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The Complete Guide To COB LED Strips
COB LED strips have come a long way. Once considered fragile and limited in application, they’ve now evolved into a reliable, high-performing solution for seamless lighting.
With advancements like Cut Anywhere Technology and long-run capability, COB strips are no longer restricted to niche uses — they’ve become a cornerstone of modern lighting design.
Whether you’re highlighting architectural details, illuminating bespoke furniture, or creating functional task lighting, COB strips offer unmatched versatility and a flawless finish. But how do they compare to SMD LED strips, and which is right for your project?
Let’s explore the key differences, strengths, and applications of COB strips and how they stand out in professional-grade lighting.
What Is COB LED Strip Technology?
COB (Chip-on-Board) LED technology integrates multiple LED chips directly onto a single circuit board, creating a dense and uniform light source.
This design eliminates visible gaps between LEDs, delivering smooth, dot-free illumination that's ideal for clean and professional lighting projects.
Unlike earlier iterations, today’s COB strips are reliable, versatile, and capable of achieving high-quality results without the fragility or limitations that once defined them. They excel in applications requiring seamless, long, uninterrupted lighting.
With advancements like Cut Anywhere Technology for customisable lengths and Long Run COB for extended, seamless illumination, COB strips provide tailored solutions for modern lighting needs.
These features ensure COB LED strips deliver not only a cleaner and more polished output but also the flexibility to suit both intricate and large-scale projects.
What Makes COB Unique?
COB LED strips deliver exceptional lighting quality with tailored solutions to meet diverse project requirements. With advancements like Cut Anywhere Technology and Long Run COB, these strips now offer unparalleled flexibility for installations of all sizes and complexities:
- Seamless Light Output: The densely packed chips and continuous phosphor coating provide smooth, dot-free illumination, eliminating the need for diffusers.
- Tailored for Any Installation: From intricate designs to expansive lighting runs, options like Cut Anywhere enable precise lengths, while Long Run COB ensures uninterrupted illumination over extended distances.
- Ideal for Shallow Profiles: The compact design of COB strips makes them perfect for furniture, cabinetry, and other applications where space is limited.
- Versatile Applications: With various versions catering to different needs, COB strips are perfect for architectural accents, bespoke furniture lighting, and detailed installations.
What COB LED Strip Is Right For Your Project?
Our COB range offers tailored solutions for every application. Whether you need long-run illumination for expansive designs, intricate lighting for tight spaces, or flexibility for custom projects, we have the perfect strip to suit your needs.
Here’s a breakdown of the options:
Professional COB
Engineered for demanding commercial installations, it provides high brightness, exceptional reliability, and seamless illumination. Perfect for large-scale projects or high-end designs.
Essential COB
A cost-effective option for residential and standard commercial projects, balancing affordability with consistent, dot-free lighting.
Cut Anywhere COB
Featuring advanced Cut Anywhere Technology, this strip allows precision cuts to achieve a perfect fit for detailed layouts.
Long Run COB
Specifically designed for uninterrupted, seamless lighting over long distances, ideal for feature walls, media rooms, and kitchen kickboards.
Mini-Cut COB
With shorter cut points, this option is perfect for intricate designs, curved spaces, or small installations.
Pixel COB
A vibrant choice for dynamic, colour-changing effects. Ideal for accent lighting, retail displays, and creative installations.
Tailored Solutions For Every Installation
There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to selecting the right COB LED strip. Each product in our range is designed to be adaptable, with features tailored to meet specific project needs.
Whether you're looking for a strip for intricate detailing, large-scale installations, or custom applications, our COB range provides a versatile solution.
Watch our video below for expert insights from our technical team on choosing the ideal COB LED strip light for your next installation.
COB vs SMD: A Comparison
COB and SMD LED strips each bring unique strengths to different applications. Understanding these differences can help you choose the best solution for your specific project.
What Makes COB Stand Out?
- Seamless Light Output: COB strips deliver flawless, dot-free illumination, making them the go-to choice for premium designs and applications where uniform light is essential.
- Slim Build for Shallow Profiles: With a compact design, COB strips integrate seamlessly into furniture, cabinetry, and other installations with tight spaces.
- Cut Anywhere Capability: With our Cut Anywhere COB strips, you can cut at any point along the strip to achieve precise lengths without compromising the seamless lighting effect.
- Long Run Capability: Our Long Run COB innovation allows for extended, unbroken illumination, making it ideal for feature walls, continuous designs, and large-scale projects.
