LED strip lights come in different types, and one of the most noticeable features is the 4-digit number listed on the box or the product info. Two of the most typical numbers are 3528 and 5050, and these refer to the chip’s size. However, there is more to this number than just the chip size. Here is a 3528 vs. 5050 LED chip comparison to define what the numbers mean.
What Are the 4-Digit Numbers on the LED Light Strip?
These four digits refer to the size of the LED chips in millimeters. The first two numbers indicate the chip’s width, while the last two show its height. For instance, a 2835 strip contains chips measuring 2.8mm wide and 3.5mm tall.
LED chips in a light strip
What is a 3528 LED?
From the explanation above, 3528 and 2835 chips have similar sizes but different orientations. This one measures 3.5mm wide and 2.8mm tall.
An up-close image of an LED chip
The 3528 strips are the most typical LED chip strips because they are the least power intensive. However, they are also the least bright, so their application is usually in accent lighting. You can install the strip around the crown molding or above the kitchen cabinets.
What is a 5050 LED?
The 5050 chips are right behind the 3528 type in popularity. They measure 5.0mm square and are approximately three times brighter than 3528 chips. Therefore, they are ideal for under cabinet lighting or task lighting.
Since they are larger, 5050 LED chips can accommodate three diodes to form a tri-chip. Each emits one primary color, resulting in a red, green, and blue chip.
A light strip with 5050 LED chips
Therefore, most multi-colored LED strips contain 5050 chips, which come with a controller for adjusting the RGB color output. However, they can also come as single-color strips with three chips to increase the lumen output.
An RGB LED strip
3528 vs. 5050 LEDs
| Factor | SMD 3528 | SMD 5050 |
| Beam Angle | 120° | 120° |
| Brightness | Lower | Three times brighter |
| Size | 3.5 x 2.8mm | 5.0 x 5.0mm |
| Number of Chips | Single Chip | Three (Tri-Chip) |
| Colors | Red, Green, Blue, White, Warm White, Yellow | RGB, Red, Green, Blue, White, Warm White, Yellow |
| Control | CCT (Correlated Color Temperature) Control, Fully Dimmable | CCT Control, Fully Dimmable, RGB Control |
| Lumens | 7-8 | 20-21 |
| Average Lumens Per Meter | 360 | Over 1000 |
| Heat Dissipation | Requires no aluminum profile or heat sink | Requires an aluminum profile or heat sink |
| Power | 0.06-0.1 watts | 0.24 watts |
| Recommended Applications | Task lighting, accent lighting, cabinet lighting, feature lighting, backlighting, high ambient lighting | RGB lighting, task lighting, high ambient lighting, event lighting, mood lighting, signage, indirect lighting |
LED strip light installation under a kitchen cabinet
Why is an LED Chip Size Important?
The LED size directly impacts the diode size that the chip can accommodate. A large chip can hold a big diode, resulting in brighter output. For instance, the 5050 chip is larger than the 3528 chip, enabling it to accommodate three diodes that produce bright light with three times the lumen output.
However, even though the 3528 and 2835 chips have the same surface area, it does not mean they have similar properties. The 2835 chips are more efficient LED chips than the 5050 type because they produce roughly the same brightness level while having a lower power consumption.
Why? Because they utilize the available space better. 3528 and 5050 chips have circular diodes, while the diode in 2835 chips takes up almost the entire surface area.
The 2835 chips have other advantages, such as faster heat dissipation, which leads to a longer lifespan. However, these chips are still not large enough to accommodate three diodes to create an RGB lighting strip.
Dedicated single-color white LEDs create a better white light quality than an RGB lighting strip. But RGB strips have a downside, as well. Although you can combine red, green, and blue diodes to produce white light, this combination struggles to emit high-quality white light.
But if you want a light show with various color combinations, 5050 RGB light strips are better because they can produce up to 16 million colors.
A multicolor LED strip with its remote controller
Do Larger Chips Consume More Electricity?
Larger chips consume more power than the petite type because they have more LEDs. However, the diode’s size is also a factor to consider because the larger it is, the brighter its output and the higher its power usage.
Therefore, 2835 chips draw more power than 3528 chips because they have bigger diodes that occupy almost the entire surface area.
Here is a comparison of the three in terms of average power consumption.
| LED Chip Type | Power Draw Per Chip | Power Draw Per Meter for a 60-LED Light Strip | Average Lumen Per Meter |
| 2835 | 0.2 watts | 12 watts | 720-1300 |
| 3528 | 0.08 watts | 4.8 watts | 330-360 |
| 5050 | 0.24 watts | 14.4 watts | About 1000 |
As you can see, a meter long 5050 light strip draws more power than the other two. However, the 2835 strip can be brighter, especially if it has a higher density.
High-Density Strips or Larger Chips: Which is Better?
LED strip light density refers to the number of LEDs per meter. The higher the density, the brighter the strip and the higher the power draw.
Standard strips have 30 LEDs per meter, but some can have over 120. However, such high densities are not possible with every chip size. For instance, the 5050 chips are broader and can’t touch each other due to wiring. Therefore, the furthest you can go with these chips is 60 LEDs per meter.
However, 3528 and 2835 chips are narrow, meaning you can fit up to 120 per meter, especially for the latter. This arrangement creates brighter strips, reaching as high as 2600 lumens per meter.
LED strips with different chip densities
Tighter LEDs also create uniform lighting, which looks better than spotted light. However, you can use diffusers or position the strip to face upwards or place it in a coving to soften the light. Therefore, high-density strips are better if you want bright, uniform lighting for single-color applications.
But you only have the option of large 5050 chips if you want customizable lighting colors.
Wrap Up
There you have it! While the most significant difference between 3528 and 5050 LED chips is their size, several other differences emanate from the size factor. This comparison should help you choose the most suitable flexible strips for your application, and if you need further clarification, contact us for more details.
