The NeoPixel Stick 8 x RGBW LEDs (Cool White) packs eight individually addressable 5050 RGBW LEDs into a slim, chainable board with 800KHz control and 5V operation for bright, precise lighting effectsand more!

What is better than smart RGB LEDs? Smart RGB+White LEDs! These NeoPixel sticks feature four LEDs in each package red, green, blue and white for excellent lighting effects. Compact and versatile, you can control each LED individually to create your own custom light arrangements.

This is the Cool White RGBW version. We also offer this stick in Warm White, Natural White, and classic RGB.

Each NeoPixel is split: one half is the familiar RGB LED, and the other half is a white LED with a yellow phosphor coating. Unlit, it resembles an egg yolk. When powered, they are extremely bright and can be controlled with 8-bit PWM per channel (8 bits 4 channels = 32-bit colour per pixel), making them ideal for adding both colour and crisp white highlights to your project.

Eight tiny 5050 (5mm x 5mm) smart RGBW LEDs are arranged on a slim PCB with mounting holes and a chainable design. Only a single microcontroller pin is required to control all eight LEDs, and you can chain multiple sticks together for larger displays. Each LED includes an integrated driver chip with approximately 18mA constant current drive, ensuring consistent colour even if the supply voltage varies. No external choke resistors are required. Power the board with 5V DC (47V works) and youre ready to go.

NeoPixel LEDs use an 800KHz data protocol, so precise timing is required. The PWM rate is approximately 400Hz, which works well for most uses but may be noticeable if the LEDs are moving. In comparison, DotStar LEDs use a 20KHz PWM rate for smoother blending during motion.

The sticks are chainable by connecting the output of one to the input of another via a single data line. Because the protocol is timing-sensitive, a real-time microcontroller such as an AVR, Arduino, PIC, mbed or similar is required. They are not suitable for Linux-based microcomputers or interpreted microcontrollers such as Netduino or Basic Stamp. An 8MHz or faster processor is required. The Adafruit NeoPixel library for Arduino supports RGBW devices, but if you use a standard RGB-only library, colour output will not behave correctly.

A detailed tutorial is available covering wiring, power calculations and example code to help you get started.

Supplied as a single stick with 8 individually addressable RGBW LEDs, fully assembled and tested.

Specifications

• Dimensions: 10.2mm x 51.1mm x 3.2mm
• Weight: 2.6g
• May ship with either WS2812B or SK6812-based LEDs. They are the same brightness, colour and protocol

Revision History

• As of June 2, 2023 – You may get a NeoPixel Stick with either WS2812B LEDs or SKC6812 LEDs; they are the same protocol and brightness. However, the SKC are more reliable and handle accidental over-volting a little better!

Resources

• WS2812 Datasheet
• SK6812 Datasheet
• Tutorial

Package Contents

• 1x NeoPixel Stick – 8 x 5050 RGBW LEDs – Cool White – 6000K

Introducing the NeoPixel Stick with 8 individually addressable RGBW LEDs in Cool White the perfect lighting solution for creating vibrant, customizable light effects in your projects. This NeoPixel stick combines the classic RGB color range with the added brilliance of a white LED, providing dynamic lighting possibilities.

• 8 RGBW LEDs: The stick features 8 tiny, ultra-bright 5050-sized RGBW LEDs that deliver rich, colorful light alongside bright white illumination. The LEDs are arranged on a compact PCB with mounting holes for easy integration into your design.
• Cool White Version: This version includes a white LED with a yellow phosphor, delivering a crisp cool white light when lit. It adds brightness and clarity to your projects, making your designs pop with both color and white light.
• Individually Addressable LEDs: Each LED in the stick is individually addressable, allowing you to control the color and brightness of each one independently. Perfect for creating custom light patterns, effects, or animations.
• Chainable Design: The NeoPixel stick is chainable, meaning you can connect the output pin of one stick to the input pin of another, controlling multiple sticks with a single microcontroller pin. This makes it easy to scale your project and create larger, more complex lighting displays.
• Slim and Efficient Design: The stick is powered by 5VDC (4-7V works) and requires no external resistors, making the design slim and efficient. Each LED has an 18mA constant current drive, ensuring consistent color and brightness even when voltage fluctuates.
• 32-bit Color Control: Control the brightness and color of each LED with 8-bit PWM precision per channel (R/G/B/W), providing a full 32-bit color range for rich and vibrant lighting effects.
• Timing-Sensitive Protocol: NeoPixel LEDs use an 800 KHz protocol, requiring precise timing for smooth operation. These LEDs are best controlled by real-time microcontrollers, such as an Arduino or AVR, to ensure accurate data transfer and flawless performance.
• PWM Rate: With a PWM rate of ~400 Hz, NeoPixel sticks work well for most static lighting setups. However, if you’re moving the LEDs or want smoother blending, consider using DotStars, which offer a 20 KHz PWM rate for smoother transitions and animations.
• Pre-assembled and Tested: The NeoPixel Stick comes fully assembled and tested, so it’s ready to use out of the box. It includes all the necessary components to get started right away.
• Tutorials and Resources: We provide tutorials covering wiring, power usage, example code, and more to help you set up and use the NeoPixel Stick. Please note, you’ll need a NeoPixel library with RGBW support to control the LEDs correctly. The Adafruit NeoPixel library supports RGBW, but other libraries may require additional adjustments.

The NeoPixel Stick with 8 RGBW LEDs in Cool White is perfect for a wide range of projects, from decorative lighting to interactive displays. Whether you’re designing an art installation, building a DIY project, or just adding a touch of color to your setup, this stick will help you achieve stunning results.