Short answer: for a bedroom, a 24V RGB strip in a 15–20 m kit is the right buy — around $25.99–$27.99 with US plug, app and remote, and enough length to run a full ceiling perimeter. Use a cheaper USB strip only for a TV backlight. All prices below are from stock we carry.
How much length do you actually need?
This is the decision people get wrong, and it is expensive to get wrong because strips cannot be extended arbitrarily without voltage drop. Measure first:
- Behind a TV — 2–5 m. A USB-powered strip is sufficient and simplest.
- Around a headboard or under a bed — 5–10 m.
- Full ceiling perimeter of an average bedroom — 15–20 m. This is where 24V kits start making sense.
- Whole room plus skirting or coving — 30–40 m.
Buy one continuous run rather than joining short strips. Every connector is a failure point and a visible bright spot.
Compare the range
| Product | Price from | Power | Control | Water rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USB RGB Strip, 5050 SMD | $14.99 | USB | App + remote, music sync | Indoor | TV backlight, short runs |
| 24V RGB Strip Kit, 5–40 m | $21.99 | 24V mains | App + remote, music sync | IP20 | Whole-room bedroom runs |
| RGBIC String / Festoon Lights | $10.99 | Mains | App + voice, music sync | IP65 | Cosy light, balconies, outdoors |
| 24V RGB Neon Flex Strip | $40.99 | 24V mains | Bluetooth app + remote | IP67 | Feature walls, wet areas |
| RGB Hexagonal Smart Wall Lamp | $62.99 | Mains | WiFi app, music sync | Indoor | Gaming walls, modular shapes |
Prices are the lowest variant price at time of writing. Longer kits cost more — the 24V RGB kit runs $25.99 for 15 m and $31.99 for 40 m with a US plug.
Types explained
1. USB RGB strips — for TV backlighting
Powered from the TV's own USB port, so they switch on and off with the screen and add no extra plug. Our USB RGB Strip starts at $14.99 for 1 m and is available up to 15 m, with app, remote and music sync.
Best for: TV and monitor backlighting, desks, short accent runs.
2. 24V mains strips — for whole rooms
Voltage is the spec that matters on long runs. A 5V or 12V strip dims noticeably toward the far end past about 5 m; 24V holds brightness much further, which is why every long kit worth buying is 24V.
Our 24V RGB Strip Kit covers 5–40 m (16–131 ft) with app and remote control. Choose the US plug variant.
Best for: ceiling perimeters, coving, full bedroom installs.
3. Neon flex — for shapes and wet areas
Neon flex diffuses the individual LEDs into a continuous line of light, so you see a glowing tube rather than dots. It bends into letters and shapes and, at IP67, survives bathrooms and outdoor use. Our 24V RGB Neon Flex starts at $40.99, with US sets at $75.99 for 15 m and $83.99 for 20 m.
Best for: feature walls, signage, bathrooms, outdoor runs.
4. RGBIC string and festoon lights — for warmth over colour
RGBIC means segments can show different colours at once, rather than the whole run being one colour. Our RGBIC String Lights start at $10.99, with 10 m at $19.99 and 40 m at $42.99, and are IP65 rated for outdoor use.
Best for: cosy bedroom light, balconies, gardens, parties.
5. Modular wall panels
The RGB Hexagonal Smart Wall Lamp is $62.99 for a 10-piece WiFi set you arrange into custom shapes. A different product from strip lighting — it is a wall feature, not room lighting.
Installing strip lights properly
- Measure the full run first, including corners, and add 10%.
- Clean the surface with isopropyl alcohol and let it dry. Adhesive fails on dusty or freshly painted surfaces — new paint needs a fortnight to cure.
- Test the whole strip before peeling the backing. Lay it in position, power it on, check for dead segments.
- Never bend sharply. Use corner connectors at 90° turns; a hard fold breaks the copper trace.
- Plan the power end. Decide which end reaches a socket before you stick anything down.
- Consider aluminium channel on anything at eye level. It hides the dots and roughly doubles adhesive life.
Our top picks
- Best for a bedroom: 24V RGB Strip Kit — from $21.99 ($25.99 for 15 m, US plug)
- Best for a TV: USB RGB Strip, 5050 SMD — from $14.99
- Best cosy option: RGBIC String Lights, IP65 — from $10.99
- Best for feature walls: 24V RGB Neon Flex, IP67 — from $40.99
Frequently asked questions
How many metres of LED strip do I need for a bedroom?
Measure the perimeter of the ceiling or the run you intend to light and add about 10% for corners and slack. A typical bedroom ceiling perimeter is 15–20 m.
Why does the far end of my strip look dimmer?
Voltage drop. Low-voltage strips lose brightness over distance, which is why 24V kits are the right choice beyond roughly 5 m. Powering a long run from both ends also helps.
Can LED strips be cut to length?
Yes, but only at the marked cut points, usually every three LEDs. Cutting anywhere else breaks the circuit for that segment.
Will the adhesive damage paint when removed?
It can, particularly on emulsion or freshly painted walls. Warm the strip gently with a hairdryer and peel slowly at a shallow angle. On rented walls, mount to aluminium channel fixed with removable strips instead.
Do LED strips work outdoors?
Only rated ones. IP65 handles rain, IP67 handles heavy exposure and brief submersion. Our IP20 indoor kits are not suitable outdoors or in bathrooms.
What is the difference between RGB and RGBIC?
RGB shows one colour across the whole strip at a time. RGBIC controls segments independently, so you get gradients and chase effects. RGBIC costs more and is worth it only if you want moving effects.
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