Complete Guide to COB LED Strips — Everything You Need to Know Before Buying

COB (Chip On Board) LED has become the new standard for premium ambient lighting over the last few years. It delivers smooth, continuous light that standard SMD strips simply can’t match. This guide covers everything you need to know before choosing and installing COB LED strips.

The Basics

COB = Chip On Board — a manufacturing method where hundreds of tiny LED chips (320–512 per meter in strip form) are bonded directly to a copper PCB and then sealed under a yellow phosphor layer.

The result: light that appears as a continuous line with no visible individual LEDs. No diffuser needed to achieve a smooth look.

Key Specifications

Chip density: 320, 480, 512, 528 chips/m
Voltage: 12V or 24V DC (24V preferred)
Wattage: 8–20 W/m (varies by brightness and chip density)
Brightness: 1,800–4,000 lm/m
Color temperature (CCT): 2700K (warm), 3000K, 4000K, 6000K (cool)
CRI: 80, 90, or 95 (higher is better; 90+ for premium applications)
Beam angle: 180°
Cut increment: every 1–2.5 cm
Rated lifespan (L70): 30,000–50,000 hours

Types and Variants

By Chip Density

320 chips/m — standard quality, best value, excellent for most applications
480 chips/m — mid-to-premium, used in cove lighting and premium installations
512 chips/m — highest density, smoothest light, for professional installations

By Wattage

8 W/m — subtle backlight (TV backlights, under furniture)
12 W/m — general cove lighting
15–20 W/m — task lighting, under-cabinet kitchen use

By Color

Single Color — fixed white in warm, neutral, or cool temperature
CCT Tunable — adjustable from 2700K to 6000K via controller
COB RGB — 16 million color options
COB RGBW / RGBCCT — color plus white in one strip

By IP Rating

IP20 — indoor only, no moisture exposure
IP65 — bathrooms and kitchens with steam
IP67 — outdoor, temporary submersion
IP68 — permanent submersion (pools, fountains)

How to Choose: 7-Step Decision Process

Step 1: Where is it going? — Indoor/bathroom/outdoor → determines IP rating

Step 2: Choose voltage — Runs over 5m: use 24V. Shorter runs: 12V works

Step 3: Color temperature — Bedroom/living room: 2700–3000K, Kitchen/office: 4000K, Under-cabinet task: 5000K

Step 4: Chip density based on viewing distance — Viewed from >50cm: 320 chip/m looks perfectly smooth. Closer than that: 480+

Step 5: Calculate power — Length × W/m × 1.25 = minimum PSU wattage

Step 6: Choose CRI — ≥90 for color-sensitive applications (product display, makeup, photography)

Step 7: Confirm warranty — Minimum 2 years for reliable product

Warning Signs of Low-Quality COB

Price significantly below market (< ฿200/m for 320 chip/m)
Uneven phosphor — visible color spots along the strip
Thin copper PCB (< 2 oz) — high trace resistance causes voltage drop
No model number or datasheet available
Strong adhesive smell from backing

Installation

Core process:

Measure and plan — map the run, mark power injection points
Prepare channels — cut aluminum channels to required length
Cut strip at marked cut lines — scissors symbol only, never between marks
Peel 3M backing — press into channel firmly
Connect wiring — solder or use solderless clips; match + and −
Connect to PSU — verify polarity before power on
Test — run for 30 minutes, check temperature and uniformity
Close covers and install permanently

Critical Installation Rules

Must use aluminum channel — COB runs significantly hotter than SMD; without a channel, lifespan drops drastically
Never run a single segment longer than 5m — voltage drop causes visible dimming
Never bend tighter than 10cm radius — PCB damage risk
Never power on with exposed live wires — short circuit risk

Maintenance

COB LED is easier to care for than most people expect:

Dust every 3–6 months with a dry cloth (if channel is accessible)
No acetone-based cleaners — will degrade the phosphor layer
Don’t touch the chip surface with bare hands — skin oils cause localized discoloration
Annual temperature check — if the channel exceeds 55°C during operation, inspect the thermal management
Replace entire sections when they fail — COB individual chip repair is not practical

Summary

COB LED strips deliver premium-grade ambient lighting at a price that’s accessible to most homeowners. Match the specs to your application, install in aluminum channels, and use a quality PSU — and you’ll have a lighting system that performs for a decade.

Contact Arumstores for COB LED strips with full installation accessories. View all products.