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Product Guide

RGB RGBW and RGBWW LED Strip Light Explained

The difference between 3-in-one, 4-in-one and 5-in-one colour-mixing strip light and when each configuration is worth the extra cost.

Written by the engineering team at Beauty (STC) Manufacturing Co., Ltd, Jiangmen, China.

Three Different Ways To Mix Colour

RGB, RGBW and RGBWW are not grades of the same thing. They are different LED packages with a different number of emitters in each one, and the practical difference shows up the moment you ask for white.

ConfigurationEmitters in the packageOur model
RGB (3 in one)Red, green, blue12V 5050SMD 60P RGB
RGBW or RGBWW (4 in one)Red, green, blue plus a dedicated white or warm white12V 4 in one 60P RGBW/RGBWW
RGBWWW (5 in one)Red, green, blue plus two white channels12V 5 in one 60P RGBWWW

Why The Extra White Channel Is Worth Paying For

An RGB strip produces white by driving all three colour channels together. It works, but the white it makes is a mixed white, not a specified colour temperature, and it will not sit convincingly next to an architectural white light. A dedicated white emitter in a 4-in-one or 5-in-one package gives you a proper white channel and a colour channel from the same run.

Even Colour Across The Run

Colour mixing exposes any weakness in the board. Our low-voltage strip uses double-layer copper on the PCB specifically to keep the mixed colours even along the run. On the 12V 2835SMD 60P LED Strip light specification that is stated as a design decision, not an option.

Control

  • Our RGB strip light has multiple colour-changing functions built in, with 16 multicoloured options plus a DIY selection.
  • Our high-voltage RGB models do not require an adaptor and connect directly to house power.
  • A DMX master and controller can synchronise colour and dimming across separate runs; WiFi control is also possible.
  • Our RGB flexible LED neon light offers the same colour-changing behaviour in a silicone neon profile.

Where To Go Next

FAQ

Questions On This Topic

What is the difference between RGB and RGBW?
RGB mixes white from three colour channels. RGBW adds a dedicated white emitter in the same package so you get a proper white channel.
What is 5 in one?
A package with red, green and blue plus two white channels, published in our range as 12V 5 in one 60P RGBWWW.
How do you keep the colour even?
Our low-voltage strip uses double-layer copper on the PCB specifically to keep mixed colours even along the run.
Can several runs change colour together?
Yes. A DMX master and controller can synchronise colour and dimming across separate runs, and WiFi control is also possible.

Still Deciding? Ask The Factory

Send the application and the run length on WhatsApp and we will name the model, the protection rating and the certificate that applies.

No forms. Talk to an engineer on WhatsApp 0086-13902885704 or email [email protected].