You’ll enjoy the best visual experience using laser projectors, whether you’re a movie fan, a business professional, or a casual presenter.
But before you jump on the laser bandwagon, you must know its benefits and drawbacks, so you can make an informed decision.
Laser projectors offer excellent image quality and brightness, and have a longer lifespan. They deliver a much better contrast ratio than LED or LCD projectors and are more efficient in terms of power consumption.
However, laser projectors can be quite expensive to purchase, and require special maintenance to keep them running properly.
In addition, they are not as light as LED and LCD projectors, so they can be a bit difficult to carry from one room to another.
Pros of the Laser projectors
For those seeking optimal home theatre systems and business presentation experience, laser projectors are quickly becoming the preferred option.
Boasting a slew of advantages over traditional projectors, here’s why they should be your go-to:
1. Throw Distance
One of the key advantages of these projectors is their ability to project a large image from a short distance.
Unlike conventional projectors that require a considerable throw distance to project a large image, laser projectors can create a large and bright image even when placed closer to the screen.
In smaller spaces, where projector placement is limited, or when a large image is needed in a small space, they are ideal.
For example, Hisense 120L5G-CINE120A can produce a 4K image on a 120-inch screen from just 14 inches away.
2. High Brightness
They are the go-to choice when it comes to delivering bright, vivid images. By using three RGB (red, green, blue) lasers that work together to create a stunning display, there’s no need for a separate filtration mechanism like other projectors require, making them less complex and simpler.
The use of three RGB lasers also allows them to reproduce a wider range of colors, which renders them most suitable for applications that demand color accuracy.
3. Overall improved image quality
These products are like a box of crayons with a million more colors. Not only do they boast a wider range of hues, but they also offer higher contrast levels – transforming black to a rich, velvety tone and whites to a luminous brilliance.
This creates images that are so vibrant, they almost jump out of the screen.
4. Instant On
Laser projectors have the huge advantage of being able to switch on almost immediately. Unlike normal projectors that need several minutes to heat up before displaying an image, they can be ready for use within seconds. This thing makes them perfect for situations where time is of the essence, such as during business meetings or lectures.
Not needing a cool-down period after use, they can be shut off quickly, which is a great benefit in busy environments where time is precious.
5. Long Lamp Life
They offer an advantage over traditional lamp-based projectors in terms of lamp life. The lowest lamp life of a laser projector is around 20,000 hours, while the highest can be up to 40,000 hours.
For instance, the ViewSonic LS700HD has a lamp life of 20,000 hours, whereas the Barco UDX-4K26 boasts an impressive 40,000 hours of lamp life.
This extended lamp life translates to less maintenance and replacement costs, resulting in it being an attractive option for both personal and professional use.
6. Maintains color and brightness over its lifetime
Laser projectors utilize a DMD (digital micromirror device) chip to produce images, unlike traditional LCD-based projectors. This DMD chip is more efficient, as it can reflect up to 95% of the light generated by the laser source.
Moreover, it does not suffer from color or brightness degradation throughout the lamp’s life, ensuring that the projector’s performance remains consistent.
Due to their high image quality, laser projectors are ideal for home theaters, boardrooms, and lecture halls.
7. Overheating issues are less prevalent
Compared to other projectors that utilize bulbs or lamps, these units experience fewer instances of overheating.
The absence of heat-generating bulbs in laser projectors sets them apart, as other projectors can generate considerable heat that can lead to reduced lifespan and overheating problems.
The technology employed by laser projectors does not depend on bulbs, which allows them to function at a lower temperature and avoid the complications of overheating.
8. Lower Fan Noise
Conventional projectors often cause a disturbance due to their screaming fans. The ceaseless whirring and buzzing of these fans can be distracting, drowning out the audio and visuals of presentations or films.
Laser projectors, however, remain hushed and silent, permitting a more enjoyable viewing experience. As these projectors do not require fans to keep them cool, the absence of fan noise makes them the optimal choice for any event.
9. Energy Efficiency
LCD and DLP projectors use lamps to produce light, which is not very energy-efficient and tends to waste a lot of energy as heat. On the other hand, laser projectors use lasers to generate light, which consumes much less power and produces much less heat.
Plus, laser projectors are more efficient in their use of light. LCD and DLP projectors use a system of mirrors or filters to reflect or block the light, resulting in significant losses of light intensity.
While, laser projectors use a direct laser light source, which generates a higher intensity and higher consistent light output, resulting in brighter and crisper vivid images.
Cons of the Laser projectors
Now it’s time to look at some of the negative aspects that should be taken into consideration when buying Laser projectors.
1. More Expensive:
One of the significant drawbacks of laser projectors is that they are more expensive than traditional lamp-based projectors.
The cost of manufacturing laser projectors is increased by the use of advanced technologies and components, such as lasers and special optics.
As a result, the price point of laser projectors may be beyond the budget of some consumers or organizations.
In this regard, the following table will show you how costly laser projectors are as compared to other projectors.
Brand/product Projector type Lumens Cost (USD)
NEC NP-M300X LCD 3000 $199.00
ASUS H1 LED 3000 $888.43
Optoma UHZ50 Laser 3000 $2,799.00
2. Heavier
They are a little bit heavier as compared to other projectors. This is mainly because laser projectors require additional components such as a laser light source and a color wheel, which adds to their overall weight.
It can be an issue for those who need to transport the projector frequently or for those who have limited space for mounting the projector.
3. Replace the entire projector instead of just the lamp when goes defective
LCD or LED projectors are often equipped with replaceable lamps, which can be changed as needed, providing significant cost savings over time. Laser projectors, on the other hand, lack this feature.
When their laser source reaches the end of its lifespan, the entire projector may need to be replaced, making them a less cost-effective option, especially for organizations with a budget that’s already stretched thin.
4. Shallow black levels
Projectors utilizing lasers may have difficulty achieving the same deep black levels as their lamp-based counterparts. It is difficult to create deep shades of black on the display because lasers produce a steady flow of illumination.
Despite the use of innovative technology to boost contrast and black-level performance in some laser projectors, they may still not measure up to the performance of conventional projectors.
Final Thoughts
In a nutshell, laser projectors offer a fantastic means of relishing superior content in any setting. Instant activation, improved image resolution, and extended lifespan are just a few of the advantages of using a laser projector.
Nevertheless, it is essential to acknowledge that there are also some disadvantages to this technology, such as its price and the requirement for additional exertion to lift and transport it.
Therefore, it is crucial to thoughtfully ponder on your individual needs and demands before opting for a laser projector.
Karan is a professional computer writer who has worked in the technology industry for over 10 years. I have a degree in computer science from the University of California, Berkeley, and have written several articles on technology products. Meet our team