What is a COB LED Strip?

COB LED strip is a thin, flexible strip of light with Chip-on-Board technology, in which multiple small LED chips are mounted directly into the strip's surface, one after another. COB strips produce even, continuous, and smooth lighting all over the surface, unlike the traditional LED strips that have distinctly separate patches of light. They are perfect for modern interiors, ambient lighting, and wherever you want even light without borders.

And now, to know more about COB light, let us permit facts to reveal that people would be ready to question:

What is COB in LED light?

COB means Chip-on-Board. It refers to the technique wherein a group of chips of LEDs is assembled in close grouping on a single printed circuit board and topped up with phosphor coating at least. It increases light density, colour evenness, and emission of radiation. Simply put, you produce more light from lesser space with higher efficiency and without a gap between LEDs being visible to the eyes.

Is COB LED superior to normal LED?

It is your choice. COB LEDs are optimally applied in products where level, high-intensity light output is required, i.e., home, shop, or photographic use strip lighting. They emit an even light beam, which is less stressful for the eyes. Older LEDs (typically SMD type) emit more light per unit but emit unbalanced light unless diffused. For everyday standard lighting, backlighting, or home furnishings, COB generally has the edge when it comes to ease of appearance and greater luminous efficacy. 

Is COB light appropriate to have at home?

Yes, COB lights are ideal for indoor usage. They provide soft but powerful light with no glare and scuff marks on walls and ceilings. They are ideal for use in kitchen under-cabinet lighting, cove lighting, wardrobes, stairs, and accenting the lounge. With their ideal colour rendering index (CRI), they make colours appear just like when they were in their natural state, anywhere in the house.

How long does a COB LED last?

A high-quality COB LED lasts between 30,000 and 50,000 hours, depending on the manufacturer and the operating conditions. Good heat management is essential; COB LEDs that operate at lower temperatures have longer lifespans and brighter lumen retention over time.

How much COB light is needed in watts?

That is a use and application issue. Indoor house rooms within, COB LED tapes will typically be 5W to 15W per meter. You can utilize 5W for highlight lighting. For task or ambient lighting, more power can be utilized. It is a question of getting brightness without using up power. COB LEDs produce more lumens per watt than older SMD ones, so you are brighter with less power.

In what ways are SMD and COB LED strips different from one another?

The most significant distinction is where the LEDs are placed.

SMD (Surface-Mounted Device) strips are where individual chips of LEDs are mounted on the strip and emit specks of visible light.

COB (Chip-on-Board) strips mean hundreds of tiny chips actually lying side by side and topped with an even layer of phosphor, which emits a steady beam of light.

COB LEDs have a more even beam pattern, uniformity of light emission, but SMD strips are simpler to install and replace, although they will appear patchy in appearance.

Is COB or LED better?

Technically, COB is also an LED, but a more advanced one. For when you require brightness on the higher side, even illumination, and a high-end finish, you can have COB. But where there isn't sufficient money, or just because you want some bleak utilitarian light, regular SMD LEDs will do.

How much power does a COB light use?

Power consumption is a strength and model-dependent. An 8–15-watt power can be used for a meter strip COB in the objective of achieving 1000–1500 lumens. It is efficient compared to using regular LED strips with the same power but lesser lumens. Always best to check the product spec in watts per meter while mounting.

How far from the wall should COB lights be?

For optimum performance, particularly for indirect or cove lighting configurations, COB strips must be installed 4 to 6 inches beneath the wall or ceiling surface. This will provide an even illumination wash with no hotspots detectable. When used as a rear light behind furniture or mirrors, reduce the distance slightly depending on the amount of diffusion required.