COB LED Strip Series

COB LED Strip Light

Chip-on-Board (COB) LED strips deliver perfectly uniform, dot-free illumination by embedding densely packed LED chips directly into the substrate. The result is a continuous, smooth line of light — ideal for high-end architectural projects where visible LED dots are unacceptable.

What is COB LED Strip?

COB stands for "Chip on Board" — a technology where hundreds of tiny LED chips are mounted directly onto the flexible PCB and covered with a phosphor layer, creating a continuous and uniform light source with no visible individual LED dots.

Unlike traditional SMD strips where you can see each LED point, COB strips produce a smooth, linear glow similar to neon lighting, but with all the advantages of LED technology: lower power consumption, longer lifespan, and superior controllability.

Dot-free, uniform light output — no visible hot spots or dark gaps
High density: 320 to 640+ LEDs per meter
Excellent color consistency with CRI up to Ra>97
Flexible and bendable for curved installations
Available in DC 12V and DC 24V, multiple IP ratings
Ideal replacement for traditional glass neon at a fraction of the cost

What Determines COB LED Strip Quality?

Engineering Guide — Why COB Strips Vary So Much in Performance

COB (Chip-on-Board) LED strips achieve their signature dot-free light by packing hundreds of tiny LED dies under a continuous phosphor layer. This construction makes thermal management and material consistency even more critical than with SMD strips.

The #1 Factor: Thermal Management

COB strips concentrate far more dies per centimeter than SMD strips. Heat density is significantly higher, making the PCB and substrate the most important quality differentiator.

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Component	Premium	Budget	Impact
Substrate	Aluminum-base PCB or high copper-weight FPC (2–3 oz)	Standard thin FPC (1 oz or less)	Budget COB can lose 30–50% brightness within 10,000 hours due to heat
Thermal path	Dies bonded with high-conductivity adhesive; optimized pad layout	Generic die-attach adhesive	Hot spots cause localized phosphor degradation — dark patches appear

LED Die Density & Consistency

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Component	Premium	Budget	Impact
Die count per meter	True high density (320 / 480 / 630 dies/m)	Inflated spec — actual count is lower than labeled	"Dot-free" effect compromised; granular light visible at close range
Die binning	Same BIN across entire reel	Mixed BIN dies	CCT drift along the strip length — visible warm-to-cool shift
Die spacing	Precisely uniform die placement	Irregular spacing from imprecise die bonding	Bright and dim bands visible under the phosphor layer

Phosphor & Encapsulant Layer

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Component	Premium	Budget	Impact
Phosphor coating	Uniform thickness across full length	Uneven coating — thicker/thinner sections	Visible bright and dark bands; inconsistent CCT
Encapsulant quality	Optical-grade silicone	Standard epoxy or low-grade silicone	Yellowing under heat; reduced light transmission over time

COB vs. SMD: Lifespan Difference

Due to higher thermal density, the quality gap in COB strips has a more dramatic effect on lifespan compared to SMD:

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	Premium COB	Budget COB
L70 lifespan	50,000+ hours	15,000–25,000 hours
Color shift after 5,000 hrs	Δu'v' < 0.003	Δu'v' > 0.007 (visible)
Phosphor yellowing	Minimal at 3 years	Noticeable within 1 year

Bottom Line for COB

Thermal management is everything — COB's dense die layout means heat is the primary failure mode
Die count honesty — always verify the actual die count matches the specification
Phosphor uniformity — this is what makes or breaks the "dot-free" selling point
A low-cost COB strip may last only 1/3 to 1/2 the lifespan of a premium one — false economy for any installed project

COB 320 LEDs/m

Standard Density

The 320 LEDs/m COB strip is the entry point of our COB series. It delivers smooth, dot-free light at moderate power consumption, making it a cost-effective choice for projects that require uniform linear lighting without the premium pricing of higher-density options. Suitable for indirect cove lighting, cabinet lighting, and decorative accents.

Technical Specifications

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Parameter	Options / Specification
LED Type	COB (Chip on Board)
LED Density	320 LEDs/m
Power	8W / 10W / 12W per meter
Voltage	DC 12V / DC 24V
PCB Width	5mm / 8mm / 10mm
Color Options	Single Color / Dual White (CCT Tunable)
CRI	Ra>80 / Ra>90 / Ra>95
IP Rating	IP20 / IP54 / IP65 / IP67
CCT Range	2200K – 6500K
Luminous Efficacy	Up to 130 lm/W
Beam Angle	180°
Max Run	5m (single feed)
Cutting Unit	25mm / 50mm
Bend Radius	Min 30mm
Lifespan	50,000 hours (L70)
Operating Temp	-20°C to +45°C
Certification	CE, RoHS

Request Quote for COB 320 →

COB 480 LEDs/m

COB 640 LEDs/m

Ultra High Density

The 640 LEDs/m COB strip represents the pinnacle of our COB technology. With the highest chip density available, it produces absolutely flawless, continuous light with zero visible dots — even under close inspection. Designed for premium hospitality, luxury retail, and high-end residential projects where lighting quality cannot be compromised.