What Makes SMD Stand Out?
- Cost-Effective for Larger Projects: SMD strips offer an affordable yet reliable option for extensive lighting needs, balancing budget and performance.
- Uninterrupted Lengths: SMD strips are ideal for projects requiring long, continuous runs of lighting, such as large commercial interiors or ceiling installations.
- High CRI: Provides accurate colour rendering and consistent illumination, essential for precise, professional lighting projects.
The Right Choice For Your Project
Applications Suited To COB
COB LED strips are a reliable choice for achieving seamless illumination across a wide range of applications.
From architectural lighting to bespoke furniture and cabinetry, these strips provide adaptable solutions with innovations like Cut Anywhere and Long Run COB, ensuring consistent, high-quality results.
Architectural Lighting: Achieve clean, modern visuals with dot-free illumination for linear features in ceilings, walls, and staircases.
- Furniture & Cabinetry: Perfect for integration into shelves, cupboards, and bespoke furniture, COB strips deliver a polished, shadow-free aesthetic.
- Retail Displays: Highlight products with high-CRI lighting that ensures accurate, vibrant colour rendering, ideal for professional retail environments.
- Shallow Channels: The seamless design of COB eliminates spotting on diffusers in shallow channels, delivering smooth, uniform illumination where other LED strips fall short.
- Signage & Exhibitions: COB strips provide consistent, professional-grade illumination for trade show displays, branding, and event signage.
Applications Suited To SMD
If these applications don’t quite align with your project’s requirements, SMD strips might be the right choice for you. Their dynamic features and versatility make them ideal for:
- Decorative Lighting: Create vibrant and dynamic lighting effects with RGB and programmable options, perfect for mood lighting or feature walls.
- Event & Exhibition Lighting: Add visual impact with stunning colour transitions and effects for eye-catching displays and installations.
- Large Commercial Spaces: SMD strips excel in long, continuous runs, making them ideal for lighting expansive areas such as office ceilings, warehouses, or retail floors.
- Accent Lighting: With a focused beam angle, SMD strips are perfect for highlighting architectural details, artwork, or specific product displays.
Showcasing COB LED In Projects
Who Benefits From COB?
COB strips are designed to meet the needs of professionals who demand a seamless output:
- Lighting Designers & Architects: Perfect for bespoke designs in residential, retail, and commercial interiors.
- Electricians & Installers: Simplifies installations with Cut Anywhere Technology and consistent light output.
- Furniture Makers: Integrates beautifully into custom furniture, shelving, and cabinetry.
- Retail Designers: Enhances product displays with accurate colour rendering and flawless illumination.
- Event Specialists: Adds high-impact lighting to exhibitions, signage, and creative displays.
Get in touch to discuss your requirements and explore custom options. Head to our COB page today and browse our extensive selection of high-performance LED strips tailored for every application.
Why Choose Ultra LEDs?
At Ultra LEDs, quality and reliability are at the core of what we do. Here’s what sets us apart:
- Consistent Colour and Brightness: Our LEDs are binned to ensure uniform light output, delivering professional-grade results every time.
- Industry-Leading Warranty: We back our products with extended warranties, offering reliability you can count on.
- Sourced from Top Manufacturers: Our components come from the most reputable factories, ensuring superior performance and quality.
- Thoroughly Tested: Every product is rigorously tested to guarantee durability and performance in even the most demanding applications.
- Built to Last: Designed with high-grade materials, Ultra LEDs offer long-term reliability, reducing maintenance costs.
- UK Compliant: All our products meet strict UK safety and performance regulations, giving you confidence in every purchase.
FAQs
What is the lifespan of COB LED strips?
COB LED strips typically last up to 50,000 hours when installed and used correctly.
Can COB strips be dimmed?
Yes, COB LED strips are fully dimmable, allowing precise control over brightness levels.
What makes COB better for shallow channels?
The seamless design and compact build of COB strips make them ideal for furniture lighting or other confined spaces.
Are COB strips suitable for outdoor use?
Yes, COB strips with an IP65 rating are designed for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Discover Ultra LEDs’ full COB range, including Professional, Essential, Cut Anywhere, and Long Run options. Find the perfect solution for seamless, high-quality illumination in your next project.
Get in touch with UltraLEDs today
Our expert team is here to guide you in finding the ideal lighting solutions to elevate your projects with precision and style. Let’s create something exceptional together.
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