Recently, the best LED strips in 2022 have become increasingly popular. Previously, as a rule, people used them for additional decoration, for organizing a holiday or for outdoor advertising. However, now you can find more and more apartments and houses where such strips are used as the main source of room lighting.
The best LED strips for lighting allow you to completely replace chandeliers and similar light sources. It is worth noting that in all respects this type of lighting is much better. Firstly, this is a significant saving, since LED strips consume much less electrical energy. Secondly, the brightness of such a device is much higher than that of standard light bulbs.
However, not every option is suitable for lighting your home. Therefore, you need to know which LED strip is better for illuminating a room as the main light source. To do this, it is recommended to familiarize yourself with the best manufacturers, popular models, and also study recommendations for selection.
Areas of application
LED strips for outdoor use are encased in a protective silicone shell, protecting them from moisture. Thanks to this, street lamps are able to work in almost any weather conditions. This is the main difference between outdoor modifications and indoor lamps.
LED street strips are used wherever, for some reason, it is not possible to install a stationary light source or where additional lighting is required. The possibilities of using LEDs are further expanded due to the fact that you can independently change the brightness level and color of the glow.
Ability to control lighting. You can independently change the brightness level, the color of the source, configure the desired mode and use the tape for the entire screen or color music.
⑥ Xnabada WS2812B
Rating: 4.9 Price: from 93.91 rub.
up to
1264.80 rub.
Go to the store This colored diode strip is suitable for decorating hotel rooms, bars, and playrooms. Can also be used on cars, as decoration in shops and other retail outlets.
The length of the tape varies from 1 to 5 meters. The level of moisture protection also varies. At the highest level IP67, the tape is placed in a silicone tube. This option eliminates the need for adhesive tape for installation. Other options without a silicone tube are equipped with adhesive tape for quick and high-quality installation.
Advantages:
- all LEDs work;
- good quality mounting tape.
Flaws:
- does not shine very brightly;
- colors don't always switch.
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Classification of tapes
LEDs are usually classified according to a number of characteristics.
Power
Based on power, luminaires are divided into the following types (power per linear meter):
- 4.4 W;
- 7.2 W;
- 14.4 W.
Chip type
The lamps are manufactured using SMD diodes 2835, 3014, 3035, 3528, 5050, 5060, 5630. The last of these models is the most technically advanced. The number of chips on each linear meter directly affects the glow strength and electricity consumption.
Protection level
The degree of LED protection is determined by an alphanumeric code:
- IP - Ingress Protection, which translates as “degree of protection”;
- the first digit after the abbreviation indicates the level of protection from solid particles and dust (numbers from 0 to 6);
- the second digit shows how protected the electrical appliance is from moisture (numbers from 0 to 8).
The waterproof and dustproof properties of the LED strip determine how suitable a particular model is for the street. The peculiarity of protected modifications is that the LED is located in silicone (in a tube).
Glow type
There are monochrome and multi-color ribbons. Monochrome models produce glow in only one spectrum: white, yellow, blue, red, pink or orange. White color is also divided into types: daytime, pure and warm. The differences in white are due to different color temperatures.
RGB strips for 220V are also offered. Unlike standard LEDs, they are not monochrome, but colored. Such modifications work in a multi-colored spectrum, where it is possible to alternately use, for example, red and blue glow. RGBs contain three-color diodes (usually SMD 5050). Such tapes are equipped with 4 contacts, and the connection is made using an RGB controller. Thanks to the controller, you can change the color spectrum and regulate the speed of replacing one color with another.
Operating voltage
LED strips are available in the following voltage options: 12V, 24V, 36V and 48V. The most common devices are designed for direct current voltage of 12 or 24V. They are marked: DC12V or DC24V. The most popular are 12-volt tapes.
The power supply and controller are purchased based on the voltage rating of the model. The power supply is designed to convert the mains voltage (220V) alternating current into a voltage of the required value (12, 24, 36 or 48V) direct current.
When choosing a power supply, LED power is also taken into account. This indicator is directly related to the density of the diodes and the length of the tape. The power indicator of the tape is determined per meter of its length. If it is necessary to purchase a multi-meter tape, the power indicators per linear meter are added together.
The power supply must have power reserve. A 30-50% increase in the power level of the unit over the same parameter of the LED strip is considered sufficient.
Number of LEDs
Each linear meter of LED strip can contain from 30 to 240 units of diodes. The number of LEDs determines the brightness of the LED.
The number of diodes per meter can be judged by the lamp model:
- 3528 - 60, 120 or 240 pieces;
- 5060 - 30, 60 or 120 pieces.
