CCT and RGB LED strips have become increasingly popular due to their ability to adjust color temperature according to the setting. But what does “actual power” mean when it comes to these strips? Can the stated wattage be trusted, and how do your choices affect power consumption and effiency?
What influences efficiency, and why does it matter? In this article, we’ll dive into the technical details and explain what the actual power consumption of an LED strip really means — in a clear and easy-to-understand way.
Single-colour LED strip
This is straightforward: the rated power is usually accurate in reality.
For example, if the package says 14.4W 4000K LED strip, then for 5 meters you’ll need:
5 × 14.4W + 15% = 82.8W, which means you should use a 100W power supply.
So, for single-color LED strips, the actual power consumption is generally the same as the stated wattage.
But that’s the easy part. What about CCT and RGB strips? Let’s dive deeper…
Understanding CCT LED Strips: What They Are and How They Work?
But first, a quick refresher on the technology.
The working principle behind CCT technology
CCT stands for Correlated Color Temperature, which refers to adjustable color temperature.
CCT LED strips combine both warm and cool white LED chips, allowing the user to adjust the light tone anywhere from a cozy warm white (e.g. 2500K) to a bright cool white (e.g. 6500K), depending on the desired atmosphere.
How CCT LED strips differ from standard single-color LED strips
Single-color LED strips have only one fixed color temperature, which the user must choose before purchasing the strip. With CCT LED strips, a single strip can adapt to different lighting needs throughout the day — for example, providing cooler light in the morning and warmer tones in the evening.
How to calculate the actual power usage of an LED strip
What is the actual power consumption of an LED strip?
The actual power consumption of an LED strip isn’t just about the wattage per meter.
You also need to consider the total power of the entire strip (typically sold in 5-meter reels) and the real-world energy usage during operation.
Rated Power vs. Measured Total Power Consumption
For example, a CCT LED strip rated at 7.2 W/m typically consumes less power in practice, because both LED channels — warm white and cool white — are not used at full power simultaneously.
In a 7.2W CCT strip, the LED array usually consists of 3.6W warm + 3.6W cool chips per meter. The CCT controller adjusts the output dynamically between these two channels depending on the selected color temperature. As a result, the actual power consumption rarely exceeds 4W per meter, even though the rated power is 7.2W/m. So, the true power consumption of the LED strip is effectively around 4W/m, not the full rated 7.2W/m.
CCT Dual Circuit: Power Distribution Between Warm and Cool LEDs
CCT strips never run both warm and cool LEDs at full output at the same time. For example:
- Warm LED: 7.2 W
- Cool LED: 7,2 W
In CCT LED strips, the user’s adjustment determines whether the warm or cool LED channel draws more current — but both cannot operate at full power at the same time. Therefore, even if the strip is rated at 14.4W/m, the actual power draw is limited to around 7.2W/m.
Real power consumption of CCT and RGBW LED strips – measured data
The tables below compare examples of CCT and RGBW LED strips manufactured for LedStore.
You can see the difference between the product’s rated nameplate wattage and the actual measured power consumption.
Actual power consumption of a CCT LED strip
| Strip | SKU | CRI | IP | Lumen | Lux 1m | Colour temperature (K) | Technology | Power consumption (W/m) | Luminous efficacy (lm/W) | R9 | Warm LED (W) | Cool LED (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOLO TUNNELMA, 3,6W/m | STRIP36-24V-IP65-CCT-COB | 95 | 65 | 210 | 52 | 2600–7000 | COB | 2.9 | 98 | 61–70 | 2.2 | 2.2 |
| SOLO TUNNELMA, 7,2W/m | STRIP72-24V-IP65-CCT-COB | 95 | 65 | 365 | 68 | 2700–6500 | COB | 5.5 | 89 | 61–70 | 4.1 | 4.1 |
| SOLO TUNNELMA, 14,4W/m | STRIP144-24V-IP20-CCT-COB | 93 | 20 | 592 | 155 | 2500–7300 | COB | 10.3 | 77 | 61–70 | 7.7 | 7.7 |
| SOLO TUNNELMA, 30W/m | STRIP30-24V-IP20-CCT-COB | 92 | 20 | 1260 | 327 | 2400–6900 | COB | 20.8 | 81 | 61–70 | 15.6 | 15.6 |
| NEON, 14,4W/m | STRIP144-24V-IP65-CCT-NEON | 95 | 65 | 211 | 16 | 2300–4400 | COB | 10.6 | 27 | 91–100 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| HELMI TUNNELMA, 7,2W/m | STRIP72-24V-IP65-CCT-SMD | 94 | 65 | 207 | 69 | 2600–6300 | SMD | 4.5 | 80 | 81–90 | 3.4 | 3.4 |
| HELMI TUNNELMA, 14,4W/m | STRIP144-24V-IP20-CCT-SMD | 94 | 20 | 424 | 129 | 2700–7700 | SMD | 8.0 | 71 | 91–100 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| HELMI TUNNELMA, 22W/m | STRIP22-24V-IP20-CCT-SMD | 93 | 20 | 822 | 253 | 2600–7500 | SMD | 15.7 | 63 | 91–100 | 11.8 | 11.8 |
As seen in the table, the wattage stated in the product name differs from the actual power consumption.
