LED lighting has become an essential in current times with the cost-of-living increase and the energy price cap rise, energy efficient, cost effective and long-lasting lighting is more than ever a necessity or your home or commercial space. However, do you know the different types of LED, and which is the most appropriate for which space? Read on to learn more about COB and SMD LEDs to ensure you have the right fit for your needs.
COB stands for Chip on Board
COB LEDs feature multiple light diodes packed closely together on the printed circuit board, requiring it to have a heat sink in the middle made of aluminium, used to dissipate heat products by the lights. This means that it can live in high temperatures for a longer amount of time making it a better choice for high pressure environments like street lighting and industrial lighting. However, this leads to more inbuilt cooling capacity than SMDs being needed for COBs. It also means that they are more energy efficient, producing about 80 Lumens per watt in comparison to SMDs producing around 50 Lumens per watt.
Chip on Board LEDs tend to be a more higher quality light source as they use reflectors to provide a more uniform, bright, and high-quality illumination. They also don’t feature the frosted lenses that come with SMD LED Lights. This means you can expect a more crisp and clear light with no glare that is ideal for rooms with higher ceilings. As a result, these LEDs are referred to as higher end lights and are used for a more architectural look and are best for long-term living in the property they are installed in. They are also very popular with filmmakers and photographers due to the uniform luminosity and wide-angle beam.
SMD stands for Surface Mounted Devices. SMDs are the most common types of LED in the market, this is because they are mounted on the surface of the printed circuit board, featuring a compact design that is almost identical to flat, square computer chips.
Whereas SMD LEDs do not tend to be quite as energy efficient as COB LEDs, they are still a very energy efficient option compared to non-LED bulbs and offers a wider range of colour temperature from 3000K warm white to 6000K daylight white, whereas COB LEDs are usually just the one colour temperature.
SMD lights are also best used as a point light due to it having a glare as a result of multiple surface mounted light sources, causing a coupling effect. As a result, SMD lighting is usually best suited for signage in bars, clubs, hotels, and restaurants, as well as use in outdoor wall lighting and spotlights in general. Ideal for use in bathrooms and kitchens as task lighting.
We hope that this guide has helped you understand the differences between COB and SMD LEDs, and has helped you weigh up the pros and cons of each to decide which light is the best fit for your home. From bright bathroom, outdoor, and spotlighting, to softer table lamps, floor lamps and ceiling lights you can guarantee that Litecraft has an LED light fitting to suit you.
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