Not all LEDs are created equal. From simple single-colour lighting to fully programmable pixel effects, understanding the different types of LEDs helps you choose the right product for your project – whether you're building a shop sign, creating an eye-catching display, or designing a professional lighting installation.
Think of it like this: Some LEDs are like light switches (on or off, one colour). Others are like a conductor directing an orchestra – each LED can play a different note at a different time, creating complex patterns and effects.
📋 WHAT'S IN THIS GUIDE:
- Quick Comparison Table – See All Types at a Glance
- Static LEDs – Simple Single-Colour Lighting
- RGB LEDs – Colour-Changing (Group Control)
- RGBW LEDs – Better Whites & Colour Options
- RGB DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play – Position-Based Effects
- RGB Pixel – Individually Addressable
- RGB Auto – Pre-programmed Effects
- Which Type Do I Need?
⚡ Quick Comparison Table
Here's the simple breakdown of what each LED type can do:
| LED Type | What It Is | How It's Controlled | What the Lights Can Do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Static LEDs | Single fixed colour, no colour-changing ability | Simple power on/off | Lights up one colour only |
| RGB LEDs | Red, Green & Blue combined to create many colours | One controller tells the whole group what colour to be | All LEDs change together at the same time |
| RGBW LEDs | RGB with an extra White LED for cleaner whites | Same controller for all LEDs at once | All LEDs change together, with better white options |
| RGB DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play | Lamps follow patterns based on their position in the chain | All lamps in the same position behave identically | Synchronised chases across multiple strings |
| RGB Pixel (Individually Addressable) | Each lamp has its own unique address | Pixel controller addresses each lamp independently | Every lamp can be completely different |
| RGB Auto (Pre-programmed) | Built-in colour effects, no controller required | Just power on – effects run automatically | Ready-made patterns and colour changes |
💡 THE KEY DIFFERENCE: As you move down the list, you gain more control over individual LEDs – but you'll also need more sophisticated controllers and wiring. The exception is RGB Auto, which needs no controller at all because the effects are built in.
🔵 Static LEDs – Single-Colour Simplicity
What Are Static LEDs?
Static LEDs produce one fixed colour – whatever colour the LED is manufactured to emit. There's no colour mixing, no effects, no controller needed beyond a simple on/off switch or dimmer.
Best for: General illumination, signage backlighting, architectural lighting, and any application where you need reliable, consistent light in one colour.
Real Example: A shop fascia sign that needs bright white backlighting 12 hours a day. No effects needed – just reliable, even illumination. Static white LED modules are the perfect choice.
✅ BEST PRACTICE: If you don't need colour changing or effects, static LEDs offer the simplest installation, lowest cost, and most reliable long-term performance.
🔴🟢🔵 RGB LEDs – Colour Mixing Made Simple
What Are RGB LEDs?
RGB LEDs contain three separate LED chips – Red, Green, and Blue – inside each unit. By adjusting the brightness of each colour, you can mix virtually any colour you like. The catch? All the LEDs in a run change colour together at the same time.
How the control works: One RGB controller sends a single signal to the entire LED run. Every LED receives the same instruction: "be purple now" or "fade to green." They all respond identically.
Best for: Colour-washing walls, mood lighting, retail displays where you want to change the overall colour scheme, and any application where uniform colour across the installation is desirable.
Real Example: A bar wants to change its ambient lighting from warm orange during the day to vibrant purple at night. RGB LED strip around the ceiling, one controller, job done. The whole room shifts colour together.
⚠️ IMPORTANT: RGB LEDs cannot create true white light. Mixing red, green and blue together produces a bluish-white that looks artificial. If you need good quality white alongside colours, consider RGBW instead.
⚪ RGBW LEDs – The Best of Both Worlds
What Are RGBW LEDs?
RGBW adds a dedicated White LED chip to the RGB mix. This gives you all the colour-mixing capabilities of RGB, plus a clean, natural-looking white when you need it.
How the control works: Same as RGB – one controller, all LEDs respond together. The only difference is you now have four channels to control (Red, Green, Blue, White) instead of three.
Best for: Spaces that need both coloured accent lighting AND functional white light – like kitchens with under-cabinet LEDs that serve as both task lighting and party mode.
Real Example: A restaurant wants warm white light during dinner service, then coloured lighting for late-night drinks. RGBW strip lets them switch between professional white illumination and vibrant colour effects without installing two separate systems.
💡 PRO TIP: RGBW requires a 4-channel controller (not a 3-channel RGB controller). Make sure your controller matches your LED type, or you won't be able to control the white channel.
🔌 RGB DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play – Position-Based Effects
What Are RGB DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play LEDs?
These LEDs use a simple plug-and-play connector system and produce effects based on their position in the chain. The first lamp follows the first step in the pattern, the second lamp follows the second step, the third follows the third, and so on.
📝 NOTE: "SPI" stands for Serial Pixel Interface. In Plug-and-Play cabochons, effects are determined by each lamp's position in the chain — not by individual addressing.
📐 AVAILABLE SIZES: Available in multiple cabochon diameters — 42mm, 46mm, 60mm etc. Control behaviour remains the same regardless of size.
The key behaviour: All "first" lamps across multiple chains behave identically. All "second" lamps behave identically. This makes them ideal for simple flowing chases without needing to program individual lamps.
Best for: Fairground-style chases, decorative displays, and installations where you want synchronised flowing effects across multiple strings with minimal setup.
Real Example: A carnival ride with 10 strings of cabochons around the edge. Every "first" lamp on each string shows red at the same moment, every "second" shows blue, every "third" shows green – creating a perfectly synchronised chase effect across the whole ride.