This is a crucial piece of information, as it directly affects both the amount of light produced and how the required power supply is calculated. Let’s look at an example of how to calculate the required power:
SOLO TUNNELMA CCT 7,2W/m
The packaging states 7.2W/m, but the actual power draw is 5.5W/m.
So, if you want to install 5 meters of LED strip, the total power requirement is:
5 × 5.5W + 15% = 31.6W. A 30W power supply would barely suffice, but we always recommend including a 10–15% safety margin in your calculations.
SOLO TUNNELMA CCT 30W/m
The packaging states 30W/m, but the actual power draw is approximately 20W/m.
This LED strip is most commonly used for kitchen countertops and other applications that require high brightness. For example, when using 4 meters of this strip for under-cabinet lighting, the total power requirement would be: 4 × 20W + 15% = 92W. So, a 100W driver is a suitable choice, providing enough headroom for safe and reliable operation.
Actual power consumption of an RGB LED strip
| Strip | SKU | CRI | IP | Lumen | Colour temperature (K) | Technology | Power consumption (W/m) | Luminous efficacy (lm/W) | R9 | Lux 1m | Red (W) | Blue (W) | Green (W) | Warm LED (W) | Cool LED (W) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HELMI KAMELEONTTI, RGB+W, 24V, 14,4W/m | STRIP144-24V-IP65-RGBW-SMD | 85 | 65 | 392 | 4200 | SMD | 10.4 | 91 | 11–20 | 97 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | 7.8 | |
| SOLO KAMELEONTTI, RGB+W, 24V, 15W/m | STRIP15-24V-IP65-RGBW-COB | 90 | 65 | 496 | 4200 | COB | 10.4 | 74 | 51–60 | 121 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 7.8 | |
| SOLO SPEKTRI, RGB+CCT, 24V, 19W/m | STRIP19-24V-IP20-RGBCCT-COB | 90 | 20 | 399 | 2700–6200 | COB | 7.1 | 75 | 41–50 | 90 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 7.6 | 7.6 |
| HELMI SPEKTRI, RGB+CCT, 24V, 20W/m | STRIP20-24V-IP20-RGBCCT-SMD | 94 | 20 | 330 | 2700–7900 | SMD | 6.4 | 69 | 91–100 | 104 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 | 7.8 | 7.8 |
With RGBW and RGBCCT LED strips, things get even more complex than with CCT strips.
The white LED channel is always more powerful than the colored ones, as individual color channels (like green) tend to be more efficient than full-spectrum white light. Additionally, colors are often used for ambiance rather than task lighting, so lower brightness is typically considered sufficient.
Let’s look at an example of how to calculate power consumption:
SOLO KAMELEONTTI RGBW 15W/m
The packaging states 15W/m, but the actual power consumption ranges from 3.0W to 7.6W per meter, depending on the color being used.
If you’re planning to install 8 meters of RGBW LED strip on a children’s room ceiling, the maximum power requirement would be:
8 × 7.6W + 15% = 69.9W
So, a 75W driver will be sufficient in this case, providing a safe margin.
SOLO SPEKTRI RGB+CCT 19W/m
The packaging states 19W/m, but the actual power consumption ranges from 3.0W to 7.8W per meter, depending on the color combination used.
For example, if you’re installing 20 meters of RGB+CCT LED strip in a home theater, the maximum power requirement would be:
20 × 7.8W + 15% = 179.4W
With RGB+CCT systems, there is no all-in-one driver with built-in control — the controller must be purchased separately and connected to a standard LED power supply.
In this case, the recommended setup would be:
A 200W (24V) standard power supply
Paired with a controller such as the Zigbee 20A RGB+CCT controller
In summary:
- With CCT LED strips, the intensity of the warm and cool white channels is adjusted dynamically to achieve the desired shade of white.
- RGBW LED strips deliver color and white in one strip, but with lower efficiency compared to CCT models -perfect for ambience,
- RGB+CCT LED strips combine colorful lighting with adjustable white tones, so you always have the right light for any occasion.
Efficiency and luminous output: lumens per watt
What does efficiency tell the consumer?
Efficiency is expressed as lm/W — lumens per watt. It indicates how much light is produced for every watt of power consumed. The higher the value, the more energy-efficient the LED strip is.
Efficiency differences between CCT and RGB LED strips
CCT LED strips typically offer an efficiency between 74 and 98 lumens per watt (lm/W), which is considered a good level for LED lighting. An efficiency above 90 lm/W already indicates very high luminous efficacy. However, under the new EU energy labeling regulation, even that level only qualifies as class F, while class A starts at 210 lm/W and above.
You can read more about this in our article: New Energy Labeling for LED Lights.
