24V vs 48V LED Strip — Which Should You Choose? A Detailed Comparison

As 48V LED strips become a genuine market option in Thailand, the most common question we hear is: “Should I switch from 24V to 48V?” The honest answer is: it depends on your project. This article compares both systems in detail with real calculation examples so you can make the right call.

Basic Comparison

Spec	24V LED Strip	48V LED Strip
Voltage	24V DC	48V DC
Current at 120W	5A	2.5A
Max run length (single feed)	5–10 m	15–25 m
Voltage drop % at equal distance	12.5%	6.25%
Wire gauge required	AWG 16–18	AWG 18–20
PSU efficiency	85–92%	90–95%
PSU availability	Widely available	Growing, still limited
Controller/Dimmer options	Widely available	Limited
Strip price per meter	Standard	20–30% higher
PSU price	Standard	40–60% higher
SELV safety rating	Excellent	Good (near upper limit)
Residential use	Best choice	Over-specified
Long commercial runs	Adequate	Ideal

Pros and Cons of Each System

24V LED Strip

Advantages:

Complete ecosystem — PSU, controllers, dimmers, channels, accessories available from every brand
Lower cost — strips and components are cheaper overall compared to 48V
Safest for home use — SELV standard, contact won’t cause electric shock
Any installer can handle it — no specialized knowledge required
Fine cut increments — every 2.5–5 cm
Right for 80% of home projects

Disadvantages:

Voltage drop at the end of runs when exceeding 5 meters — requires dual feed
Larger wire needed when the PSU is far from the strip
Circuit splitting required for runs over 20m — multiple PSUs or re-injection points
Higher labor cost for complex installations

48V LED Strip

Advantages:

Single run up to 15–25 meters without splitting circuits
Thinner wire — saves material cost and installation time
Higher efficiency — up to 90–95% vs 85–92% for 24V
Less heat in wiring — wire power loss drops by 75% (I² × R with 2.5A vs 5A)
Ideal for commercial-scale projects

Disadvantages:

Limited ecosystem — controllers and dimmers are harder to find
30–50% higher upfront cost for strip and components
Over-specified for home use — paying premium for no real benefit
Requires knowledgeable installer — wrong design still causes problems

Real-World Calculations: 3 Scenarios

Scenario 1: Living Room Cove Lighting — 8 Meters

COB 12W/m strip, total power = 96W

24V System:

Strip 8m × ฿400 = ฿3,200
PSU 24V 150W = ฿900
AWG 18 wire 3m = ฿150
Total: ฿4,250
Current: 4A, voltage drop: ~8% (acceptable)

48V System:

Strip 8m × ฿520 = ฿4,160
PSU 48V 150W = ฿1,400
AWG 20 wire 3m = ฿120
Total: ฿5,680
Current: 2A, voltage drop: ~4%

Winner: 24V — ฿1,430 cheaper, and voltage drop isn’t a problem at this distance

Scenario 2: Hotel Corridor — 30 Meters

COB 15W/m strip, total power = 450W

24V System:

Strip 30m × ฿450 = ฿13,500
PSU 24V 300W × 2 (circuit split required) = ฿3,000
AWG 14 wire from 2 feed points × 10m = ฿1,000
Dual feed + junction boxes = ฿800
Extra labor for 2-circuit setup = +฿2,500
Total: ฿20,800
Must verify voltage drop at 2 sections

48V System:

Strip 30m × ฿580 = ฿17,400
PSU 48V 600W × 1 = ฿2,800
AWG 16 wire × 5m = ฿400
Total: ฿20,600
Single circuit, no voltage drop issues

Winner: 48V (marginally) — similar cost but simpler to install, longer lifespan, fewer problems

Scenario 3: Building Facade — 50 Meters

COB 20W/m strip, total power = 1,000W

24V System:

Requires 5 separate circuits, 10m each
PSU 24V 300W × 4 = ฿8,000
Strip 50m × ฿500 = ฿25,000
Wiring, junctions, labor = ฿8,000
Total: ฿41,000
Maintenance complexity across 5 circuits

48V System:

2–3 circuits (20–25m each)
PSU 48V 600W × 2 = ฿7,200
Strip 50m × ฿650 = ฿32,500
Wiring, junctions, labor = ฿3,500
Total: ฿43,200
Simpler maintenance

Winner: 48V — similar total cost but lower installation labor, higher stability, reduced downtime

Decision Guide

Choose 24V when:

Home installation, runs under 10 meters per circuit
Budget is the primary concern
You need a wide variety of dimmers and controllers
Children can access the installation
Installer doesn’t have specialized training

Choose 48V when:

Commercial or hospitality projects
Individual runs of 15+ meters
Want to reduce installation labor costs
Long-term efficiency matters
Budget for specialized components is available
Minimizing maintenance downtime is important

The simple rule:

≤ 10m → 24V
10–15m → Well-designed 24V or 48V
≥ 15m → 48V is better
≥ 25m → 48V is almost mandatory

Will 48V Replace 24V?

Short answer: Not anytime soon in the residential market. 48V won’t displace 24V for home use because:

24V is still the most cost-effective for shorter runs
The 24V ecosystem has far more accessories and options
Installers and homeowners are already comfortable with it

But 48V will take over the mid-to-high commercial market within 3–5 years and become the standard for hotels, shopping centers, and office buildings.

Summary

24V and 48V aren’t in competition — they each excel at different project scales. Homes go with 24V, long commercial runs go with 48V, and for anything in between, look at the run length and budget.

Arumstores is preparing 48V COB LED strips for the commercial market in 2026. For now, our 24V COB LED strips remain the top choice for residential and small hospitality projects. If you have a large project that could benefit from 48V, contact our team for a consultation.