure you have the right connectors (such as solderless connectors) to easily extend or connect strips as needed. Extension cables can also be useful for reaching distant power sources. Consider using diffusers if you want to create a more uniform and soft lighting effect or if the strips are in high-traffic areas. Cable management accessories such as wire clips, cable channels, or raceways can help organize and conceal the wires connected to the LED strip lights, creating a neat and tidy installation.

If installing LED strip lights in outdoor or wet environments, consider waterproofing accessories such as silicone coatings or waterproof casings to protect the lights from moisture and environmental conditions. Especially if you cut the light and do the connecting, the connection or wiring should be waterproofing.

LuminousLite is a prominent manufacturer of LED strip lights, offering a diverse range of products such as silicone neon strip lights, COB strip lights, flexible wall washers, and more. Our products are designed to cater to a variety of lighting needs across different projects, such as hotels, villas, residential spaces like houses, apartments, and condos, as well as commercial environments such as offices. Whether it’s for creating ambiance or enhancing visibility, our LED strip lights are tailored to illuminate any space with elegance and functionality.

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