Choosing LED Strip Lights
When it comes to choosing LED strip lights, there are several factors to keep in mind. At first glance, it might seem hard to make a right choice; after all, there are simply so many options available on the online and offline market. Apart from that, these lights come in different sizes too.
We have made it somewhat easier for you to make a choice by offering a breakdown of the most essential factors that will affect your buying decision. In this post, we will consider 11 of the best models on the market. While choosing these models, we considered several factors. Some of what we considered include length, number of LEDs, watts, voltage, lifespan, colors, waterproof, Smart-App connectivity, and warranty. So come along as we review each of these LED strip lights and help you to choose the right option. This can further assist you to make an informed decision.
Factors to consider
Before buying a LED strip light you should always consider some features, and further you will get a clue, which ones are essential for purchase to be a successful one.
Energy Efficiency
Why is efficiency an important consideration? The energy efficiency of your light will determine whether you will save money or spend plenty of money on the strip lights.
Efficiency largely is determined by the lights found in the contraption. You have to consider the type of bulbs used in the strip lights. Let’s see some of the types of bulbs you might find in a strip light.
These are hands down one of the best options to have. They are admittedly quite common, but that is largely due to their efficiency.
These bulbs come with several useful properties. For example, we discovered that because of the technology behind their design, they are highly energy efficient. They do not need loads of energy to function. Additionally, as is evidenced by the many models reviewed above, they can be dimmed. Compared to other types of bulbs, they last the longest time as well.
These are a good option; however, they are not exactly suitable for these types of lights. They come with certain disadvantages that don’t make them a good fit. While halogen bulbs are very bright and can even be brighter than the regular options, they do not last as long. They have a shorter lifespan and burn out quickly.
These are also similar to halogen bulbs. They are war, burn quickly, and emit plenty of light. While they are good looking, these factors, factor in against them and make them bad options for these types of lights.
This is another popular option on the market. They are very bright when compared to the other models. They also deliver a good level of energy efficiency. The problem with these is that they aren’t just as efficient as LED options. Additionally, they are somewhat rigid and give you only one level of brightness.
Compare Lumen, CCT, and CRI (Colour Rendering Index)
These factors are quite important. Let’s see what they mean.
Lumen
When choosing a bulb or anything that glows, you must consider this factor. The lumen refers to the amount of brightness that the naked eye is capable of perceiving. Now, due to the types of lighting we have, we are used to watts as the measurement of brightness. While this is alright, it can sometimes pose problems when light bulbs aren’t measured in watts but lumens. It is another way of referring to the watts of the light.
Depending on what you want to use the light for, you will require different levels of lumens. That is why many experts have different ways of comparing strips of light.
When making a choice, we recommend that you choose a bulb that gives more light than you need. Since LED lights can be dimmed, you can choose a brighter option and adjust it based on what you want.
One advantage of doing this is that your light will last for a longer period when it isn’t running on full capacity.
Despite the fact that the fluctuating temperatures have various names, it ought not be mistaken for real hues, for example, red, green, or purple.
CRI (Color Rendering Index)
This rating is likewise estimation in the lighting business to help recognize expectation, tone segregation, striking quality, inclination, shading naming exactness, and shading amicability.
Lighting with a CRI that is estimated more noteworthy than 80 is viewed as more than worthy for most applications.
Lighting with a CRI that is estimated more noteworthy than 90 is considered “High CRI” lights and chiefly utilized in business, craftsmanship, film, photography, and retail stores.
The machines used to “pick and spot” the LEDs and resistors on the adaptable circuit board are normally 3′ 2″ long, so singular segments are fastened together to finish an entire reel. On the off chance that buying, ensure you are buying by the foot or by the reel. Affirm length before looking at.
Measure what number of feet you need LED strips before you start. This will make it simpler to analyze cost (after quality is looked at, obviously). When you decide the quantity of feet on the reel being sold, take a gander at the number of LED chips on the reel and the LED chip type. This can be utilized to look at LED strips between organizations.
