Gledopto GL-SPI-206P Tuya ZigBee SPI pixel addressable LED controller

A standard strip shows one colour along its whole length: the controller dims each colour channel (PWM). An addressable strip is driven over a digital data line, so each LED or segment can have its own colour — chasing lights, gradients, effects. The two strip types are not interchangeable.

Which strips can be connected. Single colour — brightness only; CCT — white from warm to cool; RGB and RGBW — colour (W is a separate white channel); RGB+CCT — colour plus tunable white (5 channels); addressable — pixel strips. The strip type must match the controller mode.

How many independent addressable strips can be connected. Each output is a separate data line — for example, different sides of a room, or a staircase and a cornice with different effects. Not applicable to standard-strip controllers.

How many addressable points (pixels) the controller can drive, per the maker. A pixel is one LED or a group of LEDs controlled together; on a 60 LED/m strip with every LED addressable, 5 m is 300 pixels.

The addressable strip ICs the controller works with (for example WS2812B, SK6812, WS2811, WS2814). The IC is named in the strip's specs; if it is not on the list, the strip may not work or may show wrong colours.

The wireless link or network the device uses. Wi-Fi connects straight to the router; Zigbee, Thread and Bluetooth Mesh work through a hub or gateway.

Which firmware and ecosystem run the controller. WLED is open firmware with a web interface and many effects, working on the local network. Tuya / Smart Life is a cloud app. Zigbee 3.0 connects to a compatible gateway or coordinator. Matter adds it directly to Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa.

Whether the device needs a separate hub, gateway or coordinator to work in a smart home. If so, it is sold separately unless stated otherwise.

How the device connects to Home Assistant: a built-in integration, a Zigbee coordinator, Matter or the maker’s cloud integration.

Whether the device supports the Matter standard, directly or through a bridge. Matter lets you add it to Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and Home Assistant.

Whether the maker's 2.4 GHz radio remote or wall panel can be paired with the controller. Such a remote talks to the controller directly, without the app or a hub.

The maker’s app used to set up and control the device.

Which strip voltages the controller works with. Strip, power supply and controller voltage must match: a 5 V strip is destroyed by 12 or 24 V. Long runs more often use 24 V, which loses less brightness towards the end of the strip.

The highest current the controller passes on all outputs together. A strip's current is its power in watts divided by its voltage: for example, 5 m of 14.4 W/m strip at 24 V draws about 3 A. The current of the connected strips must stay below this value.

The supply voltage (and current, if stated) as the maker gives it. It must match your mains or adapter.

What else the controller has besides strip outputs: a microphone for music-reactive light, an IR receiver for a remote, a button or an input for a wall button, a relay output that cuts the strip's power supply when the light is off, USB-C power, a port for re-flashing.

How and where it is installed: in a wall box, on a wall or ceiling, on a DIN rail, on a table or in a socket.

The device’s size in millimetres as the maker states it. Check that it fits the wall box, niche or shelf.

The device’s weight without packaging, per the maker.

Protection against dust (first digit) and water (second). IP20 is for dry rooms only, IP44 resists splashes, IP65 and up handle water jets and outdoor use.

Standards and certifications the maker lists for this model (for example CE, RoHS, Zigbee 3.0, Matter).

The air temperature range the device is rated for. The lower limit matters outdoors, on balconies and in unheated rooms.

The housing colour of this model. Other colours in the same series are separate products.

What comes in the box, per the maker.