Color rendering and efficiency are correlated
In LED strips, there is a clear correlation between color rendering index (CRI) and the efficiency of the LED chip. The better a chip renders colors, the lower its luminous efficacy tends to be. That’s why LED lighting should not be chosen based solely on efficiency. When selecting products with low CRI, colors in interior spaces may appear dull or inaccurate — meaning the lighting fails to do justice to the design and materials.
Why CRI and R9 matter – color accuracy in LED lighting
How does CRI affect light quality?
CRI, or Color Rendering Index, indicates how accurately a light source renders colors as they appear in natural light.
A CRI value above 90 is considered excellent and ensures that colors look vivid, rich, and true to life.
All of LedStore’s LED strips have been measured to fall within a CRI range of 93 to 98, ensuring outstanding color fidelity.
To learn more about the importance of color rendering and the difference between CRI and Ra values, see our article: What’s the Difference Between CRI and Ra?
CRI can only be measured from white light. In CCT LED strips, the CRI is determined separately for each channel — warm and cool white. For RGBW strips, the CRI is based on the dedicated white LED (e.g., 4000K). In RGB+CCT strips, CRI values can be measured from both white LED channels — typically warm and cool white — as they are separate circuits.
Why is the R9 value especially important?
In CRI measurements, the R9 value represents the rendering of deep red tones — which is especially important for accurate skin tones and food presentation. When measuring LedStore’s LED strips, R9 values vary by product and typically fall between 58 and 82, which is considered relatively good. In contrast, some lower-quality LED strips may have R9 values between 0–10, or even negative, meaning red tones are poorly rendered while other colors may appear unnaturally enhanced. This can also depend on the measurement equipment used, as different spectrometers may yield slightly different results.
Lux value at one meter – the practical effect of light
The lux value indicates how much light is delivered at a specific distance.
In testing, measured values at one meter (typically between 131 and 214 lux) provide a clear and direct comparison of the practical lighting output.
But how much is that, really?
Looking at the lux value gives a much better idea of which LED strip to choose for your needs, compared to just relying on the strip’s rated power consumption.
After all, two strips with the same wattage can produce very different lighting results depending on their efficiency and optics.
Read more in this article: LED strip wattage and its importance in lighting
IP ratings and applications – Which LED strip suits which environment?
Most LED strips are classified as IP20, meaning they are intended for use in dry indoor environments.
If moisture protection is needed — for example, in bathrooms, kitchens, or outdoor areas — you should choose a version rated at least IP65.
How to choose the right CCT LED strip
Application examples for different needs
- Kitchen: SOLO 30W/m CCT – a powerful, dotless LED strip that’s perfect for countertop lighting.
- Living room: HELMI 14.4W/m CCT – a great choice for continuous perimeter lighting that provides effective supplemental light while also allowing you to create the right atmosphere with ease.
In indirect lighting setups, the strip can be dot-style as the LEDs won’t be directly visible. - Workspace: HELMI 22W/m CCT – when installed in a suspended profile, two strips side by side provide excellent brightness.
Using a deeper profile helps diffuse the light, so individual LED dots are no longer visible. - Kids’ room or home theater: SOLO SPEKTRI 19W/m – delivers (nearly) dotless light in all colors and shades of white. Choosing the right tone to match the mood is easy!
FAQ
What Is a good CRI in an LED strip?
A good CRI in an LED strip is at least 90. The higher the value, the more naturally and comfortably the strip renders colors to the human eye.
Can CCT LED strips be used outdoors?
Yes, but the LED strip must be rated at least IP65 to withstand moisture and dust.
Make sure that the power supply and all connections are also weather-protected for safe and reliable outdoor use.
Do I need a special controller for a CCT LED strip?
Yes. CCT LED strips contain both warm and cool white LED channels, so the controller must support two channels. In addition, you’ll need a controller to adjust the color temperature and brightness according to your needs.
What does the R9 value mean?
The R9 value indicates how well an LED light can reproduce deep red tones. A high R9 value (e.g. above 70) is especially important when lighting people, food, or artwork.
How does efficiency (lm/W) affect lighting?
Efficiency tells you how much light an LED strip produces per watt of power used.
A higher lm/W (lumens per watt) value means better energy efficiency and lower electricity costs.
Can the power consumption of an LED strip change over time?
Yes. LED strips lose output over time and with extended use.
Light output gradually decreases, especially if cooling is insufficient or if the strip is operated continuously at full power.
What did we learn about the power consumption of CCT and RGB LED strips?
CCT LED strips are an efficient and versatile lighting solution — as long as you understand their actual power consumption and characteristics.
A good rule of thumb is that the real power requirement is roughly half of the wattage stated in the product name.
To find the best option for your specific project, consider the efficiency (lm/W), the CRI — especially the R9 value — and the lux output.
The ideal LED strip for a storage room will likely differ from what you’d choose for a living room, because the lighting needs and preferences are clearly not the same.
