When setting up lighting for photography or videography, one of the common questions that arises is: What is the difference between COB and SMD LED video lights? Both technologies have revolutionized the lighting industry, especially in content creation, but they each serve different purposes based on design and performance.
Understanding their differences can help you make an informed choice for your next lighting setup — whether you're shooting in a studio, creating cinematic videos, or recording professional content on the go.
What is SMD LED?
SMD stands for Surface-Mounted Device. In simple terms, SMD LEDs are small, individual light-emitting chips mounted directly onto a circuit board. Each unit typically contains multiple diodes, allowing a single SMD to emit multiple colors and provide flexibility in design.
Advantages of SMD LED Lights:
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Lightweight and compact
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Flexible in shape and design
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Often cheaper and easier to mass-produce
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Energy efficient
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Useful for creating panel-style lights with even illumination
Disadvantages of SMD LED Lights:
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Not as focused – they produce more diffused light, which might not be ideal for dramatic lighting setups
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Can be less powerful than COB at the same wattage
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May require more space if you want higher output
What is COB LED?
COB stands for Chip on Board. It is a newer technology where multiple LED chips are packed together into one lighting module, creating a powerful and consistent light source that acts like a single point of light.
This tight arrangement produces a stronger, more focused beam, which is perfect for scenarios where you need precise lighting.
Advantages of COB LED Lights:
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High brightness with excellent color rendering
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Produces soft, natural light similar to traditional studio lights
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Better for creating directional lighting
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Longer lifespan and thermal efficiency
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Ideal for video production, portraits, and product photography
Disadvantages of COB LED Lights:
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Usually bulkier than SMD lights
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Can get warmer, though many models include heat dissipation systems
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Less flexibility in terms of color range per chip (unless bi-color COB)
Which One Is Better – SMD or COB?
It really depends on your use case.
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If you're working with general lighting, soft panels, or lighting large areas evenly, SMD might be the better fit.
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If you’re after high-output, focused, studio-grade lighting for video shoots, portraits, or professional settings, COB is a more powerful and accurate option.
At Hridz, we’ve seen a growing demand for high-quality COB lighting among professional videographers and photographers. Our Hridz VL Series includes some of the most versatile and powerful COB LED lights designed for studio and field use.
🔗 Hridz VL300 – 300W LED Videolight
🔗 Hridz VL200P – 200W Bi-Colour LED Light
🔗 Hridz CB VL100 – 100W Battery Operated LED Light
🔗 Hridz VL100P – 100W Bi-Colour Professional Light
Whether you're lighting a YouTube studio or a professional film set, our COB lighting options ensure consistent, high-performance output.
FAQs – COB vs SMD LEDs
What does SMD mean for LED lights?
SMD stands for Surface-Mounted Device. It’s a type of LED where the chips are directly mounted on the circuit board and are generally used in flexible or flat panel lights.
What is the difference between SMD and CSP LED?
CSP (Chip Scale Package) LEDs are even smaller and more compact than SMD. CSP offers high thermal performance and power density but is less common in large lighting units compared to SMD and COB.
Which is brighter, COB or SMD?
COB LEDs are typically brighter because they have more LED chips densely packed into one module, resulting in high-intensity, focused lighting.
Do COB LEDs get hot?
Yes, COB LEDs can generate heat, especially at higher wattages. However, most professional-grade COB lights (like the Hridz VL series) come with built-in cooling systems for safe operation.
How long do COB and SMD LEDs last?
Both can last anywhere from 30,000 to 50,000+ hours, depending on the build quality, usage, and thermal management.
Are SMD LEDs any good?
Yes! SMD LEDs are great for soft lighting, ambient settings, and general photography/videography. They're just not as focused or bright as COBs.
Is it okay to use COB lights for all types of videos?
Mostly yes – especially for interviews, product shots, short films, and content creation. But for wide, evenly lit scenes, you may need additional softbox diffusers or use them in combination with SMD panels.
Conclusion
Both SMD and COB LED technologies offer great lighting solutions – but they cater to different creative needs. If you're looking for professional lighting with high output and precision, COB LED video lights like our Hridz VL series are definitely worth considering. On the other hand, SMD lights work great for basic setups or wide-area lighting.
Want to explore professional-grade COB lights?
👉 Check out our full collection of Hridz COB Video Lights to find the one that fits your setup best.
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