Which Is Better SMD or COB LED?

You like LED lights because they last longer and are more efficient than older fluorescent bulbs. In addition, these bulbs are safer and less expensive to maintain.

However, not all LED lights are created equal.

The reality is that there are two types of LED downlights: chip-on-board, or COB, LEDs and surface-mount diodes, or SMD, LEDs.

Among them COB and SMD LED gain great popularity. And here comes the question, SMD VS COB LED, what are the differences?

Here's a brief overview of the differences between COB LEDs and SMD LEDs, and which one might be best for your home or business.

Let's get started!

SMD vs. COB: What is an SMD?

SMD or "surface mount device" LEDs are the most common LEDs on the market. LED chips are permanently fused to a printed circuit board and are popular because of their versatility. You can find it in light bulbs and string lights, and even in notification lights on cell phones.

SMD LED chips are available in a variety of sizes. SMD LEDs can accommodate chips with complex designs, such as the 5mm wide SMD 5050. on the other hand, the SMD 3528 is 3.5mm wide. SMD chips are small, almost approaching the design of a flat square computer chip.

One of the distinguishing features of SMD LED chips is the number of contacts and diodes they have.

SMD LED chips can have more than two contacts (which makes them different from the classic DIP LEDs). There can be up to 3 diodes on a chip, each with a separate circuit. Each circuit has a cathode and an anode, resulting in 2, 4 or 6 contacts in the chip.

This configuration is what makes SMD chips more versatile (compare SMD to COB). The chip can include red, green and blue diodes. Using these three diodes, you can create almost any color by adjusting the output level.

SMD chips are also considered to be bright. They can produce 50 to 100 lumens per watt.

12V 15W Flip Chip COB LED

SMD vs. COB: What is a COB?

One of the latest developments in LED, COB or "chip on board" technology is to improve energy efficiency. Like SMDs, COP chips have multiple diodes on the same surface. But the difference between COB and SMD LED lights is that COB LEDs have more diodes.

COB chips usually have 9 or more diodes. COB chips also have only 1 circuit and 2 contacts, independent of the number of diodes. This simple circuit design is the reason for the panel-like appearance of COB LED lights (SMD lights, on the other hand, look like a collection of smaller lamps).

Unlike SMDs, however, COB LED lights cannot be used to make color-changing bulbs or lamps. This is because there are only 2 contacts and 1 circuit. Multiple adjustment channels are needed to create the color changing effect. As a result, COB LED lights are efficient in monochrome applications, but not in more general purpose technologies.

Another aspect that differentiates COB from SMD LED light is energy usage. COBs are known for their better lumen per watt ratio and thermal efficiency. This has a lot to do with the design of COB LEDs, the ceramic substrate used to dissipate heat from the chips.

Previously, heavy-duty technologies such as spotlights and floodlights made from LEDs were non-standard because you needed multiple LED light sources to produce that high lumen output.

But now, COB chips can produce a lot of lumens with a lot less energy. You can find it in a variety of bulbs and applications, such as flash for cell phones or dumb cameras. It has a higher range of at least 80 lumens per watt.

300W COB LED Module for Stage Light

Why choose COB LEDs?

As a general rule of thumb, COB LED lights are a higher quality light source. That's because they use a reflector to provide focused and controlled light. In addition, they are not equipped with the frosted lenses of SMD LED lights.

You can expect cleaner, clearer light. This makes COB LED lights especially useful in high-ceilinged rooms.

COB LEDs are known as higher-end LEDs that give off more of an architectural look, so consider COB if you plan to use LED downlights for the long term, or SMD if you're installing in an investment property.

120W Blue & White High Density COB LED

Why choose SMD LEDs?

Also, as mentioned earlier, SMD LED lights are a good choice if you are interested in lighting large areas. For example, you can use them in a bathroom, kitchen or bedroom. However, these lights do have more glare compared to their COB LED counterparts.

How we can help

As one of China's top and leading LED packaging manufacturer of high density COBs. Getian, with strong R & D development and manufacturing integrated in-house, mainly specializes in high power density cobs from 10W to 1500W with high intensity and etendue in white and color illuminations and also highly compact UV & IR LED Modules. Getian leds are widely applied to stage and studio lighting, landscape & architectural lighting, projection & displays, medical & life science, imaging and machine vision etc.

Contact us today to learn more about our LED light options and start experiencing their unique benefits this year.