6 Steps to Choose Outdoor Waterproof LED Strip Lights

Outdoor waterproof LED strip lights are ideal for creating stunning outdoor spaces. That’s because outdoor waterproof LED strip lights provide bright illumination and plenty of customizability without consuming a lot of energy.

But when you’re looking for waterproof LED strip lights that can be used outdoors again, there’s more to consider than just looking for IP67 rating or IP68 rating LED strip lights, especially if you’re in the market for a wide array of outdoor LED strip lights.

So, how exactly do you choose an weatherproof outdoor waterproof LED strip that really suits your needs? Today, I’m going to share with you in detail the 6 key steps to choosing an outdoor waterproof LED strip light.

Step 1: What do you need to light up?

The first and most important consideration when choosing an weatherproof outdoor waterproof LED strip light is to determine what you want to illuminate. There are many outdoor spaces, and the requirements for lighting a wide space, such as a sidewalk or garden walkway, are different than those for lighting an outdoor billboard or patio decoration.

When planning the lighting of an outdoor space that involves a wide area, such as a large public plaza or the main road in an industrial park, you will need to use higher density and higher output outdoor LED strips in order to get enough light.

For example, you may need up to 3,100 lumens per meter of industrial outdoor LED strip lighting to illuminate a sidewalk, while only 1,640 to 3,280 lumens per meter would be sufficient if you were illuminating a porch. This is important, especially for outdoor lighting that should provide security or prevent accidents.

Step 2: What type of lighting do you need?

Once you have identified for your waterproof outdoor LED strip lighting, you then need to determine the type of lighting that is appropriate for it.

Tunable white waterproof LED strips are often ideal for lighting outdoor areas such as sidewalks, decks, and staircases that serve a practical purpose. The color temperature of these LED strips can be adjusted from 2700K to 6500K to meet the lighting needs of different scenarios.

If the lighting needs are specific to a pool, deck, outdoor bar, or signage, a single color waterproof LED strip is a smart choice for better illumination. These strips are generally available in cool white and warm white color options. Cool white is bright and clear, helping to emphasize outlines and details in areas that need to be clearly displayed, while warm white is softer and creates a warm, relaxing atmosphere that is ideal for outdoor bars and other casual entertainment venues.

Step 3: Where will the outdoor waterproof LED strip light be installed?

After clarifying the type of lighting you are going to use, the next key step is to choose the outdoor LED strip light installation location. determine the specific installation location of the waterproof LED strip light, not only help to accurately plan the power layout but also determine the applicable voltage of the strip light.

Usually, weatherproof outdoor waterproof LED light strips mainly exist in low voltage (DC12V and DC24V) and high voltage (AC110V and AC220V) two voltage specifications to choose from. It is important to note that when choosing between DC12V and DC24V, the wattage of the outdoor power supply should be given high priority.

From the point of view of electrical safety, in order to guarantee the safety and stability of the LED strip lighting system, it should be ensured that the wattage of the LED strip is at least 20% lower than the rated wattage of the power supply. In this way, it can effectively avoid the high voltage leading to damage to the components of the strip, or due to the voltage and power mismatch triggered by a series of safety hazards, so as to ensure that the outdoor light strip is in a stable electrical environment for long-term reliable operation.

Step 4: What materials will the waterproof LED strip light be attached to?

The nature of the material to which the strip is attached is critical when considering the installation of waterproof outdoor LED strips, which are manufactured using flexible circuit boards that allow them to be installed on all types of edges and curved surfaces. However, in order to avoid waterproof LED strips becoming detached during use, especially when the strips are continually exposed to complex outdoor environments, it is critical to choose an attachment material with a smooth surface.

Waterproof LED strips are usually fixed to the attachment material with the help of an adhesive. However, it should be noted that if there are too many grooves or unevenness on the surface of the attachment material, these interfering factors may render the adhesive ineffective and cause the strip to sag or even fall off.

It should be emphasized that adhesives are susceptible to deterioration in outdoor environments with high temperatures, high humidity, or moisture. In such cases, a smooth surface on which a mounting clip can be fitted is a more reliable solution. Mounting clips are small, clear clips with a screw fastening mechanism that securely hold the LED strip and screw it firmly into place.

If you can’t find a smooth surface or a wooden surface to attach your outdoor LED strip to during the actual installation, consider hot glue as an alternative. Hot glue is not only weatherproof, but it is also relatively easy to peel off from the surface to which it is attached when it is time to remove the strip.

Step 5: How long do you need your outdoor waterproof LED strip?

Determining the length of your outdoor waterproof LED strip is a critical part of the process that should not be overlooked.

Waterproof outdoor LED light strips typically come in lengths of approximately 16 ft, 32 ft, 50 ft, 65 ft, 100 ft, and 165 ft.

It is worth noting that, in terms of the correlation between the voltage and the length of the strip, a DC12V LED strip is limited by its electrical characteristics, usually shorter in length, mostly 3 to 16 ft; and a DC24V LED strip is due to higher power supply capacity, the corresponding length of the specification is more plentiful and longer, mostly 5 ft to 50 ft; an AC110V or AC220V LED strip, because of its driverless design, is usually up to 165 ft. AC110V or AC220V LED strips are usually up to 165 ft or even 328 ft in length due to their driverless design.

When faced with an actual lighting scenario, a strip length of 5 ft or 16 ft is usually sufficient to illuminate a small, specific space outdoors. However, if you need to illuminate a large area, such as the landscape lighting of a large commercial plaza or the overall lighting of a large outdoor parking lot, it’s much smarter to consider purchasing waterproof light strips on long reels.

Additionally, outdoor waterproof LED strips can be cut to size and are often purchased in bulk for a more favorable price.

Step 6: Explore Your Outdoor Waterproof LED Strip Options

Outdoor waterproof LED strips come in a variety of voltages, densities, and lengths, so following the steps above to choose the right LED strip is key to a successful lighting project. To help you find the right lighting solution for your project, check out our various types of outdoor IP67/IP68 waterproof LED strip options below.

At SignliteLED, we have UL-compliant and ETL-compliant outdoor waterproof LED strip lights with protection ratings of IP20, IP54, IP65, IP67, and IP68 for both indoor and outdoor projects. Our LED strip lights also come in a variety of lengths, densities, colors, and voltages, so you’re sure to find the right lighting solution!

If you need help choosing the right outdoor waterproof LED strip lights for your project, tell us about your project, and we’ll help you get the right parts for your LED strip lighting. Chat live with one of our lighting experts on our website or contact us via email!