Flexible LED strips move toward smart territory

by Vianie Li & Cecile de Veyra

From ambient to functional lighting, flexible LED strips fill spaces where bulbs cannot fit. In today's homes, where connectivity spells convenience, the smart technology trend has spilled over into this product category.

Eyeing uptake in this market, manufacturers in China are developing more smart products, in addition to the continuing pursuit of greater brightness, stability and reliability. Some companies have introduced products that can be used with the Smart Life or Tuya app, enabling voice control as well.

Mainstream flexible LED strips from Chinese suppliers have DIP or SMD LEDs, with those integrating the latter forming the bulk of shipments. The SMD LEDs used typically come in sizes of 5050, 3528, 2835, 0603, 0805 and 1210. They are placed 18 or 24 units per 30cm or 15, 24 or 30 units per 50cm or as specified. The options by color temperature are 3,500, 6,500 and 7,500K and by rated voltage 12 and 24V. There are indoor and outdoor designs, with the latter in choices of IP65, IP67 and IP68 ratings.

The majority of Chinese companies secure product safety approvals such as CE and RoHS.

LEDs, PCBs and adhesives, the key components and materials used in the production of flexible LED strips, are sourced domestically. Their costs increased slightly in the past year. Despite this, most manufacturers kept product prices flat while the rest quoted higher by 5 percent. Suppliers interviewed by Global Sources Electronic Components are projecting stability in costs and prices in the months ahead.

According to a report by Market Watch, the flexible LED strips market ended with a $1.889 billion performance in 2020. It will realize a CAGR of 15.3 percent between 2021 and 2026, reaching $5.172 billion by the end of the forecast period thanks to home and commercial applications.

5050 SMD LEDs, 1,000 lumens

Per meter, Seven Lights Technology Co. Ltd's 5050 Flexible LED Strip has 60 LEDs, 1,000-lumen luminous flux and 14.4W rating. For indoor use, this 12VDC unit has a 120-degree beam angle, more than 80 CRI and 3,000 to 3,500K color temperature.

The order quantity is negotiable. Lead time is seven days.

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2835 SMD LEDs, IP65 rating

The 2835 Flexible LED Strip, with 60 LEDs per meter, has 12VDC input voltage and 10W rating. Suitable for outdoor installation, this IP65-rated unit from Seven Lights Technology Co. Ltd has a 120-degree beam angle, more than 80 CRI, and 660nm red and 460nm blue wavelengths.

The negotiable order quantity is delivered within seven days.

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5050 SMD LEDs, motion sensor

The SMD-2835 model from Shenzhen JMK Technology Co. Ltd is a flexible LED strip with 72 5050 SMD LEDs, and optional motion sensor and manual operation mode. This 150cm-long 4.5V product has 20 to 22-lumen luminous flux and an IP65 rating. It meets CE and RoHS requirements.

A minimum order of 10 meters is required. Lead time is 15 days.

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5050 SMD LEDs, 16 million colors

Available in lengths of 12, 15, 18 and 24m, the 5050-RGB flexible LED strip from Shenzhen JMK Technology Co. Ltd has 16 million colors, 29 dynamic modes and an IP65 water resistance. The rated voltage is 3 or 5V.

The supplier requires an order of at least 10 meters. Delivery is within 15 days.

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2835 SMD LEDs, IP65or IP68

From Zhongshan Golden Sun Optoelectronics Technology Co. Ltd, the JYL-2835-60LED flexible LED strip uses 60 LEDs per meter, each with an 8-lumen luminous flux. Power rating per meter is 14.4W. This 12VDC unit comes in white and warm-white variants, with an IP65 or IP68 water resistance.

An order of at least 250m is required. Delivery is within 10 days.

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5630 SMD LEDs, 30 to 32 lumens

Zhongshan Golden Sun Optoelectronics Technology Co. Ltd offers the JYL-5630-60LED flexible LED strip with a 30 to 32-lumen luminous flux and an IP65 or IP68 water resistance. A meter of this warm or warm-white unit has 60 5630 SMD LEDs and 12W power rating.

The minimum order requirement is 250m and the lead time 10 days.

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