2022 What’s The Difference Between Strip And Rope Lights?

2022 What’s The Difference Between Strip And Rope Lights?

When you look at lighting in your home, you can see the combination of strip and rope lighting and wonder what the main differences are.

After all, they look pretty much the same - instead of a primary light source like you get with a bulb, you get a series of lights in a row.

But they are not the same, and you must understand what these differences are because they will influence you to decide which one is right for your home.

Strip lights are designed as permanent fixtures, while rope lights are more temporary, ideal for outdoor use or on rented property. Strip lights are usually brighter, but electrical components are more visible - they are best used in the cove or under the unit where the strip itself is not visible.

Let's dive a little deeper as we explore:

• The main difference between strip and rope lights
• Which one should you choose for your bedroom?
• When rope lights are a good option

Strip light vs. rope light: The main difference

A screen of illuminated fairy light

The most obvious difference between strip and rope lights is where you put them in your room

Strip lights are more of a permanent installation - they should be attached to the wall or surface where you are going to use them, and then you leave them there until they fail or you decide you don't want them anymore.

Rope lights are more temporary and do not stick to any surface. You can wrap them around the bedpost instead or use them outside on top of the fence or along the edge of a patio.

Another key difference is the close-up look of the lights.

A strip light usually has all the elements in the display, which makes them look quite technical.

These aren't usually on your show, but they are much better hidden in a covering or false ceiling or under a cabinet or shelving for downlighting.

The rope lights are completely enclosed, and when you look at the wires connecting each light, there is nothing like 'circuitry'. So it is not unpleasant to turn off the light of rope in an open space.

Since rope lights are tied, they are sometimes (though not always) rated for outdoor use.

You should not be surprised to learn that lights must be waterproof if they are to be used in contact with the material - strip lights can only be used outside if they have a protective sealed cover, where some rope light is good to go.

Strip lights tend to be more flexible in their lighting options. For example, rope lights are usually either one color, or they offer a selection of colors but are relatively limited.

With Strip Lite, you can get single-tone options, but there are also full RGB strips that give you a choice of 16 million different shades.

There are also RGBIC strips with multiple chips that allow a single strip to display a range of different colors at once - so you can have a rainbow effect along the wall.

However, not all rope lights are basic. There are some options from popular brands like Govee and Philips Hue (Amazon) that offer a vibrant mix of shades, but they are really expensive.

They seem to benefit as a uniform light, although you can achieve the same with strip lights if you use a diffuser cover.

Is strip light brighter than rope light?

There is no definite answer: all strip lights are brighter than all rope lights. It depends on the light you are buying.

By and large, most strip lights will be brighter than rope lights, especially if you compare strip and rope lights of the same price.

The density of LEDs - how close they are together - is often higher in strip lights, which has the greatest effect on brightness.

If your priority is to find a bright light to illuminate a room, look for a strip light instead of a rope light if possible, and choose a high-density one - 60 LEDs per meter or more.

Which light is more suitable for a bedroom?

Bedroom with rope light wall

It all depends on what you want for your bedroom lighting. Everyone's needs are different.

Suppose you own your home and want a more permanent lighting solution that is brighter. In this case, a strip light would be a good solution, especially if you already have a caving or a false ceiling where you can install it without visible circuitry.

Your bedroom has multiple purposes, but mainly you want somewhere where you can sleep, so brightness is not always the biggest consideration.

Relaxation is more important. Although you need to use your bedroom as a place to wake up or study, it is useful to have lights that can be bright, but there are other lights that you can use for this.

Rope lights are much more flexible (both literally and figuratively), so wrapping them around your headboard can be a great option.

Then you have the light which is enough to serve for reading, but it will be soft enough that you can send yourself to sleep comfortably.

Just consider the color before buying.

Strip lights usually give you the option to adjust the color and temperature of the light, but if you want a rope light, get one with a warm light as it will be better to relax at night, re-create the feeling of the sunset instead of bright mid-day light.

Overall, there is no definite answer as to whether your bedroom should have strip or rope lights - it depends on your needs and circumstances. You might even want both!

When should I choose a rope light over a strip light?

String light

Because strip lights are brighter and have more color flexibility, they are often the default choice if you can install them.

But you will not always be. For example, if you rent your apartment or move to a Dorm as a student, you will have rules about what you can and cannot do.

The adhesive used in strip lights can damage the walls, and the paint, when removed, can incur costs when going out to repair the damage.

Rope lights can also be used in places where you cannot block strip lights.

You can wrap them around fence posts, or you may want a lighting option to use in the summer before you bring them inside the house in the winter when you don't need them.

The final word

Although strip and rope lights are closely related, they must have different uses.

If you are new to LED lighting, you need to stop and think about what you want from your lighting before committing to shopping.

If you’re looking for a way to add atmosphere to a home without promising permanent change, or you want something to brighten up your evening in the garden, rope lighting is a solid temporary solution.

But LED strip lights are relatively inexpensive (although there is no risk of buying a poor-quality alternative), can last a very long time, and are surprisingly flexible whether you want bright or subtle lighting as a semi-permanent alternative.