COB vs SMD LED Strip: Which Should You Specify?

COB (Chip on Board) strips pack hundreds of emitters into a continuous luminous surface; SMD strips place discrete packages at fixed intervals. At close range (under 1.5 m), COB eliminates visible dots in coves and millwork — the look international hotels expect. SMD remains cost-effective when viewing distance is greater or when deep diffusers hide pixelation.

For specification sheets, document CCT bin tolerance, CRI (Ra), max run length per feed, and dimming protocol compatibility — not only lumens per meter. COB typically supports CRI 90+ with better heat spreading across the PCB; SMD is strong for general decoration, signage backlight, and back-of-house runs where budget dominates.

Many hospitality programs mix both: COB in guest rooms, restaurants, and lobby coves; SMD in corridors with deep profiles or high ceilings. Mihoray supplies matched CCT/CRI across both technologies from the same factory so phased fit-out does not show color drift between areas.

Request batch colorimetry reports and driver pairing notes with every RFQ. For export, confirm BOM revision control and aging test duration (8–24 h minimum) tied to the exact SKU — not catalog averages.