LED lights come in a variety of types. Among them COB and SMD LED gain great popularity. And here comes the question, SMD VS COB LED, what are the differences?
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*SMD LED construction
SMD LED, which is short for Surface Mounted Device LED, is the most common LED in the market. The LED chip is a versatile electronic component that is permanently fused to a printed circuit board. It is applied to light bulbs and string lights, as well as your 's notification light.
SMD LED chips are available in a variety of sizes. For example, one of the SMD chips, the SMD LED is 5mm wide while the SMD has a width of 3.5mm. As you can see, SMD chips are compact, practically identical to the flat, square computer chip architecture.
*COB LED construction
What is LED COB? COB LED technology is a recent advancement in LED lighting that allows for more effective energy use. As for COB manufacturing, it has several diodes on the same surface as SMD chip does. However, the distinction between them is that COB LED has more diodes.
Typically, COB chips feature 9 or more diodes. No matter how many diodes, they have only one circuit and two contacts, resulting in a panel-like look of COB LED lights.
When SMD VS COB LED in brightness, it also distinguishes. The level of brightness highly depends on the lumen output by the involved chips. Generally speaking, compared to other light sources, LED lights are capable of illuminating with brighter light, a result of higher lumen. But among different types of LED, the lumen differs.
For example, COB LED lumen is 80 lumen per watt at least, while SMD applies 50 to 100 lumen per watt, while the lowest measure of COB is 80 lumen per watt. Therefore, lights with COB are brighter.
In general, working with LED light like COB light ensures great energy efficiency. This is why, in comparison to filament bulbs, they are gaining popularity and becoming the most favored light source.
With this in mind, you can assured that both SMD and COB LEDs will be extremely energy efficient. But pay attention that the energy efficiency varies according to the lumens used. The higher the lumen measures, the greater the energy efficiency is.
SMD is more adaptable and offers a wider range of options when it comes to color and color temperature. It is easier to get a varied color since different primary colors can be used. When you wish to adjust the color temperature, it also works. A red, green, or blue diode could be included in the chip. You can already make practically any color with these three diodes by altering the output level.
As for the COB, however, the ability to modify the colors and color temperature is limited. It is designed to emit only one color and temperature of light. But as a result, it offers more stable lighting.
When it comes to the quality of light, it is also different when SMD VS COB LED. This is primarily due to the fact that they each use different numbers of diodes, which influences the brightness and range of lighting.
When it comes to SMD LED lights, the resulting light has a glare to it and is ideal to be utilized as a point light, a result of the attachment of multiple light sources.
COB light fixture, on the other hand, will emit a uniform and glare-free light. It produces a light beam that is homogeneous and easy to modify. This is primarily because of its wide-angle beam, which makes it a better light source. Therefore, you can DIY LED COB as surface light.
The cost of getting devices built with these different technologies differs. They are both strongly dependent on manufacturing costs, which are distinct.
When compared to its counterpart, SMD has a greater production cost. For example, SMD is more expensive than COB when comparing the labor and manufacturing process to the material cost.
Generally, the cost of SMD accounts for 15% of the total material cost. As for COB, labor and production costs contribute for 10% of the material cost for. This demonstrates that chip on board LED saves you roughly 5% on manufacturing costs.
Type
Brightness
Color temperature
Using
Cost
COB
'80 lumen per watt
Unchangeable
Surface light
5% less
SMD
50 to 100 lumen per watt
Changeable
Point light
Higher
LED lights play an important part in our daily life, especially in photography and architectural lighting. When having a purchase, SMD VS COB LED, which is more suitable? Let's have a look.
In most cases, LED COB bulbs are wildly used in LED video light for photography. As we know, COB lights features luminous uniformity because of its wide beam angle, making it preferable among photographers and filmmakers.
For example, the COLBOR CL100 is a 100W COB LED light. It provides stable 100W output in bi-color temperature, enabling you to spend less time adjusting the setting. Moreover, it is incredibly light so that you can use it for mobile filming without burden. The CL100 helps you show objects in natural colors.
In architectural lighting, COB LED chips are utilized in more complex lighting applications to provide better beam angles and more aesthetically pleasing fixtures. However, SMD LED are utilized in more general lighting fixtures like diffused panel lights, which have a frosted diffuser covering the light source.
