Choosing LED Strip COB SMD Neon or Driver-Free
Five strip types, one decision, and it is usually made by the depth of the diffuser rather than by the specification sheet.
The Diffuser Decides First
Before brightness, before colour temperature, before anything on the datasheet, measure the distance between the strip and the face of the diffuser. That single dimension decides whether you can use SMD strip at all. Below roughly a centimetre, individual diodes read as dots through most diffusers, and no amount of specification will hide them.
COB Where Dots Would Show
COB strip puts the emitting surface in a continuous line rather than in discrete packages, which is why it is the answer for shallow details, under-shelf lighting and anywhere the strip is seen at an angle. It costs more per metre than SMD and it is worth it exactly where the diffuser is close.
SMD Where the Strip Is Hidden
For cove lighting, bulkheads and concealed perimeter details where the diffuser is far away or absent, SMD strip remains the sensible choice. Winton lists SMD strip at 12 V and 24 V. On long runs prefer 24 V, because the voltage drop that dims the far end of a 12 V run is proportionally smaller.
Driver-Free Where There Is No Room
The most common practical problem in slim joinery is not the strip, it is the driver enclosure. The 110 V high voltage strip in this range is listed specifically as strip without a driver, which removes the enclosure from the detail and makes long single runs straightforward.
Neon Flex and Addressable for Effect
Neon flex gives a solid illuminated edge for signage, façade outlines and retail display, where a bare strip would look like a strip. Dream colour and running strip are addressable, so the effect is in the strip rather than in a separate controller programme. Wireless and solar powered lines cover installations where running a cable is the hard part.
Buying for Repairs Not Just Installation
The strip you install will eventually need extending or repairing, and a replacement metre from a different batch will not match. Buy the whole run from one supplier, keep the item reference, and order the spare at the same time as the job.
Items Referenced Above
Questions On This Topic
Which voltage should I use for a long run
24 V, because the voltage drop over the run is proportionally smaller than on 12 V. Both are listed in the SMD range.
Is there strip that does not need a driver
Yes, the 110 V high voltage strip is listed as strip without a driver.
Do you supply strip for local assembly
Yes. SKD on PCB is a listed item for customers who assemble and cut locally.
Apply This To Your Own Order
Send the application and quantities. The sales director will confirm which catalogue reference fits before you commit to a purchase order.