Welcome to our article comparing Philips HUE and COB-led strip lights! Nowadays, lighting in the home plays a major role in creating atmosphere and comfort. Lighting has evolved dramatically in recent years and LED strip lighting is one of the most popular lighting technologies. In this article, we’ll look at the features of Philips HUE and COB strip lights, compare them and explain why COB might be a better choice.
A brief introduction to Philips HUE and COB-led strip lighting
Philips HUE is a renowned manufacturer of smart lights, offering a wide range of LED strip lights. HUE products integrate with smart home systems and can be controlled via a mobile app.
COBs, on the other hand, represent Chip-On-Board technology, where small LEDs are closely packed together to improve light output and light uniformity and require an external LED transformer that can be connected to smart home systems.
The importance of both LED strip lights in modern homes
Philips HUE LED strip lights
The Philips HUE system offers a comprehensive range of different LED strips to create versatile lighting for your home. HUE products are easy to use and offer excellent comfort. The range of colour options and light output is versatile, allowing for creative and individual lighting.
COB led strip lighting
The main advantage of COB LED strips is their uniformity of light and glare-free operation. This is because COB technology allows small LEDs to be placed close together. COB LED strips are also energy-efficient and sustainable, making them an excellent choice for home and public spaces. They are also versatile and easily adaptable to different applications.
Comparison: Philips HUE vs COB strip lighting
Why is COB LED strip better than Philips HUE?
In terms of light by numbers, the COB LED strip is significantly better than Philips HUE.
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Philips HUE | COB LED RGB+CCT | |
| Power | 10W per metre | 15W per metre | |
| Colour rendering | CRI 80 | CRI 98 | |
| Lumen | 1000 lumens per metre | 1000 lumens per metre | |
| Led quantity | 54 LEDs per metre | 540 LEDs per metre | |
| Width | 15mm | 12mm | |
| IP class | IP67 | IP65 | |
| Cutting-off interval | 33cm | 5cm | |
| Lifetime | 25000 hours | 50000 hours | |
| Requires led profile | no | yes | |
Lighting characteristics
The strength of Philips HUE LED strip lights is their versatility in terms of colour options and light output. COB LED strips, on the other hand, offer better light uniformity and light output, making them an excellent choice for lighting workstations and kitchens, for example.
Colour temperature and colour rendering
Both lighting technologies offer a wide range of colour temperatures.
Philips HUE strip lights allow you to create different moods with adjustable colours and white light tones, but have a low colour rendering, CRI80.
The CCT, RGBW and RGB+CCT versions of COB LED strip also allow a wide choice of colour gamut and colour temperatures. COB led strips offer superior colour rendering, with a CRI95+.
Uniformity and glare-free light
COB LED strips win in this comparison, as their light uniformity and glare-free performance is significantly better than Philips HUE LED strips. COB led strips are always mounted on aluminium profiles.
Light uniformity is particularly important when lighting is used for reading or working, where eye strain must be minimised.
Comfort and ease of use
Philips HUE has the advantage of being integrated into smart home systems and controllable via a mobile app.
COBs can be simpler to use than traditional controllers, and can be integrated into smart home systems, often using Zigbee or DALI technologies.
Technology
Philips HUE led strips are always supplied as a ready-to-use kit, which connects to the HUE app, via the Philips HUE Bridge. As a wireless technology, Philips HUE uses the Zigbee protocol. HUE led strips contain individual (54pcs/m) led circuits per strip and the whole package is coated with IP67 protection.
COB led strip lights are supplied as led strip lights only. COB led strip lights therefore use any technology such as DALI, ZIgbee, Z-wave, .. because the control devices are purchased separately. You can therefore also control them with Philips HUE! The COB led strip light has 540 led circuits per metre and is IP65 protected.
Installation and maintenance
The installation of both LED strips is fairly straightforward, but the COB strips can be a little easier to install due to their flexibility, but more difficult as the extensions have to be made with soldering irons.
Philips HUE is installed as such and has a length of 2 meters, a cut-off distance of 33 cm, so sizing the LED strip light is difficult.
COB led strip lights are mounted on aluminium profiles and can be up to 20 meters long with a 5cm cut-off distance. Sizing a COB led strip light is easy.
In terms of maintenance, both options are relatively hassle-free, i.e. dusting. HUE led strips have a long life of 25,000 hours, but COBs have a longer life of 50,000 hours.
Energy efficiency and sustainability
COB LED strips are more energy efficient and sustainable than Philips HUE LED strips. Their energy consumption is lower, and their life cycle and reliability are better.
This makes COBs a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective option in the long term, as well as more durable.
Price
The cost of a Philips HUE 5m set is n. 250 eur. Starter kit. 2m + 3pcs 1m extension pieces.
COB LED RGB+CCT 5m 380 eur. 5m COB led strip + Zigbee receiver (for 50 meters) + Transformer (for 5 meters)
Costs level off as the number of metres increases, as COB led strip lighting control devices are more expensive to purchase. In addition, an LED profile is recommended for both. Why does the led strip need an aluminium profile? We have written a lot about this.
Personal experiences and opinions on both technologies
Based on my own experience, I can say that both lighting techniques work well in different applications.
Philips HUE strip lights have been a great solution for easy mood lighting in the living room or bedroom, while COB strip lights have excelled in professional installations and permanent solutions such as downstairs, task lighting or kitchen lighting.
Tips for readers who are considering purchasing LED strips
Before buying LED strip lighting, it is a good idea to consider what the lighting will be used for and what features you value most. If you want versatile lighting, easy to buy and install, easily controlled from your smartphone, Philips HUE strip lights may be the right choice.
If, on the other hand, you value uniformity, glare-free and energy-efficient light, colour rendering and a professional finish, COB strips may be a better option.
Summary
In conclusion, both lighting techniques have their strengths and weaknesses. Philips HUE LED strips offer versatility and smart home integration possibilities, while COB strips stand out for their brightness, glare resistance, energy efficiency and durability. The choice depends largely on the user’s needs, preferences and budget.
Also remember that the installation and commissioning of lighting often requires professional help, so it’s a good idea to plan for these costs. In addition, the compatibility of LED strips with other devices and systems is important to consider when making your choice.
I hope this article has helped you to understand the differences between Philips HUE and COB and why COB might be a better option in certain situations. Good luck with your choice of lighting solutions!
Colour led lighting is familiar to us
LedStore has been an expert in LED lighting and lighting design since 2010. We have our own product design, so our products are technologically state-of-the-art. Products have quarantee for up to 7 years. We also carry out lighting maintenance.
We focus on temperature-controlled and high colour rendering lights, so they work brilliantly and last a long time. We do around 500 lighting designs for our clients’ sites. Read more here or order a lighting design
We offer a service of custom-made LED strips, i.e. custom-made LED strips in aluminium profile. Also installed. Did you know? LedStore offers lighting design from 99 euros for the whole house!
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Photo gallery of Led lights:
Product gallery: Pictures of products in different installation locations
Indirect light: Indirect light in different spaces
Room-specific: Light in different rooms
References: Complete houses that have been photographed
