IR LED 850nm vs 940nm — Which wavelength to choose
850nm vs 940nm at a glance
| Spec | 850 nm | 940 nm |
|---|---|---|
| Visible red glow | Faint red dot | Near-invisible (covert) |
| Sensor sensitivity | High (high CMOS QE) | Lower (~50%) |
| Night range | Longer | Shorter |
| Sunlight interference | Moderate | Low (atmospheric absorption) |
| Typical use | Outdoor CCTV, long range | Indoor security, iris/face ID |
Once you have picked a wavelength, the IR LED 650–980nm product page lists output and package options for it.
By application
Outdoor CCTV / long range → 850nm. Higher sensor sensitivity reaches farther and brighter per watt. Accepts a faint red dot.
Indoor security / iris & face ID → 940nm. Near-zero red glow is unobtrusive, and low sunlight interference improves indoor/close-range accuracy.
Machine vision inspection → Depends on target reflectance/transmission. Metals/PCBs favour 850nm; certain plastics/organics may need 940nm or SWIR. For precision inspection, also consider SWIR LED.
DOWA IR LED lineup
650nm to 980nm high-power NIR bare dies for machine vision, security, and biometrics.
Tell us your NIR wavelength
Beyond 850/940nm — full 650–980nm range plus Point Source options. We'll match samples and datasheets to your spec.