LED controllers, also called LED light controllers, are used to adjust the brightness level, select the lights’ color, control the color-changing modes, etc. They are also used for remotely controlling the effect of LED strips through wireless or Bluetooth connections.
LED controllers to come in different varieties like wired or wireless LED controllers, single or multi-color LED strip controller, programmable LED controllers, DMX LED controllers, DALI RGB controllers, and controllers which can be controlled by a smartphone. These LED controllers’ price and quality are measured by how effectively they can control LED strip lights’ effect.
Like the example mentioned above, we can divide all shades of LED controller because the usage of these controllers are diverse, and they come in much variety.
Let’s discuss all of the controllers mentioned above in detail.
Wired or Wireless LED Controllers
Wired LED Controllers
Wired LED controllers are also called inline LED controllers. These controllers are placed between the LED driver and LED strip lights, and to adjust lighting effects, you need to go to the controller physically.
Wireless LED Controllers
Wireless LED controller works on the principle that a remote sender sends the signal to the receiver, and then the receiver controls the LED strip. This control can be adjusting brightness, changing the order of LED strip lights functionality, etc. Wireless controllers can be further divided into:
01. WiFi LED Controller
WiFi LED controller uses Wi-Fi signals to connect the sender, which can be a remote, mobile phone, etc., to the controller. It requires a network. WiFi LED controller has the most comprehensive control range among other wireless controllers. For example, this Wi-Fi LED driver in the picture below can change a million colors and be controlled by merely downloading the ‘Magic Home Pro’ application from the play store.
02. RF LED Controller
RF, in this controller, refers to radiofrequency. This controller uses a radio signal to connect the sender and receiver, and the radio signal can pass through the wall. RF LED controller is considered a medium-range controller. For example, the below RF LED controller can control the RGBW and RGB-CCT LED strip light.
03. Bluetooth LED Controller
The Bluetooth LED controller connects the sender and controller through a Bluetooth signal. As the Bluetooth does not require a network to operate, the Bluetooth LED controller can work where you do not have the network. Below are two newest bluetooth for RGBW and RGB-CCT led strip lights.
04. IR LED Controller
In IR LED controller, infrared rays are used to connect the sender and controller. This controller needs to be placed in the sender’s line of sight because infrared cannot pass barriers. The most commonly used IR LED controllers are 24 key or 44 key controllers. This style is also the hottest selling style on Amazon. It’s the oldest style in the market and almost 10years began to sell, the price is also affordable, easy to use, suitable for the users. And in lately 2 years, the RGB LED strip with 44keys RGB controller has become extremely hot on the TikTok due to more easy programmable features for boys and girls.
Touch Panel Controller
Modern-day LED controllers widely use touch panels because of their aesthetic look and higher sensitivity. They are mainly used in RGB color control and temperature control.
LED Controller For Single Color LED Strips
05. Touch Dimming Controller
This LED Dimming controller is mainly to control the single white led strip light. Many people want to their LED strip could be dimmable. All the LED strips are only dimmable if they are connected to a suitable dimmable transformer or controller. If you dim an LED strip that is already connected to a non-dimmable transformer, you will damage the transformer. You can use any of suitable methods with any of the single-colour or white LED strips. For our RGB LED strips, you will need an RGB controller. This touch dim panel can control the led strip via RF,RF+DMX ,DMX RF+0-10V and WiFi signal.
LED Controller For Multi-Color LED Strips
06. Touch Tunable White LED Controller
This LED controller is also known as CCT LED controller. Tunable white LED controller is placed between the LED driver and tunable LED strip. It is mainly used to control the temperature and brightness of the white color.
07. Touch RGB LED Controller
RGB LED controller is used to control RGB LED strips. The main functions of this controller include brightness adjustment, color selection, and color changes. RGB LED controller can operate via IR, RF, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi signal. The wide range and multi-zone control ability are making it a user choice for controlling multi-color LED strips.
08. Touch RGBW LED Controller
RGBW LED controller is used to operate the RGBW(4in1) LED strips. It has mainly four channels. Besides green, red and blue channels, it has a white channel too.
09. Touch RGB+CCT LED Controller
This controller is a combination of an RGB LED controller and Tunable white LED controller. RGB+CCT LED controller has five channels: three channels of RGB and two channels of Tunable white LED controller.
10. Multi-zone RGB LED Controller
A zone is a group of LED strips that are controlled by the same control signal. By using this controller, you can control different zones of the LED strips. For example, if there are three zones, and you want all the lights to go red at the same time, it can be done by using a Multi-zone RGB LED controller.
Programmable LED Controller
A programmable LED controller is used to customize certain functions while controlling the LED strips. Most of the controllers used through a cell phone are programmable, and you can customize the particular aspect of color scheme, color temperature, etc. The list may include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and RF controllers. More complicated programmable LED controllers are DMX controller and DALI controllers.
11. DMX512 Controller
DMX512 controller can control 512 channels separately, and that is why it can produce unlimited lighting effects. DMX is ‘Digital Multiplex,’ which is a kind of transmission method of signals. It is also called an addressable LED controller. The working principle is that the decoder converts DMX signals into PWM signals and these signals then control normal LED strips. So, the DMX512 controller can control the addressable led strip light directly, but also can control the normal LED strip with connecting DMX512 decoder. If needed, multiple DMX receivers can be connected and controlled by a single LED controller.
12. DALI Controller
DALI refers to the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface. This controller is used to control the larger number of LED strips. For example, all the lighting of the building can be controlled by using a DALI master controller. The DALI controller is similar to the DMX controller, including controlling the color scheme and controlling different zones.
Is there any difference between 12V and 24V LED light strip controllers?
LED strip controllers available in the market are mostly compatible with both 12V, and 24V LED strip lights. When you LED driver, it is based on the voltage of LED strip lights and not on the voltage of LED controllers. However, the output of LED strip light controllers must be greater than the cumulative wattage of the LED strip lights.
Summary
In a nutshell, you have a wide variety of LED controllers available, and these controllers provide you an opportunity to turn your dreams into a reality. The wide variety also allows you to select a LED controller based on your budget and live in a luminous environment. For more information on the LED controller and to see the variety, you can visit this website:
LED Light Accessories
