LED vs SMD LED vs COB LED | 13 Key Differences and Applications

Choosing the right LED type for your lighting needs can be confusing, as terms like LED vs SMD LED vs COB LED are often used interchangeably, though they represent distinct technologies. An LED is a semiconductor light source. SMD LEDs involve individual LED chips mounted on a circuit board surface, while COB LEDs package multiple LED chips directly onto a substrate.

Understanding these key differences between traditional LEDs, SMD LEDs, and COB LEDs, and the distinct advantages of SMD and COB technologies, will help you make an informed decision for your lighting project.

Feature	Traditional LED	SMD LED	COB LED
Structure	Single PN junction unit	Multiple individual LED chips packaged into one device	Numerous LED chips directly mounted on a substrate
Size	Small, offering design versatility	Typically larger due to multiple chips on a PCB	Compact with high light density
Light output	Directionality varies with lens design	More focused beam due to individual chip arrangement	High light output density, fitting more light in a smaller space
Beam angle	Comparatively small, typically 25 to 40 degrees per chip	Roughly 20 degrees per chip, clustered for task lighting.	Wider and more consistent, ideal for general illumination
Brightness	Baseline brightness, suitable for indicators	Uniform and softer light, good for glare-sensitive applications	High brightness and focused beams, ideal for spotlights
Color & color temp	Directly produces a wide spectrum of colors	Warm white (2700K-3000K Natural white (4000K-5000K) Cool white (6000K-8000K)	Warm white (around 2700K) Cool white (around 6500K)
Heat dissipation	Tends to produce less heat	Better balance, heat dissipates more readily.	Concentrates more heat, requires more robust heat sinks
Energy efficiency	High	High	High, potentially slightly more efficient for high lumen output.
Cost & Price		Generally lower manufacturing costs, more affordable for consumers $0.16 - $6.32	Higher manufacturing costs, typically 10-20% more expensive $1.14 to $22.7
Manufacturing process		Chips adhered to a pad, welded connection, epoxy coating	Chips directly affixed to PCB, epoxy coating
Applications	Basic illumination, indicator	Signage, commercial lighting (restaurants, retail)	Accent lighting, industrial and security applications.
Lifespan	At least 50,000 hours	30,000 to 50,000 hours	over 80,000 hours
Customization	Basic color and intensity adjustments	More design and color mixing options due to individual chips (RGB)	Some customization in light output and color temperature

Overview of LED vs SMD LED vs COB LED

Before getting into LED SMD COB comparison, let’s have an overview of each type:

LED

When current passes through a semiconductor light source called an LED (Light Emitting Diode), light is released. Conventional LED lamps are usually single-die devices with a light-focusing lens. From indicator lights to the earliest types of general illumination, they have been a key component of lighting technology. 

SMD LED (Surface Mount Device LED)

LED chips are directly mounted onto a PCB in SMD (Surface-Mounted Device) LEDs, which offer an effective and space-saving lighting solution. Compact designs and higher energy efficiency are made possible by this technology, which consists of a chip, phosphor coating, and reflective cavity. 

SMD LEDs are soldered flat, allowing for a higher density of diodes for a wider beam and longer lifespan than conventional LEDs with leads. Leading manufacturers offer high-power SMDs as bare emitters or mounted on MCPCBs for easy integration. These are used in various lighting applications, including linear designs like the LuxStrip.

For example, Cree is renowned for its high lumen output in their SMD LEDs. Similarly, Lumileds is known for its color accuracy and thermal control in their SMD offerings.

COB LED (Chip-on-Board LED)

A major advancement in light-emitting diodes, COB (Chip-on-Board) LED technology offers increased dependability, better energy efficiency, and better vision quality, especially in LED display devices and lighting. Even though its benefits are obvious, many people are still learning about this cutting-edge technology's operation and possible uses. 

Similarities Between LED, SMD And COB LEDs

Despite their differences, traditional LED vs SMD LED vs COB LEDs share some fundamental characteristics:

• Energy & cost efficient: When compared to conventional lighting, all three types of LEDs - including SMD and COB - are incredibly energy and cost-efficient.
• Long lifespan: With the right temperature control, LED, SMD, and COB LEDs are strong and long-lasting.
• Versatile uses: From industrial applications to streetlights, these LED technologies can be used for a wide range of lighting requirements.
• Bright light output: For a variety of indoor and outdoor needs, all offer bright, luminous light.
• Simple core designs: They manufacture their LED chips using comparatively simple designs.
• Multiple diodes: More than two light-emitting diodes are present in both SMD and COB chips.
• Modern & advanced: LED, SMD, and COB are all cutting-edge lighting options.
• Potential for industrial use: SMD and COB LEDs can be used in demanding industrial settings, such as floodlights.
• Basics of shared circuits: The circuit design of SMD and COB chips is straightforward and consists of two connections.  

