SMD2835 Specifications: The Complete Buyer’s Guide for U.S. Wholesale LED Procurement

You see “2835 SMD LED” on every supplier’s page—but no one explains what those numbers actually mean for your project.

That ignorance can cost you: flickering office panels, uneven strip lighting, or warranty nightmares—all because specs were misunderstood or skipped in purchasing.

Here’s the definitive 2835 LED specification guide—so U.S. buyers know exactly what to check, compare, and lock down before signing bulk orders.

SMD2835 isn’t just a size—it’s a performance formula. Let’s break down specs that protect your margins and client trust.

For many American buyers, “2835” looks like just another model code. In fact, it refers to the LED chip’s dimensions: 2.8mm x 3.5mm. Simple, right? Not quite. Behind those millimeters hides a complex set of parameters—lumen output, CRI, color temperature, forward voltage, thermal resistance, and binning tolerances—that make the difference between success and failure in the field.

The SMD2835 LED has become one of the most popular light engines in the U.S. because it balances efficiency, cost, and versatility. It’s the workhorse of LED strips, troffers, downlights, small appliances, and signage backlighting. But not every 2835 is created equal. Some achieve 160–200 lm/W at optimal drive currents, while low-grade options barely push 100 lm/W. Some maintain chromaticity within 3 SDCM after 6,000 hours, others drift so badly your client calls it “two different whites.”

For wholesale buyers in New York or Los Angeles, the 2835 spec sheet should be your contract—not marketing fluff. Without demanding LM-80 reports, TM-21 lifetime projections, and full binning maps, you risk inconsistent lots, unstable lifetimes, and customer complaints.

This guide will break down SMD2835 specifications in plain English, highlight pitfalls, and give you a procurement checklist so every order is traceable, compliant, and profit-protecting.

Subtitle 1: Brightness and Efficiency—Why lm/W Defines Your Profit

Lumen per watt isn’t just efficiency—it’s your client’s energy bill and your warranty risk.

The key metric for 2835s is luminous efficacy (lm/W). Top-tier 2835 packages reach 160–200 lm/W at nominal currents (typically 60 mA). Budget options often advertise inflated numbers, but deliver barely 110 lm/W in real-world conditions.

As a buyer, you must specify drive current, junction temperature, and binning when you evaluate efficiency. A 2835 tested at 25°C and 20 mA will look “amazing” on paper, but no real project runs at those conditions. Instead, demand test curves at your drive current and board thermal setup.

Why does this matter? Because efficiency impacts ROI: energy savings, rebate eligibility, and system thermal load. For a 100,000-piece order, even a 10% efficiency gap can make your fixture fail rebate programs—or increase warranty claims due to overheating.

When reviewing a datasheet, check three numbers:

Φv @ If, Tj – Typical luminous flux at your drive current and junction temp.

lm/W curve – Across 20–80 mA to see how quickly performance drops.

Thermal resistance (RθJC) – Lower values mean better heat transfer.

Suppliers like XGM 2835 Series publish full curves, not cherry-picked points. Cross-check datasheet claims with LM-80 reports. If an LED holds L90 > 36,000 hours at your conditions, it’s a safe buy. If not, walk away.

Subtitle 2: Color Temperature and Binning—Why Consistency Is King

Your client sees the difference instantly: poor binning makes hallways look like patchwork.

SMD2835s come in a wide CCT range: 2200K to 6500K. But binning determines whether your 4000K order looks like daylight white—or a patchwork of yellows and blues.

For U.S. office and retail projects, demand ≤3 SDCM binning. For cost-sensitive strip lighting, ≤5 SDCM may suffice. Request bin-locked POs and make suppliers show ANSI C78.377 bin charts.

CRI also matters. Standard CRI ≥80 is fine for basic strips, but healthcare, retail, and hospitality often demand CRI ≥90, with R9 ≥50 for accurate reds. Suppliers that provide full spectral power distribution (SPD) charts demonstrate real transparency.

Ask for bin distribution reports across the last three production lots. If 30% of reels fall outside your target bin, that supplier cannot guarantee color uniformity. For mission-critical clients, request pilot reels and test them with a spectrometer across the first batch.

The best suppliers—like XGM 2835 CRI90 Series—lock bins and provide CoCs (Certificates of Conformance) tied to reel barcodes. That way, every reel you receive can be traced back to the wafer lot and phosphor batch. This is what protects you from angry calls six months later when “half the corridor looks off.”

Subtitle 3: Reliability and Lifetime—LM-80, TM-21, and Real Testing

Lifetime projections aren’t optional—they’re the legal backbone of your warranty promises.

SMD2835 is designed to be reliable—but only if validated properly. The gold standard is LM-80 testing (measuring lumen maintenance) plus TM-21 projections (estimating lifetime). A good 2835 will show L90 > 36,000 hrs and L80 > 50,000 hrs under standard conditions.

Beware suppliers that only show “internal tests” or “typical values.” Without third-party LM-80/TM-21 data, you cannot credibly market “50,000-hour” lifetimes to U.S. clients.

Go beyond lumen maintenance. Ask about:

HTOL (High-Temperature Operating Life) – Stress at high current and temp.

HAST (Humidity Testing) – 85°C/85%RH stress for 1,000 hrs.

TC (Temperature Cycling) – Thermal shock reliability.

If you’re buying for appliances, signage, or outdoor luminaires, reliability under stress matters as much as datasheet claims. Partner with suppliers who publish full reliability matrices: XGM Reliability Library.

Subtitle 4: Thermal Design and Application Notes

Even the best 2835 dies young without proper heat sinking.

The 2835 LED has a compact footprint, meaning thermal management is critical. Check datasheets for RθJC (thermal resistance, junction-to-case) values. Lower RθJC means better heat dissipation into your PCB.

For strip lighting, use MCPCB (metal-core PCBs) with ≥1.5W/m·K thermal conductivity. For troffers or panels, design with adequate copper area and airflow. Poor thermal design means lumen depreciation, color shift, or early failures.

Ask suppliers for recommended pad layouts and reflow profiles. Even solder thickness impacts lifetime. For high-density strips, consider double-layer PCBs or aluminum channels to spread heat. Suppliers like XGM Thermal Guide provide application notes, saving you costly trial-and-error.

Quick Spec Table for SMD2835 LEDs

Parameter	Typical Range	Buyer’s Must-Have
Size	2.8mm x 3.5mm	Standard SMD footprint
Luminous Efficacy	160–200 lm/W	≥150 lm/W at real drive
CRI	80–95	≥90 with R9 ≥50 (retail/healthcare)
CCT	2200K–6500K	ANSI binning ≤3 SDCM
Forward Voltage	2.7–3.3V	Match driver efficiency
Lifetime	L80 > 50,000 hrs	LM-80/TM-21 backed
Thermal Resistance	≤20°C/W	Lower = better heat transfer

FAQs

Q1. What’s the difference between 2835 and 5050 LEDs?2835 = efficiency workhorse for strips, panels, appliances. 5050 = larger, often RGB, used in signage and decorative effects.

Q2. How can I verify real lifetime?Ask for LM-80 + TM-21 reports, not just “typical” lifetimes. Then run pilot testing under your own thermal design.

Q3. What CRI should I choose?For general office: CRI80 is fine. For retail, medical, and hospitality: CRI90+ with strong R9 performance.