COB versus CSP versus SCob vergelijken met SOB LED-strips: een kopersgids voor professionals

With the continuous development and advancement of LED packaging technology, LED strips have been continuously optimized in terms of luminous efficiency, uniformity, flexibility, and heat dissipation performance, giving rise to a variety of new strip structures. Among these, COB (Chip on Board) has become the mainstream packaging method for high-density LED strips, widely used in professional applications such as commercial lighting, architectural contour lighting, and custom decorative lighting. Meanwhile, CSP (Chip Scale Package), SCOB (Stereoscopic Chip on Board), and SOB are the latest LED strip packaging methods generating significant discussion in 2024-2025.

Whether you are undertaking a commercial project, planning outdoor lighting installations, or upgrading home lighting, selecting the appropriate type of LED strip light affects lighting performance and directly impacts project costs, post-installation maintenance efficiency, and the final lighting experience. However, due to differences in packaging structure, light emission characteristics, heat dissipation methods, and application compatibility among COB, CSP, SCOB, and SOB, many users often find it confusing when selecting the right option.

This article will conduct an in-depth comparison of the structural principles, performance parameters, application scenarios, and advantages and disadvantages of these four types of LED light strips, helping you make a more informed selection decision from a professional procurement perspective.

Understanding COB, CSP, SCOB, and SOB LED Strip Lights

When selecting LED strip lights, understanding their packaging methods is the first step in assessing their performance. While COB, CSP, SCOB, and SOB all fall under the category of high-density LED strip light packaging, they differ significantly in terms of structural design, lighting effects, and installation adaptability.

What is a COB (Chip on Board) LED strip light?

COB LED strips use high-density LED chip arrays, integrating LED chips onto a single circuit board to produce continuous, smooth light. This eliminates the “spotty” effect common in other LED strips, providing a more precise and consistent light source. The chips are directly bonded to the circuit board, achieving better heat dissipation and higher efficiency. Read the blog “Meer informatie over COB LED Strips” for more details.

Key features of COB LED strips:

• Smoother, more uniform light distribution
• High brightness output with lower energy consumption
• Excellent color rendering for accurate color reproduction
• Minimal heat generation, helping to extend lifespan
• Streamlined manufacturing process—fewer components mean greater durability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
• Ideal for areas requiring uniform lighting, such as under-cabinet lighting, work areas, or indirect lighting in living rooms and offices

What is a CSP (Chip Scale Package) LED strip?

CSP, or Chip Scale Package, refers to an LED packaging size equivalent to (or no more than 20% larger than) the LED chip. CSP products use integrated components without wire bonding, thereby reducing thermal resistance, minimizing heat transfer paths, and reducing potential failure points.

CSP LED strips are similar to traditional SMD strips but use CSP LEDs mounted on flexible PCBs and covered with a semi-transparent fluorescent adhesive. CSP LED strips offer high flexibility and efficiency, making them particularly advantageous for more complex or narrow installations.

Key features of CSP LED strips:

• Smaller chips enable more flexible and compact designs.
• Higher efficiency and brightness due to minimized packaging
• Compact size improves heat dissipation and extends lifespan.
• Ideal for complex lighting designs with limited space
• Ideal for outdoor lighting and locations with narrow corners or complex layouts

What are SCOB (Stereoscopic Chip on Board) LED strip lights?

SCOB LED strip lights, or Stereoscopic Chip on Board, represent the latest LED strip light technology, combining surface mount technology (SMT) with COB (Chip on Board) innovation to create a hybrid LED strip light.

SCOB LED strips weld small-sized SMD LED chips (such as SMD2216/2110/1612) onto a PCB, seamlessly combining the durability of SMT with the seamless lighting characteristics of COB. SCOB LED strips are renowned for their high luminous efficiency and uniform lighting, making them outstanding in both lighting performance and energy efficiency.

