RGB LED Strip Buyer's Guide

RGB LED Strip Buyer's Guide

This RGB LED Strip Buyer's Guide will give you the basics of what you need to know about Multicolor LED Strips and help you choose the correct LED Strip for your application.

About RGB:
RGB stands for Red, Green, Blue; the 3 basic colors used to make the color that the user chooses on the remote. Red, Green and Blue can range in intensity and can be combined to obtain any colors in the color’s spectrum. You may also see information relating to “Multicolor” which is another term for RGB. RGB Strips can only be controlled through a controller and a remote. On top of giving you the possibility of choosing several colors, the remote also allows you to dim your Strip and select various color changing modes. You cannot use a wall dimmer to control this Strip. The Controller and Remote combo will dictate the amount of available colors and the automatic color changes modes. You can consult our RGB Controller and Remotes Buyer's Guide for more details.

Cutting a LED Strip:
All LEDs Strips can be cut to fit your project. 24V Strips can be cut every 6 LEDs and 12V Strips can be cut at every 3 LEDs. 24V LEDs will allow you to make longer strands with a single power supply while giving you the same light output. 24V also has the advantage of allowing you to add more wire to your set up, given the lower amperage and the higher voltage.

Chip Types:
The chip type refers to the size of the chip, for example, the 5050 chip measures 5.0mm x 5.0mm while the 3528 chip measures 3.5mm by 2.8mm. 5050 and 3535 Chips will produce several colors within the same chip as 3528 chips can only produce one color.

LED Strips have a lifetime rating of 35 000 hours, when properly installed.

About iP Rating:
IP stands for the International Protection marking, which is an IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standard.
iP20: Unprotected Strip , for indoor use only. Must be installed in an aluminum profile or properly housed.
iP65: Strips is covered with a splash proof coating. For indoor usage only.
iP68: Strip is silicone injected and silicone covered. Ideal for indoor and outdoor usage.

Concerning Heat Sink:
Higher output LED Strips will require a heat sink to properly operate and to insure their longevity. We recommend using an aluminum profile or an aluminum flat bar of 1’’ wide by 1/8’’ thick.

Shades of White (RGBW Strips only):
Standard RGB Strips will not produce a true white. They will use a combination of red, blue and green to produce a very purplish white. If you want to obtain white from a RGB Strip, we recommend getting a RGBW Strip. The RGBW Strip has a 4-in-1 5050 Chip that can produce a true white on top of the standard colors. You will need to choose ahead the shade of white you want for your RGBW Strip.

Learn more about what White you should choose by visiting our Warm White or Cool White page.

Strip and Chip Specifications

Chip type: 3528, 60LEDS per meter
** See 300 LED RGB 3528 LED Strip (Strip Only)
Voltage available: 12V
Cuttable: every 6 LEDs (10cm)
Strip width: iP65 8mm
Maximum Length per power supply: 10m in parallel (5m on each side of your controller)
Waterproofing available: iP65
Power consumption: 4.8W/meter
Recommended power supply: 6W/meter
Dimmable: Yes, through the remote control
Heat sink: not necessary
Applications: The most economical version of the RGB Strip. Each chip has a single color, so a set of 3 LEDs has a red, a green and a blue chip. If you select red on the remote, only out of 3 LEDs will light up. Some color changing modes will produce a cool chasing effect.

Chip type: 5050, 30LEDS per meter (RGB150)
** See 12V 150 LED Flexible RGB LED Strip (strip only)
Voltage available: 12V and 24V
Cuttable: 12V :every 3 LEDs (10cm) 24V: every 6 LEDs (20cm)
Strip width: 10mm (iP65 and iP20) 12mm (iP68)
Maximum Length per power supply :
12V or 24V: 20m in parallel (10m on each side of your power supply)
Waterproofing available: iP20,iP65,iP68
Power consumption: 4.8W/meter
Recommended power supply: 6W/meter
Dimmable: Through the remote control
Heat sink: Recommended when using the LEDs in a commercial environment or for long periods of time, especially for iP65 and iP68 Strips.
Applications: Affordable and easy to install, it will provide a very good ambient lighting. The iP68 version can be used outdoors. There is a generous spacing between the LEDs.

Chip type: 5050, 60LEDs per meter (RGB 300)
** See 12V 300 LED RGB LED Strip (strip only)
Voltage available: 12V and 24V
Cuttable: 12V: every 3 LEDs (5cm) 24V: every 6 LEDs (10cm)
Strip width: 10mm (iP20 and iP65) 12mm (iP68)
Maximum Length per power supply :
12V: 10m in parallel (5m on each side of your Power supply)
24V: 20m in parallel (10m on each side of your Power supply)
Waterproofing available: iP20, iP65, and iP68
Power consumption: 9.6W/meter
Recommended power supply: 12W/meter
Dimmable: Yes, through the remote control
Heat sink: Recommended when using the Strip at full intensity for more than 4 hours
Applications: A great price/brightness balance. At 60LEDs per meter not only do you get a great effect, you get more precision when you need to cut the Strip.

Chip type: 5050, 60LEDS per meter (RGBW)
** See cUL Listed 24V 300 LED Flexible RGB+W LED Strip (strip only)
Voltage available: 24V
Cuttable: Every 6 LEDs (10cm)
Strip width: 12mm (iP65)15mm (iP68)
Maximum Length per power supply: 20m in parallel (10m on each side of your power supply)
Luminous output on white: Approx 700lm/m
Waterproofing available: iP65 and iP68
Power consumption: Will vary between 9.6 and 14.4W/m depending on controller.
Recommended power supply: 12W to 18W/ meter
Dimmable: Through the remote control
Heat sink: Recommended when using the Strip at full intensity for more than 4 hours.
Applications: The best of both worlds! You can get a true white for fancy dinner parties and RGB for less formal gatherings. A bit more complex to install, it gives amazing results. Note that there are no connectors available for this product.

Chip type: 3535, 120LEDS per meter (RGB600)
** See 24V 600 3535 LED RGB LED Strip (strip only)
Voltage available: 24V
Cuttable: Every 6LED (10cm)
Strip width: 12mm (iP20)
Maximum Length per power supply: 10m in parallel (5m on each side of your power supply)
Waterproofing available: iP20
Power consumption: 24W/meter
Recommended power supply: 28.8W/meter
Dimmable: Through the remote control
Heat sink: Mandatory. This LED will produce a neon-like, continuous lighting effect when used in our continuous lighting bars.
Applications: Hotels and bars love this LED Strip because it produces a continuous effect. Its brightness is second to none! 

Chip type: RGB 5050, 42LEDS per meter
** 12V Bendable Super Bright 5050 RGB 210 LED Strip Kit  
Typical light output: Red 620-625nm Green 515-520nm Blue 465-470nm
Voltage available: 12V
Cuttable: Every 3LED (7.2cm)
Strip width: 12mm
Maximum Length per power supply: 10m in parallel (5m on each side of your Power supply)
Waterproofing available: iP20
Power consumption: 9W/meter
Recommended power supply: 11W/meter
Dimmable: Through remote control only
Heat sink: Highly recommend
Applications: Mainly used for indoor signage or backlighting logos and letters thanks to its unique M shape PCB.