The best LED strips in the UK 2023

The LED ribbon appeared at the same time as the string lights. In fact, they have the same decorative function. The difference is that LED ribbon offers more possibilities of use. Self-adhesive LED ribbon, waterproof, cuttable, with RGB lighting synchronized with music, there is a wide range of them. To find out what you need, read our guide to the best LED ribbons today.

Ksipze 10 m 1
9/10

Best value for money

Ksipze 10 m

The best LED tape

With Ksipze LED ribbon, bring a touch of magic to your decoration, both at home and in the garden. A remote control allows you to adjust the brightness and play with the 20 million RGB colors.

15,99 £ on Amazon

The Ksipze is a must for lighting furniture in the house or trees and flowers in the garden. Featuring 300 LEDs on 10m of ribbon and 1m of power cable, this RGB model even comes with a remote control. The 44 buttons provide remote adjustments of brightness, both in terms of colors (there are 20 million in total) and intensity. You can change the brightness, colors and lighting speeds at any time. Ksipze LED ribbon can be used all year round for various occasions, such as birthday, wedding, Christmas, etc. It is easy to stick on any material, even on rough surface.

Govee 5 m 2
7/10

Best value for money

Govee 5 m

The best cheap LED tape

Govee is 5m long. It is a 16 color LED ribbon with RGB function. You can use it to decorate advertising signs, brighten up birthday parties and more.

15,19 £ on Amazon

Govee LED ribbon offers 16 million colors through RGB effect. It is only 5m long, although it can be cut and extended. However, you will have to cut the tape at the indicated places using small scissors. Its versatility is such that it allows you to decorate the interior or exterior as you wish. You can adjust the brightness, colors and scrolling from dim to very bright. The installation of LED ribbon is done in one step: just plug in the set and enjoy the atmosphere offered by the light show. Govee 5m is equipped with a wired connector, which is convenient for plugging it in. Concerning the strip itself, it is easily glued thanks to a 3 m adhesive fixed on the back.

GreenSun Strip Light 5050 SMD 3
9/10

Best value for money

GreenSun Strip Light 5050 SMD

The best high-end LED tape

Measuring 50m, the GreenSun Strip Light 5050 SMD flexible tape consists of 3,000 LEDs. It is IP65 waterproof and weatherproof, ideal for outdoor use.

88 £ on Amazon

With 50m length and 3000 LEDs, GreenSun Strip Light 5050 SMD is a great way to decorate your home or garden. In addition, this adhesive LED strip has an IP65 waterproof rating, so it can withstand rain and snow. You can stick it anywhere you like. And the possible uses are endless. Unlike the models shown above, this one only features warm white color. But you can always adjust its brightness. In addition, you can cut the GreenSun Strip Light 5050 SMD on the part where there is the scissor mark, without damaging the remaining strip. Or, connect the remaining strip to another LED controller.

TVLive 20 m 4
8/10

A great choice

TVLive 20 m

A very interesting LED tape

Measuring 20m and capable of defining up to 16 million colors, this RGB LED ribbon offers stunning brightness. It can synchronize its colorimetry and scrolling speed with the music being played.

23,99 £ on Amazon
Buying guide • November 2023

Best LED strip

Any specific needs?

The best LED tape

The best cheap LED tape

The best high-end LED tape

A very interesting LED tape

Your guide : Samuel

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Comparison table of the best LED strips

TOP OF THE TOP CHEAP TOP OF THE LINE EXCELLENT
Ksipze 10 m 5
9/10
Govee 5 m 6
7/10
GreenSun Strip Light 5050 SMD 7
9/10
TVLive 20 m 8
8/10
OUR SELECTION
Ksipze 10 m
Govee 5 m
GreenSun Strip Light 5050 SMD
TVLive 20 m
With Ksipze LED ribbon, bring a touch of magic to your decoration, both at home and in the garden. A remote control allows you to adjust the brightness and play with the 20 million RGB colors.
Govee is 5m long. It is a 16 color LED ribbon with RGB function. You can use it to decorate advertising signs, brighten up birthday parties and more.
Measuring 50m, the GreenSun Strip Light 5050 SMD flexible tape consists of 3,000 LEDs. It is IP65 waterproof and weatherproof, ideal for outdoor use.
Measuring 20m and capable of defining up to 16 million colors, this RGB LED ribbon offers stunning brightness. It can synchronize its colorimetry and scrolling speed with the music being played.
Length
10 m
5 m
50 m
20 m
Colors available
20 million
16 million
Warm white
16 million
Number of LEDs on the entire ribbon
300
150
3000
360
Waterproof
No
No
Yes
No
RGB
Yes
Yes
No
Yes

