APA102, WS2812, SK6812 Addressable LED Strips Evolution

An addressable LED strip is a digital strip that has not only LEDs, but also includes a driver chip that allows each LED light to be controlled independently. This means that each light can have its iwb color and brightness.

In this blog post, we will explore the different types of addressable LED strips available in the market in 2024. We will also discuss how to use addressable LED strips with ESP32 and the different logic level voltages that can be used with it. Finally, we will provide some guidance on how to choose the right LED strip for your project.

Different Types of Addressable LED Strips #

Today, there are many different types of addressable LED strips available on the market. The most common types of addressable LED strips are those that use WS2811/WS2812 (also known as a Neopixel) or DMX512 control protocols.

Addressable LED strips contains driver chips that allow each LED light to be controlled independently. This means that each LED can have its own color and brightness. Addressable LED strips can be divided into four types based on the signal they use:

• Single signal addressable LED strips
• Dual signal addressable LED strips
• Breakpoint resume addressable LED strips
• DMX512 LED strips

Single signal addressable LED strips use a single data line to control the LEDs. The most common type of single signal addressable LED strip is the WS2811/WS2812 (also known as a Neopixel)

Dual signal addressable LED strips use two data lines to control the LEDs.

Breakpoint resume addressable LED strips are similar to single signal addressable LED strips, but the hold strip can work if one or more LEDs fails.

DMX512 LED strips use the DMX512 control protocol to control the LEDs.

Addressable LED Strips with ESP32 #

Most Addressable LED strips can be controlled using an ESP32 microcontroller, by utilizing open-source libraries, such as WLED or FastLED.

When it comes to controlling addressable LED strips with ESP32, it’s important to consider the voltage level of the logic signal. The logic level voltage of the ESP32 is 3.3V, while most addressable LED strips requires a 5V logic signal. In such cases a logic level shifter can be used.

While some LED Strips (such as WS2812B) are advertised as compatible with 3.3V logic, it is often unstable and can introduce unexpected glitching in LED patterns or the LEDs might not even turn on.

WLED #

WLED Project is a popular open-source library that allows you to control addressable LED strips using your smartphone or a web browser. It supports a variety of addressable LED strips, including WS2812, SK6812, APA102, DMX512 and more.

WLED provides an interface for easy install to ESP32 board, web interface and mobile (iOS/Android) applications.

Since version 0.14.0-b1 Audio Reactive Usermod is included by default, allowing to setup the LED strip to react to music.

FastLED #

FastLED is another popular library for controlling addressable LED strips with ESP32. It supports a wide range of addressable LED strips and provides a simple and intuitive API for controlling them. To use FastLED with ESP32, you can follow the instructions provided in the FastLED documentation.

Other Options #

There are several other options for controlling addressable LED strips with ESP32, including:

• LedFX: A lightweight and flexible program that allows you to control your LED strips using your computer or smartphone.
• ColorChord: A music visualization software that can be used to control addressable LED strips.
• Tasmota: An open-source firmware that can be used to control a variety of smart home devices, including addressable LED strips.
• Hyperion.ng: An open-source software that can be used to create ambient lighting effects using addressable LED strips.

Why WLED? #

WLED is easy to set up and configure. You can install WLED on an ESP32 board by using web interface. Once installed, you can use the WLED mobile app to control your LED strips. The app provides a simple and intuitive interface for controlling the LEDs and creating custom lighting effects.

WLED provides User mods, which are custom scripts for controlling the LED strips. You can use already made mods, or create your own to do practically anything with your lights.

Also, since version 0.14.0-b1 Audio Reactive User mod by default, allowing to synch your LED lights with music or movie sounds.

Choosing the right LED Strip for your project #

If you are planning to use WLED, it is worth choosing an LED strip that is compatible with it. Moreover, if other addressable LED controlling libraries support the LED strip, WLED probably supports it also.

Anyways, looking at the WLED supported LED strips, we can practically see the most popular options among the open-source community. Here is a list of WLED supported LED strips:

It is important to note that there are always new types of LED strips coming onto the market that have a compatible control protocol. Additionally, there are other types of LED driver ICs that are very similar to the supported ones and might be supported by WLED by selecting the most similar type.

APA Series #

The APA LED chips were designed by APA Electronic co. LTD., a Taiwanese company. However, some APA1xx LED strips are also available from other manufacturers such as Adafruit Industries LLC.

Adafruit sells these as "Dotstars", especially the APA102 version.

Doesn't provide Breakpoint resume, meaning if one LED fails, the whole strip will not work.

