Does anyone have any information regarding SMD versus COB LED downlights? I seem to find conflicting information online regarding which is better… COB is obviously newer and has more potential but the minimal information I can find sometimes mentions that SMD may be brighter? Does anyone have any experience with these for direct comparison?
I just did a quick search with Google and learned a little about the COB technology. My take is that COB lights will be better for general illumination, such as downlights, flood bulbs, etc. because they are enlarging the hotspot to reduce glare. The SMD LED’s have a large potential to be “brighter” because their light output is more concentrated. Going from an SMD to a COB should be like going from a compact fluorescent to a 4-foot tube. The lumen output can be greater in the tube, and still not look as bright, because the light is spread out.
Of course this is all pure speculation on my part. Like I said, I did a quick search. I learned everything I know from one page on one website where they want people to like COB LED’s.
What is the conflicting information you found? What do people say are the cons, from your research so far?
Ive seen contrasting information… some sites say the COB lights are brighter as they can output more lumens per watt than the SMD due to the better heat dissipation. Pros are longer life, more uniform light dispersion.
The only consistent con I see is higher cost but Im a bit surprised there arent many head to head comparisons. Even on Youtube I really only see one comparison and that is with a 5W and 9W COB versus a 15W SMD which isnt really fair. On that video it also seems like the COB lights are warm white while the SMD 15W used was a natural white.
I have a bunch of SMD lights and I am going to order some of these COB lights so I guess I can post a comparison once I get them.
One other thing I noticed… there are 21W COB lights, max I see for SMD is 15W.
Can you post a link for these COB lights you’re buying?
Sure, sorry I should have done that initially. I haven’t decided which ones but these are the listings Im looking at:
This looks like the largest seller of them on DHGate:
http://www.dhgate.com/store/category/cob-spotlight/17986468-ff808081467f2df201468f23811026de.html#st-categories-ff808081467f2df201468f23811026de
“UL Listed” ones on DHGate: