20 Best Led Light Strips and the Factors to Consider Before Buying

Important factors to consider before buying a LED light strip include the location of use, desired effect, how to operate it cost, durability and reliability. LED light strips may be designed for particular rooms (bedroom, kitchen), cabinets, TV backlight, and cars. Common features include synch, connectivity to apps smart home controls, motion-activation, and remote control.

Factors to Consider Before Buying LED Light Strips

You want to purchase a LED light strip that meets all or most of your needs. This is why you should take a good time to explore considerations that will guide you to get the right LED light strip. The factors you need to evaluate include the following.

1. Location of Use

You need to consider the location where the LED light strips will be used. This will help you know the features to look for in the LEDs.  You will be able to determine correct physical features, colors, and color qualities that will suit the environment.

• Is the location a residential, retail, or commercial place or an international space station”? Consider the needs of the customers and any regulations about lighting that might be in place.
• Is the location indoors or outdoors? Consider the appropriate light quality, color, and intensity that will suit the place. For example outdoors will require higher light intensity than indoors (living rooms, bedrooms, kitchen) or in cars.
• Where will the lights be installed? Considerations might be different for installation under cabinets, kickboards, coves, eaves and awnings, backlighting, display case, on walls or ceilings.
• What conditions will the lights be exposed to? For example, if they will be exposed to liquid, you may want to consider water-resistant LED light strips.
• What material will the lighting be attached to? It is timber, plastic, or metal? For example, you may want to choose LED light strips that you able to fix to the material they will be attached to easily.

2. Function, Aesthetics & Emotions

Consider the function of your lighting. Features and specifications will be different for accent lighting, task lighting, perimeter lighting, indirect lighting, principal lighting, etc.

Consider whether you want to dim your lights or control them with a remote or wall switch. Some of the brands will have one or more of these provisions and it is up to you to choose exactly what you want.

Consider the colors and color qualities you want. Some brands emit a single color like red, green, or blue, or just white light only. The color-changing LEDs have provisions for changing the output between different colors and varying between warm and cool colors, manually or using a remote control.

Consider the kind of emotions you want to create for yourself, your family, or visitors of customers. It can range from calm and cool, appealing and seductive, lively and energetic, bold and hopeful, safe and relaxed, to one full of colorful fun.

3. Size in Length of the Strip

Consider how big the area you want to light is so that you may be able to tell how many reels of a particular brank you may need. The size of the area you want to light might not a very good guide sometimes. So consider measuring the actual length to be covered by the LED light strips.

5. Power Source & Consumption

Consider what source of power you will use, whether it will be dry cells, batteries or solar power, or mains electricity. Equally, consider the amount of power the LED light strip will be consuming. Generally, you may need to go for low power consuming lights if you will be using dry cells or batteries.

6. Brightness, Color Quality & Color Temperature

Brightness, color quality & color temperature are determined by luminous flux, color rendering index (CRI), and correlated color temperature (CCT) respectively. These quantities are important specifications you should consider when you want to buy LED light strips.

You will be in a better position to choose your desired LEDs much faster and more easily when these specifications are provided by the manufacturer. Compare all these specifications and pick one that balances all of them well.

Luminous Flux

Luminous flux is a measurement of brightness measured in lumens. It refers to the measure of how bright the light is as perceived to the human eye. Note that wattage only refers to electrical energy consumed by the light rather than the brightness produced by the light.

It is very advisable to go for brighter LED light strips than needed and incorporate a dimmer. This is because running your LEDs below their rated full power and brightness is likely to reduce the ease of damage and increase their lifespan.

Luminous flux is usually measured in lumens per foot, although other units such as lumens per meter are also used. It is determined by the distribution of the lights along the strip.

Standard density (SD) light strips have about 9.1 LEDs per foot. They produce an average of 540 LM and need 27 watts of power. They run up to 32.8 feet. High density (HD) light stripes have about 18.3 LEDs per foot. They produce an average of 1080 LM and need 40 watts of power, with a maximum length of 16.4 feet.

Practically, different projects require different amounts of brightness to achieve the desired effect. Be sure to get it right. Some brands may decide to over-power their LEDs to make them brighter. This will make them burn up or fail faster.

Here is a quick general guide for different lighting requirements:

Color Rendering Index

Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a measure of the ability of a light source to reveal the colors of various objects correctly in comparison with an ideal light such as sunlight. The index is measured on a scale of 0 to 100. The higher the CRI, the higher the quality of the light source.

