The LED lighting industry is full of technical jargon—and few terms create more confusion than COB, SMD, and custom LED modules. Whether you’re a product designer, lighting contractor, or business owner planning a lighting upgrade, understanding these technologies is critical for choosing the right solution for your project.
In this detailed comparison, we’ll explore the differences, advantages, disadvantages, and ideal use cases of COB (Chip-on-Board), SMD (Surface-Mounted Device), and custom LED module suppliers. By the end, you’ll be equipped to make the smartest lighting decision for your application.
1. What Are COB LED Modules?
COB (Chip-on-Board) is a type of LED packaging where multiple LED chips (typically 9 or more) are mounted directly on a substrate (PCB) and act as a single light source.
🔍 Key Characteristics:
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Compact design with dense diode arrangement
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Single, uniform light-emitting surface (LES)
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Requires external optics or reflectors
✅ Advantages of COB:
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High lumen density: Ideal for directional lighting
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Better thermal performance: Fewer solder joints = less heat
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Cleaner light beam: No visible diode “dots”
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Ideal for spot, downlight, floodlight applications
❌ Disadvantages:
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Less customizable in size and layout
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Difficult to achieve complex color mixing (RGB)
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Needs more advanced heat sinks
🏆 Best Use Cases:
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Track lights, recessed spotlights
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Street lights and high bays
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Stadium lighting
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Automotive headlamps
2. What Are SMD LED Modules?
SMD (Surface-Mounted Device) LEDs are individual diode packages mounted on a PCB. Each SMD LED typically contains one or more chips, and can produce single-color or multi-color output.
🔍 Key Characteristics:
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Multiple individual light points
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Flat, flexible module designs available
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Can be configured in various arrangements (linear, ring, panel)
✅ Advantages of SMD:
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Versatile layout and shape options
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Great for wide-area illumination
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Excellent for RGB and color-tunable lighting
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Easier to replace/repair specific diodes
❌ Disadvantages:
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Multiple light points can create shadows or unevenness
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Lower lumen density compared to COB
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Can be less thermally efficient in tight spaces
🏆 Best Use Cases:
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Strip lights and linear fixtures
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Backlighting, signage, displays
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RGB architectural lighting
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General indoor and outdoor area lighting
3. What Are Custom LED Modules?
Custom LED modules are designed and manufactured based on a customer’s exact technical, mechanical, and lighting requirements. They can use either COB, SMD, or other LED technologies, tailored to a specific form factor, voltage, brightness, or control protocol.
🔍 Key Characteristics:
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Tailored shape, size, brightness, and optics
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Can include integrated drivers, optics, or sensors
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OEM-focused design collaboration
✅ Advantages of Custom Modules:
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Optimized for your product or environment
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Enhanced thermal, electrical, and optical efficiency
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Fully integrated into housing and control systems
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Support for unique CCTs, CRI levels, beam angles
❌ Disadvantages:
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Higher upfront cost due to design and tooling
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Longer lead times
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Minimum order quantities (MOQs) often required
🏆 Best Use Cases:
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Branded product lines (appliances, machines, fixtures)
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Harsh or regulated environments (medical, marine, military)
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Specialty lighting projects (theatrical, horticultural, museum)
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Where off-the-shelf SMD or COB won’t fit or perform optimally
4. Head-to-Head Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | COB | SMD | Custom Modules |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lumen Density | High | Medium | Customizable |
| Size & Shape | Compact, fixed | Modular, flexible | Any size/shape |
| Thermal Efficiency | Excellent | Good | Optimized per project |
| Color Options | Limited (mostly white) | Full RGB, RGBW available | Any (full spectrum possible) |
| Cost (per unit) | Medium | Low | Higher (one-time NRE fees) |
| Design Flexibility | Low | Medium | Very high |
| Ideal For | Focused beam lighting | General, RGB, signage | OEM, specialty, regulated |
5. Technical Considerations When Choosing
🔧 Heat Management:
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COB generates more concentrated heat → needs larger heatsinks
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SMD spreads heat across PCB → easier passive cooling
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Custom modules can use metal-core PCBs, thermally conductive plastics, etc.
