Are COB LED Strips always better? Not necessarily
Are COB LED Strips always better? Not Necessarily.
COB (Chip On Board) LED strips are often marketed as the premium choice — and in some cases, they are. But they’re not always the best option, depending on how the light will be used. We stock a range of COB Strips in White, Warm White, RGB, RGB, and Pixel Animated.
At Litewave®, we’ve been working with LED technology since 2002. We’ve tested just about every type of strip available — and while COB strips can look impressive, they aren’t always the smart choice.
When COB Might Be Right
COB strips shine (literally) when the LEDs will be viewed directly — for example, when facing outwards on open shelves, facing outwards, when reflective surfaces are nearby, glass or tiles - think underneath Plinths shining down onto a shiny floor, or anywhere the strip itself is visible. They offer a “dotless” look. It should be stated that on some dimmer brightnesses this dotless look may show a hint of the LEDs, so an Aluminium Channel with Frosted Cover (Diffuser) would then be wise.
But Here’s the Catch:
In most installations, the strip isn’t viewed directly. It’s hidden in coving, behind panels, under plinths, or used for reflected lighting. In those cases, the so-called “dots” aren’t visible — and what really matters is the quality of the light and how long the strip will last.
That’s where our Litewave® Pro LED Strip stands out.
Why Litewave® Pro is Often the Better Choice:
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Clean, consistent light halo – Ideal for indirect lighting
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Vastly longer lifespan than COB strips
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Built-in constant current protection for reliability
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Engineered for architectural use, not cheap throwaway installs
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Backed by our 6-year warranty – the longest in the UK
If your project needs lighting that lasts — and looks great for years — our Pro Strip is almost always the better investment.
Still unsure which is right for you? Give us a call on 0800 999 8985 or drop us a message. We’re happy to advise and help you get the best result for your project.
