WS2811 vs WS2812:What’s the difference?

WS2811 vs WS2812:What's the difference?

LED strips have recently experienced a notable upsurge in popularity due to their exceptional adaptability in producing bright illumination in various contexts. LED strips have been incorporated into a wide range of applications, providing functionality and visual appeal, whether to improve concentration at work or stimulate creativity in a particular environment. When exploring the world of LED strips, the WS2811 and WS2812 integrated circuits (ICs) are essential to consider. These ICs offer different capabilities and functionalities to meet the demands and preferences of other users.

Quick Look at the Differences Between WS2811 and WS2812

  • IC Placement: Technically speaking, the WS2811 has an external integrated circuit (IC) that is carefully positioned on the light bar, but the WS2812 cleverly incorporates the IC within the lamp beads themselves, exhibiting a more compact design.
  • Effect: Regarding lighting effects, WS2811 coordinates colour changes across clusters of three-light beads to provide a pleasing blending of colours inside each cluster. On the other hand, WS2812 expands on the invention by providing personalized lighting options and granting individual control over every light bead.
  • Number of ICs: Considering the technical details, WS2811 precisely meets the needs of more extensive installations by utilizing around 20 ICs per meter of strip. Conversely, WS2812 utilizes a unique integrated circuit (IC) for every lamp bead, providing fine-grained control and adaptability in lighting arrangements.
  • Price: It is to be expected that WS2812 is slightly more expensive than WS2811 due to the addition of individual integrated circuits for each lamp bead. However, the increased functionality and customization choices make the cost worthwhile for professionals and discriminating hobbyists.

Overview of WS2812

As we delve further into the world of LED technology, the WS2812B shines as a shining example of creativity, fusing control and light-emitting circuits to create a single LED light source. With its integrated RGB light beads and 5050LED form size, the WS2812B epitomizes design elegance and efficiency. The integrated IC improves performance by enabling effective signal restructuring and amplification and guarantees a uniform and brilliant colour intensity throughout the strip. With its full-colour capabilities and smooth integration, the DC5V-operating WS2812B opens up a world of possibilities, making it a top choice for professionals and hobbyists starting various lighting projects.

Pros of WS2812

  • Precise Control: The WS2812B provides unmatched precision by giving users individual control over each LED unit, enabling complex lighting effects and patterns only constrained by the user’s creativity.
  • Low Power Consumption: The WS2812B is an excellent option for sustainable lighting solutions without sacrificing performance because of its low power consumption and attention to energy economy.
  • High Brightness: The WS2812B’s integrated lamp beads emit brilliant light with exceptional brightness levels that provide unmatched clarity and brilliance.
  • Consistent RGB Color Reproduction: The RGB colour reproduction provided by WS2812B is reliable and accurate, guaranteeing that the intended colours are presented accurately and without any deviations.
  • Stable Performance: Supported by solid engineering and detailed craftsmanship, the WS2812B performs steadily and dependably even in demanding environments, giving it a reliable option for long-term lighting solutions.
  • Robust Packaging: Additionally, the WS2812B comes with a resistant and resilient package, providing excellent protection against extrusion damage. This ensures the LEDs continue functioning well and remain intact even in harsh settings.
  • Affordable Pricing: Despite its advanced features and capabilities, the WS2812B maintains a competitive price. This provides excellent value for money and makes high-quality LED lighting available to a more extensive audience.

Cons of WS2812

  • Potential Voltage Drop: The WS2812B LED strip, like any other LED strip, has the potential to experience a voltage drop as the number of LEDs on the strip increases. Proper planning and design considerations are required to prevent any possible problems from occurring.

WS2811 Vs WS2812 – What are the Major Differences?

  • Power Consumption: One of the most critical points of differentiation is the operating voltage, with the WS2811 working at 12V and the WS2812 operating at 5V, respectively. Because of the wide range of voltage needs, various factors exist, including voltage loss and power management. These factors impact the overall performance and the degree to which specific applications are suitable.
  • LEDs Controlled: Another significant difference is the degree of granularity with which the LEDs can be controlled. While the WS2811 is responsible for managing groups of three LEDs, the WS2812B features the ability to control each LED individually, providing a more significant degree of versatility and customization choices.