When purchasing LED strip lights, it is essential to take a gander at the quantity of LEDs per length. If you desire to have more light, then you should ensure that you look for options that have higher values of LEDs/FT or any other indicative measure. On the off chance that LEDs are separated excessively far separated over the strips they could create patchy lighting rather than a perfect, consistent line of light. It very well may be befuddling as producers utilize various units of estimation to publicize this. My proposal is to adhere to a specific estimation and afterward convert every other estimation to perceive what strips have the most LEDs per set unit of estimation.
Type of LED Strip
The LED Strips class is a general classification that incorporates every extraordinary kind of LED strip lights. The purpose is an important consideration in this regard. To that end, you will find that some come with IP ratings that make them easy to use in inclement weather. These would be good to use outside the house.
Brightness
As LED innovation keeps on improving, LED strips keep on arriving at more brilliant capacities. This implies that there is a variation between options. You might not need plenty of light to carry out your work. Check out factors like the lumen rating to know just how bright you should expect your strip LED lights to be. For instance, you do not need a very bright light for outdoor areas or the closet.
As we pointed out earlier, the brightness can be measured in lumens. Some models opt to use watts as a unit of measurement. When making a choice, determine just how much lumens or brilliance you will need.
For complement lighting, you will presumably not need anything splendid than 200 Lumens for every foot except for different applications where you need all the more light. It just relies upon your own inclination of how brilliant you need them. Compare closely the Lumens per length of any model you choose to buy. This is important as it will, as we mentioned earlier, affect just how well the light radiates across your space.
Color of the light
These LED lights come with different colors. That is one reason why they are so great! Now, two factors affect the color of the strip; whether it is RGB or not.
Many options on the market, including some of the models that we reviewed come in just one color. However, if the light has an RGB strip, it can change its colors!
Some of the models do this automatically. However, others do it via control. Some of the models we reviewed come with a controller that commands changes in color.
For example, the DAYBETTER LED Strip Lights R5032 comes in up to 20 distinct hues or colors.
Wattage
First thing when searching for a force flexibly is comprehending what input voltage your LED Strips require. The strips discovered above can be either module, 12V, or 24VDC controlled. Simply ensure you realize what your strip needs and discover a force gracefully with that yield. The BTF-LIGHTING LED Strip Lights has the most noteworthy wattage from every one of our models, while the Govee Smart Wi-Fi LED Strip Lights has the least.
Check for Indoors and Outdoors
Check the reason for utilizing strip lights. It tends to be for parties, live occasions, social projects, home adornment, and outside planting. If you know precisely how you need to utilize, at that point, snatch the applicable item by setting aside significant time and cash. In this article, we’ve referenced the RGB LED strip lights that best suits for adorning inside and outside.
Quality of the Material
Another significant factor that everybody must investigate is the nature of material. Since it can give clear plan to the clients how viably it can function for quite a while. The greater part of the RGB LED strip lights are made with two-fold sided copper material which can endure extraordinary conditions and improve the presentation. Though strip lights made with plastic material harms rapidly because of the helpless development and furthermore devours more force which isn’t sufficient to settle on it a perfect decision. The BTF-LIGHTING LED Strip Lights is produced using top-notch materials.
Durability
Waterproofing is really the innovation fused in the LED strips for ensuring against water and downpour. It doesn’t imply that you put it water and permit the gadget to work. It’s an unpleasant thing to do. Abstain from doing such trials as it reduces the presentation and life expectancy. Further, it additionally accompanies climate safe in order to withstand even in terrible circumstances. The GUSODOR LED Strip Lights accompanies a waterproof plan.
Stun safe is really an exchange blemish on the electronic gadgets that will causes client to understand the gadget is 100% shockproof. Like other particulars, it assumes significant job in shielding your youngsters and relatives. The greater part of the gadgets neglects to install this element in LED strips on account of the specialized issues. However, there’re some mainstream marks that accompany the stun safe component, which for the most part, centers around shielding from perilous dangers. In any case, picking the best one won’t improve the exhibition yet, in addition, add magnificence to the home insides.
Connectivity
Prior LED strip lights are simply associated with the force gracefully to appreciate the visuals and add excellence to inside. Presently, with the expansion in innovation, everyone needs to deal with the things with a solitary snap.
If you are the person who wants to complete the things effectively or have no ideal opportunity to invest a lot of energy in specific exercises, at that point, strip lights with savvy application controllers are the most ideal decision.