⚡ Voltage & Current:
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COB modules often require constant current drivers
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SMDs are usually constant voltage (12V, 24V, etc.)
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Custom modules can be tailored to your existing power system
💡 Optics:
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COB needs reflectors/lenses for beam shaping
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SMDs often use diffusers or direct view
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Custom modules can integrate collimators, TIR optics, edge-lighting
📐 Mounting:
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COB: Needs robust thermal interface mounting
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SMD: Easy PCB-mounting via reflow soldering
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Custom: Can be pre-mounted on aluminum, plastic, or magnetic carriers
6. Cost Comparison Breakdown
| Module Type | Upfront Cost | Production Cost | Lifecycle Cost | ROI Potential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COB | Medium | Medium | Low (durable) | High (for high-output use) |
| SMD | Low | Low | Medium | High (in mass-volume projects) |
| Custom | High | Medium-High | Low (optimized use) | Very High (for proprietary products) |
7. Application-Specific Recommendations
🏢 Architectural Lighting:
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COB for downlights, spotlights
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SMD for linear and ambient lighting
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Custom for integrated designs (curved walls, RGB façade lighting)
🎛️ Product Manufacturing (OEM):
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COB for appliance lights (e.g., oven, fridge)
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SMD for control panels or signage
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Custom for embedded lighting in furniture, devices
🎨 Retail and Display:
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COB for focus points (mannequins, art)
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SMD for shelf and under-cabinet lighting
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Custom for brand-consistent lighting across stores
🏞️ Outdoor and Harsh Environments:
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COB in floodlights, streetlights
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SMD in signs or ambient paths
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Custom for solar integration, marine lighting
8. Supplier Tips Based on Module Type
🏢 COB Suppliers:
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Bridgelux – Vesta and Thrive COB modules
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Citizen – High CRI, thermal-resistant COBs
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Cree LED – Industry-standard COB light engines
🧩 SMD Suppliers:
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Samsung LED – High-efficiency mid-power LEDs
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Nichia – Long-life, high-performance SMDs
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Seoul Semiconductor – Versatile RGB and white SMD modules
🛠️ Custom Module Manufacturers:
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LUXTECH – Custom linear and circular modules for lighting OEMs
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Eurogreen Lighting – Tailored medical and retail modules
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Forge Europa – End-to-end LED module customization
9. When Should You Go Custom?
Consider custom LED modules when:
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You need an exact fit for a product design
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Regulatory standards (e.g., medical, marine, military) restrict off-the-shelf usage
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You’re developing a branded lighting product line
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You require integrated controls, optics, or smart sensors
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Cost is not a barrier to long-term performance and efficiency
10. Key Questions to Ask Before You Choose
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What is the primary goal of the lighting? (Brightness, ambiance, directionality?)
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Do I need color control or tunable white?
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What are my thermal and power limitations?
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Is this a one-time project or an ongoing product line?
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Will this module need to meet industry certifications or standards?
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Do I have the expertise and infrastructure to integrate COB/SMD directly, or do I need plug-and-play modules?
Conclusion: Know Your Needs Before You Commit
COB, SMD, and custom LED modules all have their place in modern lighting design. The key is to align your choice with your project’s technical demands, aesthetic goals, and budget.
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Choose COB when you need high-intensity, focused light with excellent thermal efficiency.
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Choose SMD when flexibility, affordability, and widespread light distribution are more important.
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Go custom when off-the-shelf solutions just won’t work—whether it’s due to form factor, color, brightness, compliance, or integration needs.
By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each module type, you’ll avoid costly mistakes, ensure performance, and achieve exactly the kind of lighting your project demands.
Still unsure which LED module type is right for your project? Contact us for a free consultation—we’ll help you analyze your needs and connect you with the most suitable suppliers in your industry.
