2835 vs 5050 LED: Which One Should U.S. Buyers Choose?

Choosing between 2835 and 5050 LEDs can be confusing. Both look reliable on paper, but picking the wrong one can ruin your project.

Imagine ordering a million pieces for a New York office project—only to find out the 5050s you chose consume too much power, or the 2835s you bought can’t deliver the brightness needed. That mistake costs time, money, and reputation.

This guide compares 2835 vs 5050 LEDs across specs, performance, price, and applications—so U.S. wholesale buyers can make the right choice every time.

Not all LEDs are created equal. Here’s the real difference between 2835 and 5050—and how to choose the right one.

In the LED industry, model codes like “2835” and “5050” describe package sizes: 2835 = 2.8mm x 3.5mm, 5050 = 5.0mm x 5.0mm. But for U.S. wholesale buyers, the difference isn’t just in millimeters—it’s in efficiency, performance, and application fit.

The 2835 LED has become the global workhorse for white-light applications: panels, strips, troffers, small appliances, and general indoor lighting. It offers high efficiency (up to 160–200 lm/W), compact size, and relatively low cost. In short: it’s designed for brightness + efficiency.

The 5050 LED, on the other hand, is larger and often houses 3 diodes in one package. This makes it the go-to choice for RGB or multi-color applications like signage, decorative lighting, and dynamic displays. While 5050s offer versatility and high lumen output, they are less efficient per watt than 2835s and usually cost more.

So which one should you buy? That depends on your client’s needs, your project’s energy targets, and your budget. Below, we’ll break down the five key differences between 2835 and 5050 LEDs—so you can source smarter and negotiate better.

1: Efficiency (lm/W) and Energy Savings

2835 wins on efficiency, making it ideal for high-volume, energy-sensitive projects.

Typical 2835 LEDs achieve 160–200 lm/W at nominal current. This makes them perfect for troffers, strips, and downlights where energy savings and rebates matter. Many U.S. utilities require high efficacy for rebate eligibility, and 2835s usually qualify.

By contrast, 5050 LEDs (especially RGB types) consume more power per lumen. While they can deliver high brightness, their lm/W is lower—often around 70–90 lm/W. For white-only 5050s, efficiency can improve, but they rarely beat 2835s in lm/W.

When reviewing datasheets, check Φv (luminous flux) and lm/W curves under your actual drive current. If your project requires maximum brightness per watt, 2835 efficiency guide is the clear reference. If dynamic color or decorative effects matter more than energy savings, 5050 RGB spec is your better fit.

2: Color Options and Applications

5050 dominates in RGB; 2835 rules in white light.

The 2835 is almost always a single-color white LED (warm, neutral, or cool). It’s optimized for general lighting—energy-efficient, consistent, and cost-effective.

The 5050, however, is famous for RGB and addressable versions. Many 5050 packages include three diodes (red, green, blue), enabling full-color mixing. That’s why they dominate in signage, decorative lighting, gaming products, and stage design.

For American wholesale buyers, the rule is simple:

Choose 2835 for offices, retail, education, and residential.

Choose 5050 for signage, entertainment, and branding displays.

See RGB LED applications and 2835 strip guide.

3: Price and Cost per Lumen

Unit price isn’t the whole story—efficiency changes everything.

Wholesale prices:

2835 CRI80 white: $0.003–0.005/pc at 1M MOQ.

5050 RGB: $0.01–0.015/pc at 500k MOQ.

On a per-unit basis, 5050s are more expensive. But the bigger gap is cost per lumen: 2835s give you more brightness per dollar, while 5050s give you color versatility at a higher cost.

Run a TCO comparison calculator. Many U.S. buyers discover that for pure white light, 2835s save 20–30% over project lifetime. But for signage and decorative projects, 5050’s color versatility outweighs higher costs.

4: Reliability and Lifetime

Both can last 50,000+ hours—if tested and installed correctly.

2835 LEDs often come with full LM-80/TM-21 data showing L80 > 50,000 hrs. They’re designed for efficiency and long life in general lighting.

5050s can also last long, but RGB versions are more prone to color shift and differential degradation (red channel fading first). Without proper binning and testing, your signage can look inconsistent after 12 months.

For both, demand reliability testing: LM-80, TM-21, HTOL, HAST, and TC. Suppliers like XGM Reliability Pack provide these by default. Never buy LEDs without this data—it’s the backbone of your warranty.

5: Thermal Management

Bigger packages run hotter—design accordingly.

2835s are compact and efficient, but still need MCPCB substrates with good thermal conductivity. Poor design leads to lumen depreciation and color shift.

5050s, especially RGB, run hotter due to multiple diodes. They require heavier copper layers, heat sinks, or aluminum channels to manage temperature.

Check RθJC (junction-to-case thermal resistance) on datasheets. Lower = better. Design fixtures with pad layouts that match supplier recommendations. See Thermal design notes.

Quick Comparison Table: 2835 vs 5050

FAQs

Q1. Which is cheaper, 2835 or 5050?Per unit, 2835 is cheaper. Per lumen, it’s even more cost-effective. 5050 costs more but provides RGB versatility.

Q2. Can I use 5050 LEDs for office lighting?Not recommended. They consume more power and don’t offer the efficiency of 2835.

Q3. Do both require thermal management?Yes. 2835 needs good MCPCB; 5050 needs heavier copper or heatsinks due to higher thermal load.

At XGM, we supply both 2835 high-efficiency whites and 5050 RGB addressable LEDs. Whether your U.S. project is an office retrofit or a signage rollout, we deliver bin-locked lots, LM-80/TM-21 docs, and compliance packs.