Technical Specifications

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Parameter	Options / Specification
LED Type	COB (Chip on Board)
LED Density	640 LEDs/m
Power	14W / 16W / 18W per meter
Voltage	DC 24V
PCB Width	8mm / 10mm
Color Options	Single Color / Dual White (CCT) / RGB
CRI	Ra>90 / Ra>95 / Ra>97
IP Rating	IP20 / IP54 / IP65 / IP67
CCT Range	2200K – 6500K
Luminous Efficacy	Up to 150 lm/W
Beam Angle	180°
Max Run	5m (single feed)
Cutting Unit	12.5mm / 16.7mm
Bend Radius	Min 20mm
Lifespan	50,000 hours (L70)
Operating Temp	-20°C to +45°C
Certification	CE, RoHS, UL (optional)

Request Quote for COB 640 →

COB vs SMD: Which One to Choose?

Understanding the key differences helps you make the right decision for your project

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Parameter	COB LED Strip	SMD LED Strip
Light Uniformity	Dot-free, perfectly smooth	Visible LED dots at close range
Beam Angle	180° (wider spread)	120°
CRI	Up to Ra>97	Up to Ra>95
Glare	Minimal glare, soft light	Higher glare from individual LEDs
Color Options	Single / CCT / RGB	Single / CCT / RGB / RGBW / Addressable
Max Brightness	Medium-High	Higher (especially 5050)
Flexibility	Excellent (no solder joints between LEDs)	Good
Price	$$ – $$$	$ – $$
Best For	Premium interiors, cove lighting, hospitality	General commercial, outdoor, RGB effects
Need Diffuser?	Often not needed	Usually required for smooth look

How to Choose the Right COB LED Strip

Selecting the right COB strip depends on your project's visual requirements and budget:

Viewing distance — If the strip is visible at close range (<1m), choose 480 or 640 LEDs/m for completely dot-free light
Budget vs quality — 320 LEDs/m is cost-effective for indirect lighting where the strip is hidden; 640 LEDs/m for premium exposed installations
CRI requirement — Hotels and museums need Ra>95; commercial spaces can use Ra>90
Diffuser channel — COB strips often don't need a diffuser, saving aluminum channel costs. But for IP-rated outdoor use, a silicone tube or channel is still recommended
Color options — COB RGB is available but SMD is still better for full-color dynamic effects. COB excels in single-color and tunable white

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Luxury Hotels

Recommended: COB 480/640, Ra>95, CCT tunable. Dot-free light is essential for headboard coves, bathroom mirrors, and lobby ceiling details.

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Premium Retail

Recommended: COB 480, Ra>90. Uniform lighting for display shelves and product showcases without visible LED points distracting customers.

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High-End Residential

Recommended: COB 320/480, CCT tunable 2700K-4000K. Clean lines for floating ceiling coves, stairway handrails, and kitchen under-cabinet lighting.

How to Identify COB LED Strip Types

Single Color vs. CCT vs. RGB vs. Addressable — Under the Phosphor

COB strips are harder to identify visually than SMD strips because the phosphor coating covers all the internal components. Here are four reliable methods to tell them apart.

Method 1: Check the Solder Pad Labels (Most Reliable)

Every COB strip has labeled solder pads at each cut point — the markings follow the same standard as SMD strips:

Single Color COB

+ −

2 pads, 2 traces on the back. The most common type — pure white or single-color output.

Dual White (CCT) COB

V+ CW WW

3 pads, 3 traces. Warm and cool white dies alternate under the phosphor. Adjust mix for 2700K–6500K.

RGB COB

V+ R G B

4 pads, 4 traces. Red, green, and blue dies arranged under a clear or lightly diffused encapsulant.

Addressable COB

V+ GND DIN

3 pads with DATA line. The giveaway: black IC chips visible under the phosphor at regular intervals. Learn more

Method 2: Flip It Over — Count the Traces

Since the top of a COB strip is fully covered by the phosphor layer, flipping the strip over and counting the copper traces on the back is the most practical identification method:

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Traces on Back	Strip Type
2 traces	Single color
3 traces	Dual white (CCT) — or Addressable (check for DIN label)
4 traces	RGB

Method 3: Look Through the Phosphor Layer

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What You See	Type
Uniform, identical dies under consistent phosphor	Single color
Two alternating die shades under the phosphor (subtle)	Dual white (CCT)
Tiny red, green, and blue dies in repeating pattern	RGB COB
Regular dark/black squares spaced between dies	Addressable COB — the black squares are IC chips, unique to this type

Method 4: Board Width as Supporting Clue

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Type	Typical Width
Single color	5mm – 8mm
Dual white (CCT)	8mm – 10mm
RGB	10mm – 12mm
Addressable	10mm – 12mm

Board width alone is not definitive, but combined with trace count it narrows identification quickly.

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Easiest Tell for Addressable COB: If you see regularly-spaced black rectangular components under the phosphor coating — those are IC driver chips. No other COB type has these. It's the single most distinctive visual feature.

Need Help Choosing the Right COB Strip?

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