The Difference Between SMD And COB LED Light

Last updated on October 14, 2025

SMD Vs COB LED Light – Understanding The Differences

What Is An SMD LED Light?

SMD LED Light stands for “Surface-Mount-Device,” which is a Light-Emitting-Diode. It is a particular type of LED that is known and differentiated not only based on its physical dimensions, but also for having a 3-in-1 encapsulation. That is to say, an SMD LED integrates three colours all at once: Red (R), Green (G), and Blue (B).

As the picture here shows in detail, the SMD LED Lights are rectangular in shape and consist of the following specific elements:

Protective Resin (the upper part that protects the cells)
Light Semiconductor (produces light when current flows through it)
Cell (three main cells)
Connection Sockets
Polarity Mark

The common type of SMD LED Lights consists of three main cells. We usually refer to them as an SMD RGB LED Light, indicating the three primary colours: Red, Green, and Blue. For each colour, there is an anode side (+) and a cathode side (-), as shown in the image below.

It is important to mention that the manufacturing of these SMD LED specifications differs from other types of similar SMD LED Lights available out there. The SMD LED Light that we have here is the typical type. It has an anode and cathode type of contact for each luminescent element.

There are specific characteristics that are unique to the SMD LED lights:

Small, robust chips, closer to a computer’s chip size
Versatility (size, usage, design, and installation)
Adjustable to virtually any colour by varying the output level of each diode
More than three chips at once (unlike the classical LEDs)
Remarkable luminosity and low power consumption
Affordable prices in today’s market
Long-lasting

Another important feature to highlight is that manufacturers have worked on reducing the prices of SMD LED Lights in the global market. Besides, they’re focusing on enhancing its luminosity, size, shape, and usage possibilities.

You can find SMD LEDs everywhere: street lights, bikes, cars, home, office lighting, smartphones, and televisions. Thus, as shown below, there are different types of SMD LED Lights to be used in various ways. They come in different shapes and sizes, to increase functionality as demonstrated.

These two most common types of SMD LEDs are the 3528 and the 5050. They are the most requested, sold, and used SMD LED Lights around the world today. To conclude, it is obvious enough to deduce the remarkable functionality that these SMD LED Lights bring to the table.

If you are considering using a really interesting LED light in your house, don’t think twice about these SMD LED Lights. You won’t regret choosing them for your home.

However, is there any competition from other popular LED types out there, for example, COM LED Lights?

Good question!

Keep on reading below to find out the answer to this interesting question.

What is COB LED Light?

A COB LED Light is one of the most recent advancements in LED technology in the world right now. It represents the next step forward in terms of energy-efficient lighting.

COB stands for “Chip on Board”, and COB chips, like SMD chips, have one or more diodes on the chip surface.

COB chips often have nine or more diodes (while SMD LEDs appear to have a collection of diodes).

Regardless of how many diodes are present, COB LED lights are built together to have a single special circuit with a few connections. Because of their simple circuit, COB LED lights resemble a panel.

These lights, unlike the SMDs, can’t be utilised to make colour-changing bulbs or illumination. This is because they only have one circuit and two contacts, whereas colour-changing effects require numerous channels. As a result, COB LED lights are effective at giving only one hue of light, so they are limited in their versatility. However, COB lights have higher heat efficiency and lumen-per-watt ratios.

This is due to the COB LED lights’ design as well as the COB chip’s cooling substrate.

As you can see below, these are some of the major COB LED types along with their special characteristics in the market today:

High power factor
Super thin
Flexible material
High colour rendering index (minimum of 80 lumens per watt)
Efficient in working at 40°C to 85°C temperatures
High luminosity (due to the multiple chips incorporated in it)

COB LED lights present a major competition due to their progressive efficiency and considerable lifespan in comparison to other existing LED types in the market right now.

Also, they are applicable and used in high-quality flashes in cameras, bulbs, and other applications.

All in all, COB LED lights are another recommended product that you can opt for in today’s market.

How do they differ from each other?

Both SMD and COB LED lights are efficient, practical, desired, and highly recommended in today’s market.

However, each LED has its specific characteristics.

Thus, we are going to shed some light on particular similarities as well as differences between these LEDs.

Similarities

Though SMD and COB LEDs may seem different from both the inside and the outside, they are very similar in a few ways.

Here are some interesting similarities between SMD and COB LEDs for you to keep in mind:

Both SMD and COB LED types are technologically modern and advanced
Both provide incredibly bright and luminous light
There are more than two diodes on the same surface of both SMD and COB LED chips.
Both of these LED light types can be used in heavy-duty industrial applications such as floodlights or high bay lights.
Both SMD and COB LED chips have two connections and a single circuit.
The circuit designs for both of them are quite simple.

Advantages

Here are some remarkable advantages that both SMD and COB LEDs have in common.

Both LED types can produce enough bright light to easily brighten every dark corner around your house.
Compared to traditional LEDs still available in the market, SMD and COB LED lights prove to be more affordable and longer-lasting than traditional LEDs.
Both SMD and COB LEDs are considered to be highly efficient in producing bright luminous light that does not consume a lot of power.

Thus, in almost every way, modern LEDs, whether they be SMD or COB, are preferred over conventional and traditionally used LED lights.

Difference between SMD and COB LED Lights

Though both SMD and COB LED lights have much in common, as both come under advanced technology, there are still some differences.

In comparison to SMD LED lights, COB LEDs have more diodes on a single surface.
The COB LED chipset resembles more of a light panel, whereas SMD LED lights contain numerous tiny lights.
SMD LED lights can produce the primary colours Red, Green, and Blue (RGB). Thus, you can utilise them to create multiple colour effects by altering/adjusting the outputs. Though this is not the case with COB LED lights.
COB LED lights produce much more lumens per wat,t whereas SMD LED lights produce 50 to 100 lumens per watt.
SMD LED lights have a small heat sink. However, COB LED lights have a larger heat sink to dissipate the generated heat..

Disadvantages

It is obvious enough to deduce that there are pros and cons to everything. This includes advanced technological devices and creations that help us evolve in building a better civilisation.

Here are some disadvantages of these LEDs for you to take into consideration:

Neither of these LED options is suitable for outdoor applications, especially in extreme hot or cold.

2. Both LEDs are the best that there are in the market. So, their prices are not the cheapest, nor are they consistent.

3. You must constantly check and correctly maintain both LEDs to avoid any complications happening.

4. They produce remarkably bright lighting around the house. Still, the colour of the light emitted from both LEDs may change over time and thus require replacement.

5. Both LEDs need a certain voltage supply for best lighting performance.

6. Before installation, you need to have a stable power source that can supply both SMD and COB LEDs.

Conclusion

With all of that said, both of these LEDs add a noticeable effect to our indoor interior architecture.

It is evident enough to point out that both SMD and COB LED lights are among the best LEDs out there in the market today for most applications.

Both LEDs are effective, last longer than traditional LEDs, are energy-efficient, and add a creative aspect to our understanding of domestic decoration.

In a nutshell, there are always interesting advantages that such technology brings to the table.

Therefore, one cannot help but appreciate such technology and hope for its constant improvement to have the best experience that such technology could give us shortly.

We hope that you find this article interesting. It is enough to help you understand the difference between SMD and COB LEDs. Moreover, it will widen your vision on the importance of knowing the new technological products available in the market.