COB vs SCOB LED Strip: Differences, Pros & Cons (2026)

Q: Which is brighter, COB or SCOB?

A high-density COB up to 40 W/m gives more lumens per metre than a typical ~10 W/m SCOB; SCOB looks softer and more even through its silicone diffusion.

Q: Can I replace neon with SCOB?

Yes, for sign faces and channel letters: fully sealed, even and flicker-free without glass or high voltage. Choose round neon flex only for tight-radius bended shapes.

Q: Does SCOB need an aluminum channel?

No; the silicone body is both diffuser and housing and clips into signs. Use a channel only for a rigid flush architectural line.

Q: Is COB or SCOB better outdoors?

For signs, SCOB's built-in IP65/67 silicone is usually simpler; for hidden coves with a proper channel, an IP67 silicone-extrusion COB works equally well.

2026-09-21 11:03
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Arraystar LED

COB is a flat, bare chip-on-board strip used inside channels and coves; SCOB is a fully silicone-encapsulated, often arc-shaped version with built-in diffusion for channel letters and neon replacement. Choose COB for hidden, high-efficiency lighting; choose SCOB for visible, outdoor, dot-free sign and neon-replacement light.

The Core Difference: Diffusion and Housing

Both COB (Chip On Board) and SCOB (Silicon/Surface Chip On Board) mount LED dies directly on the PCB with no individual SMD packages. The difference is what happens after the chips are mounted:

COB — a flat strip with phosphor over the chips. It is extremely dot-free, but the light exits a flat ~120° plane and usually needs an aluminum channel diffuser to look finished.
SCOB — the same chips encapsulated in a thick, milky silicone body, often an arc-shaped hollow extrusion. Diffusion and weatherproofing are built in, so the strip looks like a finished line light by itself.

Modern living room ceiling cove lit by a seamless dot-free warm COB LED strip

Full Comparison Table

COB LED strip versus SCOB LED strip

Specification	COB LED Strip	SCOB LED Strip
Cross-section	Flat PCB, ~3–12 mm	Arc/hollow silicone body, e.g. 7×10 mm / 8 mm
Built-in diffusion	No — needs channel/diffuser	Yes (milky silicone)
Beam angle	~120° top	160–180° curved
Operating voltage	12/24/48 V; 110/220 V variants	24 V DC and 200–240 V AC
Power (typical)	8–40 W/m (up to 40 W/m wide PCB)	~10–11 W/m
CRI	Ra80 standard; Ra90+ available	Ra80 typical; high-CRI on request
CCT	1800K–6500K, tunable, RGBW	2700K/3000K/4000K/6000K
IP rating	IP20 bare; IP65/67 optional	IP65/IP67 built in
Heat management	Needs aluminum channel	Silicone body dissipates; lower W/m
Best for	Hidden coves, shelves, RGBW	Channel letters, sign faces, neon replacement

Pros and Cons

COB — pros: highest efficiency (lumens per watt), wide CCT/RGBW choice, ultra-narrow 2–4 mm options, lowest cost when hidden. Cons: not finished-looking bare; needs an aluminum profile; higher wattage needs good heat sinking.

SCOB — pros: built-in dot-free diffusion and IP protection, curved/omnidirectional beam, no separate diffuser, ideal for signs. Cons: lower wattage/lumens per meter, fewer RGBW options, and it costs more than bare COB because the silicone extrusion is added.

Recommended Products

High Efficiency & Brightness COB LED Strip Light 480 LEDs/m 8mm

COB technology delivers smooth, dot-free uniform light output.

SMD 5050 RGBW LED Strip ART-5050-60-RGBW-24

RGBW LED strip for full-color and tunable white lighting effects.

Long Run LED Neon Strip ART-NS2020

Flexible neon strip for seamless linear lighting and signage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is brighter, COB or SCOB?

A bare high-density COB strip (up to 40 W/m on a wide PCB) delivers more lumens per meter than a typical ~10 W/m SCOB. SCOB spreads that light through thick silicone, so it looks softer and more even rather than brighter.

Can I replace neon with SCOB?

Yes. Arc-shaped hollow SCOB is a common neon-replacement choice for sign faces and channel letters: fully sealed, even and flicker-free, with none of the glass or high voltage of old neon. For tight-radius bended letter shapes, choose round neon flex instead.

Does SCOB need an aluminum channel?

No — that is its main advantage. The silicone body is both diffuser and housing, so it clips directly into channel letters or signage. Use an aluminum channel only when you want a rigid, flush-mount architectural line.

Is COB or SCOB better outdoors?

For outdoor signs, SCOB's built-in IP65/IP67 silicone encapsulation is usually the simpler, more reliable choice. For hidden outdoor coves with a proper channel, an IP67 silicone-extrusion COB strip works equally well.