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, and Electronics since the late 1980s. 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.

RGB COB Strip Displaying White

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® Architectural LED Strip stands out.

Litewave Architectural LED Strip set into White Tiles using Profile

Why Litewave® Architectural LED is often the best choice:

Clean, consistent light halo – Ideal for indirect lighting
Vastly longer lifespan than COB strips
Built-in constant current protection for reliability
Engineered for architectural use, not cheap throwaway installs
Backed by our 6-year warranty – the longest in the UK

If your project needs lighting that lasts, and looks great for years - our Architectural 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.