COB strip presents a continuous line of light with no visible dotting; SMD strip is a row of individual emitters. Where the strip is visible, or where the diffuser sits close to it, that difference decides the job, and no amount of specification on the datasheet changes what the eye sees.

Vehicle and marine installations also punish strip that was designed for architectural use. Silicone coated versions survive wash-down and condensation; bare strip in a cabin headliner does not last a season of humidity, and the failure appears as dead segments rather than as a dead run.

Addressable RGB strip adds chasing and colour change for underbody and accent work. It needs a controller and a clean supply, which is why it is usually specified alongside a switch panel and a fused harness rather than on its own.