Regardless of the type and quality, a projector has a limited working lifespan. It doesn’t matter whether you buy a $500 projector or a $5000 projector; it is going to wear out sooner or later. But how long do projectors last? Honestly, no one can tell you the exact working lifespan of a projector. If you are conscious about how long your projector will last, then make sure to read the article till the end.
What Is The Working Lifespan Of Projectors?
Every projector works on a bulb or any other light source. These light sources are mortal and will die without letting you know. You can associate it with the life of a human being that can end without letting you know. However, experts say that an estimated working lifespan of a projector bulb is 2,000 hours. Some say that newer models (LED projectors) are expected to work for around 50,000 hours without replacing the light source.
Here, you have to note that this lifespan is for the bulbs or any other light source of the projector. For example: if a bulb wears out after working for 1,200 hours, you can replace it and your projector will start working again. Thus, how long do projectors last is not related only to the light source.
Now, to help you find the estimated working lifespan of your projector, you have to understand which type of bulb your projector uses. So, let’s guide you through the process!
Types Of Projector Bulbs
Projectors commonly use pressurized gases such as mercury for projecting. These bulbs are found in almost every projector other than LED and laser projectors. You can expect these projector bulbs to work for at least 1,500 hours, which is somewhere between 2 to 3 months. It is also tested that the new models of projectors can offer a working span of up to 5,000 hours, which is more than twice the old projectors.
Following are the three common types of bulbs to answer: How long do projectors last?
- Standard Projector Bulbs
- Laser Projector Bulbs
- LED Projector Bulbs
Standard Projector Bulbs
These bulbs are used in almost every projector except the latest LED and laser ones. They contain ultra-high pressure mercury bulbs to generate output. Talking about their working lifespan, it is somewhere between 1,000 to 3,000 hours. If you go for high-quality projectors, they’ll offer a working lifespan of 5,000 hours.
Laser Projector Bulbs
Laser projectors work on laser bulbs that offer more working lifespan than standard projector bulbs. Experts claim that laser projector bulbs can work for around 20,000 hours before they require replacement. It means if you buy a laser projector today, you will not have to worry about replacing its bulbs for the next 10 years.
LED Projector Bulbs
LED projectors bulbs are only used in LED projectors and are known for offering the longest working lifespan. As of 2021, LED projector bulbs are expected to work for over 50,000 hours (on average). Considering this fact, you might have got the answer of how long do these projectors last. These are no doubt the best value-for-money projectors that you can buy.
After going through these three types of projector bulbs, you might have got an idea of how long your projector will last. Now, let’s cover some tips about how you can increase the working lifespan of your projector.
How To Make A Projector Last Longer?
It is a fact that if you buy a standard projector with a standard bulb, it will last no longer than 5,000 working hours. However, the following 5 tips will help you increase the working lifespan of your projector.
1. Limit Your Usage
If a projector has a 20,000 hours lifespan, it doesn’t mean you can enjoy watching videos for many hours a day. Careless use of your projector will make you feel as if you have used it for 20,000 hours within a month or two. We recommend using your projector for 4 to 5 hours a day. It will not only increase the working of your projector but also help you save time.
2. Vent Cleaning
How long do projectors last depend on how you keep them. To make sure your projector lasts longer, you have to keep it in a clean condition. Projectors have vents for exhaust and airflow. These vents catch dust and get blocked. If you don’t clean them, the projector will not take adequate airflow and will heat up quickly. This careless attitude will not make your projector work even for its guaranteed working hours.
3. Power Supply
Projectors work on different wattages depending on their type. For example, an LED projector can work on 50 watts while a laser projector will require over 250 watts of power to work. Make sure you have enough power supply for your projector, or else it might wear out. Also, note that don’t turn the power supply ON & OFF in case you want to take short breaks.
4. Don’t Unplug Immediately
Most of you might not know that projectors need to cool down before you can unplug them. You might ask how? Well, projectors have fans that help to cool the projector down. These fans won’t turn off until the projector’s temperature cools down. Thus, if you unplug your projector immediately after using it, stop it right now!
5. Lower The Brightness
How long do projectors last depends on how much brightness you prefer. Most people like using projectors at their peak brightness. It is because they think they’ll experience low lumens if they lower the brightness. You’ll be surprised to know that lowering the brightness will not lower the lumens that your projector generates. Believe it or not, it is one of the best ways to increase the working lifespan of your projector.
These were the 5 easy ways that you can implement to make your projector last longer. We bet you might not be following some or all of these steps when using your projector. If you want to increase the working lifespan of your projector, make sure to follow all the steps mentioned above.
Do I Need To Replace The Projector Bulb?
Projectors are indeed expensive and so are its bulbs. Also, all of us can’t afford to buy new projectors every month. However, there are some situations when your projector requires bulb replacement.
If you see any of the following signs in your projector, it means you need to replace its bulb because you don’t have any alternatives left. So, let’s have a quick look at them!
Indicator Light
Most projectors have an indicator light that blinks to show that you need to change the bulb. It doesn’t mean you have to change the bulb immediately, but doing so would be the best option. You will not want your projector bulb to wear out while watching your favorite movie, will you?
Dim Light
If you are experiencing dim light even if you have made your room darker, it is time that you should replace the bulb. Try increasing the brightness to 100%. If you still face the same issue, then there should be no doubt that you need to replace your projector bulb to enjoy a quality output.
Flickering
How long do projectors last depends on how you use them. If you experience image flickering but still continue using your projector, then your projector bulb will wear out soon. Not just that, you might end up damaging your projector if you don’t change the bulb in time. If you experience flickering, consider changing the bulb immediately.
These were a few common signs that indicate that you should replace the projector bulb. Apart from these signs, you may notice other changes such as decreased performance, color shifting, and popping sound. If you see any of these signs in your projector, it is time to replace your projector bulb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many years do projectors last?
The working lifespan of projectors is calculated in terms of their working hours. Some projectors with standard projector bulbs are expected to work for 1,500 to 2,000 hours. On the other hand, modern projectors such as LED projectors can work for even 50,000 hours and more.
Q: How long do projectors last if used daily?
Projectors are meant for daily use. If you have a projector in your house, you will definitely use it to watch your favorite movies or videos. However, you have to make sure that you use it with care. Try to keep the projector as clean as possible. Also, don’t unplug it immediately without allowing it to cool down. In short, if you use your projector daily with care, your projector will last longer than usual.
Q: How do I find the lifespan of my projector?
Instead of asking how long do projectors last, you can find their working lifespan yourself. Why? Because every projector has a different lifespan. The best way is that you open the menu and look for the “Information” option. From there, you can check the lifespan of your projector. Note that this option might not be available in older projectors.
Bottom Line
How long do projectors last? We hope you would have got the answer. Today, we tried our best to help you get more out of your projector. If your projector is not working for long, there might be one or more issues with it. You have to fix those before it’s too late.
We’ll conclude by saying that if you want to avoid the hassle of replacing your projector bulb, you should go for LED projectors with an average working lifespan of 50,000 hours. But again, the choice is yours. If you use your projector with care, we can guarantee that it will last for longer than you might not expect.
That’s all we got for you today. We’ll meet you with a new topic soon. Till Then, We Are Rank Projectors. Have a good day!
Thanks for reading!
You can also check: