Addressable LED Strips are available in RGB, RGBW, and Single Color versions, enabling everything from full-color animations to true white illumination and dynamic single-color effects for decorative, architectural, and commercial lighting projects.
There are various ICs available for making addressable LED strips, each with different features and advantages. By comparing them, customers can choose the most suitable option for their applications. We primarily focus on WS2812 and WS2815, as these two ICs provide a balance of high reliability and comprehensive coverage for most lighting projects.”
Comparison of WS2811, WS2812B, WS2815, and SK6812 |
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| Model | IC Structure | Working Voltage | Channels | Protocol | Breakpoint Resume | Key Features | Typical Applications |
| WS2811 | External driver IC, usually paired with RGB LEDs (e.g. 5050) | 12V (common) or 5V | 3 (R/G/B) | Single-wire, NRZ | ❌ No | Economical, 1 IC controls 3 LEDs, low cost | LED modules, contour lighting, advertising signs |
| WS2812B | Built-in IC inside SMD5050 LED package | 5V / 12V | 3 (R/G/B) | Single-wire, NRZ | ❌ No | Compact, one IC per LED, true pixel-level control | LED strips, pixel screens, creative DIY lighting |
| WS2815 | Built-in IC, dual-signal backup design | 12V | 3 (R/G/B) or RGBW or White Color (3 white) | Single-wire, NRZ | ✅ Yes (dual-signal redundancy) | Higher reliability, long-distance wiring, supports breakpoint resume; Supports RGB, RGBW (true white channel), and Single Color White | Outdoor LED strips, stage lighting, large-scale installations |
| SK6812 | Built-in IC (similar to WS2812B), available in RGB or RGBW | 5V | 3 (RGB) or 4 (RGBW) | Single-wire, NRZ | ❌ No | Supports RGBW (true white channel), richer color performance | High-end LED strips, stage effects, film lighting, smart home |
WS2815 Variants Comparison |
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| Model | Channels | Bit Depth per Pixel | Working Voltage | Color Output | Key Features | Typical Applications |
| WS2815 RGB | 3 (Red / Green / Blue) | 24-bit (8-bit × 3) | 12V DC | Full RGB | Individually addressable pixels, dual-signal backup, vibrant dynamic effects | LED strips, decorative lighting, advertising displays, creative installations |
| WS2815 RGBW | 4 (Red / Green / Blue / White) | 32-bit (8-bit × 4) | 12V DC | RGB + True White (3000K–6000K optional) | Richer colors with independent white channel, natural lighting + effects | Stage lighting, architectural lighting, premium ambient lighting, smart home |
| WS2815 Single White | 1 (White only, IC still processes RGB channels but drives single-color LED) | 24-bit (R=G=B values control brightness) | 12V DC | Single White | Individually addressable white pixels, dynamic single-color effects (chasing, fading, strobing) | Building outline lighting, commercial signage, wall washing, dynamic white effects |