The first number indicates a standard-density model, the second a double-density, and the third a double-density double-row belt.
Other Ribbon Options
LED strip lights are distinguished by type of design. They can be flexible or rigid. The differences lie in the base for the diodes.
Based on the type of installation, tapes are divided into self-adhesive and without an adhesive layer. Self-adhesive models are much more convenient to use, as they can be placed on any surface.
In recent years, LEDs such as duralight have become popular. They are a cord made of transparent polymer material. There are light diodes inside it. On the inside of the cord there is a polyvinyl chloride layer that protects the structure from external influences.
Installation
Despite the fact that fixing a lighting fixture outdoors is not as simple as indoors, when you just need to remove the protective film from the back adhesive part of the tape and stick it on. However, installation in outdoor conditions is also not very problematic. For this we need plastic ties. Using them, you can fix the tape on tree branches or other elements that can be grasped.
The beauty of fastening with clamps is that if the decoration is done for the holidays, then, subsequently, dismantling will not take much time either.
In the case when you need a product, for example, on the facade of a house, it is recommended to use plastic staples if the cladding allows you to make small holes. Or use a special fastening like an anchor with a clamp, if the facade is brick. Next you need to think about wiring to the network and connect.
Advantages and disadvantages
LED strips have many advantages:
- Long service life. The diodes remain operational for 50 thousand hours.
- Low power consumption. LEDs require several times less electricity compared to incandescent lamps.
- High light output. Almost all the energy consumed is converted into light.
- Possibility to select color temperature. Since the tape is mobile, lighting tasks may change. In accordance with this, the color of the temperature changes: from cold white (2.7-3 thousand K) to daytime (6.5 thousand K). The buyer should be aware of such a term as binning. Its essence is to group diodes by wavelength and color temperature. Manufacturers of cheap lamps do not always monitor the same binning of different diodes, although this indicator should be uniform. When purchasing, you need to make sure that all the diodes in the lamp are the same in color and brightness.
- In the RGB system, you can change the color of the lighting.
- A dimmer allows you to control the brightness of the lighting.
- Due to the compactness of the tape, it can be moved depending on the current lighting needs. Self-adhesive models allow you to place them on any surface.
- LEDs do not heat up, resulting in no risk of fire for nearby objects.
- Resistance to mechanical damage allows you not to worry about the integrity of the lighting device.
- LED technology is environmentally friendly. There are no hazardous substances inside the lamp.
② GBKOF 2835 LED strip light ribbon
Rating: 4.7 Price: from 128.06 rub.
up to
590.37 rub.
Go to store This 5 meter long flexible LED strip includes 300 LEDs. Suitable for indoor lighting and decoration of art objects. This product is available in different colors: cold and warm white, red, blue, green, yellow, and also rgb. There is also a version with and without moisture protection.
The tape operates using a power adapter. The RGB version has a 24-button infrared remote control. It allows you to control the light settings of the tape from a distance.
Advantages:
- high reliability – service life up to 50,000 hours;
- bright glow;
- the presence of tapes with varying degrees of moisture protection.
Flaws:
- Scotch tape does not stick well;
- no brightness adjustment;
- Not all diodes may work.
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Principle of operation
A feature of the 220V LED design is the absence of a power source in the form of a step-down transformer. Instead of a voltage stabilizer, the power supply contains a diode bridge, closed in a sealed housing. On one side of the case, a network cable enters it, and on the other, a cable with a connector is connected. The output of the rectifier is constant voltage (200V).
One of the positive aspects of direct-switching strips (as opposed to LEDs with power supplies) is the ability to create a very long continuous lamp (about 100 meters).
To avoid overloads, light diodes are grouped. Compensation for excessive voltage is carried out using resistors. The voltage drop of the diodes is on average 3.3-3.5 V, and therefore there are 60 chips in each group.
Since diodes need polar power supply, a rectifier (diode bridge) is used. After the rectifier, a pulse voltage is generated, which improves the quality of the glow.
⑧ Riri won strip 5050
Rating: 4.8 Price: from 441.96 rub.
up to
1579.35 rub.
Go to the store A universal ribbon that will become an indispensable accessory for decorating rooms for any occasion. It can also decorate external objects, and even a car.
The manufacturer offers a lot of varieties of tape: models with a length of 5 or 10 meters, with or without moisture protection, as well as with different diodes - 2835 and 5050. The delivery set includes an infrared remote control with 24 or 44 buttons, as well as a 12V DC adapter . By the way, the remote controls are supplied without a battery or batteries.
Advantages:
- the tape does not heat up;
- has a good adhesive base for installation;
- Different power sockets for different countries.
