Why is COB LED Market Better?

Author: Ingrid

Mar. 03, 2025

Understanding CoB LEDs | Lumileds

What are CoB LEDs?

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A CoB LED (or chip-on-board LED) is a single device with many LED chips mounted on a thermally efficient substrate placed below a uniform phosphor coating.

Anyone who walks through a store or home with recessed or track lighting likely experiences light from a chip-on-board LED (CoB). CoBs are widely used because they emit a bright white light output from a compact light source and are very efficient in a broad range of applications.

So what is a CoB LED, and how is it different from other types of LEDs?

CoB (chip-on-board) refers to the way in which the LED unit is constructed. The basic elements of white CoB LEDs are:

  • An electrical power supply to provide the energy to drive the LED
  • The light-emitting chip or 'die'. This is sometimes referred to as the blue light pump, and is made of a semiconductor material, indium gallium nitride (InGaN), which emits blue photons when energized
  • A phosphor coating which converts the blue light to white. The chemical composition of the phosphor is controlled to produce light of a specific color temperature

CoB LED: Space-Saving Array of Multiple LED Chips

A CoB LED is a single device with many LED chips mounted on a thermally efficient substrate, or board. Each chip is a bare die ' that is, the chip does not have its own leadframe, phosphor coating or lens. This means that the chips can be mounted extremely closely together on the substrate. The close placement of the LED chips allows for high intensity or light density to be emitted from a smaller area than is possible with single packaged LEDs. The CoB LED manufacturer then applies a uniform phosphor coating to the entire array of chips to convert the blue light to the required white color temperature.

Advantages of a CoB LED

A single CoB LED can contain hundreds of chips forming a dense array. This dense array enables a CoB LED to produce more light output from a smaller area than is generally possible with an array of packaged LEDs.

Using a single LED can result in simpler design and product as well as providing optical advantages for uniform light and efficient optics.

Electrical design is simpler because the CoB LED only requires a single two-wire power supply to the entire array of chips. The positive and negative terminals on a CoB LED are clearly visible in the picture of LUXEON CoB Core Range products above. By contrast, an array of packaged LEDs requires dedicated power supply traces to be routed on the PCB to each LED unit.

Production is simpler because the number of units to be soldered to the board will be lower if a CoB LED is used instead of an array of packaged LEDs.

Are you interested in learning more about COB LED Market? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!

Optically, a broad range of optics, usually reflectors, can be used with CoBs of different sizes to determine the direction and width of the beam such as with a spot or flood lamp.

Finally, a CoB LED's color is potentially more consistent because a single phosphor coating is applied to the entire array of chips, whereas in an array of packaged LEDs, each LED unit has its own phosphor coating.

An example of CoB LEDs of various sizes is shown below.

CoB LEDs from Lumileds

Comparing COB and SMD LED Work Lights: Features and Differences

COB (Chip On Board) LED and SMD (Surface Mounted Device) LED are two popular technologies used in LED lighting, including Unilite work lights. Both offer advantages in terms of energy efficiency, durability, and lifespan, but there are some key differences to consider when reviewing the Unilite lineup. We utilize both LED technology in our flashlights, site lights, inspection lights, lanterns and headlamps.

One of the main differences between COB and SMD LEDs is their size and design. COB LEDs are larger and consist of multiple LED chips that are mounted directly onto a substrate. This allows for a higher density of light output and a more efficient use of space. In contrast, SMD LEDs are smaller and consist of a single LED chip that is mounted onto a printed circuit board (PCB). This results in a lower density of light output but allows for more flexibility in design and placement. In our best-seller, the IL-925R Folding Inspection Light features COB LED for the two primary lights and an SMD LED for the top torch, making it perfect for plumbers, electricians and carpenters.

Another key difference between COB and SMD LEDs is their beam angle and light output. COB LEDs tend to have a wider beam angle, which means they can provide more uniform and diffuse lighting over a larger area. This makes them ideal for applications where a wide and even spread of light is desired, such as in a workshop, job site, or garage. Our all-new RF- and RF- Flood Lights utilize COB LEDs for this reason. If you're working in the trades industry and need good site lighting, you can't go wrong with these. SMD LEDs, on the other hand, have a narrower beam angle and are more directional, making them better suited for task lighting or spotlighting specific areas. Our popular PL-3 Aluminum Inspection Light is a great example of this and often used by emergency personnel, service techs and mechanics.

In terms of energy efficiency, both COB and SMD LEDs are highly efficient and can last a lot longer compared to traditional LED technology. However, COB LEDs tend to be slightly more efficient due to their higher density of light output and the fact that they use fewer components. This can translate into a longer lifespan for the LED. We utilize a white COB LED at k in our impressive SLR- Compact Work Light.

Durability is another important consideration when choosing a work light, and both COB and SMD LEDs are known for their long lifespan and resistance to damage. COB LEDs, however, tend to be more durable due to their larger size and the fact that they have fewer components, which makes them less prone to failure. Rest assured, all our work lights are built tough and have been put through the ultimate tests prior to launch.

Overall, both COB and SMD LEDs are great for work lights and we put a lot of thought and engineering to ensure we use the right type of LED, for every light we manufacture. If you need a wide and even spread of light over a large area, COB LED technology may be the better choice. If you need more directional and focused lighting for specific tasks, SMD LEDs may be the way to go. Both technologies offer efficiency, durability, and long lifespan ' something we strive for here at Unilite.

If you have any questions or want to learn more, feel free to comment or get in touch with us directly at .

For more COB LED Sustainabilityinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.


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