COB LED vs Quantum Board: What Is Ideal For Indoor Farming – RGBLEDWORLD

COB LED vs quantum board: which technology is the best to use for growing plants? An increasing population all over the world faces many challenges, especially in the scarcity of food resources. At the same time, due to an increase in population, land development for housing has been more active, converting agricultural lands into housing projects. This results in a decrease in crop production. 

Due to a decrease in crop production,  many innovations and methods have been developed just to sustain the needs of the people. An artificial production method is one way to increase crop production. 

For the artificial production methods to succeed, sustained lighting is needed. (Chip on Board) COB LED and quantum board lights are the rising technologies used as lighting for artificial production. Also, these types of technology are commonly set up in an indoor environment where lighting is limited. As we all know, plants need light to keep them strong and grow healthy. This technology is perfect for providing the light needed by plants.

What is a COB LED?

COB stands for “chip on board”; as the name itself states, it is an LED technology where multiple LED chips are attached to a module. The unique arrangement of the chips on a board, which is very different from the traditional LED chip arrangement, makes its light intensity higher and light output consistent, which is preferred by plant growers.  

What are the Different Characteristics of a COB LED?

Compact and convenient to use 

COB LEDs consist of LED chips that are closely placed together in a board, thus making the unit compact. On the other hand, it’s convenient to use, especially in smaller spaces.

Lights are concentrated 

Since the LED chips are closely placed together, the lights produced in this area usually concentrate at an area.

Uniform light distribution

The lights in COB LED can achieve a uniform and consistent light distribution. And since consistent lighting is very important in growing plants to reduce or eliminate hot spots, COB LEDs can be of great use.

Enhanced color mixing

This type of LED can produce both warm and cool colors, depending on what you need and want to use. This also ensures that the light produced would be more natural for the growth of plants.

Reduced glare

Although glare is not particularly significant to plant growers. Reduced glare is also one of the characteristics of COB LED.

Color temperature 

Another characteristic of COB LED is the color temperature.  Color temperature in this type of LED varies depending on your needs. Therefore, using this lighting can make any plants grow.

Multifaceted

Having excellent lighting features, COB LEDs can be used in various industries and fields. Aside from farming, it can also be used for screen display and general lighting.

What is a Quantum Board?

Comparing the COB LED vs quantum board, the latter’s purpose was basically for growing plants. This lighting technology has been popularly used in the agricultural market.  A quantum board is designed for indoor farming. The LED lights are arranged in a panel to provide the lighting needed to grow plants effectively. Also, the following are some of the special features of quantum boards.

Efficiently converts energy

Energy is converted efficiently into light, with less energy waste, in this type of lighting technology. High-quality LEDs are used, that is why it has become one of the top lighting options. 

Full spectrum LED mode

Full-spectrum LED mode means that the lights for quantum boards can provide different wavelengths. This means that the light needed for the growth of a plant can be accurately produced.

Expandable setup

Comparing the COB LED vs quantum board, the latter has a flexible setup. Quantum boards are designed in a way that if the area expands or you move to a larger area, a number of boards can be added to meet the required lighting for the area and for the plants to be grown there.

Optimized brightness and darkness 

Quantum boards have the capacity to adjust the brightness or the darkness in the area. Therefore, depending on the needs of the plant to grow, if the light is too bright, it can be adjusted to the required dimness.

Durability

LED lights have been used in quantum boards. Since LED lights are especially durable and long-lasting, the board would also be durable. Some models of quantum boards last for 50,000 hours or more.

COB LED vs Quantum Board: Differences in Light Intensity

There are some things to consider when choosing the lighting. The first thing to look into is the brightness or the lighting. Which of these two has higher light intensity? Growing plants need enough brightness for them to grow healthy. 

What is their Light Distribution?

Comparing the COB vs quantum board, the former is closely placed together, which makes the light intensity higher. Because of this, the light is more concentrated and may sometimes cause hot spot effects, which are often seen in COB LEDs. On the other hand, in quantum boards, lights are distributed evenly, which can be perfect for growing plants.

What are the Designs for Fixtures?

Let’s compare the fixture design of COB LED vs quantum board. The design of the fixtures affects the light distribution. The COB LED’s fixture design shows that multiple chips are placed in a single substrate, which could affect the light distribution.

On the other hand, quantum boards have LEDs arranged in panels or flat boards. Thus, the lighting distributions are more uniform than COB LED.

How many LEDs are there?

The number of LEDs in a panel or module will depend on the model. Also, the decision of how many LEDs there are will solely depend on the manufacturer. 

What is their Light Variation?

Generally speaking, every plant is different. Therefore, the light they require to grow properly varies. Thus, having indoor farming requires a broad spectrum of lighting. And looking at both the COB LED and quantum board, they both possess a broad light spectrum. A full light spectrum makes it possible to have the right light variations needed for the plants to grow.