Therefore, 100 represents a perfect rating of color accuracy. This value means that the colors will appear just as they would in pure daylight. When a light source has a poor (low) CRI, you might not be able to distinguish close colors like black and navy blue. The Bottom-line is always to go for a higher CRI rating.

Correlated Color Temperature

Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) refers to the color temperature of light. It is measured in degrees Kelvin (K). The CCT rating directly affects the appearance of white light, which ranges from cool white to warm white.

For example, when increasing the CCT degrees Kelvin from about 2000K to 6000K, the color will change from yellowish-white to white and then a bluish-white. Yellowish white is considered to be a warm color while bluish white is cool.

CCT value represents quality in actual colors rather than the actual colors themselves such as red, green, or blue. It may give off a yellowish, greenish, purplish, or bluish hue to the actual colors.

It is very important to note that different LED companies may produce LEDs with the same CCT value but a slightly different appearance. This is because the actual light appearance for each company depends on their selection process and how they use bins for their LEDs.

Select the CCT that’s right for you or one that satisfies local regulations if any. The color temperature you use determines the functional, aesthetic, and emotional effect it will produce. Below is an example of the same kitchen under 3000k, 4200k, and 6200k lights.

7. Durability, Safety & Accuracy Reports

You need a product that you can trust to produce a good accurate light for a long period and get the value of saving you money in the process. So try to get the following information about the LED light strip you want to purchase.

Heat Management:  Ask and verify whether and how the LED strip lights have been designed for proper heat management and dissipation. Poor thermal management would mean the longevity of the lights is highly compromised.

Safety of Material: Do not rely on retailer claims about the safety of the lights. Instead, check the UL listing, REACH, or RoHS registry to ascertain that the LEDs do not contain lead or any other hazardous materials.

Material Quality: Product performance and longevity are determined not just by the quality of the LEDs, but the thickness and materials used in the PCB, resistors, wires, and lead-free soldering.

Color Accuracy: Ask for test reports that prove the color quality you are purchasing is be accurate. This might be very important if you want to purchase additional strips or for partial replacement in which case they will need to match the ones you already have

Durability Assurance: Check the test reports to verify claims of longevity. Ask for them if not provided by default.

8. Customer Service Provisions

Consider whether the company has a warranty, customer care service, and design and installation assistance to its customers. The more services they provide, the better and more so if the services are free of charge.

Best Led Light Strips to Buy Based on Your Needs

Here are the guides for our best 20 LED light strips you can choose from. Each one of them is good in its way, based on the functionalities and features it offers. Some are perfect for particular locations, others are good for your budget, and others are suitable for home DIY projects.

1. Govee 32.8ft Smart LED Strip Lights (Best Overall)

These LED strip uses 1080 lumens to produce a very bright light that is ideal for any places with high brightens requirements. Its power consumption is 40 watts when functioning optimally.

It comes in two flexible 16.4-foot rolls. You can use the Govee app to choose from up to 16 million color options for your lights.

You can get voice control for your lighting when you connect it with Amazon Alexa and Google home with which you control the color settings.

You can turn the lights on or off as you walk to an area. You can use your smartphone to set a schedule for the desired operation. It has a sound-responsive microphone that prompts the LED lights to change color by matching it with music beats, handclaps, or other sounds.

2. Nexillumi 50Ft LED Strip Lights (Runners Up overall)

This LED Light Strip uses 540 Lumens LED lights to produce the perfect accent for a room or an entertainment center. Due to the low brightness, only 27 watts of power is required for optimal functioning.

It comes in two flexible 25-foot light strips. Besides, several straight and L-shaped connectors are included and can be applied anywhere by cutting the light strip.

You can operate it with the Ehome Light app which offers fully customizable color selection, brightness optimization, and response to music beats. Alternatively, you can use an included remote for the same operations if you don’t have the app or dislike using smartphone applications.

3. Pangton Villa Led Strip Lights (Best in Backlighting)

It is a product of Pangton Villa. The 540 Lumen LED strip is specifically designed for TVs or Monitors. It produces light that is perfect for setting a mood around your television while you play a favorite game or as you prepare to watch a sensational movie. You can choose from 16 different colors or dim the lights with the included remote control.