Key Differences Between LED vs SMD LED vs COB LED

While "LED" is the general term, traditional LEDs, Surface Mount Device (SMD), and Chip-on-Board (COB) represent distinct technologies. Let's see how they are different:

Structure

While all LEDs rely on the PN junction of semiconductors to create light, their structures differ. A standard LED is a single unit built on this principle. An SMD LED package multiple individual LED chips with components like brackets, bonding, wires, and epoxy into one surface-mountable device. In contrast, a COB LED directly mounts numerous LED chips onto a substrate, skipping individual packaging and forming a single light-emitting area.

Size

Traditional LEDs are renowned for their small size, offering design versatility. SMD LEDs are typically larger than traditional LEDs as they incorporate multiple chips on a PCB.

However, in comparison to COB LEDs, SMD LEDs are generally smaller. COB LEDs achieve a higher light density in a more compact form factor than SMD because their numerous chips are directly mounted on a substrate.

Light Output 

Different types of LEDs have different light output characteristics. Because of their individual chip arrangement, SMD LEDs produce a light that is more focused from each chip but can appear as multiple point light sources with potential for glare, unlike conventional LEDs whose directionality depends on their lens. 

COB LEDs, on the other hand, are surface light sources with closely spaced chips that eliminate glare and spotlight effects by providing a wider, easily adjustable beam angle and more consistent, smoother illumination without a halo. Compared to SMD LEDs, which can have an uneven light distribution with hotspots and shadows, this produces a more aesthetically pleasing light.

Beam Angle

The beam angles of conventional LED chips are generally quite small, ranging from 25 to 40 degrees per chip. SMD LED chips use a clustered arrangement to achieve the wider light distribution required for task lighting, even though individual chips also have a narrow beam angle, about 120 degrees according to some designs.

COB LEDs, on the other hand, are distinguished by their capacity to generate a broad and steady light output with a noticeably greater beam angle, up to 180 degrees. Because of this feature, they are especially well-suited for general illumination, providing a smooth, continuous light in contrast to the noticeable LED "dots" that are occasionally seen with conventional SMD tape light designs.

Brightness

Comparing LED technologies reveals different lighting characteristics. Traditional LEDs offer a baseline brightness suitable for indicators and basic illumination. SMD LEDs provide a uniform and softer light, ideal for glare-sensitive applications.

When it comes to brightness, COB LEDs generally produce a brighter light compared to SMD LEDs. This is because COB LEDs typically achieve a lumen output of at least 80 lumens per watt, whereas SMD LEDs range from 50 to 100 lumens per watt, with some falling below the COB minimum. Therefore, COB LEDs, prioritizing high brightness and focused beams, are better suited for applications like spotlights and downlights where intense illumination is key.

Color and Color Temperature

While traditional LEDs inherently produce a wide spectrum of colors directly, offering flexible status indications without filters, both SMD and COB LEDs represent advancements in stability and color rendering. However, in terms of color control, SMD LEDs are more adaptable, offering a wider range of color and color temperature options. This is because SMD chips can incorporate multiple primary color diodes (like red, green, and blue), allowing for the creation of virtually any color by adjusting their output levels, and also enabling changes in color temperature. 

In contrast, COB LEDs are typically designed to emit a single color and temperature of light, which, while limiting color modification, results in more stable and uniform lighting. 

Heat Dissipation

Traditional LEDs typically generate less heat than COB LEDs due to their lower power output. While SMD LEDs, with their dispersed individual chips, achieve better heat dissipation compared to COB LEDs, COB LEDs generally offer higher brightness than SMD LEDs because they pack multiple chips closely together to create a more intense light source. Therefore, while SMD LEDs excel in heat management over COB, COB LEDs are typically brighter.

Energy Efficiency

LEDs are up to 90% more energy efficient than traditional incandescent lights, which use a lot more energy. Compared to traditional LEDs, both COB and SMD LEDs offer significantly higher energy efficiency and longer lifespans. While both are efficient, COB LEDs tend to be slightly more energy-efficient due to their higher light output density and fewer components, potentially leading to an even longer lifespan and greater durability.

Cost & Price

SMD LEDs typically enjoy lower manufacturing costs due to established supply chains, sophisticated yet simple, high-yield production techniques. Customers frequently benefit from lower prices as a result of this cost effectiveness, which normally ranges from $0.16 - $6.32.

COB LED production, on the other hand, is more complicated and necessitates cleanroom conditions and strict quality control, which raises manufacturing costs. Although the cost of labor for COB LEDs may be lower than that of materials, their total manufacturing costs and possibly lower yields result in a higher price point for consumers, usually ranging from $1.14 to $22.7. When compared to their SMD counterparts, this indicates a discernible price difference.

