LED Guide: WS2812B Strips, Rings and Pixels Compared
Addressable LEDs (WS2812B, often called NeoPixels) let you set every light to its own colour from one data pin. Every one in this guide works with the same code, so you can start with a strip and move to a ring or single pixels later. Pick from the quick list, or compare them all in the table.
Quick picks
- Not sure which shape you need: the WS2812B Sampler Pack has eight formats to try on the same board.
- Your first addressable LEDs: the Starter Strip, or the Neo Tester if you want to plug straight into a breadboard with no soldering.
- Sewing into clothes: single pixels with sewable pads, the sewable flex strip or NIBBLES.
- As small as possible: the Mini 10 strip (3535), the 20 Mini strip or the 2.7 mm ultra-narrow strip.
- Rings for badges, eyes and spinning effects: from the 3-LED ring up to the 24-LED ring.
- Light along an edge: the side-emitting strip shines sideways, so it glows along a strap or seam.
- Outdoors or anywhere damp: the 60/m waterproof strip.
- Teaching a class: WS2812D 5 mm LEDs push straight into a breadboard and cost very little.
Compare every addressable LED
On a phone, swipe sideways to see every column.
| LED | Pixels | LED size | Shape and size | Power | Connecting | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 WS2812B Sampler Pack |
8 different formats | 5050, 3535 and 5 mm | Strips, rings, modules and single pixels in one bag | 3.3–5V | Solder your own wires | Trying every shape before you commit | $26.95 |
 Starter Strip, 10 pixels |
10 | 5050 | Flexible strip, about 160 mm | 3.3–5V | As is, or pre-soldered with silicone wire | Your first addressable LEDs | from $2.75 |
 Neo Tester, 8 pixels |
8 | 5050 | Stick with header pins | 3.3–5V | Plugs into a breadboard, no soldering | Prototyping and lessons | $15.95 |
 WS2812D 5 mm LED |
1 | 5 mm round, clear or diffused | Through-hole LED with 4 legs | 3.3–5V | Push into a breadboard | Classrooms and breadboard builds | $0.59 |
 Single pixel, sewable pads |
1 | 5050 | Small board with large pads | 3.3–5V (fine on a 3.7V LiPo) | Sew with conductive thread or solder | Placing each pixel exactly where you want it | $1.45 |
 RGB LED Button Chip (5-pack) |
1 per chip | WS2812B | 8 × 10 × 3 mm board | 3.3–5V | Solder | Tiny pixels hidden in a build | $4.99 |
 NIBBLES module |
4 | 5050 | Small rectangle, purple PCB | 3.3–5V | Bare, or with ring terminals and silicone wires | Sewn-in accents | from $3.25 |
 4-LED square board |
4 | WS2812B | Small square board | 3.3–5V | Solder | Status lights and small details | from $2.75 |
 8-LED rectangle module |
8 | WS2812 | Straight bar, white or black PCB | 3.3–5V | Solder pads, ships unsoldered | Status bars and light-up trims | $7.95 |
 16-LED rectangle board |
16 | WS2812B | 4 × 4 panel | 3.3–5V | Solder | Simple icons and scrolling patterns | $7.95 |
 3-LED ring |
3 | WS2812B | Tiny ring | 3.3–5V | Solder | Earrings, pendants and badges | $2.95 |
 7-LED ring |
7 | WS2812B | Small ring, 6 around 1 in the centre | 3.3–5V | Solder | Brooches and costume eyes | $4.45 |
 8-LED ring module |
8 | WS2812 | Small ring | 3.3–5V | Solder pads, ships unsoldered | Wearables and spinning effects | $5.95 |
 12-LED ring, black |
12 | 5050, wide spacing | Ring, black PCB | 3.3–5V | Bare, wires included, or pre-soldered | Bold effects on hats and bags | from $3.95 |
 16-LED ring, white |
16 | 5050 | 48 mm across, white PCB | 3.3–5V | Pre-soldered wires | Smooth animations on light fabrics | $14.85 |
 16-LED ring, black |
16 | 5050 | Ring, black PCB | 3.3–5V | Pre-wired | Smooth animations | $13.95 |
 24-LED ring, black |
24 | 5050 | 72 mm across, black PCB | 3.3–5V | Bare, wires included, or pre-soldered | Clocks, halos and big statement pieces | from $17.25 |
 24-LED ring, white |
24 | 5050 | 72 mm across, white PCB | 3.3–5V | Wires soldered | Behind diffusers and light fabrics | $13.95 |
 Mini 10 strip |
10 | 3535 (smaller) | 4 mm wide strip | 3.3–5V | Solder, very small tabs (26 AWG wire) | Fingers, cuffs and narrow hems | $4.15 |
 20 Mini strip |
20 | 2020 (tiny) | 100 × 3.5 mm strip | 3.3–5V | 1.0 mm 3-pin connector, or solder | Tiny builds and drones | $5.85 |
 Ultra-narrow strip |
20 cm lengths | 2020 (tiny) | 2.7 mm wide | 5V or 12V | Solder, tiny pads | The slimmest line of light | $9.75 |
 Side-emitting strip, 10 pixels |
10 | 4020, shines sideways | About 5 × 70 mm | 3.3–5V | Solder | Light that hugs an edge: straps, hems, seams | $4.95 |
 Sewable flex strip |
10 or 25 | 5050 | Ultra-flexible strip | 3.3–5V | Sew into fabric, 3 connections | Garments, bags and backpacks | from $14.95 |
 60/m strip, 1 m |
60 | 5050 | 1 m reel, cut at any LED | 3.3–5V | Solder at the cut | Longer runs and room lighting | $10.25 |
 60/m strip, 2 m |
120 | 5050 | 2 m reel, cut at any LED | 3.3–5V | Solder at the cut | Big projects; cut what you need | $21.75 |
 60/m waterproof strip, 1 m |
60 | 5050, IP65 silicone | 1 m reel, cut at any LED | 3.3–5V | Solder at the cut | Outdoors, damp places, rain | $12.95 |
 144/m strip, 1 m |
144 | 5050, dense | 1 m reel, cut at any LED | 3.3–5V | Solder, confident skills needed | Smooth gradients and dense costumes | $26.99 |
Write less code: CMozGlow and the code generator
CMozGlow is my free library for WS2812B LEDs on the ESP32. It gives you ready-made effects (fades, chases, twinkles, rainbows) in a few lines, with friendly error messages when something is wired wrong. It works with every addressable LED on this page.