The differences in SMD VS COB LED are various such as brightness, color temperature, manufacture cost. Meanwhile, they are suitable for different applications. Just have an understanding of them and you will get an ideal LED light for video shooting and other uses.
LEDs have many uses in our lives. They are long-lasting and efficient. Now, we see these LEDs in almost every aspect of life. We further divide the LEDs into two types. These are COB and SMD. COB stands for 'Chip on Board'. And SMD stands for 'Surface Mounted Device.'
In the below article, we are going to discuss both of them. We will highlight how both of these LEDs work. We will also discuss their features and manufacturing. We will compare their functions.
What Is COB LED?
cob ledIt is one of the new advancements in the field of LEDs. It has many advantages over other types of LEDs.
There is a particular pattern of LED chips needed to create COB lights. These chips are closely packed together. Moreover, it has a base made of silicon carbide. Thus, we have a LED chip with excellent illumination, which is uniform. This feature makes it perfect for filmmakers. It is also quite helpful for photographers.
COB chips use nine or more diodes. Its contacts and circuit do not depend on the number of diodes. Actually, they always have one circuit and two contacts. It can generate brighter lighting when large chips are up to 250 lumens. Thus, it also gives a panel an aspect due to the design of its circuit. These are not useful in color-changing lights. It is because this LED uses only one circuit.
Basic Understanding Of COB Technology:
Of course, the actual lights would be the primary part of a COB LED lighting system. The 'Chip On Board' (COB) indicates the concept that every unit consists of many LED chips. These chips are alongside one another on a surface made of ceramics or metal. LEDs are semiconductors that emit light photons.
There has been an idea that the amount of quality and battery runtime are opposite entities. If the brightness is more, the battery runtime will be short. The COB technology has changed this fact. COB LEDs can produce high brightness levels with low wattage.
What Is SMD LED?
smd ledSMD refers to Surface Mounted Devices. SMD is a technique for producing electric circuits. In this technique, the circuit boards have the components mounted on them. SMD LEDs are very small in size. It has no pins and leads. It is better handled by automated assembly machinery rather than a human. Due to the absence of the hemispherical epoxy casing, an SMD LED also offers a broad viewing angle.
The SMD LEDs can produce bright illumination with even less wattage. It is a type of LED that integrates three primary colors in one encapsulation. It uses the polarization process for the assembly of the circuit board. High-quality equipment is necessary for completing this process. It helps to overcome many problems. These include non-functional LEDs.
Basic Understanding Of SMD Technology:
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SMD also works on LED technology. It has replaced the old technology. The old one used wire leads during manufacturing. In SMD technology, we perform the mounting on small minute devices. Thus, it occupies a small space. And we can easily use this technology in small electronic appliances.
We can have automated assembly of PCB using this technology. This technology enhances the device's reliability, efficiency, and performance.
Key Differences Between The COB LED And The SMD LED:
Now, we will discuss some features that distinguish between these LED types. These features better help us to determine which one is better to use.
Type of LEDCOB LED SMD LEDBrightnessMore brighter Less brighterQuality of LightSurface lightPoint lightColor TemperatureCannot be changedCan be changedCostLess expensiveMore expensiveEnergy efficiencyMore efficientLess efficientEnergy Efficient:
Generally speaking, the COB lights provide us with better energy efficiency. The COB LED has a high production efficiency. Thus, it is an excellent choice for lighting performance needs.
But keep in mind both of these LEDs are highly energy efficient. They have better performance compared to filament bulbs. And that is why they have become a more popular choice than these bulbs.
With SMD and COB, the energy efficiency depends on the lumens used. When there are higher lumens, the energy efficiency is better. The efficiency is lower for SMD compared to COB.
Color And Color Temperature:
The next feature on our list is the color and color temperature. Concerning this, the SMD is better than COB. SMD provides us with a broader range of colors. The colour temperature is more adjustable for SMD.
There are three primary colors, RGB, used in SMD. We can practically display any color using these primary colors. SMD actually makes it easier to achieve any color. The SMD LED is also flexible for changing the color temperature.
