WS2811 and WS2812B LEDs are two of the many addressable LEDs, why are they often compared together? This blog will reveal their differences and commonalities for you.
WS2811
Here are different types of WS2811 led strips. Unlike the WS2812B IC which is built into the LED, the WS2811 IC is externally mounted on the PCB.
They are compatible with different voltages and have different cut units (indicating how many LEDs a WS2811 IC controls simultaneously).
- 5V WS2811 LED Strip: each LED can be cut, and a WS2811 IC controls a LED.
- 12V WS2811 LED Strip: three RGB lights can be cut, and a WS2811 IC controls three LED chips (which means you can only change the brightness and color of these three lights at the same time).
- 24V WS2811 LED Strip: six RGB LED chips can be cut, and a WS2811 IC controls six LEDs.
WS2812B
Below are different types of WS2812B led strips with different densities.
We can see that each LED of the WS2812B strips can be cut, which means that each LED can be individually controlled. And they only work at 5V.
Comparing the two pictures above, both WS2812B and WS2811 addressable led strips belong to a single signal transmission, with three connection wires: one positive, one negative, and one data signal.
Voltage Drop And Running Length
The higher the LED voltage, the more consistent the color of the strips, and the longer runnable distance.
Therefore, the running length of the 12V/24V WS2811 led strip is farther than that of the 5V WS2812B led strip, the voltage drop is small, and you only need to power the light strip at one end for five meters (16.4ft).
Power Consumption
Under DC5V operating voltage, the energy consumption of WS2812B LED and WS2811 LED is about the same. 12V and 24V WS2811 LEDs will consume more watts than 5V WS2812B LEDs.
Color Comparison
WS2812B LED only exists in RGB color. However, WS2811 LED is different.
In addition to the addressable RGB chasing color, here you can also find addressable white (3000K warm white or 6000K daylight white), addressable RGB+W, and addressable RGB+CCT multiple color modes, more light colors for you to choose from.
Versatilities Of Addressable LEDs
Both WS2812B and WS2811 addressable LEDs are commonly used in SMD LED strip lights, COB strip lights, pixel rings, pixel panels, module string lights, pixel tubes, and other applications.
And use a compatible SPI controller or Arduino UNO control board to control the effect of the addressable LED lights.