The kit from in four strips with adhesive backing for easy installation by attachment. The light strip connects directly to your television through a USB port to get power to run on. For TVs that do not have Bluetooth, it can also get power through a power adapter that included which you need to plug into a power outlet.

4. Cotanic 70 LED Closet Light (Best in Motion Sensing)

Unlike most other light strips, his Led Light Kit is not flexible. It has an ultra-thin design which is perfect for dark hallways or along stairs. It is used to provide lighting during dark hours without obstructing your movement.

It has a motion sensor that can detect your movement and automatically turn on the lights. Similarly, it automatically turns off after 18 seconds of inactivity within a 10-foot distance range.

It does not require wiring to power it. The strip can be attached or removed from its magnetic mount for easy recharging through a USB port. It has a glare-free diffusion plate makes to prevent you from being blinded when it is automatically switched on.

5. Govee Dreamcolor LED Strip Lights RGBIC (Best in Colorfulness)

This LED Light Strip is a product of Govee. A color impression is the hallmark of this high-density LED light strip. It has millions of hues that can be selected and customized through a customizable color palette.

Through the Govee home app, you can adjust the light strip to light up multiple colors simultaneously on the same strip. You can even synchronize the lighting sequence to ambient audio music for spectacular sound-light patterns.

However, because it produces simultaneous multi-color lighting, the flexible LED light strip cannot be cut to fit particular arrangements like other LED light strips. Therefore the area of installation should be designed with a particular measurement in mind.

6. WenTop LED Strip Lights Kit (Best in Tech Integration)

This LED light stripe is a product of WenTop. It has an extensive smart home integration such that you can control it with your voice, a smartphone, it’s remote, or any smart device that is home-linked.

It is a high-density strip with a flexible, 16.4-foot LED light strip. It can use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connectivity to integrate with Amazon Alexa and Google Home.

You can synchronize it with music, background soundtracks, and ambient voices to produce a light pattern that is harmonized for a perfect mood. Using its remote or app, or other smart home controls to adjust to a specific color temperature for optimum comfort.

7. Lifx Z Wi-Fi Dimmable Controller and Multi Color 6.6′ LED Light Strip (Best LED Strip Lights)

Lifx gives you all the control you need and you will set a whole variety of moods. The kit has 6.6 feet of lighting, with eight controllable zones for each meter of strip. You can expand it to a total 10-meter length if need be.

You will have over 16 million colors to choose from, from cool white to warm white as well as dim functionality. Besides remote for control, the Lifx Z works with smartphone apps, smart home integrations, and voice assistants that let you control or schedule it.

8. Govee Wi-Fi Light Strip (Best for Your Budget)

This LED light strip kit a budget-friendly option from Govee. With RGB, cool white, and warm white, you can select the color and temperature you desire. It’s also Wi-Fi enabled to integrate with Google Home or Amazon Alexa as well as smart home devices.

Although Govee does not provide information on lumens or total brightness, these strips do not disappoint according to our customer satisfaction research & experience. It also has some color presets, the ability to sync to music, and can act as a wake-up light.

9. Corsair iCUE Lighting Node (Best LED Strip Lights for PC)

Corsair is has a reputation for the gaming PC space in RGB lighting. This kit has a set of four lighting strips and a Lighting Node Pro RGB Controller. Most importantly, the kit can integrate with the company’s proprietary iCUE software.

Arguably, iCUE gives you more control over their lights than most of the other companies. With the software, you can control each individual LED and assign many preset effects, and animations. These light strips are also able to sync and match or send animations across your smart devices.

10. Corsair LS100 Smart Lighting Starter Kit (Best Hybrid for Desk or Monitor)

Every LS100 lighting strip has an in-built diffuser for smooth RGB lighting. You can use this kit on the back of a monitor, the back of a desk, or any other arrangement you choose.

With Corsair’s iCUE software, you can choose preset lighting effects or create your animations. Although this light strip is not very bright due to the built-in diffusers, it has an attractive high level of versatility and customization.

11. Wobane Under Cabinet Lighting Kit (Best for Under Cabinet Lighting)

This LED light strip by Wobane is specially designed for a striking under-cabinet LED lighting. It comes with everything you need to start. It is available in different color temperatures to match your decor.

This kit comes with cable holders, extensions, and adhesive so that you can assemble and install it without the need for most tools. It comes with a mountable dimmer switch but you can still control it with remote control.

