LED Strip Comparison: Understanding Key Differences
Introduction
WS2811
-
Voltage: 12V
-
Pixel Control: Drives 3 LEDs per controller, limiting individual control.
-
Pros: Great for long installations due to lower voltage drop.
-
Cons: Less precise control.
-
Best For: Outdoor installations, large spaces where fewer data lines are preferred.
WS2812B & WS2812Eco
-
Voltage: 5V
-
Control: Fully addressable with each LED acting as an independent pixel.
-
Eco Version: Optimized for lower power consumption and battery-powered projects.
-
Pros: Popular for DIY, wearables, and small decorative projects.
-
Cons: Prone to voltage drop without frequent power injection.
-
Best For: Indoor projects, artistic installations with precise pixel control.
WS2813
-
Voltage: 5V
-
Feature: Dual-signal redundancy ensures continued operation even if one LED fails.
-
Best For: Critical applications where maintenance is difficult, such as epoxy-encased installations.
-
Performance: Slightly lower color accuracy due to power consumption trade-offs.
WS2815
-
Voltage: 12V
-
Feature: Combines redundancy with high voltage to minimize color degradation over long distances.
-
Best For: Professional installations, long strips with minimal maintenance.
-
Performance: Stable color rendering but requires higher power consumption.
SK6812
-
Voltage: 5V
-
Feature: RGBW variants allow for true white (cool, warm, or neutral), improving color output.
-
Best For: Decorative lighting that needs accurate white tones, such as home or ambient lighting.
-
Performance: Higher power draw but excellent color flexibility.
-
Ambient and decorative lighting requiring vibrant colors and natural whites
-
Backlighting or smart home setups where precise lighting control is essential
SK9822
-
Voltage: 5V
-
Feature: Clock and data lines separate, ensuring smooth operation and high frame rates.
-
Best For: High-speed projects like POV (Persistence of Vision) displays.
-
Performance: Reduces data timing issues, ideal for smooth animations.
Key Considerations
-
Voltage: Use 5V strips for precise control but choose 12V for long runs to prevent voltage drops.
-
Redundancy: WS2813 and WS2815 offer backup data lines, ideal for installations that require reliability.
-
Color Needs: Opt for SK6812 for projects needing white light.
-
Smooth Animations: SK9822 is perfect for animations requiring accurate timing.
Test data of different LEDs
Reference Guide
|
Strip Type
|
Voltage
|
Compatible Libraries
|
Pros
|
Cons
|
|
WS2811
|
12V
|
FastLED, Neopixel, WS2812FX
|
Inexpensive, voltage drop resistance
|
Controls 3 LEDs per group, 12V requires separate power for microcontroller
|
|
WS2812B
|
5V
|
FastLED, Neopixel, WS2812FX
|
Inexpensive, widely compatible
|
Needs frequent power injection every 5m
|
|
WS2812B Eco
|
5V
|
Same as WS2812B
|
Lowest idle power, battery-friendly
|
Same power injection issue as WS2812B
|
|
WS2813
|
5V
|
Same as WS2812B
|
Redundant data line ensures reliability
|
Expensive, needs power every 2.5m
|
|
WS2815
|
12V
|
Same as WS2813
|
Resists voltage drop, reliable
|
High cost, requires external power for microcontrollers
|
|
SK9822
|
5V
|
FastLED
|
Clock pin for smooth animations
|
Requires clock pin, expensive
|
|
SK6812
|
5V
|
Neopixel
|
RGBW option for true whites
|
Costly, frequent power injection required
|
Power Consumption Guide
|
Strip Type
|
Voltage
|
Idle (0 LEDs)
|
Single Channel Per 1 LED
|
RGB Channels - 1 LED
|
Single Channel - 150 LEDs
|
RGB Channels - 150 LEDs
|
|
WS2811
|
12V
|
1.272 watts
|
0.064 watts
|
0.184 watts
|
10.44 watts
|
19.68 watts
|
|
WS2812B
|
5V
|
0.61 watts
|
0.06 watts
|
0.18 watts
|
8.6 watts
|
13.65 watts
|
|
WS2812B Eco
|
5V
|
0.56 watts
|
0.06 watts
|
0.165 watts
|
8.465 watts
|
13.25 watts
|
|
WS2813
|
5V
|
0.61 watts
|
0.085 watts
|
0.24 watts
|
10.35 watts
|
12.15 watts
|
|
WS2815
|
12V
|
3.516 watts
|
0.12 watts
|
0.122 watts
|
20.232 watts
|
20.184 watts
|
|
SK9822
|
5V
|
0.99 watts
|
0.1 watts
|
0.265 watts
|
9.68 watts
|
12.25 watts
|
|
SK6812
|
5V
|
0.83 watts
|
0.05 watts
|
0.148 watts
|
7.63 watts
|
14.4 watts
|
|
SK6812 (White)
|
5V
|
0.83 watts
|
0.095 watts
|
N/A
|
10.0 watts
|
N/A
|
Key Observations:
-
WS2811 performs efficiently with minimal idle power, but grouping 3 LEDs limits pixel control.
-
WS2812B Eco offers the lowest idle consumption, making it ideal for battery-powered setups.
-
WS2815 consumes more at idle but offers stability across long runs due to its 12V operation.
-
SK6812 adds versatility with RGBW channels, although it requires more power when using the white channel.
Conclusion
-
Concerning Light
