How Does COB Tape Light Compare to Regular LED Strips?
COB (Chip on Board) tape lights are an upgraded version of traditional LED strips, offering improvements in brightness, efficiency, and overall appearance. Here’s a detailed comparison to help customers understand the differences and choose the right option.
1. Brightness
- COB Tape Lights:
- Higher Brightness: COB lights produce more lumens per watt because of their efficient design and tightly packed LED chips.
- Consistent Output: The close placement of LEDs ensures even brightness across the strip, with no dimming in gaps.
- Regular LED Strips:
- Brightness varies depending on the type of LED chip and spacing.
- Gaps between individual LEDs can result in uneven illumination.
2. Efficiency
- COB Tape Lights:
- More Energy-Efficient: Generate higher light output (lumens) with less power consumption.
- Better Heat Dissipation: COB design spreads heat evenly, prolonging the lifespan and maintaining efficiency over time.
- Regular LED Strips:
- Moderate efficiency, depending on the quality of the strip and type of LED chips used.
- Heat concentration in certain areas can reduce overall performance.
3. Appearance
- COB Tape Lights:
- Dot-Free Lighting: Produce a continuous, smooth line of light with no visible hotspots, making them ideal for aesthetic applications.
- Professional Finish: Suitable for applications where seamless lighting is critical, such as architectural designs or under-cabinet lighting.
- Regular LED Strips:
- Visible dots between individual LEDs can create a “dotted” effect, which may be undesirable in certain settings.
- Often requires additional diffusers to achieve a uniform look, adding to the cost and complexity.
4. Flexibility
- COB Tape Lights:
- More flexible and thinner due to the absence of bulky LED packages.
- Ideal for tight spaces, curved surfaces, or intricate designs.
- Regular LED Strips:
- Less flexible because of the larger LED components.
- May not fit as well in tight or curved spaces.
5. Durability
- COB Tape Lights:
- Covered with a protective layer (usually silicone or epoxy), making them more resistant to dust, moisture, and physical damage.
- Available in waterproof versions with higher IP ratings (e.g., IP65 or IP67).
- Regular LED Strips:
- Durability varies; some strips are exposed, while others may have a silicone coating.
- Waterproof options are available but may not offer the same level of protection as COB lights.
6. Color Accuracy (CRI)
- COB Tape Lights:
- Typically have a high CRI (90+), ensuring natural and vibrant color rendering.
- Ideal for applications like retail, photography, or art displays.
- Regular LED Strips:
- CRI varies by product; lower-quality strips may have inconsistent or less accurate color rendering.
7. Cost
- COB Tape Lights:
- Higher initial cost due to advanced technology and seamless design.
- Long-term value through energy efficiency, durability, and better aesthetics.
- Regular LED Strips:
- More affordable, making them a budget-friendly option for basic lighting needs.
- May require additional accessories (e.g., diffusers) to match the appearance of COB lights.
Comparison Table

8. Ideal Applications
- COB Tape Lights:
- Premium installations, such as architectural lighting, retail displays, or decorative lighting requiring a professional finish.
- Projects needing uniform, high-quality light.
- Regular LED Strips:
- Budget-friendly or temporary solutions where visible dots or slight unevenness isn’t a concern.
- General purpose lighting.
Conclusion
COB tape lights are a superior choice for applications where brightness, uniformity, and aesthetics are priorities. While they cost more upfront, their efficiency and professional appearance make them a worthwhile investment. Regular LED strips, on the other hand, are a cost-effective option for basic lighting needs.