In 2026, new EU regulations under the Mercury Regulation and RoHS Directive will ban the sale of mercury-based projector lamps - making it the perfect time to upgrade your home cinema with a sustainable, lamp-free alternative from the Optoma Photon Series.
Offering best-in-class laser and LED technology, the Photon series provides the perfect opportunity to make the most of switching from a lamp-based projector. In doing so, you're not only helping the environment, but you could also lower your energy bills, all while benefiting from a more immersive big screen experience. Sounds too good to be true? Let us explain.
Save money and the planet
Laser and LED projectors come with several benefits that make switching from a lamp-based projector the smart move.
For a start, they don’t contain mercury, which instantly makes the technology more sustainable, environmentally friendly, and most importantly, compliant with future EU environmental standards. Unlike lamp projectors, LED and laser technology also doesn't require bulb replacements to maximise their lifespan, which reduces waste and contributes to low-cost, maintenance-free ownership
Laser and LED projectors are also easier to maintain thanks to their long lifespans and modern hardware - and they can turn on instantly, rather than waiting for the bulb to warm up, so you can start the entertainment even faster.
ANSI Lumens - not the entire story
If you’ve been using projectors, or are planning to buy one, you’ve probably seen the term ANSI Lumens thrown about. This is a standardised method of comparing the brightness of lamp-based projectors - the higher the ANSI Lumens rating, the brighter the projector can get (which in turn can lead to more vibrant and detailed images, and better performance in bright environments and sunlight).
However, because ANSI Lumens was created to measure traditional lamp-based projectors, it means the ANSI Lumens rating these days only tells part of the story.
While Optoma Photon projectors might have lower ANSI Lumens ratings compared to older bulb-based projectors, thanks to their cutting-edge LED technology, Photon projectors can produce exceptionally rich and saturated colours, which thanks to the Helmholtz–Kohlrausch (HK) Effect, where colour saturation affects how humans perceive brightness, means the images look much brighter and vibrant than their ANSI Lumens rating might suggest.
Basically, using ANSI Lumens to compare the brightness of an LED projector to a lamp projector is like comparing apples and oranges. That’s why Optoma provides a HK brightness rating (Helmholtz–Kohlrausch effect brightness) for its projectors, which accounts for both luminance and colour saturation, to give home theatre fanatics a better idea of just how bright and vivid the projector can get.
Why Photon projectors are the ideal home theatre upgrade for everyone
The technology Optoma uses in its Photon series of projectors is the ideal solution for home theatre upgrades and consumers who want an eco-friendly and affordable alternative to lamp-based projectors without having to sacrifice image quality.
Optoma understands that for true film fans, it’s not about the raw specs of a projector, but about the immersive experience that draws you in and captivates the audience with breathtaking visuals, bringing the cinematic experience to your homes and transforming the everyday into something unforgettable.
Take the Photon Life PH31, an easy to set up and sustainable LED projector that’s a great first step into the world of home theatre thanks to its flexibility and convenience.
For people looking to bolster their home theatre setup, the Photon Life PK31 brings stunning 4K images to life with incredible details that will completely immerse you in whatever you’re watching or playing.
For a standout home cinema experience, the Photon Life PK32 combines incredible 4K picture quality with 4LED technology for exceptional colour accuracy and brighter images. For gamers who love playing on the big screen, the Photon Life PK31 and PK32 also have super low latency, so every game doesn’t just look incredible - it plays seamlessly with ultra-low input lag for a smoother, more responsive experience.
Finally, for people who travel or enjoy the convenience of wireless freedom in their home, check out the Photon Go, an ultra-short-throw Full HD triple RGB laser projector. It’s small enough to be carried with you in a bag, and the built-in battery, easy setup with auto keystone and focus features, and integrated Google TV, Dolby Digital Audio support, and built-in speakers mean it’s incredibly easy to enjoy big screen movies and sports anywhere - from your home, to the garden, camping, and much more.
Thanks to Optoma’s market-leading expertise, with the Photon Series of projectors any one, from budget-conscious beginners to high-end enthusiasts, can switch from wasteful lamp-based projectors and future-proof their home theatres for many years to come.