They can be associated with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi innovation to make a solid correspondence and screen easily inside a separation. They may appear to be over the top expensive, however it is really worth the cash. The
Govee Smart Wi-Fi LED Strip Lights, for instance, accompanies availability highlights.
Price and Warranty
As with all other products on the market today, these lights come in a wide range of prices and different features. When making a choice, be sure to check out your budget and know just how much you are willing to spend. Cheap products often end up delivering cheap performance, while more expensive models have better features.
Nevertheless, some products are cheap but still deliver plenty of quality. All of the models that we reviewed in the roundup above can deliver such performance at a low price.
The greater part of the buyers adhere to the spending plan and likewise pick the best one. Even though it might profit somewhat, can’t coordinate with the elevated expectations. If you wish to have standard models, you’ve to contribute more, and you’ll be overpowered with the presentation, life expectancy, and solid plan quality. In addition, you ought to likewise take care of the guarantee data to limit the fixing costs. The Nexillumi LED Strip Lights, for instance, have guarantees that last longer than a year.
Ease of Installation
Among the elements to be viewed as when picking LED strip lights, the simplicity of establishment is significant.
But you are hoping to get some cutting edge kind of lighting, most LED strip lights are anything but difficult to fix and introduce.
In practically all cases, you don’t require proficient help before you can introduce the lights yourself. If you are handy with DIY projects, installing the lights yourself should be a breeze. Furthermore, most of the models are even designed to help you do the installation pretty easily.
The vast majority of the units we looked into accompany sticky tape. For instance, the Govee Smart Wi-Fi LED Strip Lights, DAYBETTER Led Strip Lights Waterproof, and others accompany this component.
Design
A large portion of the models reviewed above, including the DAYBETTER Led Strip Lights Waterproof are adaptable and waterproof.
The lights can add another measurement to how your kitchen or space looks. The shading temperature can influence the mind-set of the space and either praise the vibe of the kitchen or give it a messed up appearance.
Installing LED Strips
As you make your purchase, you must give thought to how you will be setting them up. After all, why would you buy a unit, and you will not have the ability to set it up? Thus, you must consider the features the strip has and if it will require any accessories before it can be installed.
Some of the models on this roundup are pretty easy to set up. In fact, they come with 3M tape that only needs to be peeled open and adhered to the surface you want to put your lights. Others, however, come with other installation methods. While you will be cool using any of the models we have reviewed, you might want something else.
If that is the case, here are a few tips that you should certainly keep in mind when setting up different options.
- Know just how long each of the strips is. This will help you know where it can and cannot fit.
- Know the complete length of LED strips required
- Know what number of breaks will be in the lights or what number of independent strips you need
- Know your strips force and voltage necessities
- Flexibility of the LED strip lights
- Durability of the LED strips:
- Decide whether different parts, for example, connectors or additional wire are required
- Decide how you will diminish, control, or program the strips you set up
Where to install the LED Lights
While sunlight gives energy, your LED light can play a similar role. There are different colors produced by LED lights, and each of these can have different effects on a person.
As every room in your house is different, you might have to install a different kind of LED light in each room. Here are the best colors that you can select from.
Bedroom
For the bedroom, you want to choose a color that will have you feeling relaxed. Therefore, we recommend choosing strip lights that give you a similar color to blue or cool white. By getting this type of light, your brain relaxes and ensures that you enjoy warm, refreshing sleep.
Home Office
With the Covid-19 pandemic in full swing, many people have to work from their homes. If you have a home office, you certainly do not want to have a sleepy ambiance. The lights here should be energizing and give you maximum power and concentration. When choosing an LED, choose one that is anti-glare. Also, you might consider models that let you switch colors.
Living Room
This room is the center of activity. Hence, it should have several light sources. While you want to jettison super bright lights, you can use strip lights to accentuate certain features like artwork or similar things. You can even get lamps.
Dining Room
The lights here should be bright enough to develop a good time, but shouldn’t be so dull that you might start dozing off as you have your meal.
Kitchen
Since the kitchen is like a workstation, you want most of your bright lights concentrated here. It should come with a warm ambiance, and you can use overhead lighting to exclude any corners in the kitchen.
Bathroom
Using bright lights here will ensure that you do not miss any spots while shaving or having your bath.