Manufacturing Process

Different procedures are used in the production of SMD and COB LEDs. Chips are adhered to a pad inside the lamp holder using conductive and insulating glues in SMD production, and the connection is then cemented with welding. Before an epoxy resin coating is applied, functionality is confirmed by a performance test. 

On the other hand, chips are directly affixed to the PCB during COB LED manufacturing. Before the final epoxy resin coating is applied, a performance test is carried out, just like with SMD.

Applications

LEDs have a wide range of applications in real life. COB and SMD LEDs serve different purposes. SMD lighting excels in signage and illuminating commercial spaces such as restaurants, clubs, bars, hotels, and retail stores. For example, Hirosart utilizes SMD LEDs in some of our lighting products, offering excellent and even illumination with epoxy lamp. 

Otherwise, COB technology is typically better suited for accent lighting as well as industrial and security applications.

Lifespan

SMD Compared to conventional LEDs, both SMD and COB LEDs offer greater affordability and longer lifespans. While SMD LEDs typically last between 30,000 and 50,000 hours, often matching or slightly trailing conventional LED bulbs, COB LEDs generally surpass both, frequently exceeding 80,000 hours due to their durable components and optimized heat dissipation. 

In terms of energy efficiency, both SMD and COB are superior to traditional LEDs, with COB LEDs tending to be slightly more efficient due to higher light output density and fewer components, which also contributes to their enhanced lifespan and durability. Therefore, while both are significant improvements over older technology, COB LEDs generally offer a longer lifespan and potentially better energy efficiency and durability compared to SMD LEDs. 

Customization

Traditional LEDs only allow for basic color and intensity adjustments when it comes to customization due to their compact, single-array design, which limits color mixing options. Due to their individual chips, SMD LEDs offer more design and color mixing options, increasing their flexibility and allowing for more customized lighting solutions. 

This versatility in color and design is why Hirosart often chooses SMD LEDs for their lighting products, allowing for a wider range of aesthetic and functional applications.

Although COB LEDs lack the individual chip control that SMD technology offers, they do provide some degree of customization, especially regarding overall light output and color temperature.

This difference is further emphasized by the fact that SMD LEDs can produce the primary colors Red, Green, and Blue (RGB), which makes it possible to create a wide range of color effects through output adjustments. COB LED light does not have this capability. However, it's worth noting that while less common, some specialized COB designs, such as RGB COB strips, do offer color-changing capabilities

LED vs SMD LED vs COB LED: Which One is Better For You?

 

The "best" LED type depends entirely on your specific needs and application:

• Choose Traditional LEDs if: Cost is your top concern and you require basic, low-power illumination or simple indicator lights.
• Choose SMD LEDs if: You need multipurpose lighting options, such as LED strips for task lighting, ambient lighting, or backlighting, and they can even be used to replace the light in epoxy lamps. Their brightness, efficiency, and affordability are all well-balanced. The size of the LED chip is indicated by the different SMD codes (e.g., 5050, 2835, 3535); higher numbers typically correspond to higher brightness and power consumption.
• Choose COB LEDs if: You require intense, concentrated light sources for stage lighting, floodlights, or spotlights. They require efficient heat dissipation but offer the most brightness from a small area. In contrast to SMD strips, COB LED strip lights provide a more powerful and consistent linear lighting option.

Conclusion

To choose the best lighting solution for your unique needs, it is essential to comprehend the differences between conventional LED vs SMD LED vs COB LED technologies. Regarding structure, light output, efficiency, cost, and application, each type has special benefits. You can effectively and efficiently illuminate your space by carefully taking these factors into account.

FAQs

What are the main advantages of SMD LEDs over traditional LEDs?

SMD LEDs offer several advantages over traditional LEDs:

• Higher energy efficiency
• Longer lifespan due to better heat management
• Brighter and more consistent light from their multi-chip design, improved color mixing and control (especially RGB)
• More compact, versatile designs enabled by surface-mount technology

Which type of LED is best for strip lighting?

SMD LEDs are frequently chosen for strip lighting because of their balanced brightness, energy efficiency, flexibility, and color options (including RGB). They are adaptable for ambient, task, and decorative applications due to their flat design, which offers uniform illumination with a wide beam angle. SMD is typically regarded as the superior all-around choice for LED strips, even though COB LED strips provide a more continuous light line.

How do SMD LED codes (e.g., 5050) relate to their size and brightness?

The physical dimensions of the chip are indicated by SMD LED codes such as 5050 (5.0 x 5.0 mm), 2835 (2.8 x 3.5 mm), and 3535 (3.5 x 3.5 mm). Although lumen output specifications offer a more accurate comparison of brightness, larger SMD chips can typically handle more power, which frequently results in higher brightness.