Features

  • Integrated Circuit: The operation of the WS2811 is dependent on an external circuit; therefore, a steady power supply is necessary to maintain its functionality. On the other hand, the WS2812B integrates the integrated circuit (IC) within the lamp beads, simplifying the design and reducing the requirement for external components.
  • Voltage: Besides being compatible with various lighting systems and configurations, the WS2811 works at DC12V. The WS2812B, on the other hand, works at DC5V and is designed to meet the requirements of applications requiring lower voltage, whether chosen or mandated.
  • Colour: RGB colours are featured in both the WS2811 and the WS2812B, which enables a wide variety of lighting effects and colour combinations to be created to accommodate a variety of tastes and aspects of design aesthetics.
  • Pins: Pins for positive, negative, and data lines are included on both LED strips, which makes installation and communication with the controller much simpler. This allows for a more seamless integration of the LED strips into lighting setups and projects.

What to Look Out for When Buying a High-Quality WS2811 or WS2812 LED Strip?

It is necessary to consider several aspects before purchasing a high-quality WS2811 or WS2812 LED strip. This guarantees you the most suitable product to meet your requirements. Some important things to keep an eye out for are as follows:

  • Brightness: Choose the brightness that works best for your application. Lumens, a unit of measurement for brightness, are available for LED strips. To choose the optimal brightness level, consider elements like the intended use of the LED strip and the surrounding lighting.
  • Colour Rendering: Take note of the LED strip’s colour rendering index (CRI). An LED strip with a high CRI can reproduce colours correctly, which makes it useful for applications like architectural lighting or display purposes where colour accuracy is essential.
  • Colour Temperature: Select the colour temperature that works best for your application. LED strips have several colour temperatures, from warm white (2700K–3000K) to cool white (5000K–6600K). Think about the mood you want to set and the best colour scheme in your room.
  • IP Rating: Choose an IP (Ingress Protection) rating suitable for the LED strip’s installation environment. An IP rating indicates the degree of protection against water and dust intrusion. A lower IP rating could be adequate for interior applications, while a higher IP rating is necessary for outdoor or moist settings to ensure longevity and durability.
  • Dimming Capability: Determine whether the LED strip can be dimmed so that you can change the brightness as needed. Dimmable LED strips provide you more freedom to adjust the lighting’s intensity and create various moods and ambiences.
  • Quality of Components: Verify that the circuit boards, connectors, and LEDs used to make the LED strip are of the highest calibre. Good parts help the LED strip last longer and be more reliable by lowering the possibility of an early failure or malfunction.
  • Installation Ease: Consider the LED strip’s simplicity of installation, including its adhesive backing, mounting options, and suitability for controllers or dimmers. Select a product with installation instructions that are easy to understand.
  • Guarantee and Assistance: Verify the warranty details and post-purchase assistance provided by the supplier or merchant. A dependable guarantee offers peace of mind and protection against flaws or problems with the LED strip. Reputable manufacturers also offer helpful customer service that responds quickly to queries or issues.

When purchasing a premium WS2811 or WS2812 LED strip, you can be sure you choose the proper product that satisfies your needs and offers the best performance and dependability by considering these things.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the project’s requirements and preferences will determine which WS2811 and WS2812B to choose. The WS2811 is appropriate for applications requiring simultaneous colour changes and longer LED strips since it manages groups of three LEDs. In contrast, the WS2812B allows you to control each LED independently. Because of this, it’s ideal for shorter strips and unique lighting configurations.

By being aware of the specifics of control granularity, power consumption, and other factors, users may choose LED strips wisely for their projects. Happiness and optimal performance will result from doing this. When working on a project for a business or as a hobby, there are numerous methods to use LED lights because of the WS2811 and WS2812B’s versatility and flexibility. Rantle East Electronic is prepared to help those looking for dependable electronic components from China. Our dedication to providing premium goods at reasonable costs guarantees that clients get the most out of their investment. Contact us to learn more about our services and confidently start your next LED lighting project.

Last Updated on February 13, 2024 by Kevin Chen

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Kevin Chen
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