3528 Vs. 5050 LED Strip Lights

3528 vs. 5050 LED Strip Lights: The Ultimate Guide

LED strip lights, also known as LED tape lights, are versatile lighting solutions. Their performance largely depends on the type of LED chip, or SMD (Surface Mounted Diode), they use. This guide breaks down the two most common types: 3528 and 5050.

What's in a Name?
The numbers simply refer to the physical size of the LED chip.

A 3528 SMD measures 3.5mm x 2.8mm.

A 5050 SMD measures 5.0mm x 5.0mm.

This difference in size is the key to their varying brightness, power consumption, and ideal applications.

3528 SMD LED Strips

The 3528 is a smaller chip, ideal for creating soft, subtle accent and mood lighting.

1. The Standard (60 LEDs/meter)

Power Draw: ~4.8W/m (often called 5W/m).

Brightness: ~330-360 lumens/m (equivalent to a 40W halogen bulb).

Colors: Warm White, Cool White, Red, Green, Blue, Amber.

Best For: Accent Lighting. Perfect for under-cabinet kickboards, cove ceilings, and shelf lighting in homes, hotels, and restaurants.

Cut Points: Every 50mm (2 inches).

2. High-Density (120 LEDs/meter) info-800-600

Power Draw: ~9.6W/m (often called 10W/m).

Brightness: ~660-720 lumens/m (approximately double the standard version).

Best For: Accent lighting in areas with more ambient light where a stronger effect is needed.

Cut Points: Every 25mm (1 inch).

3. Double Power (120 LEDs/meter)

Power Draw: ~19.2W/m (often called 20W/m).

Brightness: ~1320-1440 lumens/m.

Key Facts: Uses the same size chip but is much brighter. It runs on 24V and requires a wider, heavy-duty circuit board to manage heat without an external aluminum channel.

Best For: General Lighting. Bright enough to replace fluorescent tubes.

Voltage: 24V only.

Heat & Installation: Standard and high-density 3528 strips emit low heat and can often be installed without an aluminum channel. The double-power version must be used with a proper PCB to dissipate heat effectively.

5050 SMD LED Strips

The 5050 is a larger, brighter chip. It is also the foundation for RGB color-changing strips.

1. Single-Color (60 LEDs/meter)

Power Draw: ~14.4W/m (often called 15W/m).

Brightness: ~990-1080 lumens/m.

Colors: Warm White, Cool White, Red, Green, Blue, Amber.

Best For: General & Task Lighting. Used in corridors, workspaces, or anywhere requiring bright, functional light.

Cut Points: Every 100mm (4 inches).

2. RGB Color-Changing

The "Tri-Chip" Advantage: Each 5050 LED contains three tiny chips (Red, Green, Blue) inside, allowing it to mix and create millions of colors when connected to a controller.

30 LEDs/meter: ~7.2W/m, ~500 lumens/m. Ideal for colored accent lighting.

60 LEDs/meter: ~14.4W/m, ~1000 lumens/m. Perfect for color-washing walls, bar fronts, and creating vibrant backgrounds.

Cut Points: Every 100mm (4 inches).

IP Ratings: All types are available in waterproof versions like IP67 for indoor or outdoor use.

Why Quality Matters: The Chip Brand

Not all LED chips are created equal. We strongly recommend strips using high-quality, branded chips like Epistar because they guarantee:

Higher Brightness and Efficiency

Excellent Color Consistency across the strip and between batches

Long Lifespan and Reliability (70% output at 50,000 hours)

Cheaper, no-name alternatives often suffer from dimmer output, inconsistent colors, premature failure, and variation from one reel to the next.

Summary & Quick Selection Guide

Choose your strip based on your lighting goal, not just the chip size. Here's a simple guide:

Strip Type	Typical Power	Primary Use Case
White Strip	5W/m	Accent Lighting (e.g., under cabinets, in coves)
	10W/m	Accent Lighting in brighter environments
	15W/m	General Lighting (e.g., replacing fluorescent tubes)
	20W/m	High-Output General Lighting
RGB Strip	7.5W/m	Colored Accent Lighting
	15W/m	Color Washing (e.g., walls, backdrops)