However, this SCOB strip also has certain drawbacks, so SignliteLED has introduced an SCOB LED strip using a process similar to COB strips. The process is the same as for COB strips: high-density LED chips are first integrated onto a single PCB, followed by the application of a layer of phosphor adhesive, and finally a layer of semi-transparent milky white silicone is applied to form a protective coating. The advantage of this SCOB process is that it combines the smooth and uniform light emission characteristics of COB with the flexibility of SMD technology.

Key features of SCOB LED strips:

• Provides bright light while consuming less electricity
• Delivers smooth and uniform light, avoiding potential dark spots or bright spots
• Encapsulated with milky white adhesive, enabling seamless integration into any design
• Utilizes SMD technology and a bracket design for superior resistance to bending and folding
• Ideal for commercial, industrial, or outdoor lighting applications

What is an SOB LED light strip?

SOB LED light strips are similar to LED neon light strips, featuring ultra-thin, flexible designs with no visible light points. They are made from high-performance SMD LED-strips and silicone, molded into a single unit with professional end caps, ensuring a sturdy structure that is more durable, resistant to bending, and less prone to breakage, with excellent flexibility. These strips come with adhesive backing, allowing for easy installation on various surfaces, including walls, ceilings, furniture, and vehicles. SOB LED light strips offer multiple color and brightness options and can be customized to suit any project or design.

SOB LED light strips feature an advanced design that ensures stable lighting, energy efficiency, and a long service life. Whether for residential lighting, commercial spaces, or outdoor lighting projects, these light strips offer a reliable and stylish solution to meet any lighting requirement.

Key features of SOB LED light strips:

• Provides smooth, uniform lighting like COB LED light strips
• Glare-free with high color consistency; brightness control achievable when paired with a controller
• Housing made from high-end vapor-deposited silicone rubber, offering excellent flexibility and moldability
• SMD light strips utilize silicone extrusion technology, providing superior sealing performance (IP67 waterproof).
• Ideal for under-cabinet lighting in kitchens, lighting in humid environments, and outdoor lighting projects.

Comparison of COB, CSP, SCOB, and SOB LED Strip Lights

Different packaging methods directly determine the performance of LED strip lights in terms of luminous efficiency, uniformity, heat dissipation capability, and installation compatibility. The following table compares the parameters of the four LED strip light technologies for your reference during project selection.

Parameters	COB LED Sreis	CSP LED Sreis	SCOB LED Sreis	SOB LED Sreis
Technology	LED Chips on PCB Board	CSP LEDs on PCB Board	SMD LEDs on PCB Board	SMD LED Strip in Silicone Housing
Uiterlijk	Monochrome and dual-color are yellow silicone, while multi-color RGB is milky white silicone	Transparent or milky white silicone surface	Milky white silicone surface	Milky white silicone housing, translucent luminous surface, similar to neon strips
Kleur Tolerance	SDCM≥3	SDCM≤3	SDCM≤3	SDCM≤3
Kleur Rendering Index	CRI>90	CRI 80-90 optional	CRI 80-90 optional	CRI 80-90 optional
Stralingshoek	180°	165°-180°	140°-180°	120°-180°
Lichtefficiëntie	110-140lm/W	90-110lm/W	110-140lm/W	60-85lm/W
Lichtuniformiteit	Continuous light emission without illumination points	Continuous light emission without illumination points	Continuous light emission without illumination points	Continuous light emission without illumination points
Thermal Management	Better	Uitstekend	Medium	Medium
Flexibiliteit	Generally	Uitstekend	Goed	Goed
Cost Level	USD$0.72-4.24/meter	USD$5-10/meter	USD$1.57-7.15/meter	USD$0.98-1.19/meter
Toepassingen	Home decoration, cabinet lighting, mirror lighting, soft lighting for shops	Industrial lighting, signage lighting, light box backlighting	Building facades, outdoor waterproofing, custom engineering projects	Home lighting, commercial spaces, outdoor lighting

As shown in the table, if your project prioritizes light uniformity and flexible installation, COB or SCOB light strips are the better choice; if you prioritize size and heat dissipation performance, CSP light strips are more suitable. SCOB and SOB light strips enhance maintainability and project compatibility over COB light strips, representing a new trend in engineering-grade LED light strips.