12. Govee Wi-Fi TV Backlights Kit with Camera (Best for Your TV)

This kit comes with a small camera that you mount on the top of your Gaming TV. The camera samples your screen and sends a signal that controls the backlight to match what you are viewing on the TV. You can still choose a color or preset of your choice, or sync your backlight with your music.

This LED light strip comes with one long strip for the top and two smaller ones for the sides. The Govee Home app allows you to adjust the camera. Although it is not perfectly accurate, it has special functionality that suits it’s used in TV backlighting.

13. Maxonar Wi-Fi Enabled LED Strip Lights (Best for Your Room)

This high-density kit from Maxonar comes with two 16.4-foot rolls. Accessories include a full DIY kit for cutting and extending these strips to the length you want.

This kit is great for cabinet display or mood lighting the whole room because it has great brightness and high customization to suit your needs. These strips are Wi-Fi enabled and work with Amazon Alexa and Google Home to enable you to control mood and accent lighting to match the lighting in your room

14. Nanoleaf Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit (Best LED Strip Accent Lighting)

The unique feature with the Shapes Hexagon Smarter Kit is that it comes with seven panels which you can combine as you wish. You arrange them in one or more rows, zig-zag, or create attractive shapes for a stylish piece of art on your walls.

It has a power supply that can support up to 21 hexagon panels and a controller that can manage up to 500 panels. This means that you can get additional panels for more shapes to create a unique look in your room.

15. Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip (Best Smart LED Strip Light)

The Nanoleaf Essentials Lightstrip is not only affordable but also gives you more smart features for diverse and convenient control. It has a Bluetooth-connected controller, but it can connect to the border router using Thread when you need even more control. You can also adjust the lights physically using the controller, a feature that many other kits do not have.

The kit comes in two parts. A starter part that consists of the power supply, the controller, and a 40-inch or 80-inch light strip. The second part consists of extra strips that you can add as extra segments to the starter part. The kit offers many choices of color and a range of color temperatures.

16. Supernight LED Strip Lights (Best for Car)

The Supernight LED Strip Lights, are specially designed to give your car a unique appearance. The durable and weather-proof strips can customize both the interior and exterior parts of vehicles, including the wheels.

These powerful strips offer up to 16 million colors for maximum fun.  With a remote from inside your car, you can adjust the colors, speed modes, and light brightness to your liking. They are easy to install since they have markers to indicate cutting points and self-adhesives

17. OxyLED OxySense Stick-on Wireless Motion-Sensing Cabinet LED

OxySense Wireless Motion-Sensing LED provides motion-activated and provides a pure white brightness. It senses movement within a distance of 10 feet and automatically turns on as you arrive and turn off about 15 seconds after leaving the area. This not only provides convenience by saves energy as the lights will always be off when not required.

Since it is battery-powered, it is easy to install as no specialist, wiring, or tools are required. Simply peel off the adhesive on the back of the strip to safely attach it to any smooth, dry surface. They can be installed along hallways, in your closets, and other areas.

18. Nexlus LED Strip Lights

The Nexlus LED Strip Lights Kit comes with waterproof 32.8 feet of flexible RGB strip. The strips are Wi-Fi enabled to be controlled from your smartphone and other smart home controls.

Since they work with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, you can use voice control to turn lights on or off, change colors, or adjust the level of brightness. With this kit, you can sync your lights to music and customize the colors to provide a colorful melodious arena for yourself or a guest. It is programmable and you can schedule the lights to automatically adjust as you wish.

19. LE Cool White LED Strip (Best Budget for DIY Projects)

LE Cool White LED Strip is very affordable and safe to handle and hence suitable for DIY projects. They are used indoors and you can install them in any room with these lights.  You will need to separately buy a power adaptor, which is required but is not included in the kit.

You can easily cut it to any length to as short as 3 LEDs. Hence it is ideal for home lighting projects that may require Changing light arrangements, moving lights around, and testing different locations.

20. Pangton Villa USB LED TV Backlight Kit (Best for USB run TV Backlighting)

This LED light kit is specifically designed to provide backlighting to enhance your TV usage experience. One of its unique features is that it runs from a USB port, which simply makes it a plug-and-play LED light strip.

It is very easy to install. You simply peel and attach to the back of your TV, plug the USB to one of your TV’s ports and you are ready to go! With its remote, you to choose from the 16 different colors and four dim presets to set the perfect atmosphere for your home entertainment arena.