COB or SMD – Which LED Strip Should You Use for Kitchen Cabinets?
We get this question all the time: "Which LED strip has no visible light spots?" And if you've ever installed under-cabinet lighting, you know exactly what we're talking about – those tiny dots that ruin the whole clean look.
Here's the deal:
COB strips are the way to go if you want a completely seamless, dotless light. They pack tons of tiny chips tightly together and cover them with a gel layer, so what you see is one continuous line of light, not individual points. It looks clean, professional, and expensive – perfect for kitchens where the strip is visible.
SMD strips have individual chips with gaps in between. They're cheaper, but up close or at certain angles, you'll see the dots. If you put them in a frosted aluminum channel, the effect softens, but it never fully disappears.
When to choose which:
COB – under-cabinet lighting, glass cabinets, anywhere the strip is visible and you want a high-end look.
SMD – toe-kick lighting, above-cabinet accent lighting, or anywhere the strip is hidden from direct view.
And don't forget to check the CRI – for kitchens, 90 or above is a must for accurate color rendering.
Bottom line: If you hate those little light dots, go COB. It's worth the extra cost for the seamless finish. SMD is still a solid budget pick for hidden applications.
Which one are you using in your kitchen? Drop a comment and tell us! 💡👇
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#COBvsSMD #DotlessLED #KitchenLighting #UnderCabinetLighting #LEDStripLights #LightingDesign #COBLED #HomeLighting #CabinetLighting