✅ SIMPLE INSTALLATION: Pre-wired with moulded 4-pin connectors, these cabochons simply plug together. No soldering, no complex wiring. Connect to a compatible controller and you're ready to go.
💡 COMPATIBLE CONTROLLERS: Works with pixel controllers, or with DMX systems when used with a DMX-to-pixel decoder (sold separately).
✨ RGB Pixel – Individually Addressable
What Are Individually Addressable Pixel LEDs?
These LEDs contain an internal pixel module, giving each lamp its own unique address within the data stream. Every lamp can behave completely differently from every other lamp – regardless of where it sits in the chain.
The key difference from Plug-and-Play: Position doesn't matter. Each lamp responds to its own address, allowing complete creative freedom in your design. You can create gradients, random sparkles, complex animations, and effects that don't follow any chain order.
Best for: Detailed animations, video-mapped content, creative installations where you need individual control over every single lamp, and professional show lighting.
Real Example: A designer creates a wall of 500 pixel cabochons arranged in a random pattern. Using pixel mapping software, they display scrolling text, animations, and graphics across the wall – each lamp independently controlled to create the full image.
⚠️ MORE COMPLEX SETUP: Individually addressable pixels require proper pixel wiring and compatible controllers. The creative possibilities are greater, but so is the installation complexity. Make sure you're comfortable with pixel systems before committing.
💡 COMPATIBLE CONTROLLERS: Works with dedicated pixel controllers like the K8000 or Micro Pixel CYP, or DMX systems via DMX-to-pixel decoders.
📐 AVAILABLE SIZES: Available in multiple cabochon diameters — 42mm, 46mm, 60mm etc. Control behaviour remains the same regardless of size.
💡 SETUP NOTE: Pixel cabochons require proper pixel wiring (data line + power + ground), a suitable power supply for the total load, and attention to data-line length or voltage drop when chaining many lamps. Recommended for those comfortable with pixel installations or professional installers.
🎨 RGB Auto – Pre-programmed Effects
What Are RGB Auto LEDs?
These LEDs include built-in colour effects and modes that run automatically when powered on. No external controller required – just connect power and the effects begin.
How it works: The LED contains its own programming chip with pre-set patterns like colour fades, rainbow cycles, flashing sequences, and more. Some models include a button or switch to cycle through different modes.
Best for: Simple decorative projects, quick installations, situations where you want eye-catching colour without any programming or controller setup, and applications where reliability matters more than customisation.
Real Example: A shop window display needs colourful lighting that runs all day without any staff intervention. Pre-programmed RGB cabochons provide automatic colour-changing effects that start the moment the power comes on each morning.
✅ ZERO SETUP: The simplest possible colour-changing option. No controller to buy, no programming to learn, no remote to lose. Just power and go.
🤔 Which Type Do I Need?
30-Second LED Type Selector
1️⃣ Do you need to change colours at all?
→ No? Choose Static LEDs – simplest and most reliable.
2️⃣ Do all your LEDs need to be the same colour at any given time?
→ Yes? Choose RGB (or RGBW if you also need good white light).
3️⃣ Do you want chase effects with simple plug-and-play installation?
→ Yes? Choose RGB DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play – position-based effects, minimal wiring.
4️⃣ Do you need full control over every individual lamp?
→ Yes? Choose RGB Pixel (Individually Addressable) – complete creative freedom.
5️⃣ Do you want colour effects with zero setup and no controller?
→ Yes? Choose RGB Auto – built-in effects, just power on.
📋 Quick Summary
- Static: One colour, simple on/off
- RGB: Many colours, everything changes together
- RGBW: Many colours plus clean white, everything changes together
- RGB DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play: Chase effects with easy installation – lamps in the same position match
- RGB Pixel (Individually Addressable): Every single lamp can be different, full creative control
- RGB Auto: Built-in effects, no controller needed – just power on
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid
1. Buying RGB When You Need Pixel Effects
You see chase effects at a fairground and think "I want that!" – but then you buy standard RGB strip. The result? All your LEDs change colour together. No chase, no wave, just a colour wash.
✅ Solution: If you want effects where LEDs behave differently from each other, you need DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play or Pixel products – not standard RGB.
2. Confusing DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play with Individually Addressable
They both create chase effects, but they work completely differently. DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play lamps follow their position in the chain (all "first" lamps match). Individually addressable lamps each have their own address (every lamp can be unique).
✅ Solution: For simple synchronised chases, DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play is easier. For complex animations where every lamp does something different, you need Individually Addressable.
3. Wrong Controller for Your LED Type
A 3-channel RGB controller won't control RGBW properly (you lose the white channel). An RGB controller definitely won't drive pixel products. Each LED type needs a compatible controller.
✅ Solution: Match your controller to your LED type. Check compatibility before purchasing – our team can help if you're unsure.
4. Overcomplicating Simple Installations
Installing individually addressable pixels for a simple decorative display that just needs basic colour changes is overkill. It's expensive, complex, and completely unnecessary.
✅ Solution: Choose the simplest technology that achieves what you actually need. RGB Auto or DMX-SPI Plug-and-Play may be all you need.
🤔 Still Not Sure Which Type You Need?
Our technical team provides FREE consultation – tell us about your project and we'll recommend the right solution
Email: sales@weloveleds.co.uk
📚 Related Guides
- IP Ratings Explained – Indoor vs Outdoor LEDs
- How to Choose the Right LED Power Supply
- Understanding Voltage Drop in LED Installations
