Choose Your First LED Strip
Choosing Your First LED Strip
Picking the right LED strip is the most important decision for any project.
Decision Flowchart
What voltage?
- Short run (<3m) or matrix → 5V (WS2812B, SK6812)
- Long run (>5m) or roofline → 12V (WS2815, GS8208)
What density?
- Accent/ambient → 30 LEDs/m
- General purpose → 60 LEDs/m
- Matrices/displays → 144-256 LEDs/m
What IP rating?
- Indoor, no moisture → IP20 (bare strip)
- Indoor, damp → IP54 (conformal coated)
- Outdoor → IP65 (silicone sleeve) or IP67 (fully potted)
Recommended First Strips
| Use Case | Strip | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First project, indoor | WS2812B 5V 60/m IP20 | Cheap, huge community, easy to use |
| Roofline/outdoor | WS2815 12V 60/m IP65 | 12V avoids voltage drop, backup data line |
| Matrix/panel | WS2812B 5V 144/m IP20 | High density for sharp visuals |
| Portable/battery | SK6812 5V 60/m | Lower power draw at same brightness |
What You’ll Need
- LED strip (obviously)
- Microcontroller (ESP32, Arduino, or dedicated controller)
- Power supply (5V or 12V, size for your load)
- Wiring (18-22 AWG silicone wire)
- Soldering iron (or quick-connect clips for testing)