A COB (Chip-on-Board) LED strip uses hundreds of micro LEDs mounted directly onto the strip, creating a dense, continuous lighting surface.

Traditional SMD LED strips use larger, spaced out LED chips, which can create visible dots and uneven lighting.

COB LED Strip:

✔ Continuous, dot-free light

✔ Smoother appearance

✔ Ideal for visible installations (under cabinets, coves, etc.)

SMD LED Strip:

✔ Visible LED points

✔ More spacing between chips

✔ Often requires diffusers for a smooth look.

Think of COB as a solid beam of light, while SMD is more like a row of individual light points.

COB LED strips are designed to produce a fully uniform, dot-free light output.

Unlike traditional SMD LED strips where you can often see individual LED dots, COB technology blends the light together into a seamless line, even without a diffuser in many cases.

Result: No hotspots and no spotting. Just clean, continuous illumination.

Yes, simply locate the copper solder pads on the strip, usually marked with a dashed line or scissors icon but if these marks are missing cut safely across the middle of any section of the strip that has copper pads, using sharp scissors to cut directly across the center of these pads. Ensuring a straight, precise cut on these markings is essential to keep the circuit intact and the lights functional.

COB LED strips can be as bright or brighter than standard SMD LED strips, depending on the wattage and density. The key difference isn’t just brightness, it’s how the light is delivered.

COB strips use hundreds of tiny LED chips packed closely together, which creates a continuous line of light instead of individual points.

This means you get smoother, more even brightness that often feels brighter and more premium, even at similar lumen levels.

COB LED strips themselves are not “smart,” but they can easily be integrated into smart home systems with the right components.

To make them smart, you’ll need:

• A compatible LED controller (WiFi, Zigbee, or Bluetooth)
  
• A dimmable or smart driver depending on your setup
  

Once connected, you can control them with:

• Apps (like Smart Life, Tuya, etc.)
  
• Voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant)
  

The strip is the light source, the controller is what makes it smart.

To choose the right power supply (LED driver), you’ll need to calculate the total wattage of your LED strip run, then add a safety margin. For this example we will measure the power needed for a project using our Waterproof COB Lights.

Simple Formula:

Watts per foot × total length = total wattage needed

Example (using 3W per foot):

• 3W per foot × 10 feet = 30W total
• Add 20–30% buffer → Use a 36W–40W driver

This extra capacity ensures stable performance and prevents overloading.

For Our Waterproof COB LED Strips:

Our waterproof cob strips are rated at 3W per foot, with a maximum run of 32.8 ft (10m).

Full 16.4 ft Strip:

• 16.4 ft × 3W = 49.2W
• Recommended driver: 60W
  

Full 32.8 ft Run (Max Run):

• 32.8 ft × 3W = 98.4W
• Recommended driver: 120W
  

Important Notes:

• These recommendations are based on running the full strip at maximum brightness.
• If you cut the strip shorter, your total wattage requirement will decrease.
• Always recalculate based on your actual installed length.
• Never undersize your power supply, this can cause flickering, overheating, or reduced lifespan.

If you're unsure, it’s always safer to go slightly higher in wattage (within reason) than too low.