APA102 #

📦 APA102 Led Strip

Adafruit sells APA102 as "Dotstars". Provides fast data transmission rate of up to 30 MHz and very high refresh rate of up to 19 kHz. These are the go-to addressable LED strip in 2024, if the budget allows, even if you need that extra wire for clock pin. APA102C provides a larger metallic area for better heat dissipation.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

APA104 #

📦 APA104 Led Strip

Very similar design to WS2812b, as it comes in same SMD5050 LED package. It has a 5V working voltage, unlike APA102, doesn't use a separate clock pin, therefore has a slower transmission rate of 15mHZ and a refresh rate of 4.7KHZ.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

APA109 #

📦 APA109 Led Strip

The same as APA104, in terms of features and specifications, such as refresh rate, but provides RGBW support.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

W281x Series #

The WS2812 LED chip was designed by WorldSemi, a Chinese company that specializes in LED driver ICs. WorldSemi is the original manufacturer of WS28xx series products, but they are also available from other manufacturers such as Adafruit Industries LLC.

The WS281x Series LED Strips are often sold by Adafruit as "Neopixels", especially the WS2812b version.

The WS281x series of addressable LED strips are flexible and usually can be cut to any length. Usually the WS281x series are 5V, but newer versions comes with 12V or 24V options.

Generally slow data rate (800Kbps), therefore if you would want to connect more than a few hundred LEDs, you would have to investigate parallel output, which adds complexity, of course.

The older Ws281x Strips have 400 Hz PWM Frequency, while newer ones, from the WS2813 offers 200 Hz Refresh Frequency.

Older ones does not provide breakpoint resume, while the newer ones does, therefore for older ones only one data pin is required, while newer ones required 2 data pins.

Not nearly as good as APA102, but they are super cheap!

WS2801 #

📦 WS2801 Led Strip

The WS2801 is an older type of LED strip that uses a 2-wire SPI interface to control the LEDs, while the later WS281x Series uses a 1-wire protocol.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

WS2811 #

📦 WS2811 Led Strip

WS2811 newer version, still external. Can Control 3 LEDs with one LED driver IC, but usually controls 1 LED, therefore can but cut at every LED. Updated versions changed timing to be closer to WS2812, therefore if you have chips identified as WS2811, but are behaving badly, try using them as WS2812.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

WS2812 #

📦 WS2812 Led Strip

WS2812 is integrated into the LED package in SMD5050 form and, therefore can be cut at every LED. The WS2812B is the most common from the WS281x Series, sold by Adafruit as "Neopixels". It is an upgraded version of the WS2812, which has higher brightness and color uniformity, and more stable signal transmission.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

WS2813 #

📦 WS2813 Led Strip

The most significant new feature of the WS2813 is its LED bypass property. The WS2813 runs on dual-signal wires, with signal break-point continuous transmission. That means that if an LED in the middle of the chain burns, the circuit remains closed and the other LEDs will still light up. As long as no other adjacent LEDs are broken, the remaining LEDs will continue to work normally. When one LED is broken or burnt in a WS2812B strip, the circuit is broken and the other LEDs after in the chain will not work. The WS2813 has a higher refresh frequency rate of 2000 Hz, while the WS2812B has a lower frequency of 400 Hz.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

WS2814 #

📦 WS2814 Led Strip

WS2814 is first in the WS281x series to offer an RGBW design. Same features and refresh frequency as WS2813, but comes in external SOP12 package, instead of being integrated into SMD5050 LED.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

WS2815 #

📦 WS2815 Led Strip

The WS2815 is relative to and has the same features as the WS2813, but is working with 12V instead of 5V.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

WS2818 #

📦 WS2818 Led Strip

The newest version of WS281x Series, seems to be the upgrade of WS2814, as it have similar specifications and comes in external SOP8 package.

It is very recent and not widely available on the market, but they should start appearing more and more soon. Also consider, that the timings might have changed a bit and popular libraries as WLED or FastLED might not support it out-of-the-box.

Comes in several versions:

• WS2818: 24V
• WS2818A: 5V
• WS2818B: 12V

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

SK Series #

The SK Series Addressable LED driver ICs is designed by OPSCO Optoelectronics, a Chinese company. Very similar to the WS281x Series, in terms of performance. Also, it comes inbuilt into the same package as WS2812b, SMD5050. Both have similar interfaces and color orders. However, the SK Series has voltage-independent color and brightness over a wide voltage range, which means that the colors of the LEDs should not be affected by a drop in the supply voltage as much as they are on the WS2812B, for example.

Generally can be a good alternative, in case WS281x is not available, as it is similarly priced.

