Today, we will discuss how to choose from the three commonest LED packaging technology, they are DIP LED module, SMD LED and COB LED. By clarifying their specialities, cons, and pros, we will have more ideas when we face such a choice!
1.What Is DIP LED Module?
DIP refers to Dual In-Line Package, and is a typical type of LED packaging technology as SMD. A DIP lamp bead will have 2 straight parallel connecting pins, and the chip is encased in hard plastic.
To further explain, DIP is an electronic component package with two parallel rows of connecting pins which is through-hole mounted to the PCB board or inserted in a socket. Each separate unit on DIP LED module will include R, G, B LED, which represents three main colors that are red, green and blue.
DIP LED was prevailing in the ’70s, and still has a certain market share today especially for some customers who need an outdoor LED display.

2.What Is SMD LED?
SMD is the acronym that stands for the surface-mounted device. LED products encapsulated by SMD (surface mount technology) encapsulate lamp cups, brackets, wafers, leads, epoxy resin, and other materials into lamp beads of different specifications.
SMD LEDs combine red, green, and blue (RGB) in a single package, meaning the three colors of LED bulbs are encapsulated into one case, and the case then will be soldered onto the circuit. Therefore, the red, green and blue LEDs will be regrouped to display different colors.
This kind of LED packaging technology came from the need for smaller pixel pitch and higher resolution LED panel module. The market share of it has been increasing all the time since it was developed by Phillip Corporation in the ’70s.
Compared with the DIP LED module, SMD LED module is more suitable for indoor small pixel pitch LED display. And at present, it is the mainstream of the LED industry worldwide. Moreover, it can be both used for rental LED display and fixed LED display but DIP LED cabinets are more likely to be used as fixed LED screen.
3.What Is COB LED?
COB stands for Chip-On-Board, which refers to the LED packaging technology that integrates the chip directly to the PCB board to improve the efficiency of packaging and narrow the distance between different lamp beads. Then, producers will cover the chips and bonding wires with glue to avoid pollution and damages.
It is worth to be highlighted that COB technology brings a higher lumen density of a LED module compared to the DIP LED module or SMD LED module with the same size.
For example, using COB LEDs on a 10mm x 10mm LED display module results in 38 times more LEDs compared to DIP LED technology and 8.5 times more LEDs compared to SMD LED technology. That is why COB LED display can achieve super-narrow pixel pitch such as pixel pitch below 1 millimeter, higher brightness, and more uniformity.
Moreover, COB LED can save more room and power consumption while still keeping the stable display effect.

4.DIP LED Module VS SMD VS COB?
Now, we have clarified the three common LED packaging technologies including DIP, SMD, and COB. You may raise a question – how can we choose the fittest one if we want to purchase or rent a LED display screen?
To find out the answer to this question, we need to figure out the advantages and disadvantages of each of them. And then analyzing the best program according to our specific situations.
4.1 Pros and Cons of DIP LED
Pros:
(1)High brightness:
DIP LEDs have a large size so as to produce higher brightness. Generally, DIP LED module can reach a brightness level up to 7,500 nits and even more than 10,000 nits.
This is a huge advantage that outdoor LED screen can utilize as high brightness is an indispensable factor that determines the final effect.
(2)Less power consumption
DIP LED displays are usually consumed electricity compared with SMD LED display, normally only need the 1/3 of electricity cost of SMD LED screen. Lower power consumption can save you more cost, and also is environmental-friendly.
(3)Longer service life
It is more durable than SMD LEDs in the long term as this packaging technology enables better heat dissipation. And this can prolong the working life of DIP LED modules that can be up to 100,000 hours.
(4)Seldom cold soldering problem
Because the long feet will be inserted into the PCB board directly, so there is seldom a cold soldering problem while SMD LEDs may cause such problems as the packaging method asking the LED lamp bead to mount on the PCB board.
(5)Better waterproof protection
Due to the packaging method, DIP LED modules have higher waterproof protection ability than SMD LED modules. Generally, DIP LED modules can reach IP65 waterproof level.
The water or moisture-entering will affect the normal operation of displays, and also shorten the life span. Thus, for some outdoor LED display screen which needs high waterproof protection, DIP LED displays can be one of the wise choices.
Cons:
(1)Longer viewing distance
Limited by the size of LED lamp beads, the pixel pitch of DIP LED modules can be relatively large. Generally speaking, now DIP LEDs only supports LED screens with pixel pitch larger than 6mm, that is P6.
The longer viewing distance makes DIP LEDs are not so suitable for some indoor LED displays that need small pixel pith.
(2)Narrower viewing angle
The viewing angle is narrower than that of the SMD LED module, which is only between 70 degrees to 110 degrees.
4.2 Pros and Cons of SMD LED
Pros:
(1)Better visual effect than DIP LED modules
SMD LED screens have better play effects including wider viewing angle, closer viewing distance, higher color fidelity, and so on.
(2)Lightweight and thin cabinet
The packaging method allows SMD LED cabinet lightweight and thin cabinet design, which can facilitate the installation and also storage.
(3)Reliable design
There is a solid protection layer covering the components inside, so the module is not easy to be damaged.
(4)Long service life
The service life of SMD LED modules also can reach 50,000 to 100,000 hours if it is under appropriate operation.
(5)Low production cost
As the most prevailing product in the LED screen industry, the production cost has been lowered, and the production technology is mature.
Cons:
Even this technology has been developed for many years and has been used widely among the globe indoor or outdoor LED display market, there are still some pin spots waiting to be tackled such as anti-glare function, anti-static ability, higher waterproof level, and so on.
But for indoor fine pixel pitch LED displays, SMD cabinets may be one of your best choices.

4.3 Pros and Cons of COB LED
Pros:
(1)Suitable for fine pixel pitch LED display
The chips of COB LEDs are connected to the PCB board directly, so the distance between two pixels can be super narrow so to increase the resolution. The higher resolution can bring clearer and more detailed images to the viewers.
(2)Simplified production process
The structure of COB LEDs is simpler than that of SMD LEDs, so accordingly, the production process can be simplified compared with other kinds of LEDs.
(3)Better heat dissipation
Just as we have mentioned above, the simple structure of COB LEDs gives them advantages in heat dissipation.
(4)Better antioxidant
All devices of the lamp bead are encapsulated by epoxy resin, and no pin will be exposed outside. This feature decreases the risk of oxidation of pins so as to avoid the lamp bead failure caused by this reason.
Cons:
(1)Inadequate surface evenness
Each LED lamp bead will be potted by glue separately, so the surface evenness may be lowered. This will affect the display performance.
(2)Immature production technology
The reject ratio can be higher than the other two LEDs, which increases the production cost a lot. Besides, the poor consistency in color and brightness also is a problem waiting for solutions.

5. Conclusions
In this article, we discuss the three different popular LED technology on the market now – DIP LED module, SMD LED and COB LED. And then, we talk about their differences including their advantages and disadvantages to help you consider the choice.
In common, if you need outdoor LED displays that do not require close viewing distance but high protection ability, then it can make you consider DIP LED module. It is widely used in outdoor applications such as large outdoor fixed LED displays and LED sign. But if you want high resolution LED display, you may think about SMD and COB LED displays. However, because of some drawbacks of COB LEDs that have not been tackled, SMD LED may be a better choice. Of course, just make a concrete analysis of your concrete situation, or you can contact us for some helpful advice!