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Buying guide - LED strip

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How to choose your LED strip

The length of the LED ribbon alone is not enough to choose. The same applies to the colour of the LEDs. The following criteria should be taken into consideration:

#1 - The tension

Knowing the voltage or voltage in advance can help you identify the type of LED ribbon that is suitable for your home. This reduces the risk of short circuit. Besides, the voltage also helps to determine the suitable power supply type. However, you should choose 12V or 24V LED ribbon. The 12V is the most suitable because it has several options for the strip itself and the components. The 24V voltage is special for LED ribbons that are longer than 10 meters.

#2 - Lighting temperature

A good lighting temperature depends on the mood you want to have. Lighting heat is measured in Kelvin. If you want to have a soft and warm atmosphere, choose an LED ribbon with a color temperature of 2700-3000k. This temperature will create a soothing effect with perfect color. If you don't like warm color LED ribbons, 4000k is a great option for you. This has a slight shade of warm white and cool white, so you will get a very natural color and look.

#3 - Consumption per meter in watts

When you buy your LED ribbon, the power consumption per meter is always displayed in the product specifications. They are all different, depending on the types of LED ribbon. However, knowing the power consumption is important to choose the right controller and power supply for your LED strip. The one with low power of less than 5W is the easiest to handle.

#4 - The number of LEDs

The amount of LEDs affects the aesthetics of your strip, so it is a very important element. The number of LEDs on 1m of ribbon varies between models. Some can contain 30 LEDs/m, others can have up to 252 LEDs/m. For a perfect rendering, the ideal is to choose one with more than 120 LEDs per meter. On the other hand, if you want to have a brighter look the one that is composed of 240 LEDs will suit you best.

#5 - Waterproofing

When buying, always keep in mind to opt for a waterproof LED ribbon. This will make it easier to install if you want to put it on a wet surface. When it is waterproof, it has either epoxy or silicone protection. To know whether it is waterproof, choose the one with a protection rating from 54. On the product information, this index is often described by IP prefix. The difference between a waterproof and a non-waterproof tape is that a simple tape has an IP20.

How to decorate your home with LED ribbon?

The only way to better decorate your room with a LED strip light is to choose the right place for its installation. Light strips can give your home a futuristic look when done right. So here are the 4 best places to put your LED ribbon.

On furniture

You can put them in places where traditional bulbs can't fit, like under cabinets or inside closets. They can also light up the bottom of your refrigerator or under the bed, as well as any dark corners. You can even cut them to fit your needs.

On the stairs

Open stairways will surely have a different touch with LED lights. Decorating them with a strip light is very practical. Indeed, these spaces can be particularly dangerous at night. Just choose the model that turns on automatically when you walk down at night.

On mirrors or photo frames

It's time to change the habit of putting only light bulbs on frames. With LED ribbons on the mirrors, you can get a simple decoration in your room. If you're looking for an easy way to give your family portraits a little more sparkle. LED strips will allow you to create a very original light decoration.

Use LED strips as a night light

It seems more than obvious that you can use them as a night light. To make them work like real night lights, you just need to set up a good technique. It doesn't require much work, but the result is even more beautiful. Indeed, you just need to choose a special LED ribbon night light.

LED ribbons or string lights?

LED ribbon

LED strips are light strips with an adhesive back that allows you to stick them wherever you want. They consume less energy, so they can be used as a very practical and decorative light source. The main quality of LED ribbons is their flexibility. Indeed, you can fix them on curved surfaces or almost in any corner of any shape. The disadvantage is that they do not fit on profiles because they are too wide. Furthermore, it is difficult to hide the excess lengths.