What is the Light’s Consistency 

Light consistency is the ability to distribute light uniformly. Comparing COB LED vs quantum board, we can say that the latter has a greater advantage over light consistency. Because of the design of the quantum board, the light can be evenly distributed. Unlike in a COB LED, the lights in the center tend to experience the hotspot effect.

How Wide Can the Light Cover?

How wide can the light from quantum board and COB LED covers?. It is usually more efficient for a quantum board to cover a specific area than the COB LED. The configuration for the COB LED usually depends on the manufacturer. 

Can Brightness be Controlled?

Looking at the control for brightness, both options have that feature. Both options can lessen the brightness if it’s too bright. 

COB LED vs Quantum Board: Differences in Light Quality and Spectrum

Light quality and light spectrum are two distinct features of a lighting technology.  With these two options, the COB LED and quantum boards, it is important to compare the light quality and spectrum of both to determine which option to choose. 

COB LED Performance

In relation to the light quality and spectrum, here are some of its characteristics and features.

Color Rendering Index (CRI)

Color rendering index is a measurement of the accuracy of color. A high color rendering index means that the light used for COB LED is closer to the light from the sun. Therefore, since plants need the sun’s light, using COB LED is an advantage.

Set up Option

Comparing COB LED vs. quantum board, the former can be customized.  You can adjust the colors, as well as the wavelength levels of the technology. Customizing the setup helps you achieve the required lighting for your plant. 

Spectrum Option

Since COB LEDs are designed for customization, you can choose the range of spectrum needed for growing the plant. This also shows how flexible COB LED  is. 

Quantum Board Performance

On the other hand, here are some of the qualities quantum boards possess. 

Full Spectrum

Just like COB LED, quantum boards possess a broad light spectrum. In this way, the light produced by this technology is almost like the sun’s natural light. This quality is very useful for indoor farming, where sunlight cannot penetrate. 

Spectrum Consistency

Another quality and quantum board possesses a consistent and uniform spectrum. This means that light is distributed evenly to the area. 

Spectrum Efficiency 

It is known that quantum boards are very efficient. The lighting produced by this technology is within the range where it can activate photosynthesis in plants. 

COB LED vs Quantum Board: Differences in Energy Efficiency 

Energy efficiency of a particular technology is one factor that customers watch out for. A technology that is energy efficient helps us save money.

COB LED 

Here are some important things we need to understand about COB LEDs.

Customization 

The design for a COB LED can be customized depending on your needs. Therefore, to improve energy efficiency, it is allowed to decide the specifications for the number and types of LED chips to use. 

Fundamental Chips 

The fundamental chips are important when we are talking about energy efficiency. The LED chips used for COB LEDs have high luminous efficiency, which can produce higher light outputs.

Thermal Management

When the COB LEDs produce light, heat can also be emitted. Therefore, thermal management is necessary to not overheating the device and extend its lifespan longer. And we can say that COP LEDs have great thermal management that efficiently dispels heat.

Quantum Board 

Comparing COB LED vs. quantum board, the latter has the following characteristics for energy efficiency 

Design

The design of quantum boards is made to produce maximum energy efficiency. Thus, the board can produce light without using much energy. 

LED Structure

The quantum board uses mid-powered LEDs. Using such LED lighting can supply the desired amount of light without consuming too much energy. In this sense, using such LEDs can lead to energy efficiency.  

Light Distribution

One of the characteristics of a quantum board is uniform and consistent light distribution.  Therefore, it can easily light up the entire area, covering all the plants there.

COB LED vs Quantum Board: Cost and Price

The budget for a certain project must be determined to be able to come up with the best option to use. Therefore, comparing the cost and price of the COB LED and quantum board is necessary. Indoor farming can be expensive; therefore, the budget and cost must match to have a more efficient facility. 

Initial Cost

COB LEDs’ initial cost is generally affordable. However, the initial cost for buying a quantum board is surprisingly more affordable, even if it’s a brand-new unit. Which is a great option also for its characteristics in growing plants. Further, the price can also be changed depending on other factors such as the current trends.

Operational Cost

Light drivers are tools that can be added to improve functionality, at the same time increasing the operational cost. 

Comparing COB LED vs. quantum board, the former doesn’t necessarily require a driver. However, quantum boards use additional drivers that could improve their function. However, the operational cost increases.

Upgrade Cost 

Upgrades and customization are done to meet the desired specification needed; however, this can increase the cost of the board. In this aspect, it is usually the COB LED with a higher cost for additional features, such as light modulation, than the quantum boards.

Additional Tool Cost

There are instances when additional tools are required for thermal management. Usually, COB LEDs require fewer additional tools than the quantum boards. Quantum boards required additional thermal management solutions, which could increase their cost.

Let’s look at the comparison of the expenses between COB LED and quantum boards.

Conclusion

COB LED vs quantum board: which is better for indoor farming? That would always be the question asked. Before answering that question, comparing them with each other is the best way to do it. The answer to that question would always depend on the specifications you need and your budget.