COB LED vs. SMD LED: Which One Shines Brighter?

You love your LED lights because they have long lifespans and are more efficient compared to traditional fluorescent bulbs. Additionally, these bulbs provide greater safety and lower maintenance costs.

Visit Getian for more information.

It’s important to note that not all LED lights are the same.

There are two main types of LED downlights: Chip on Board (COB) LEDs and Surface Mounted Diode (SMD) LEDs.

Both options produce high-quality light and are designed to last a long time with high efficiency. However, they have distinct advantages.

Let’s explore the differences between COB and SMD LEDs and discover which one might be the best choice for your home or business.

Let's get started!

COB LED

A COB LED light consists of one mounted LED chip. Since all the light's LEDs are concentrated in a single area, effective cooling is essential.

To manage this heat, you will find a large heat sink typically made from aluminum. The size of this heat sink may make COB LEDs slightly more expensive than SMD LEDs.

SMD LED

Although COB LEDs are efficient, SMD LEDs offer even greater efficiency as they produce more lumens per watt.

This translates to receiving more light with less power consumption.

SMD LEDs also emit a broader light beam, which reduces the need for a large heat sink compared to COB LEDs. As a result, SMD LEDs are generally less expensive. Additionally, these lights have frosted reflectors which help disperse light evenly and conceal the chip array within the bulbs.

Why Choose the COB LED?

Generally, COB LEDs are considered higher-quality light sources. They utilize reflectors to create focused and controlled lighting, lacking the frosted lenses found in SMD LEDs.

This design results in cleaner and crisper light, making COB LEDs particularly useful in rooms with high ceilings.

For more information on the COB LED Market, please contact us for professional assistance.

COB LEDs are regarded as premium products that offer a more architectural aesthetic. If you plan to use your LED downlights long-term, consider choosing a COB. Conversely, for investment properties, SMD LEDs are a practical choice.

Why Choose the SMD LED?

As mentioned, SMD LEDs are an excellent option if you require light to cover a large area. They are ideal for use in bathrooms, kitchens, or bedrooms. However, SMD lights tend to produce more glare compared to their COB counterparts.

How We Can Help

We offer a wide variety of top-tier LED lighting solutions, including emergency lights, spike lights, floodlights, and dimmers.

Our products are designed to help you reduce your carbon footprint by consuming 80% less power while also having lifespans that are ten times longer than traditional bulbs.

Contact us today to learn more about our COB and SMD LED options and to start enjoying their unique benefits in your space this year.

COB vs SMD LEDs - Which is Best for Your Home?

LED lighting has become essential in modern times, especially amid rising living costs and energy prices. Energy-efficient, cost-effective, and long-lasting lighting is more crucial than ever for your home or commercial space. However, do you know the different types of LEDs and which is most suitable for your needs? Read on to learn more about COB and SMD LEDs to ensure you choose the right option for your space.

What is a COB LED?

COB stands for Chip on Board.

COB LEDs consist of multiple light diodes closely packed on the printed circuit board, necessitating a heat sink made of aluminum to dissipate heat generated by the lights. This design allows COB LEDs to perform well in high temperatures, making them ideal for high-pressure environments like street and industrial lighting. As a consequence, COB LEDs require more built-in cooling capacity than SMDs, improving energy efficiency by producing about 80 lumens per watt compared to SMDs, which produce around 50 lumens per watt.

COB LEDs typically serve as higher-quality light sources due to their use of reflectors, delivering brighter, more uniform illumination. Lacking frosted lenses, these LEDs provide clear, glare-free light, which is ideal for areas with high ceilings. Due to their architectural appearance, COB LEDs are preferred for long-term use and are popular among filmmakers and photographers because of their uniform luminosity and wide-angle beam.

What is an SMD LED?

SMD stands for Surface Mounted Devices. SMDs are the most common types of LEDs on the market due to their surface-mounted design, which resembles flat, square computer chips.

While SMD LEDs are not as energy efficient as COB LEDs, they still represent a significant improvement over non-LED bulbs and offer a wider range of color temperatures—from warm white to daylight white—whereas COB LEDs usually have a single color temperature.

SMD lights are best used as point light sources, although they can produce glare due to the multiple surface-mounted light sources creating a coupling effect. Therefore, SMD lighting is ideally used for signage in bars, clubs, hotels, and restaurants, as well as in outdoor wall lighting and general spotlights. They are particularly effective as task lighting in bathrooms and kitchens.

What Suits Your Property Best: COB or SMD?

We hope this guide has helped clarify the differences between COB and SMD LEDs and enabled you to weigh the pros and cons of each type to determine which is the best fit for your needs. Whether you require bright lighting for bathrooms, outdoor spaces, or spotlights, or softer lighting options such as table lamps, floor lamps, and ceiling lights, Litecraft offers a range of LED lighting solutions to meet your needs.

For more tips, guides, and styling inspiration, we invite you to check out the main Litecraft blog page and explore our other articles. Alternatively, if you’re interested in stunning photoshoots and the latest trending interior décor styles, follow us on social media @litecraftlighting.

Contact us to discuss your needs regarding COB LED Sustainability. Our experienced sales team is here to help you identify the right options for your space.