Light garland

It is a set of small decorative lamps often associated with the Christmas event. A garland light can be placed in your garden on your mirror or above your bed. Moreover, they are almost weather and dust resistant. They are just less fashionable than LED ribbons and still used as a decoration at parties. One of the negative points of decorative garlands is finding its location, because you have to plug them into an electrical outlet. Even if you opt for the ones that work with batteries, they do not last more than 35 hours.

Verdict

The use of string lights is a perfect way to decorate for the holidays. Several models of string lights are resistant to dust and outdoor temperatures. LED ribbons are easier to find on the market. You can choose them to put any kind of atmosphere in your home.

What is the price for a LED strip

The diagram below will help you to get an idea of the typical prices for each price range (entry-level, mid-range and high-end).

However, more expensive does not necessarily mean better.

We therefore advise you to always consult our ranking before deciding, rather than blindly relying on price ranges.

Entry-level
15 £ to 25 £
Mid-range
25 £ to 40 £
High-end
more than 40 £
Price range diagram

Tips

Install your LED ribbons efficiently

The LED strips are delivered and wound on a spool. Simply unroll the length of lighting you want to install, remove the adhesive backing and stick it to the surface. Press each part of the strip so that it is well bonded to the surface and there are no air bubbles.

You can re-seal the cut part of your LED tape

Start by putting an amount of hot glue on the cut part, then slide the heat shrink over it. You can then heat the heat shrink tubing with a heat gun to tighten the glue.

Choose blue LED ribbons to give your home a different look

This color is also related to peace and has spiritual significance in other cultures. Light blues are relaxing, while bright blues can be refreshing. Using lighter shades of blue can make a room feel more spacious.

Efficiently remove the coating from your LED ribbon

Use a not-too-sharp knife or blade, then cut the rubber covering perpendicularly.

5 You can reuse the LED strips if you replace its adhesive

The adhesive on an LED tape is not reusable, you will need to replace it with another adhesive or use some kind of fastener to secure the strips.

FAQ

What is the best LED ribbon?

The best LED ribbon depends on your needs and your budget. Read our buying guide to find out more.

How to stick LED ribbons on the wall?

The adhesive part on the back of LED strips just needs a smooth surface to stick to. So, choose a smooth surface to put your LED strips on.

What color LED lamp should I use for sleeping?

Red is best for sleep because it has a low color temperature, much lower than ordinary sunlight.

Is it possible to put LED lights behind the TV?

The LED tape lighting behind the TV will increase the average ambient light in the room and reduce eye strain. A LED ribbon behind the TV is therefore very beneficial.

Which LED color is best for the eyes?

Yellow light protects your retinas because it offers the best contrast.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. , flexfireleds.com
  2. , instyleled.co.uk
  3. , superbrightleds.com
  4. , thelightingoutlet.com.au
  5. , lifehack.org
  6. , bobvila.com
  7. , ign.com
  8. , electronicshub.org
  9. , businessinsider.com
  10. , digitaltrends.com
  11. , leroymerlin.fr
  12. , rubanled.com
  13. , amazon.co.uk
  14. , castorama.fr
  15. , leds-boutique.fr
  16. , leddirect.fr
  17. , boutique-led.fr
  18. , boulevard-des-leds.fr
  19. , byled.fr
  20. , manomano.fr
  21. , ebay.fr
  22. , ledkia.com
  23. , leds-boutique.fr
  24. , futura-sciences.com
  25. , leclubled.fr
  26. , amazon.co.uk
  27. , top-24h.com
  28. , action.com
  29. , silamp.fr
  30. , inovatlantic-led.fr
  31. , luminaire.fr
  32. , ledkia.com
  33. , conrad.fr
See more

Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

See more
Our selection
Ksipze 10 m 9
Ksipze 10 m
Govee 5 m 10
Govee 5 m
GreenSun Strip Light 5050 SMD 11
GreenSun Strip Light 5050 SMD
TVLive 20 m 12
TVLive 20 m

Lecteurs

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