COB 480 chip/m vs 320 chip/m — Which Should You Choose?

COB LED strips come in multiple chip densities. The two most common options in the market are 320 chips/m and 480 chips/m. The numbers refer to how many LED chips are packed into each meter of strip, which affects brightness, light quality, and price. Here’s how to decide which one you actually need.

The Numbers at a Glance

When 320 chip/m Is the Right Choice

• Budget-conscious projects — best value for the performance
• Cove lighting viewed from distance — from over 50cm away, human eyes can’t distinguish 320 from 480
• Bedrooms and living rooms — where ambient mood matters more than maximum brightness
• Very long runs — 320 draws less power, so the PSU can be smaller and cheaper
• Decorative seasonal lighting — no need for the highest grade

When 480 chip/m Is Worth the Premium

• Strips viewed from close range (<50cm) — the smoother output is clearly visible
• TV backlights, mirror frames, wall panels — must look flawless even when examined closely
• Under-cabinet kitchen task lighting — needs high brightness and uniformity
• Photography studios or makeup areas — consistent, high-output light with no hot spots
• Premium projects where the client expects perfection

Three-Question Decision Framework

Question 1: How close will people view the strip?

• More than 50cm away → 320 is sufficient
• Closer than 50cm → 480 provides a noticeably cleaner result

Question 2: What’s your budget?

• 480 costs approximately 30–40% more; only worth it if the visual difference matters for your application

Question 3: How long is the total run?

• Very long runs (over 20m) → 320 keeps power and PSU cost manageable
• Shorter runs → 480 is viable without the power budget becoming excessive

Real Cost Comparison: 10-Meter Living Room Cove

Using COB 320 chip/m:

• Strip (400฿/m): ฿4,000
• PSU 150W: ~฿800
• Total: ~฿4,800

Using COB 480 chip/m:

• Strip (550฿/m): ฿5,500
• PSU 200W: ~฿1,000
• Total: ~฿6,500

The difference is ฿1,700 (approximately 35% more). If the cove is deep and the strip is viewed from several meters away, 320 is the smarter choice. If the strip is partially visible or close to eye level, 480’s superior output quality justifies the premium.

Important Caveats

• 320 is not inferior to 480 — they’re designed for different applications. 320 excels at most home cove lighting; 480 excels when close-viewing quality matters.
• Watch out for mislabeled 480 — some sellers mark 320-density strips as 480 to charge more. Verify by counting chips over a 10cm section: true 480/m = 48 chips over 10cm; 320/m = 32 chips.
• 480 runs significantly hotter — use an aluminum channel with at least 1.5mm wall thickness; thinner channels won’t manage the extra heat effectively.
• CRI is independent of chip count — both 320 and 480 can be found in CRI 80, 90, or 95 grades. Don’t confuse density with color accuracy.

Summary

Default choice: start with 320 — it handles 80% of home applications well and costs considerably less.

Upgrade to 480 specifically when: the strip will be seen from very close range, maximum brightness is required, or the project demands the highest light quality available.

Interested in COB 320 or 480 chip/m strips? Contact Arumstores for recommendations based on your specific project. Browse all COB strips.