LED strip lights are one of the fastest-growing categories in home and holiday lighting. They sell year-round, have strong repeat purchases and offer good margins. Here is what to know before you order.

1. LED type: 3528, 2835 or 5050

  • 3528 — older, dimmer, lower cost. Rarely used now.
  • 2835 — the most common. Good brightness, low cost, wide availability.
  • 5050 — larger chip, brighter, used for RGB and high-output strips.

For general use, 2835 is the best value. For RGB or high-brightness applications, 5050 is standard.

2. LED density

  • 30 LEDs/m — basic, lower brightness
  • 60 LEDs/m — standard, most common
  • 120 LEDs/m — high brightness, higher cost

3. IP rating

  • IP20 — indoor only, no protection
  • IP65 — splash resistant, suitable for kitchens and covered patios
  • IP67 — fully waterproof, suitable for outdoor eaves and gardens
  • IP68 — submersible, used in pools and fountains

For Christmas and eaves lighting, IP65 or IP67 is standard.

4. Voltage

  • 12V DC — safest, most common for home use
  • 24V DC — better for long runs (over 10 m) with less voltage drop
  • 220V AC — high-voltage strips, used for long outdoor runs

For consumer products, 12V DC is the safest and most popular.

5. Colour options

  • Single colour — warm white, cool white, red, blue, green
  • RGB — full colour change with remote or app
  • RGBIC — multiple colours at once, more dynamic effects
  • RGBW — RGB plus dedicated white for better white light

6. Control options

  • IR remote — basic, low cost
  • RF remote — works through walls, better range
  • Bluetooth app — popular for younger buyers
  • Wi-Fi + voice — Alexa, Google Home, works with smart homes

7. Adhesive quality

Poor adhesive is the number one complaint. Look for:

  • 3M brand adhesive — best quality
  • Mounting clips included — for permanent installation
  • Alcohol wipe included — helps adhesion on smooth surfaces

8. Certification

  • CE — required for EU
  • RoHS — restricts hazardous substances
  • FCC — required if there is wireless control
  • ETL — recommended for US retail

9. Packaging for retail

  • Colour box with product image and features
  • Include remote, power adapter and clips
  • Clear instructions in English (and local language if needed)
  • FNSKU label for Amazon FBA

10. What sells best

  • 5m RGB with Bluetooth app — the best-selling consumer model
  • 10m RGBIC with remote — higher price, stronger margin
  • IP65 warm white for eaves — seasonal peak in Q4
  • USB-powered short strips — for desks and gaming setups

We manufacture LED strip lights from 5 m to 20 m, in RGB, RGBIC and single colour, with IP20 to IP67 options. OEM and ODM supported. Contact us for a full catalogue.