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Choosing the Right LED Strip Light for Your Application
The key to choosing the right LED strip light starts with understanding the different tape types and series available, and how each is designed to suit a specific application.
This guide narrows that choice by outlining each LED strip series, where it is best used, and where it may not be suitable, making it easier to select the correct tape for the project.
Before Selecting An LED Strip
Before choosing an LED strip, it is important to define the type of light output required and the nature of the installation.
Whether the application is indoor or outdoor will determine which strip series are suitable, along with the required colour type, colour temperature, and power requirements.
| Series Name | Designed For |
|---|---|
| Economy Series | Budget-led, functional lighting for short-term or lower-use installations. |
| Pro Series | Reliable performance for general commercial installations and everyday professional use. |
| Joinery Series | Ideal for cabinetry, furniture, and concealed lighting applications. |
| Precision Series | High colour accuracy and consistency for colour-critical applications. |
| Efficiency Series | Optimised for high-usage installations where energy efficiency matters. |
| Lumen Series | High-output solutions where LED strip is used as a primary light source. |
Economy LED Strip Lights
Economy LED Strip Lights are designed for budget-led projects where LED strip lighting supports visibility rather than acting as a primary light source. They use proven LED technology with constant voltage operation, delivering consistent baseline performance without unnecessary over-specification.
The range is suited to shorter run lengths with managed voltage drop and provides balanced output when paired with appropriate aluminium profiles or back bars. Economy strips are typically specified where cost efficiency is critical and long-term performance or tight specification control is not the primary requirement.
Use Cases: Budget commercial projects, student accommodation, budget hotel fit-outs, retail displays and signage, light-duty residential applications, and short-term or lower-use installations.
Pro LED Strip Lights
Pro LED Strip Lights are designed for medium to long-term installations where higher consistency, reliability, and performance are required for professional use, particularly across repeat or large-scale applications.
Higher-quality LEDs with tighter binning than economy ranges provide improved colour consistency across runs and batches. Improved PCB construction supports stability during sustained operation, and compatibility with aluminium profiles allows effective heat management in installations intended to remain in place long term.
Use Cases: Retail interiors, hospitality spaces, office and workspace environments, bespoke joinery and fit-out projects, client-facing commercial installations, and large-scale professional applications where repeatability matters. .
Precision LED Strip Lights
Precision LED Strip Lights are intended for applications where colour accuracy and consistency are critical to the visual outcome. Typical uses include architectural feature lighting, museums and galleries, studios and controlled visual environments, display lighting where colour variation is visible, and specification-led technical installations.
High colour accuracy options are available, including CRI 95+ variants, supported by 1-BIN LED selection to minimise visible colour variation. When installed correctly, the range delivers consistent colour appearance across continuous runs and is specified where lighting must match materials, finishes, or displayed content, and where colour accuracy is prioritised over cost or maximum output.
Use Cases: Architectural feature lighting, museums and galleries, studios and controlled visual environments, display lighting, and specification-led technical installations.
Joinery LED Strip Lights
Joinery LED Strip Lights are designed for compact, concealed installations where space is limited and visual integration is required. They are commonly specified for cabinetry, shelving, wardrobes, display cases, and bespoke furniture applications.
The range uses narrow, low-profile formats with controlled output to avoid glare in enclosed or shallow spaces. Joinery strips are compatible with aluminium channels for heat dissipation and are intended for installations where lighting complements materials and finishes rather than defining them.
Use Cases: Cabinetry, shelving, wardrobes, display cases, and bespoke furniture installations.
Efficiency LED Strip Lights
Efficiency LED Strip Lights are designed for high-usage environments where energy efficiency and running costs are a priority. Typical applications include commercial interiors, offices, retail environments, and large-scale installations with long daily operating hours.
The range delivers high lumen-per-watt performance to reduce power consumption and operating costs over time. Efficiency strips are suited to extended use and are specified where lighting runs for long periods, energy targets or sustainability requirements apply, and output must be balanced against reduced power draw.
Use Cases: Commercial interiors, offices, retail environments, large-scale installations, and projects with long daily operating hours.
Lumen LED Strip Lights
Lumen LED Strip Lights are designed for applications where maximum brightness from LED strip lighting is required. They are used in feature lighting, high-impact architectural details, and installations where LED strip lighting needs to act as a primary light source rather than a secondary accent.
The range delivers high lumen output per metre, with a higher power draw than standard LED strip ranges. Careful driver selection and heat management are required, and Lumen strips are best installed within aluminium profiles. They are specified where brightness is the primary requirement and where the installation can support higher power and thermal load to provide functional illumination.
Use Cases: Feature lighting, high-impact architectural details, and areas where LED strip lighting acts as a primary light source.
Specification Considerations
Once the appropriate LED strip series has been identified, final specification should be confirmed by assessing the application requirements and installation conditions.
These considerations apply across all LED strip ranges and help reduce mis-specification.
- Application type
- Output requirement (lumens per metre)
- Colour requirements
- Run length and voltage drop
- Driver compatibility and load margins
- Installation environment and IP rating
- Heat management
- Visibility of the light source
FAQs
How do I know which LED strip series to choose?
This article outlines each LED strip series by application, performance characteristics, and intended use. By starting with the type of installation, required light output, colour requirements, and usage profile, the appropriate series can be identified without over-specifying or under-specifying the project.
Which accessories should be used with each LED strip?
When an LED strip is selected on the Ultra LEDs website, compatible accessories are shown alongside the product. This includes suitable aluminium profiles, diffusers, mounting options, and recommended drivers. Accessories are matched to the strip’s width, output, and intended installation method to support correct specification and installation.
Do all LED strip lights come in the same lengths?
Most LED strip lights are supplied in standard 5 metre reels, which covers the majority of installations. In some cases, specific series may be available in alternative reel lengths for extended runs or specialist applications. Reel length should always be checked on the product page at the point of specification.
There is no single LED strip suitable for every project. Correct selection depends on application, output requirements, colour expectations, and installation conditions.
By matching the LED strip range to the application, mis-specification can be avoided and long-term performance improved.
Explore the Ultra LEDs LED Strip Light Range.
Need help choosing the right LED strip?
Our specialists can advise on performance, efficiency, and suitability for your application.
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