SK6812 #

📦 SK6812 Led Strip

Same as the SK6813, in terms of performance, but has RGBW support.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

SK6813 #

📦 SK6813 Led Strip

Single data line for communication, therefore doesn't have breakpoint resume, meaning if one LED breaks, the whole strip will not work. Typically uses the RGB (Red-Green-Blue) color order,

It comes in two variants - 5V or 12V. The 12V variant is called SK6813HV for ‘high voltage’. SK6813HV uses 12V as its main power input for each chip, VDD, which is then dropped down to 5V inside each pixel for its logic requirements. This allows longer chains of pixels to be driven in series, reducing the need for power injection 1.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

SK6818 #

📦 SK6818 Led Strip

Same as the SK6822, in terms of performance, but has RGBW support.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

SK6822 #

📦 SK6822 Led Strip

Uses 2 wires for data communication, one for data and one for breakpoint resume function, to allow bypassing the LED if it fails. Typically uses the GRB (Green-Red-Blue) color order.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

SK9822 #

📦 SK9822 Led Strip

Often called a clone or alternative of APA102, as it has very similar specifications. Often considered more affordable than APA102 LEDs. However, there are some differences to note:

• Color Order: SK9822 typically uses the GRB (Green-Red-Blue) color order, while APA102 uses the BGR (Blue-Green-Red) color order
• Timing: There may be slight timing differences in the communication protocol between SK9822 and APA102

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

UCS Series #

The UCS series of addressable LED strips includes UCS8903 and UCS8904. These LED strips are flexible and can be cut to any length.

UCS8903 #

📦 UCS8903 Led Strip

The 16-bit color data design of UCS8903 improves color resolution and dimming curves. Its PWM rate is a bit slow, but still offers flicker-free footage on standard cameras. The control circuit comes in a SOP8 package, allowing for more flexibility with LED choice.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

UCS8904 #

📦 UCS8904 Led Strip

UCS8904 offers all the same features as its RGB version, UCS8903 but is dedicated to RGBW. The control circuit comes in a SOP8 package, providing more options for LED selection.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

TM Series #

The TM series of addressable LED strips includes TM1814 and TM1829. These LED strips are flexible and can be cut to any length. They are used in various applications such as home decoration, bars, KTV decoration, garden landscapes, stadiums, exhibition halls, hotels, villas, high-end clubs, and more 12345.

TM1814 #

📦 TM1814 Led Strip

The 12-bit color data design of TM1814 improves color resolution and dimming curves. Its PWM rate is slightly faster than the UCS series and offers flicker-free footage on standard cameras. The control circuit comes in a SOP8 package, allowing for more flexibility with LED choice.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

TM1829 #

📦 TM1829 Led Strip

TM1829 is an upgraded version of TM1814. It features improved optics that enhance the PWM rate and a different data timing method that facilitates faster data transfer speedsThe chip receives data from the controller and sends it to the next LED in the chain.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

LDP Series #

LDP Series strips are made by Qiancai Electronics, a Chinese company.

LDP6803 #

📦 LDP6803 Led Strip

LDP6803 provides RGB 5-bit colors and 1000 Hz PWM frequency, making it an average-performance LED Strip. It is a pretty old version, so that is not a huge surprise.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

LDP8806 #

📦 LDP8806 Led Strip

The upgraded version of LDP6803, the LDP8806 provides 8-bit RGB colors and has an improved PWM frequency by 4 times, at 4000 Hz, making it a powerful LED Strip.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

Other #

The above mentioned Addressable LED Strips Series are just the most popular out of many available LED Strips. While we are not covering ALL of the Addressable LED Strips, we have covered the ones that are widely available on the market and has good documentation on the protocols used to control the LEDs.

Apart the Series mentioned, there are also other LED Strips from different manufacturers that currently has only one option avalable:

GS8208 #

📦 GS8208 Led Strip

GS8208 is made by Genesis-Systech company and comes with a whopping 8000 Hz PWM Frequency, which is a lot, compared to the average in other Addressable LED Strips. Even though it is slower than APA102, it is still way better than the WS281x series. The GS8208 controls 8-bit with 12-bit built-in gamma correction LEDs. GS8208 also allows for a constant current pixel system, via a series LED connection.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

P9813 #

📦 P9813 Led Strip

The P9813 is made by Power MOS Microelectronics (formerly DMS Microelectronics) in China. The control circuit comes in a SOP14 package, which allows for more flexibility with LED choice. The P9813 LED strip is a 3-channel constant current driver IC with internal serial shift registers and cascaded driver circuits, using advanced high-voltage CMOS technology to achieve 256-level grayscale adjustment and output 16 million dynamic color chasing effects, which are suitable for industrial lighting.

💰 Where to Buy:

Prices may vary. Click to check current pricing:

Amazon.com Amazon.de

Conclusion #

With the great popularity and demand, there are a lot of different types of Addressable LED Strips nowadays. They all provide same functionality to control each LED on the strip individually, but each strip provides different specifications, such as color options - RGB, RGBW, different PWM frequencies, and does or does not include features, such as Breakpoint Resume.

With these many options it might be overwhelming to choose the best LED strip, but we hope this guide will help you make up your mind and select the most suitable strip for your project.