Watch this before buying LEDs

Summary by Krater

This video covers 10 things to know before working with LED strips to help viewers save time and money, concluding with practical advice on selection, voltage, and mounting.

From the video

Answers: What do I need to know before buying and installing LED light strips?

• LED strip lighting selection
• RGB vs smart RGB LED strips
• LED strip density and diffusion
• LED strip water-resistance ratings
• Voltage and power supply sizing for LED strips
• LED controller options
• Cutting and connecting LED strips
• Mounting and diffusing LED strips

What it concludes

• Packaged LED strip kits under 20 dollars are generally low quality and limit control options and LED density.
• For most applications where you want a natural white light, dedicated white LED strips look much better than RGB or cheap dumb RGB strips.
• RGBW LED strips that combine RGB and a white LED into one cell often have poor reviews and are not worth it compared to choosing either pure white or RGB.
• Higher density LED strips provide brighter and more uniform light, making individual LEDs less obvious, but cost more per meter.
• IP30 LED strips have no water resistance, IP65 has a silicone coating for splashes, and IP67 is waterproof in a sealed silicone casing but should not be submerged in pools.
• Lower voltage 5V strips can run off Arduino or USB power banks, while higher voltages allow longer continuous runs without voltage drop, though voltage does not increase brightness per LED.