LED light modules are simply devices that contain several light emitting diode (LED) bulbs. The devices will connect to a fixture or a battery which powers all of the LED bulbs simultaneously. LED modules are different from LED strips and LED Neon Flex, which both come in a strip form and are commonly used for lighting office spaces and showrooms as well as more decorative purposes such as retail signage or around the home.
LED modules are suited to a huge range of lighting projects and installations. Most commonly, LED modules are used in outdoor advertising and shop signage, but they can also be useful for domestic decorations including deck lighting, dashboard lighting, outdoor accent lighting, mood lighting and cabinet downlighting.
In this article, we'll take a look at two of the most popular colour options for LED modules: RGB and RGBW. We'll consider how they work and recommend an example of each type.
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What are RGB and RGBW LED modules?
RGB and RGBW LED modules are small colour-changing devices that can be used to create a variety of creative lighting effects. RGB LED technology has been on the market for a while, whereas RGBW is a relative newcomer. RGB modules contain red, green and blue emitters, and RGBW modules contain the same with an additional white LED chip. The combination of these colours at different brightness levels creates a more full spectrum of colour than a simple red, green or blue LED module is able to.
RGB and RGBW LEDs emit a very smooth and consistent colour—perfect for making a statement with feature lighting. By combining red, green and blue, RGB LEDs can achieve over 16 million different hues. However, some colours such as brown and pink are difficult to produce. Because of the added white chip in RGBW modules, you can create more pastel shades and hues of white that you couldn’t achieve with RGB LEDs alone.
RGB and RGBW LED modules can easily be identified by the number of pins on them: RGB modules will have four pins, while RGBW modules will have five. RGB and RGBW LED modules from WeLoveLEDs come with their own remote controls that adjust the colours automatically. An RGB controller has four outputs, whereas an RGBW controller has five outputs.
ROCK RGBW LED Module
The ROCK RGBW LED Module is a highly efficient lighting solution that is ideal for signage with a 50-70mm return depth where a white LED chip is required in addition to the colourful RGB. This module runs on a low voltage of 12v and has an ultra-wide 160° beam angle, making it perfect for slimline letters. The ROCK RGBW module also features an IP67 rating, meaning it is safe for outdoor use.
The ROCK RGBW LED Module comes with a five-year replacement warranty and guarantees substantial longevity for both indoor and outdoor use. If you're looking for an RGBW LED light that's capable of producing clear, efficient illumination in a versatile range of applications, look no further than the ROCK RGBW module.
ROCK RGB3 LED Module
For beautiful lightboxes and signage with a 50-70mm return depth, the ROCK RGB3 LED Module could be for you. This is a high-quality RGB light source that also runs at 12v and offers excellent efficiency with an ultra-wide 160° beam angle ideal for slimline letters.
Just like the ROCK RGBW LED Module, our RGB3 modules come with a five-year replacement warranty, meaning they can be installed with the peace of mind of knowing they're built to last. This module also has an IP67 rating, so can be used either indoors or outdoors for stage lighting, advertisements, open-air events, home decorations and a variety of other applications.
Frequently asked questions
How energy efficient are LED modules?
Very. LED modules and LED technology generally are the most energy-efficient kinds of lighting on the market, using approximately 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. For comparison, compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) use around 60-80% less energy than incandescent bulbs, while halogens use just 20-30% less energy. Customers looking for lighting options that will save money and energy on their decorative lighting should opt for LED modules.
What are the best small LED modules?
At WeLoveLEDs, we stock a huge range of LED modules in three different sizes: small, standard and large. Small LED modules are the go-to solution for light fixtures in narrow profiles. We recommend the dimmable ROCK1 LED Module, which is ultra-efficient at 150lms/w and uses 33% less power than its competitors. It has a unique 3:1 lens, so you will only need half the usual amount of modules for lighting up channel letters when using the ROCK1.
You can read more about this in our guide to small LED modules, which discusses the benefits of using this LED technology and recommends some of our favourite small LED modules available from WeLoveLEDs.
What are the best single-colour LED modules?
If you're not in need of LED modules that offer multiple colours, you might be looking for single-colour LED modules. Single-colour LED modules are available in red, blue, green, and yellow, as well as white and warm white. The QU2 LED Module is a great option; it's a highly efficient single-colour LED module available in all six shades. It comes with a three-year warranty and IP65, which means it is suitable for outdoor use.
Find out more in our guides to single-colour LED modules and pure/warm white LED modules.
