How Long Do LED Strip Lights Last? How Usage, Currents, and More Affect Lifespan

The benefits of LED lights are illuminating, which is why many homeowners install them underneath kitchen cabinets, in home offices, and more. But how long do LED strip lights last? 

Before you install LED strip lighting, learn more about what affects their lifespan, how much you’ll pay, and how to get them most out of them. 

What Is the Lifespan of LED Strip Lights?

LED lights are energy efficient and have a longer lifespan than other bulbs—but exactly how long do LED strip lights last? 

On average, LED strip lights last between 4 to 6 years. That said, when you look at the packaging, you’ll probably find that many manufacturers offer the strip light’s lifespan in hours. 

50,000 hours is the industry standard for most LED products. This means that if you run your lights continuously, at least in theory, they should burn bright for about 5.7 years.

The number of hours strip lights can burn doesn’t answer the whole question. LED lights don’t burn out or flicker like incandescent bulbs do—but will eventually reach a point of dimness where they may no longer be suitable for the job you need them for.

The LED industry actually created labels to estimate how long these bulbs will be effective. You can find these labels on the side of boxes, written like this:

• L90

• L80

• L70

• L50

An L90 rating means 90% of the bulb’s output should still be available at the 50,000-hour mark. (This means L90 bulbs will also cost more than L50 bulbs, generally speaking.)

What Factors Affect How Long LED Strip Lights Will Last?

The flow of current, frequency, and how you’ll use the lights all determine how long your LED strip lights will last. If you aren’t sure what will work best in your home, talk to a local LED light installation company about the best options for you. 

Whether you want to illuminate your new marble countertops or are replacing your light fixtures, here’s a look at the factors that affect lifespans.

Current

LED strip lights are designed to work with a specific electrical current or electrical charge, calculated by watts. The average is 24 watts or 4.8 watts per meter. If your lights have a higher current, meaning they have a higher electric charge, they’re more likely to wear out faster over time.

Frequency of Use 

Leaving your lights on 2/4 will dim them faster. If you want to estimate how long your lights will last, use the 50,000-hour benchmark to divide the number of hours per day (or week) you think yours will be on. This will give you a rough guideline.

Where and How It’s Used 

Strip lights are used most commonly in settings where they highlight decorative items and for task-based use.

Task lighting in a kitchen, such as below a cutting board, may require stronger LED lighting than a single strip for under-cabinet lighting or to highlight art in your home. How you use your lights will impact how long they last—the more you use them, the quicker the bulb will dim.

Temperature 

One of the great benefits of LED lights is they don’t generally overheat like incandescent bulbs do. However, components inside the light bulb can still overheat, most often due to excess power and inadequate heat sinking, or the channeling of electric current down a light fixture to help evenly distribute it. 

If your bulbs feel hot or they burn out faster than the 50,000-hour mark, they could be getting too hot.

What Is LED Light Voltage Drop?

Voltage drop can also be a factor in determining how long LED strip lights last. Essentially, it means your lights—likely using new or newer bulbs—are burning but appear to be losing light quicker than they should be.

The reason voltage drop happens in LED strip lights has to do with their design. Strip lights are actually a series of 3 LED lights connected in a parallel fashion. Sometimes, lights further away from the power source may be dim. The more downstream a light is, the more susceptible it is to voltage drop.

Investing in higher-end lights that don’t succumb to voltage drop as easily can preserve the life of your bulbs.

How to Preserve LED Lights

Photo: Tomasz Zajda / Adobe Stock

Keep your bulbs burning brightly for as long as possible. Use the tips below to help your LED lights last longer without dimming or losing functionality. 

1. Ensure Your LED Lights Aren’t Overheating

LED bulbs use around 75% less energy than incandescent or other traditional light bulbs, according to the U.S Department of Energy. One reason they are so energy efficient is they don’t rely on heat to create light. 

However, the inner components are susceptible to overheating, especially if they are placed in a fixture that channels too much energy into the bulbs. To help prevent this, double-check that no tall appliances are blocking the flow of air under your lights to help limit enclosures around your bulbs.

2. Invest in Higher-End LED Strip Lights

Basic or more affordable lights often lack the optimal design for preservation. Energy tends to be pumped into the areas closest to the power source, overworking that section, while areas downstream don’t get enough power to stay fully lit.

Higher-end strip lights contain more copper, which enables electric current to flow more easily and evenly throughout the entire strip, not just the parts closest to the power source.

If you’re installing new strip lights, consider 24V strip lights over the standard 12V. More voltage actually makes the unit perform more efficiently, which can lower electricity bills, even though that may sound counterintuitive.

3. Invest in LED-Compatible Dimmers

If you installed LED lights in an older home with dimmer switches or dials, they may not be compatible with newer bulbs. Standard switches won’t ever work fully with these types of light bulbs (for dimming or illuminating), so it’s best to just switch them out for maximum performance. 

If you’re using LED bulbs for Christmas lights, the same idea applies for outdoor use as well. Make sure your Christmas light dimmer is LED compatible so you’re not burning them out prematurely.

Why Do LED Bulbs Cost More?

LED bulbs, including strip lights, cost more on average than other types of bulbs at $5 to $10 per bulb. In comparison, incandescent lights cost $1 to $2 per bulb. 

In part, these energy-efficient bulbs cost more because they don’t burn out like many traditional types of light bulbs. At least not in the “all or nothing” sense. Instead, their brightness begins to dim after a few years, and in some cases, can even slightly change temperature (color) or tint. Lighting experts refer to this as “LED luminous decay.”

They also lower energy costs per month. If you’re using 75% less energy per month lighting your home, you’ll save money over the long haul. But you’ll still pay more for the bulbs upfront.

A lighting company near you can help you decide which type of LEDs (or other bulbs) are appropriate for the space you’re outfitting.