But COB LED does not have this facility. You cannot change the color temperature and color. It has a design that allows the emission of only one color. But there is a blessing in disguise here. Due to the emission of only one color, it provides us with more stable lighting.
color temperatureQuality Of Light:
Both of these technologies differ in the quality of light. It is primarily due to the different features that they have. The SMD and COB have a different number of diodes. These diodes affect the range and brightness of the light.
Using SMD technology, the light produced has a glare to it. This light is ideal when we use it as a point light. It is because the light produced results from coupling many light sources.
Using COB technology, we will have a glare-free, even light. The COB creates a light beam. This light beam is uniform and easy to alter. It is better because it produces a wide-angle beam angle. Hence, we can better describe it as surface light.
Manufacturing Cost:
We know that various devices use COB and SMD technologies. The price of these devices will vary. It depends on the labor cost and manufacturing cost.
For SMD, the production cost is higher. For example, we compare labor, material, and manufacturing processes. This comparison shows that the SMD is more expensive than the COB. It is because SMD results in 15% of the material cost. And the COB results for 10% of the material cost. It shows that the latter can save you about 5%. But keep in mind these are general calculations. However, it is a fact that SMD is expensive compared to COB.
Brightness:
LED technology produces brighter lights. These lights are preferable nowadays to filament bulbs. But among the COB and SMD, the brightness varies. It is also due to the difference in the lumens.
For COB, we have at least 80 lumens per watt. And for SMD, it can be from 50 to 100 lumens per watt. Hence, COB lights are more luminous and better.
Manufacturing Process:
Both of these LEDs have different manufacturing processes. For SMD, we use insulating glue and conductive glue. We use these glues to attach the chips. The chips get fixed on the pad. It is then welded so that it has a firm hold. This pad is present in the lamp holder. After this, we do a performance test. This test ensures that everything is smooth. After the performance test, we coat it with epoxy resin.
For COB, the chips are directly attached to the PCB. It also has a performance test and is then coated with epoxy resin.
Application:
The COB and SMD offer us different types of applications. These SMD lights are better for:
COB technology has different fields of applications. Generally speaking, they would better serve industrial sectors and security purposes. The beam that COB lights produce and their brightness make them suitable for these purposes. Before deciding which technology is best for you, you should consider all the factors.
accent lightingWhich LED Is More Applicable?
LED lights have invaded almost every aspect of our daily life. To understand the difference between SMD and COB, we take two examples.
Photography:
COB LED lights are most prevalent in the case of photography. We now know that COB LED has a wide-angle beam. Due to this, they produce luminous uniformity. This feature makes it the favorite for photographers and filmmakers.
Architectural Lighting:
In the case of general lighting, we prefer SMD LEDs. For example, for diffused panel lights, there is a frosted diffuser. It covers the lighting source. So we use SMD LEDs.
Whereas for complex lighting applications, we prefer COB LED. In the case of architectural lighting, we need better beam angles. So we use COB LED. It is also suitable for aesthetically pleasing events.
architectural lightingWhich LED Is Brighter And Better?
Three factors determine which LED is better. These are the following:
Cost-effectiveness:
First, consider that LED lights are more economical than other bulbs. Due to their longer lifespan, energy efficiency, and brightness, they are more popular. And when it comes to COB and SMD LEDs, the former is more cost-effective.
Energy Efficiency:
Again, it is a fact that LED lights are more energy-saving than any other bulbs. Between these two, this feature relies on the lumens used. When there are higher lumens used, there is more energy efficiency.
Brightness:
When we talk about lights, the first thing that comes to mind is their brightness. The COB LED is brighter. It is because it works on a higher lumen compared to SMD LED.
What Are The Similarities Between COB LED And SMD LED?
We have discussed the vital differentiating points between these two technologies. But, of course, they are both LED technologies. They have many similarities between them. Let us go through these similarities briefly:
Conclusion:
Regarding displays or lights, LED technology is superior to others. They are better in terms of long lifespan, energy efficiency, and brightness. That's why we recommend that you prefer LED lights over other bulbs.
Nonetheless, COB LED exceeds its counterpart in many essential features. But it all depends on the purpose for which you are looking at the LED.
This post has shared a basic understanding of SMD and COB LED technologies. On what points do they differ from each other? What similarities do COB LED and SMD LED have? Which one is more suitable for your business? After reading this article, we hope you can easily decide which LED technology suits you.
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