How are LED Strip Lights Different from LED Rope Lights?

Since the dominance of LED lights in the lighting industry, many people have shifted their attention to them for their residential and commercial premises. Along with the prominence of these lights, the queries of the public have also increased. Many people are curious about the differences between LED strip lights and LED rope lights. Before clearing the curiosity about the differences, you should know about the common factors of both lights. So, they are commonly used for decorative purposes, and both can aptly enrich the beauty of your indoor or outdoor place. Both lights are suitable for giving your place a new and eye-catching look. So, the differences between them are mentioned in this blog.

What are LED strip lights and LED rope lights?

When it comes to differentiation, it always begins with the meaning. Therefore, you will also understand the significant difference between LED strip lights and LED rope lights, knowing their definitions.

LED Strip Lights: The lighting fixture is also quite popular as tape lights because they can easily stick on the surface with adhesives on their backside. These lights are flat and flexible, allowing them to fit on any surface, whether you are using them under cabinets, bedrooms, kitchens, desks, or other spaces of your home. Because they are versatile, you can use them for many purposes like decorating your place, practical illumination, etc. 

LED Rope Lights: These lights are made of a string of individual light bulbs wrapped in a long cylindrical tube. From a safety perspective, the tube encasing the bulb is made of heat-resistant and transparent material to work efficiently in your place. Because of their flexible body and long-lasting performance, the lights are suitable for decoration even if you use them in your interior or exterior. In addition, they can deliver the best and most desired result with ease.

Some Major Differences between LED Strip Lights & LED Rope Lights

Many aspects make them different, and all the major ones are mentioned below for your deep understanding.

Installation

Both lights are easy to install, but the process is different. LED strip lights come with strong adhesive tape on their backside, through which you can bond them to the surface for a long time. In contrast, LED rope lights can be mounted in your place using clips to work as they don’t have any adhesive tape to stick directly on the surface.

Color Options

The selection of colors in LED strip lights will become very simple for you as they provide tunable white, RGB, and even single digital colors. On the other hand, LED rope lights offer a variety of colors like white, green, blue, red, etc., but you can get the option of color changeable.

Beam Angle

The lighting coverage of LED strip lights is wide, but they can only emit brightness from a 180-degree beam angle because the lights have adhesive tape backing that allows them to only illuminate from one side. In comparison, LED rope lights can cover the area to illuminate with a wider beam angle of 360-degree. In addition, these lights benefit from their transparent tube to brighten up any place from all sides.

IP Rating

The IP rating or ingress protection rating measures the protection of the lighting fixture against water and dust. For example, most LED strip lights are IP68 rated, which means they can effortlessly withstand any weather condition or bear the flow of dust and water without compromising their performance even after continuous use. In comparison, LED rope lights are tested and certified with an IP65 rating, but many lights are waterproof and can work effectively without any doubt. 

Flexibility

The decorative lighting should be bendable as you need to use them at sharp corners or curves of your place as well. LED strip lights are incredibly flexible and can work even after bending those over 90 degrees. So yes, the lights will illuminate your place without disappointing you, even at the sharp 90-degree angle. On the flip side, LED rope lights are also bendable, but they will be damaged if you bend them more at turns.

Best Applications for LED Strip Lights & LED Rope Lights

It is simple to understand that you can use both lights in numerous manners as the use depends on your creativity. Still, some major applications where you can effortlessly use LED strip lights are mirror corner surfaces, benches or shelves, stairs, general lighting in rooms, etc. Besides this, LED rope lights are popular for their exceptional use for Christmas decorations, balconies, pool fences, walkways, backyards, etc. Both the lights are known to lift the decoration status of any place, but the looks depend on the creative way you use them.

Conclusion

In the end, these were some major and effective differences between LED strip lights and LED rope lights that will help you make the final decision on one apt decorative light. Of course, you can undoubtedly go for any lighting fixtures to enhance the quality of your overall décor.