Breaking Down: RGB, RGB+IC, RGBW+IC Light Strips from Tapo and Kasa

 

	Tapo			Kasa
	Tapo L900	Tapo L920	Tapo L930	Kasa KL400	Kasa KL420
RGB v RGBW, RGBIC	RGB	RGB+IC	RGBW+IC	RGB	RGB+IC
Available Lengths (m)	10m, 20m	5m, 10m	5m	5m, 10m	5m
Available Lengths (ft)	32.8ft, 65.6ft	16.4ft, 32.8ft	16.4ft	16.4ft, 32.8ft	16.4ft
Color Zones	1 Zone	50 Zones / 5m	50 Zones / 5m	1 Zone	50 Zones / 5m
Brightness / LED Concentration	Approximately 400 Lumens Per 5m Length	Approximately 550 Lumens Per 5m Length	Approximately 1000 Lumens Per 5m Length	Approximately 550 Lumens Per 5m Length	Approximately 550 Lumens Per 5m Length
IP44 PU Coating	✖️	✔️	✔️	✖️	✔️
Apple HomeKit			✔️
Alexa and Google Home	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️	✔️
Light Temperature			✔️
Different Color Zones	✖️	✔️	✔️	✖️	✔️
Sync-To-Sound	✔️	✔️	✔️	✖️	✖️

 

*Please Note that All Lumen Ratings except for the Tapo L930 should be used for reference, as the lack of a separate white LED makes it impossible to accurately measure and receive certification. 

What is the Difference Between RGB, RGBW, RGBIC?

 

RGB	Red, Green, Blue: The Standard Three LEDs That Create Any Color with Different Mixes – This is not representative of any feature, other than the fact that the strip allows for custom colors and lighting.
W	The ‘W’ Stands for the color white. This means that the light strip has an additional white LED which allows the light strip to support color temperature changes from 2500K to 6500K.
+IC	The IC stands for “Integrated Circuit” or “Independent Control” which allows for the strip to be divided and controlled in segments, allowing for animations or multi-color strips. This is a result of there being a controller on each LED diode, rather than one for the entire strip.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is the minimum length of the strip that the customer can control for the color?

Always Ensure that you are cutting your Light Strips at Points Marked Along the Strip with a Scissor Icon

For RGBIC Lights: Ensure that you do not cut the LEDs in the middle of a color zone.  The Tapo L920-5 Supports 50 Separate Color Zones – This means that the minimum length is 10cm for each zone, which consists of 3 LEDs.

For RGB Lights: You may cut the strip anywhere there is a designated marking on the strip. As the entire strip can only use one color at a time, you do not need to consider color zones.

What is the best method for bending or making 90° Turns?

Excessive Bending or Misuse of the LED Strip may result in the device not functioning, please take care to follow the installation instructions to understand the limitations of your device.

• Verify that the location of a Bend Is In-Between LED Diodes
• Do Not Wrap the Strip around a sharp angle.
• When turning 90°, such as when creating Bias lighting behind a TV, consider using the technique in the second image to help evenly distribute the light.

 

How Do I Cut the Light Strip to the necessary length?

Ensure that you are always cutting your lights strip at the marked points.

 

Are These LED Strips Rated for Outdoor Use?

No. While the IP44 PU Coating will protect the physical length of the light strip from water, the controller, wires and plug are not rated for outdoor use and will likely experience issues with humidity and temperature fluctuations.

 

 

Related Links:

Tapo Lighting Effects 2.0 With 70 Unique Preset Effects

Activate Tapo or Kasa Lighting Effects via a Voice Assistant and Tapo Shortcut

Feedback Opportunity: What Do You Look for in a Smart LED Strip?

Understanding the Difference Between LED Strips (RGB, RGBIC, RGBIC+W)