The four categories of LED strip light packaging technologies—COB, CSP, SCOB, and SOB—each represent different pursuits of luminous efficiency, structural design logic, and application scenario orientation. Although all four can be cut, support RGB control, and are widely used in decorative lighting, commercial lighting, and architectural lighting projects, they still exhibit significant differences in performance, user experience, and engineering adaptability.

COB LED light strips: The most uniform light distribution and the best value for money

COB LED-lichtstrips achieve truly smooth, grain-free lighting thanks to their continuous adhesive structure, making them the type of light strip with the best light uniformity currently available on the market. After several years of technological advancement, the luminous efficacy of COB light strips has significantly improved to 110–140 lm/W, and they still offer good brightness output even at high CRI (90 Ra).

Their primary advantages include strong light continuity, no hotspots, and high visual comfort, making them ideal for indoor surface mounting, cable trays, mirror lights, exhibition lighting, and other applications. However, they also have certain technical limitations, such as

• Due to the thick fluorescent adhesive layer, cracking or LED chip breakage may occur when bent at large angles.
• Adjusting color temperature and CRI requires reformulating the fluorescent adhesive ratio, making customization challenging.

COB LED strips are suitable for lighting environments with high requirements for light uniformity and visual comfort.

CSP LED strips: highest cost but lowest light efficiency

CSP LED strips use bare-chip packaging, eliminating the traditional packaging housing. Theoretically, this results in shorter heat dissipation paths and higher packaging efficiency, making them suitable for high-power point light source modules. However, their actual performance in strip products is relatively conservative:

• Average light efficiency is only 90–110 lm/W, lower than that of contemporary mainstream COB strips.
• Complex manufacturing processes and low yield rates result in the highest overall unit cost among the three types.

CSP LED strips are more suitable for industrial lighting or backlight systems with extremely stringent structural space requirements and compatibility with diffusion covers. They are not recommended for decorative or high visual uniformity projects.

SCOB LED strips: Engineering-grade comprehensive solution, but slightly inferior heat dissipation

SCOB LED strips are a hybrid technology solution based on SMD chip packaging, combined with a high-transparency silicone gel cover layer to achieve a continuous light-emitting appearance. They combine the visual effects of COB with the maintenance convenience of SMD structure, specifically designed for engineering project scenarios (such as large-scale outdoor lighting and facade washing).

Their advantages are highly prominent:

• Uniform light distribution with a milky white appearance, maintaining a premium aesthetic before and after illumination.
• Stable manufacturing process compatible with traditional SMT production lines, suitable for OEM customization.
• Easy customization of LED models to quickly adjust CRI and CCT.
• Supports 3–5 oz thickened PCBs, significantly enhancing heat dissipation and durability.

However, SCOB strip also has its limitations:

• Uses SMD chips + silicone structure, resulting in poor heat dissipation and increased risk of LED damage.
• Due to poor heat dissipation, LED lumen depreciation occurs more rapidly.

Overall, SCOB is an ideal choice for medium- to large-scale engineering projects with comprehensive requirements for high brightness, easy installation, long-distance power supply, and visual aesthetics.

SOB LED strips: Combining waterproofing and continuous lighting, but with limited heat dissipation and light efficiency

SOB LED strips are a type of LED strip packaging technology that uses silicone gel for overall extrusion molding, combined with the continuous lighting structure of COB LED strips, offering excellent flexibility and high uniformity of light emission. Compared to COB LED strips, SOB LED strips have a complete diffusion layer on the exterior, effectively eliminating light spots and providing a softer, diffused light.

Its main advantages lie in continuous lighting and high protection ratings (IP67), making it widely applicable in outdoor contour lighting, architectural decoration, 3D-shaped light boxes, and other scenarios with special requirements for form and protection.

