Archive:LED-Comparison

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Comparison LED Stripes: WS2812B, SK6812, APA102, SK9822

For group buys, see LED strips

Overview

All LEDs are SMD 5050 based (i.e. are the same size). There are RGB and RGBW variants for some of them (W of RGBW is used for an additional pure white LED).

These LEDs fall into two categories:

• WS2812B, SK6812:
  • 3 Pins
  • One wire to control LED (asynchronous)
  • Refresh rate of 400Hz, restricted data rate of 800Hz
  • Not suitable for POV (Persistence of Vision) applications (too slow in refreshing)
  • Interrupt compatibility

• APA102, SK9822
  • 4 Pins
  • 2 wire SPI pin (CLK & DAT) (synchronous)
  • No strict timing necessary, faster contol rate [Data & PWM], high (20 kHz) refresh rates
  • Suitable for POV (Persistence of Vision) applications.
  • Color-independent brightness control
  • A little more expensive

Summary: If you need better timing, want to build POV application, need interrupts, go for APA102/SK9822, otherwise you can go for the WS2812B/SK6812

WS2812B vs SK6812

From: https://www.pololu.com/category/180/sk6812-ws2812b-based-led-strips

The original members of this category were LED strips based on the WS2812B LED driver, but those have now been replaced with LED strips featuring the newer SK6812 LED driver. The SK6812 is very similar to the WS2812B, and can be used as a drop-in replacement in most applications because it features the same interface and color order (so LED strips based on the SK6812 and WS2812B can be chained together). The main difference between the two drivers is that the SK6812 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.

Datasheets:

• SK6812
• WS2812B

Summary: Go for the SK6812.

Note: APA104 is another clone of the WS2812b, there are not many information yet. Claims to be cheaper. If oyu have tested them, add your information here.

APA102 vs SK9822

Not that much information, SK9822 seems to be slightly different and a better clone. Some sources have different statements whether they are fully compatible or not (thus, if the software libraries support them or not). If you already tested them, add your results here.

Datasheets:

• SK9822
• APA102

Summary: In case you are unsure, go with the APA102

Others

• WS2813: Not compatible with WS2812b (though they are announced as successors), has 4 pins etc. Main advantage: if one LED fails, the rest of the strip still works
• WS2801: External (old) driver chip
• WS2811: External driver chip to build own LED stripes, WS2811b = LEDs with WS2811 driver chip, predecessor of WS2812b
• APA104: Clone of WS2812b, no further information Datasheet
• APA106: Single LED, no stripes, similar to WS2812 protocol