One of the most common questions we receive is whether to choose a 12V or 24V LED strip.
The answer depends on your project size and lighting requirements.
What Does Voltage Mean?
Voltage is the electrical pressure supplied to the LED strip.
Most LED strips operate on either:
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12V DC
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24V DC
Both are safe low-voltage lighting solutions.
Advantages of 12V LED Strips
12V LED strips are ideal for:
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Small projects
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Vehicle lighting
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Campervans
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Boats
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Shorter installations
Benefits include:
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Widely available
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Easy to power
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Great for compact installations
Advantages of 24V LED Strips
24V strips are becoming increasingly popular.
Benefits include:
Reduced Voltage Drop
As LED strips get longer, brightness can gradually decrease towards the end.
24V strips experience significantly less voltage drop than 12V strips.
Longer Runs
24V strips can often run longer distances from a single power source before requiring additional power injection.
Better Efficiency
Lower current means less heat generation and improved efficiency.
Which Is Better?
For most home and commercial installations, 24V is usually the better option.
Choose 12V if:
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You're lighting a vehicle
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You're working with short runs
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You already have a 12V power source
Choose 24V if:
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You're installing over several metres
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You want consistent brightness
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You want the most efficient solution
What About Pixel LED Strips?
For addressable LED strips such as WS2815, voltage can vary.
WS2815 uses 12V and is specifically designed to reduce voltage drop while maintaining individual pixel control.
This makes it extremely popular for advanced lighting projects.
Final Thoughts
Both 12V and 24V LED strips work brilliantly. However, for larger installations, 24V strips typically provide better performance and easier installation.
If you're unsure which voltage is right for your project, the StripGlow team is always happy to help.