The Rise of COB Silicone LED Strips: Brighter, Smoother, and More Reliable

Traditional SMD LED strips have visible dots and hot spots. Enter COB (Chip on Board) silicone LED strips—the next generation of flexible lighting with seamless illumination, higher density, and superior durability. This post explains why COB technology is taking over kitchens, retail, and architectural projects.

In COB silicone LED strips, hundreds of tiny LED chips are mounted directly onto a flexible PCB and encapsulated in a continuous phosphor-silicone layer. This eliminates individual LED dots, creating a uniform line of light—perfect for under-cabinet, cove, or backlighting where smooth glow matters.

Key advantages:

• Higher LED density: Up to 512 LEDs/meter vs. 60–120 in SMD.

• No hot spots: Even light distribution reduces eye strain.

• Better heat dissipation: Chips bond directly to substrate, extending life to 60,000+ hours.

• 180° beam angle: Wider coverage than SMD’s 120°.

• Fully waterproof (IP68): Silicone extrusion seals against dust and submersion.

Compared to SMD silicone LED strips:

FeatureCOB Silicone LED StripsSMD Silicone LED StripsLight AppearanceContinuous lineDottedCRI (Color Accuracy)90+80–90Lumen Output/m1,000–1,200 lm800–1,000 lmBend Radius20mm30mmCut Interval25–50mm50–100mm

Installation is identical—peel, stick, connect—but COB strips require stable power (24V recommended) to avoid flicker at high density. Use aluminum channels for heat sinking in enclosed spaces.

Applications shining with COB:

• Kitchens: Shadow-free task lighting

• Retail displays: Highlight products without glare

• Hotels: Elegant wall washing

• Vehicles: Curved interior accents

Available in tunable white (2700K–6500K) and RGB, COB silicone LED strips support dynamic effects with DMX or app control.

The future of flexible lighting is dot-free, bright, and tough. Upgrade to COB silicone LED strips for professional-grade results.

Explore our COB silicone LED strip collection—samples available.