Flaws:
- short adapter cord;
- Not all buttons on the remote control may work;
- high price.
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Important factors when choosing LED strip
When purchasing a street strip with LEDs, it is recommended to pay attention to the following characteristics of the device:
- Degree of moisture protection.
- Dust protection.
- Number of diodes per meter of tape.
- Type of diode glow.
- Chroma.
- Diode installation density. For LED used as the main light source, the density should be highest.
- If you purchase a powerful LED strip (more than 10 W per meter), you will need a cooling radiator or an aluminum mounting profile.
- Reputation of the manufacturing company. The best products are produced by German and American companies.
User voting
Which LED strip will you choose or recommend?
Osram
22.73 % ( 5 )
Cree
27.27 % ( 6 )
Geniled
4.55 % ( 1 )
Gauss
9.09 % ( 2 )
Joliet Technology
4.55 % ( 1 )
Sveteco
9.09 % ( 2 )
ArLight
4.55 % ( 1 )
LEDCraft
4.55 % ( 1 )
Navigator
9.09 % ( 2 )
Elektrostandard
0.00 % ( 0 )
Connection
LED strip connection diagram:
- Cut the cord to a length that is a multiple of the smallest tape size.
- Install a connecting pin into the cut end and secure with sealant.
- Based on polarity, connect the connector to the output of the rectifier.
- Cover the reverse side of the cut cord with a plug.
- Make sure the lamp is tight and the connections are good.
The rectifier used to connect the LED has a diode bridge. The rectifier power is 700 W, which is enough for 40 meters of high-power tape, and 100 meters of standard tape.
Installing LED strip on wood
Installation is carried out in the following sequence:
- Calculate the required length of the tape.
- We connect all the components to each other.
- We isolate all connections.
- We attach the LED to the tree with clamps.
- We connect the system.
Installing tape on the wall of a building
In this case, clamps will not help; other solutions will be needed. Installation can be done in two ways:
- Small holes are drilled in the wall covered with plastic and the tape is fixed with their help.
- In the case of a brick wall, the task becomes more complicated. First, install the tape at the corners of the building and stretch it to the maximum extent possible, being careful. Then small holes are drilled in the wall and the tape is fixed. One fastening is created for each meter of wall.
Safety precautions
When installing and operating the tape, do not forget about safety precautions:
- The block must have a safety margin in terms of power. Despite their resistance to mechanical damage, the safety margin of diode lamps is not infinite. They must be protected from impacts with hard objects.
- For every five meters of tape there must be a power supply.
- When installing LEDs, polarity must be observed.
If you have no installation experience, it is better to seek help from specialists. Installing the tape is not a very difficult task, but it requires compliance with certain rules.
④ Malitai RGB USB LED Strip light
Rating: 4.8 Price: from 68.96 rub.
up to
556.88 rub.
Go to the store This LED strip model is equipped with a USB interface. As in the previous copy, the manufacturer offers a large selection of length options: from 50 centimeters to 5 meters. The flexible tape allows you to install it anywhere: under the ceiling, along the steps of the stairs, in the children's room.
Thanks to the USB port, this model can be connected and controlled using a laptop, smartphone, or tablet. It also connects to the car cigarette lighter. The tape has high-quality light without flickering or other harmful radiation. Completely harmless to human eyes.
Advantages:
- has high-quality adhesive tape for reliable fixation on any surface;
- universal connection;
- length options.
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Tower crane boom illumination
Creating illumination of a construction crane with LED strip is performed for decorative and marketing purposes. A tower crane with bright multi-colored ice lighting looks very original and attractive. This decor is excellent for attracting the attention of potential clients to the contracting company carrying out the construction.
Contour lighting is installed on the boom, cab, tower or counterweight. In the dark, the illuminated faucet is visible from afar. From an ordinary working mechanism, it turns into a local attraction that diversifies the surrounding landscape.
⑨ ZUCZUG RGB USB LED Strip light
Rating: 4.7 Price: from 55.82 rub.
up to
316.53 rub.
Go to the store Good tape in terms of price and quality ratio. For convenience, it comes in different lengths: from 50 cm to 5 m. The tape contains SMD 3528 diodes. The voltage is 5V DC. USB charger included. Colors: white, warm white and RGB. The viewing angle is 120 degrees. Operating temperature of diodes: from -25 to + 60 degrees.
Flexible tape creates different lighting effects for decorating indoors and outdoor objects.
Advantages:
- adhesive backing – easy to install;
- Includes remote control with 24 buttons;
- affordable price.
Flaws:
- Some LEDs may not work.
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