However, SOB LED strips also have the following technical limitations:

• Severe heat accumulation: While the silicone-coated structure provides sealing, it inhibits heat dissipation, potentially accelerating light decay.
• Low luminous efficacy: The luminous efficacy of mainstream SOB LED strips currently ranges from 60–90 lm/W, significantly lower than that of comparable COB products.

SOB LED strips are suitable for mid-to-low-end decorative lighting projects that prioritize aesthetic integration and waterproof/weatherproof performance but are not recommended for applications with high requirements for luminous efficacy and heat dissipation.

When to Choose COB, CSP, SCOB, or SOB LED Strip Lights

In lighting project design, the selection of LED strip lights is not only determined by light source parameters but also closely related to the specific requirements of the application scenario. The following are typical usage recommendations based on the four types of LED strip lights—COB, CSP, SCOB, and SOB—to help you quickly match the most suitable product solution.

Best Uses for COB LED Strip Lights

• Residential lighting: Ideal for ambient lighting in living rooms, bedrooms, and kitchens.
• Retail displays: Their uniform light distribution makes COB light strips an ideal choice for product displays or store lighting.
• Work areas: Smooth, continuous light reduces eye strain, making them an ideal choice for home offices or workplaces.

Best Uses for CSP LED Light Strips

• Buitenverlichting: CSP light strips are compact and powerful, making them perfect for illuminating patios, decks, and gardens.
• Architectural Accent Lighting: CSP light strips are flexible and can be easily bent to fit corners, making them ideal for highlighting complex design features.
• Custom Installations: CSP’s flexibility makes it perfect for DIY enthusiasts seeking unique lighting solutions in tight spaces.

Best Uses for SCOB LED Light Strips

• Architectural Facade Lighting: Building outline lighting, exterior facade wall washing, and bridge curved surface lighting.
• Long-Run Lighting: Engineering projects requiring continuous installation over long distances with maintainability.
• Custom Engineering Projects: Scenarios with dual requirements for luminous continuity, aesthetics, and post-installation maintenance.

Best Uses for SOB LED Light Strips

• Under-cabinet lighting: Illuminate kitchen countertops to enhance visibility and modern aesthetics.
• Display lighting: Attract attention to products and promotional items in retail displays.
• Roads and sidewalks: Illuminate outdoor pathways to ensure safety and ambiance.
• Decks and patios: Create a cozy outdoor seating area with sparkling decorative lighting.

SignliteLED Product Recommendations: COB/SCOB/SOB LED Light Strips

To meet the diverse requirements of different lighting projects in terms of luminous efficiency, structure, and maintainability, SignliteLED offers comprehensive COB, SCOB, and SOB LED light strip solutions, supporting custom lengths, voltages, CRI, IP protection ratings, and integration with intelligent control systems (such as DALI, DMX, 0-10V, etc.).

Conclusie

The four LED strip technologies—COB, CSP, SCOB, and SOB—each have their own advantages. Making a scientific choice based on specific lighting requirements and application environments is crucial.

COB LED strip lights, with their seamless, continuous soft light effect, are ideal for indoor decoration where uniform lighting and visual comfort are prioritized. CSP LED strip lights, with their efficient heat dissipation and exceptional flexibility, meet the professional requirements of industrial and high-brightness backlighting applications. SCOB LED strip lights combine the advantages of both, offering greater maintenance convenience and flexibility in engineering projects. SOB LED strips, as a newly emerging structure in recent years, utilize an extrusion process to form a flexible light-guiding layer, offering COB-like continuous lighting effects while featuring a higher protection rating, making them ideal for outdoor contour lighting and applications with high waterproofing requirements.

As a professional supplier of LED strip lighting solutions, SignliteLED is committed to providing you with high-quality, customized LED strip lights to help your projects achieve optimal lighting effects and reliable performance. Contact us today to receive professional technical support and customized sample solutions, and embark on your journey to exceptional lighting!