Lighting defines how we experience a space. From retail signage to restaurant interiors, good lighting draws attention, sets the mood, and enhances design. Traditional glass tubes were the hallmark of eye-catching displays, but in modern times, Smart LED Neon Flex Lighting is taking the lead as a safer, flexible, and energy-efficient alternative.
As New Zealand’s leading supplier of LED Neon Flex, Display Lighting provides innovative solutions that merge creativity with practicality. Here’s why Smart Neon Flex is shaping the future of decorative lighting and how it can elevate your next project.
1. What Is Smart Neon Flex?
Smart Neon Flex is an LED-powered replacement for glass neon tubing, built for modern creativity and performance. Instead of fragile glass filled with gas, it uses durable PVC or silicone coverings around high-efficiency LED chips. This structure allows the light to bend, twist, and mould around curved or irregular surfaces, opening up limitless design possibilities.
Display Lighting’s Ignite Smart Neon Flex range features plastic-coated LED strips that can be shaped into letters, logos, and outlines, giving the same vivid glow as traditional neon without the risks. It’s safe, flexible, and visually seamless, producing continuous illumination without visible LED dots.
2. Why LED Neon Flex Outperforms Glass Neon
Energy Efficiency
LED Neon Flex consumes up to 80% less energy than glass neon. Typical power consumption sits around 4 to 6 watts per metre, compared to 20 watts or more for traditional tubes. For commercial signage that runs day and night, that difference translates to considerable long-term savings on electricity costs.
Durability and Safety
Glass neon tubes are fragile and require high-voltage transformers. LED Neon Flex runs on low-voltage 24V DC power, making it much safer to install and maintain. The impact-resistant PVC housing protects against knocks, moisture, and UV exposure, ideal for both indoor and outdoor applications.
Ease of Installation
Traditional neon requires specialist technicians to bend, seal, and fill tubes. Smart Neon Flex can be cut to custom lengths and installed using simple mounting clips or channels. It is lighter, safer, and easier to handle, reducing installation time and cost.
Longevity and Low Maintenance
LED lighting lasts significantly longer than gas-based systems, offering up to 30,000 hours of reliable performance. Unlike glass neon, they don’t flicker or fade over time, and there’s no need for refilling or regular upkeep.
Complete your setup with LED Power Supplies & Control Systems for reliable dimming and voltage control.
3. Built for New Zealand Conditions
Display Lighting’s Ignite Neon Flex range is designed to withstand New Zealand’s varied climate. Each product is IP68-rated, offering full protection against dust, rain, and general outdoor exposure. Whether it’s signage for a cafe, building facade, or garden lighting, Smart Neon Flex delivers consistent performance all year round.
You can choose from a wide variety of options, including:
- Single colour models (warm white, cool white, red, blue, green, and more)
- RGB and RGBW models for dynamic colour-changing effects
- Side-emitting and top-emitting designs for directional lighting control
- Mini Neon Flex profiles for tight curves and detailed lettering
4. Creative Freedom for Designers and Businesses
One of the key advantages of Smart Neon Flex is its ability to adapt to any creative vision. Designers, shopfitters, and architects can use it to shape light into art. From intricate lettering to curved wall outlines, the flexibility of Neon Flex makes it ideal for both subtle and statement designs.
Popular uses include:
- Retail and commercial signage that captures attention and enhances branding
- Bars, restaurants, and hotels for ambient or themed lighting
- Exhibitions and events where portable, reusable lighting is essential
- Residential decoration such as neon-style art in home entertainment spaces
5. Sustainability and Energy Savings
LED technology is one of the most sustainable forms of lighting available. Switching from glass neon to Smart Neon Flex can cut energy use by up to 80%, dramatically reducing carbon emissions over time. LEDs also contain no mercury or toxic gases, making them safer to dispose of and better for the environment.
For practical guidance on energy-efficient homes in New Zealand, visit the EECA Guide on Smart Homes.
6. Why Choose Display Lighting
Display Lighting has spent more than 20 years specialising in LED lighting for New Zealand homes and businesses. We combine premium products with expert advice, helping clients achieve creative, safe, and efficient results every time.
Our advantages include:
- Local expertise and stock availability
- Customisable options for colour, size, and installation type
- Wholesale pricing for trade and commercial clients
- Full design and consultation services from concept to completion
7. The Future Is Flexible
Smart Neon Flex represents the next step in lighting design: bright, durable, energy-efficient, and infinitely creative. Its flexibility allows anyone to shape light in new ways, turning plain spaces into standout features. With energy costs and sustainability top of mind, Smart Neon Flex is the practical and aesthetic choice for the future.
