COB LED Strip Lights 24V & 48V

ATOM LED stocks COB LED strip lights in 24V and 48V, single colour and RGBW, all CRI90+, cut to length at marked points without voiding the 5-year warranty. Every reel ships free from our Telford warehouse.

COB LED Strip · Dotless · 320 to 720 LEDs/m · CRI90+ · 24V & 48V · IP20 to IP68 · 5-Year Warranty · Free UK Delivery

What makes COB LED strip dotless?

Standard SMD strip houses each LED in its own plastic package, spaced 5mm to 16mm apart, so light radiates as separate bright spots with dark gaps between them. COB LED strip removes this gap entirely by bonding bare LED dies straight onto the circuit board, then coating the whole surface in one continuous phosphor layer. At 480 LEDs/m and above, the strip is dotless even without a diffuser.

• 320 LEDs/m: dotless with a diffuser channel, suited to cove and under-cabinet lighting.
• 480 LEDs/m: dotless without a diffuser, the standard for exposed installs.
• 720 LEDs/m: highest density, for close-range architectural and retail display work.

This isn't a cosmetic upgrade to SMD. It's a different construction, and it's now the default spec on most UK hospitality, retail, and kitchen projects that reject visible-dot strip outright.

COB vs SMD LED strip

The two technologies solve the same problem in different ways, and the difference shows the moment both are switched on side by side. A 480 LEDs/m COB reel produces one unbroken line of light. A 60 LEDs/m SMD reel, even inside the same aluminium profile with a frosted diffuser, still shows a faint repeating pattern where each LED sits.

For any strip that will be visible, partially visible, or mounted close to eye level, COB LED strip is the practical choice. SMD still works well for fully concealed runs where cost matters more than finish.

24V or 48V COB LED strip?

24V suits residential runs up to 10 metres. 48V suits commercial runs up to 30 metres, with half the voltage drop of 24V at the same wattage, which matters on longer runs where the far end would otherwise dim noticeably against the feed end.

For a kitchen island or a bathroom mirror surround, where runs rarely exceed 8 metres, 24V performs identically to 48V and pairs with the widest range of dimmers and drivers on the UK market for this type of COB LED strip. Browse 24V COB strip or 48V COB strip, both shipped free from our Telford warehouse.

Colour temperatures, and does it change colour?

Yes. RGBW versions change colour and also produce true white light from a dedicated fourth channel, something standard RGB strip cannot do cleanly on its own, since RGB alone only approximates white with a cold, violet-tinged result.

Single colour options:

• 2700K to 3000K warm white: living rooms, kitchens, hospitality settings.
• 4000K natural white: offices, retail, task lighting.
• 6500K cool white: workshops, clinical spaces.

Every option is CRI90+ as standard, so skin tones, food, and fabric render accurately rather than looking muddy or grey. Browse RGBW colour-changing strip for the full range.

Where it's used?

• Kitchen under-cabinet and plinth lighting: The most common residential use, typically warm white at 14W/m in a shallow profile.
• Cove and coffer ceilings: Higher density options mean no separate diffuser is needed.
• Staircase nosing: The dotless finish matters most here, viewed close up while walking down.
• Bathroom mirror surrounds: Need IP67 for wet zones.
• Retail display cabinets: Rely on CRI90+ to keep product colour accurate.
• Hospitality venues: Often specify RGBW so one fitting shifts from warm white dining service to colour-themed events, without installing two separate strips.

Installing and powering it correctly

Every reel needs a constant voltage driver matched to its voltage, sized at least 20 percent above total strip wattage, to avoid overheating and premature failure.

• Single colour dimming: Pair a TRIAC dimmable driver with a trailing-edge wall dimmer. Leading-edge dimmers cause flicker and buzzing.
• RGBW: Always use a non-dimmable driver paired with a separate colour controller that handles dimming through PWM.
• Aluminium profile: Use one for runs over 5 metres or above 14W/m, for heat dissipation and to protect the phosphor layer.
• Wiring: Connect multiple runs in parallel, not series, since series wiring multiplies voltage drop and visibly dims the far end.
• Never power any COB LED strip while it's still coiled on the reel: The heat has nowhere to go and it's a genuine fire risk.

Need help sizing a driver for your project? Browse LED drivers and transformers or call our Telford technical team on 01952 370028.

IP ratings

• IP20: Dry interiors only, under cabinets or inside wardrobes.
• IP65: Occasional indoor splashes only, not rated for UK outdoor weather or bathroom wet zones under BS7671, despite sometimes being marketed as outdoor-suitable.
• IP67: The practical minimum for outdoor installs and bathroom zones 1 and 2, withstands temporary immersion.
• IP68: For ponds, fountains, and full submersion.

Common buying mistakes

• Choosing IP65 for outdoor use: Splash-rated only, not weather-rated for sustained UK rain or condensation.
• Pairing a dimmable driver with RGBW strip: Causes flicker and colour shift; use non-dimmable plus a separate controller instead.
• Skipping the aluminium profile on long or high-wattage runs: Lets heat build up, damaging the phosphor layer and shortening lifespan.
• Wiring in series instead of parallel: Multiplies voltage drop across the run, causing visible dimming at the far end.

Why buy from ATOM LED?

• CRI90+ on every single reel, not just premium lines.
• 24V and 48V from our Telford, Shropshire warehouse.
• 5-year warranty, cuts to length at marked points without voiding cover.
• Free UK delivery on 97 percent of products, typically same-day dispatch before 2pm.
• Real technical team on the phone, not a call centre.

Ready to buy? Browse the full COB LED strip range, call 01952 370028 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, or email sales@atomled.co.uk.

FAQs

Can COB LED strip lights change colour? 

Yes, RGBW COB strip changes colour and produces true white light from a dedicated fourth channel.

Can you cut COB strip to any length? 

ATOM LED strip cuts at marked points without voiding the 5-year warranty.

How long does a COB strip last? 

Typically 30,000 to 50,000 hours, around 10 to 15 years at 8 hours daily use, longer with proper heat management via an aluminium profile.

What's the difference between COB and SMD LED strip? 

COB bonds LED dies directly to the PCB under one phosphor layer for a dotless finish. SMD uses individually packaged LEDs spaced apart, which stay visible as dots.

Can COB strips be used outdoors in the UK? 

Yes, with IP67 minimum, IP68 for ponds or submerged installs.