What Is the 2835 LED? Your Essential Guide for Smarter LED Purchasing

szxth168
2 days ago
4 min read

Fragment paragraph:Choosing the wrong LED model can kill your profit margins. If you're unsure whether 2835 beats 5050 in cost or brightness—read this first.

Transition paragraph :If you're a buyer sourcing LEDs for digital electronics, small appliances, or lighting fixtures, you've likely stumbled upon terms like 2835 SMD, 5050 RGB, or 3528 LED chips—but what do they really mean?

The 2835 LED, specifically, has taken the LED industry by storm. Named after its size (2.8mm x 3.5mm), this surface-mount device (SMD) has become the go-to choice for professionals seeking high-efficiency, compact light sources that don’t compromise on brightness.

In this guide, we’re breaking down what makes the 2835 LED a top performer. You’ll learn how it compares with other chips, why it's loved for energy-saving builds, and how many lumens per watt you can expect. We’ll also settle the biggest question once and for all: Is 2835 better than 5050?

Let’s dig into the specs, lifespan, and real-world use cases—so you can walk into your next procurement meeting sounding like the expert.

What Does "2835 LED" Actually Mean?

Problem: Most buyers misunderstand 2835 specs and mix them up with other SMD codes

Agitation: This leads to overpaying, mismatched brightness levels, and wasted sourcing cycles

Solution: Know what you’re buying—size, wattage, output, and use-case matters

Lead Paragraph:The number 2835 doesn’t refer to a model number—it tells you the size and application of the LED. Understanding this helps you match it to your buyer needs more accurately.

Snippet Paragraph:2835 LEDs are a type of surface-mounted diode, measuring 2.8mm x 3.5mm. They’re single-color LEDs, commonly used in energy-efficient lighting applications like tube lights, panel lights, and display backlighting.

Unlike 5050 LEDs, which can house three diodes and often support RGB lighting, the 2835 is built for compact, directional brightness. With better thermal management and higher lumens per watt, it outshines the older 3528 models in almost every metric.

Typical applications include:

Home appliance lighting

Medical beauty therapy lamps

Educational lighting (especially under-cabinet fixtures)

Small office panels and downlights

These diodes are known for their:

Slim profile

Low power consumption

High brightness output

Explore 2835 specifications

2835 vs. 5050 LED: Which Is Better?

Problem: Buyers often pick 5050 LEDs thinking “bigger is brighter”—that’s not always true

Agitation: This mistake leads to overpowered lighting and higher costs per unit

Solution: Know the performance differences before you buy

Lead Paragraph:Both 2835 and 5050 LEDs have strengths—but if you're focused on cost-effectiveness and luminous efficiency, 2835 often outperforms.

Snippet Paragraph:Here’s a side-by-side look at how they stack up:

Feature	2835 LED	5050 LED
Size (mm)	2.8 x 3.5	5.0 x 5.0
Lumen Efficiency	~100–130 lm/W	~70–90 lm/W
Power Consumption	Lower (0.2W typical)	Higher (0.24W–0.3W per diode)
RGB Capable	No	Yes (multi-diode chip)
Application Focus	General white lighting	RGB strips, color displays

2835 is more efficient and better suited for white or warm lighting. 5050 shines in RGB light strips but consumes more energy. For wholesale buyers focused on unit economics and brightness per watt, 2835 is typically the better business decision.

Compare more SMD LEDs

What Is the Lifespan of a 2835 LED?

Problem: Buyers worry about long-term durability, especially in OEM products

Agitation: Poor quality leads to warranty claims and damaged B2B relationships

Solution: Understand tested lifespan ratings and how to ensure quality

Lead Paragraph:When manufactured to spec, 2835 LEDs deliver long operational life. But not all are created equal—testing, materials, and packaging matter.

Snippet Paragraph:The lifespan of a 2835 LED depends heavily on build quality and operating temperature. Well-made 2835s (like those from XGM) can last up to 50,000 hours under optimal conditions.

What affects LED lifespan?

Heat dissipation

Chip substrate material

Drive current consistency

Manufacturing quality

Look for:

LM-80 certified components

RoHS-compliant materials

Proper heat sink design on the board

2835 LEDs from XGM undergo rigorous testing, including high-temperature and humidity cycles, to simulate real-world aging.

See LED testing methods

How Many Lumens Per Watt Is 2835 LED?

Problem: Buyers often base LED choices on price—not light efficiency

Agitation: That leads to higher energy costs or underlit products

Solution: Use lm/W as your baseline when comparing options

Lead Paragraph :2835 LEDs average 100–130 lumens per watt, making them one of the most efficient LEDs in their category. That’s why they’re preferred for low-power, high-output applications.

Snippet Paragraph:The lumen-per-watt ratio (lm/W) is a critical metric for lighting performance. A higher ratio means more brightness for less power.

Here’s why 2835 excels:

Improved chip architecture for optical output

Low thermal resistance

Tight forward voltage bins

At 100–130 lm/W, they outperform most 3528 LEDs and rival 5630 LEDs in brightness but come in a smaller footprint.

For commercial buyers, this means:

Better ROI over time

Reduced heat = longer PCB and fixture life

Lower wattage requirements = smaller drivers = lower BOM cost

Always ask your supplier for test reports and binning data before committing.

View XGM 2835 test data

Ready to Buy High-Performance 2835 LEDs?

Shenzhen Xinguanming (XGM) specializes in high-efficiency 2835 lamp beads used across industries like medical beauty, education lighting, and consumer electronics. With 14 years of experience and over 3,000 clients, our LEDs power real-world products worldwide.