2835 LED Wholesale Guide (2025): Specs, Wattage, Dimming, Assembly & 2835 vs 5050

2835 LED Wholesale Guide 2025: Specs, Wattage & 2835 vs 5050

U.S. LED buyers—discover what 2835 really means, how many watts it consumes, dimming performance, SMT assembly tips, and how it compares to 5050. Includes RFQ templates.

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Problem — Ever ordered 2835 LEDs thinking they’re all the same, only to face strip failures, color mismatches, or heat issues?

Agitate — That mistake can drain profits and ruin client trust in large New York projects.

Solution — This guide breaks down five real buyer questions—so you can negotiate better and avoid costly errors.

2835 LEDs are about footprint, wattage discipline, dimming compliance, SMT process, and fair comparison with 5050—measured in $/klm landed, not catalog hype.

If you’re sourcing LEDs wholesale in the U.S., you’ve likely asked suppliers the same questions:

What does “2835” actually mean?

How many watts does it use?

Are 2835 LEDs dimmable?

What is SMD assembly in practice?

Which is brighter—2835 or 5050?

These aren’t trivial. They decide whether your next shipment is profitable—or a return headache. Let’s cover each in buyer-focused detail.

1. What Does 2835 Really Mean?

“2835” = 2.8 × 3.5 mm SMD package size, not brightness class.

Inside: a mid-power die, phosphor, and a thermal pad. Designed for tight-pitch strips (120 LEDs/m) and smooth diffusion. Specs that matter: RθJC ≤ 12 °C/W, ≤3 SDCM binning.

RFQ Line: “2835 package 2.8×3.5 mm; ≤3 SDCM; LM-80/TM-21 reports attached.”

2. How Many Watts Is a 2835 LED?

True watts = current × Vf; catalog numbers alone mislead.

At 65 mA × 2.9 V = 0.19 W (safe). At 120 mA × 3.0 V = 0.36 W—fine with MCPCB, risky on FR-4. Always check Vf histograms and design for Tj ≤ 105 °C.

RFQ Line: “Provide Vf histogram and lm/W at 65 mA & max current.”

3. Are 2835 LEDs Dimmable?

Yes—with the right driver specs.

For flicker-safe dimming, require PWM ≥ 2–4 kHz or CCR, with IEEE 1789 metrics: <10 % Percent Flicker, <0.05 Flicker Index. Always test at 20 % dim level where flicker is most visible.

RFQ Line: “Confirm PWM/CCR, IEEE 1789 compliance, and flicker test reports.”

4. What Does SMD Mean in Practice?

SMD = surface-mount device, assembled on reflow lines.

For 2835, use 0.12–0.15 mm stencil, type-4 paste, and reflow at 245 ± 5 °C. X-ray boards—reject voids >30 %. Request IPC-7093 compliance.

RFQ Line: “Provide pad layout, stencil thickness, void % limit, and reflow curve.”

5. Which Is Brighter: 2835 or 5050?

Lead (≤30 words)5050 wins per package; 2835 wins per $/klm landed.

5050 (multi-die) excels in RGB and high-output single-package installs. 2835 shines in dense strips and uniform whites. Normalize quotes to $/kilolumen landed (unit + freight + duty).

RFQ Line: “Quote 2835 white vs 5050 white/RGB as $/klm landed, DDP New York.”

Binning: ≤3 SDCM (≤2 premium), ≤2 adjacent bins.

Reliability: HTOL 1,000 h, 85/85 1,000 h, thermal cycling –40↔125 °C.

Compliance: LM-80, TM-21, RoHS, REACH, EN 62471.

Pricing: $/pc + $/klm landed (FOB & DDP NY).