- The code generator: choose an effect, change the colours, speed and brightness, watch the preview, then copy a ready-to-run sketch for PlatformIO or the Arduino IDE. Open the CMozGlow code generator.
- Arduino IDE: open Tools → Manage Libraries, search for CMozGlow and click Install.
-
PlatformIO: add
https://github.com/cmoz/CMozGlowtolib_depsin your platformio.ini. - Code, examples and documentation: CMozGlow on GitHub. More about it on the CMozGlow page.
Prefer something else? FastLED and the Adafruit NeoPixel library also work with all of these LEDs. Set the colour order to GRB (NEO_GRB).
Wiring and power: what to know first
- Three connections: power (3.3–5V), GND (ground) and DIN (data in). Data flows one way, so connect your board to the end marked DIN or with the arrow pointing away from it.
- Share the ground: if the LEDs have their own power supply, connect its ground to your board's ground too.
- Budget about 60 mA per LED at full white. Ten pixels are fine from USB; a full 1 m strip at full brightness needs its own 5V supply. Most projects look great at 20 to 40% brightness, which also saves battery.
- ESP32 and 3.3V data: short runs usually work straight from an ESP32 pin. For long strips, a small resistor (about 330 Ω) on the data line and a capacitor across power help keep the first LED happy.
- Batteries: a 3.7V LiPo runs small builds well. Coin cells can't supply enough current for addressable LEDs; use them for the LED filaments instead.
- Sewing: conductive thread is fine for data and for a few pixels. For more than a handful, keep power and ground runs short or use wire, as thread has more resistance.
SIDE NOTE: I do use all of these with my ESP32 and its 3.3V connection. This has always worked well for me IF you are not powering a huge line of pixels. If you are powering a lot then add a second or third point of power further along the row.
Other lights (not addressable)
These glow in one colour and need no code: connect power and they light up.
| Light | What it is | Power | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 LED flex filament |
Blue, red, green or pink; 130, 260 or 300 mm | 3V: a CR2032 coin cell or 2 × AA | Bendy glowing lines in jewellery and accents | from $5.95 |
 Warm white filament |
Warm white, 130 or 300 mm | 3V coin cell or 2 × AA | Soft Edison-bulb glow | from $4.95 |
 Mini filament, 38 mm |
5 colours, 38 mm | 3V coin cell or 2 × AA | Tiny glowing details | $3.25 |
 EL wire, 1 m |
Glowing wire, 2.3 mm thick | Controller with 2 × AA | Outlines on costumes, sewn on | $7.80 |
 Square LED sampler |
10 single-colour LEDs, resistors included | 2–3.2V with the resistor | Learning circuits with basic LEDs | $5.95 |
Questions people ask
Are WS2812B and NeoPixel the same thing?
Yes. NeoPixel is Adafruit's name for addressable LEDs built on the WS2812 family. The same code and libraries work with all of them.
How many LEDs can an ESP32 control?
Hundreds from a single pin. The limit is power, not the pin: plan about 60 mA per LED at full white and use a separate 5V supply for long strips.
Can I cut a strip?
Yes, at the marked cut lines (on 60/m and 144/m strips that's between every LED). Solder wires to the pads at the new end.
Which LEDs can I sew?
The single pixel with sewable pads, the sewable flex strip and NIBBLES with ring terminals. For conductive thread and fabric, see the Conductive Fabric Guide.
Which board should I use?
Any ESP32 works; the Microcontroller Guide compares them. To make your LEDs react to touch, sound or movement, see the Sensor Guide.
Where can I buy WS2812B LEDs in Canada?
Right here: every order is packed by hand in Nova Scotia and ships across Canada and to the US. See shipping rates, or browse all LEDs & Pixels.