1.RGB (Red Green Blue)

• Composition:
  
  • R (Red)
    
  • G (Green)
    
  • B (Blue)
• Principle:
  • By mixing the three primary colors of red, green and blue, various colors (such as yellow, purple, etc.) can be produced, but pure white or high-brightness white light cannot be generated. 
• Advantages:
  • Rich in colors, suitable for dynamic lighting effects (such as ambient lights, game lighting effects). 
• Disadvantages:
  • The synthesized "white" color is slightly grayish or bluish (as it requires the full mixture of all three colors), and it lacks sufficient brightness and purity.
    
  • The energy consumption is high (as all three chips need to be lit simultaneously).

2. RGBW (Red Green Blue + White)

• Composition:
  • RGB three colors + W (White, an independent white chip).
• Principle:
  • The color functions of RGB are retained, while the W chip specifically provides high-purity white light (usually cold white or neutral white).
• Advantages:
  • It can produce purer and brighter white light, suitable for daily lighting.
  • Energy-saving (no need to activate RGB when using only white light).
• Disadvantages:
  • The cost is slightly higher than RGB.
  • If the color temperature of the W chip is fixed, the brightness of the white light cannot be adjusted (for example, only cold white).

3. RGBCW (Red Green Blue + Cool White / Warm White)

• Composition:
  
  • RGB three colors + CW (Cool White) + WW (Warm White).
    
• Principle:
  
  • On the basis of RGBW, an adjustable color temperature white light is added. It is achieved by mixing independent cool white and warm white chips to adjust from cold white (5000K+) to warm white (2700K-).
• Advantages:
  
  • It supports both colored and full-color temperature white light, making it suitable for a wider range of applications (such as reading, resting, and ambient lighting).
    
  • The white light adjustment is more flexible, approaching the variation of natural light.
• Disadvantages:
  
  • The cost is the highest, and the circuitry and control are more complex.

Comparison Summary

Selection Suggestions

• For cost-effectiveness and colour quality: Choose RGB.
  
• For pure white light + colour: Choose RGBW (suitable for most households).
  
• For professional lighting needs (such as colour temperature adjustment): Choose RGBCW (the preferred choice for smart home systems).

Note: Some manufacturers' RGBW models may use RGB + Warm White (not Cool White). Please confirm the colour temperature parameters before purchasing.