How to choose the right LED strip (7 tips)
LED strips come in all shapes and sizes, and their price and quality can vary widely. So which LED strips meet your high expectations? How do you know you’re buying real quality? What should you pay attention to in order to get value for your money? The tips below will help you make the right choice every time.
We admit: there’s a certain appeal to low prices. But we all know that a low price tag can end up costing a lot more in the end. The opposite is also true: a LED strip might cost more up front, but it will often help cut costs later on. To decide which option is right for you, we need to look at more than just the price.
The PCB (printed circuit board) is the surface to which the LED lights are connected. This PCB has several important functions. One of them is to cool the LEDs. A strong PCB also protects the circuitry in the fixture, so a sturdy construction can dramatically reduce the chance of a malfunction. A strong PCB also significantly extends the LED strip’s service life.
Cheap LED strips often have significantly less luminosity than higher-quality options. They can also vary widely in their rendering of color, as expressed in CRI. Our selection of LED lighting only features options with a CRI of at least 90. Cheaper LEDs often have lower CRI ratings. For comparison’s sake: the sun has the highest CRI index: 100. (We’re not ashamed to pale in comparison to the sun).
The thickness of the phosphor coating (the yellow surfaces) affects the color of the light, the warmth and the number of service hours. Do you want a rich, continuous light spectrum? A consistent quality of light? Long service life? Then choose an LED strip with thick, sturdy phosphor coatings.
It may sound obvious, but the more LEDs, the higher (and better) the luminosity. Many suppliers consider 60 LEDs/meter to be the standard, but for us that is the absolute lower limit. We prefer to use an average of 240 LEDs/meter. The effect: a guaranteed attractive and smooth light effect.
A LED strip that won’t stick to the surface (or that gets loose after a time) can be the source of a lot of frustration. So we only use 3M double-sided tape for our LED strips. If you’re attaching the LED strips to profiles (which we strongly recommend), then using 3M tape is also an investment in an efficient cooling system for the strips. Win-win!
High-quality LED strips are completely dimmable, in contrast to many of the cheaper options. The differences are especially stark in the lower power ranges. Higher quality LED strips are also much more suitable for mixing colors or white tones. In other words: if you want to enjoy care-free dimming and mixing, then you need the best quality LED strips.
There are several variants of water-resistant LED strips available on the market. The degree of water resistance is expressed in the light’s IP rating, which can vary from 20 (=not water resistant) to 67 (=completely water resistant). Our selection includes LED strips in every IP rating.
Another advantage to dealing with a specialist is that custom solutions are always an option. We love to go beyond ‘one size fits all’, which can come in handy when you’re working with bespoke interior furnishings, for example. Non-standard lengths? Extra long connections? Mounted in a customized profile? We can arrange it all for you.
Want to know more about LED solutions? Our product experts are standing by to take your call!
You can find our complete LED strips range here
1. Respect the LED strip PCB
The PCB (printed circuit board) is the surface to which the LED lights are connected. This PCB has several important functions. One of them is to cool the LEDs. A strong PCB also protects the circuitry in the fixture, so a sturdy construction can dramatically reduce the chance of a malfunction. A strong PCB also significantly extends the LED strip’s service life.
2. Pay attention to light quality
Cheap LED strips often have significantly less luminosity than higher-quality options. They can also vary widely in their rendering of color, as expressed in CRI. Our selection of LED lighting only features options with a CRI of at least 90. Cheaper LEDs often have lower CRI ratings. For comparison’s sake: the sun has the highest CRI index: 100. (We’re not ashamed to pale in comparison to the sun).
3. Check the quality of the phosphor coating
The thickness of the phosphor coating (the yellow surfaces) affects the color of the light, the warmth and the number of service hours. Do you want a rich, continuous light spectrum? A consistent quality of light? Long service life? Then choose an LED strip with thick, sturdy phosphor coatings.
4. Choose the number of LEDs per meter
It may sound obvious, but the more LEDs, the higher (and better) the luminosity. Many suppliers consider 60 LEDs/meter to be the standard, but for us that is the absolute lower limit. We prefer to use an average of 240 LEDs/meter. The effect: a guaranteed attractive and smooth light effect.
5. Use the right tape
A LED strip that won’t stick to the surface (or that gets loose after a time) can be the source of a lot of frustration. So we only use 3M double-sided tape for our LED strips. If you’re attaching the LED strips to profiles (which we strongly recommend), then using 3M tape is also an investment in an efficient cooling system for the strips. Win-win!
6. Determine your dimming and control needs
High-quality LED strips are completely dimmable, in contrast to many of the cheaper options. The differences are especially stark in the lower power ranges. Higher quality LED strips are also much more suitable for mixing colors or white tones. In other words: if you want to enjoy care-free dimming and mixing, then you need the best quality LED strips.
7. Consider using a water-resistant LED strip
There are several variants of water-resistant LED strips available on the market. The degree of water resistance is expressed in the light’s IP rating, which can vary from 20 (=not water resistant) to 67 (=completely water resistant). Our selection includes LED strips in every IP rating.
Custom solutions are always an option
Another advantage to dealing with a specialist is that custom solutions are always an option. We love to go beyond ‘one size fits all’, which can come in handy when you’re working with bespoke interior furnishings, for example. Non-standard lengths? Extra long connections? Mounted in a customized profile? We can arrange it all for you.
Want to know more about LED solutions? Our product experts are standing by to take your call!
You can find our complete LED strips range here
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