If we want to quickly answer the question are projectors better for your eyes, we would simply say yes and leave it at that. However, we’re here to understand why that is.
In a life surrounded by screens and displays pretty much during the entirety of our waking hours for some of us is it worth choosing to watch our entertainment on projectors rather than on TVs to avoid further eye strain?
Let’s see why projectors are better for our eyes.
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Are Projectors Better for Your Eyes? Why the Answer Is Yes
The main difference between projectors and TVs/monitors/laptops/smartphone screens is the type of blue light that these devices emit.
Projectors emit indirect blue light and that’s the main reason why they are better for our eyes.
A projector screen works by reflecting the light back from the projector to our eyes. That’s why it’s indirect and not direct light.
TVs, monitors and all the other displays emit direct blue light, we look straight into the light.
In order to look straight into the light emitted by a projector, you would have to look at the light coming out of the lamp. Thus, if you look straight into the projector’s lamp, then it can be harmful to the eyes.
However, since we look at a projector screen or a wall where the image is displayed, it means that our eyes are exposed to what we can call indirect blue light.
This type of indirect blue light is gentler on our eyes. Subsequently, the answer to the question are projectors better for your eyes is yes.
With TVs and all the other devices the light is directed towards our eyes, we stare directly at it. That’s why projectors are the winners over TVs if we only judge them by how they can affect our eye health.
Indirect blue light vs direct blue light
In the end, we are concerned about how blue light affects our eyes. If you go to preventblindness.org, you’ll be able to read everything you need to know about blue light and our eyes.
However, when you read that article, you’ll actually discover that the biggest source of blue light is the sun. In fact, blue light exposure from screens is small when we compare it to the amount of exposure we get from the sun.
That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t be concerned about the long-term effects that all these screens and displays that we stare into have on our eyes.
It’s right to ask yourself if projectors are better for your eyes. Nevertheless, even if we use a projector to watch movies, sports, TV shows during our free time, we still use a laptop/computer and a smartphone.
Nowadays, for some of us, I would say that the time spent on our smartphones is the biggest contributor to our eyes being exposed to artificial blue light.
It’s great that we’re interested in the advantages projectors have over TVs when it comes to protecting our eyes but we should also consider reducing the time spent on our smartphones, too.
Instead of always scrolling, turn on your projector and watch something fun, interesting, scary, action-packed, educational, etc.
There are so many ways to entertain ourselves and our friends and family. A projector can be the perfect device. Not only because it protects our eyes thanks to the indirect blue light that we are subjected to but also because we can watch our favorite movies, TV shows, documentaries, sports, TV channels on a very big screen.
How to cut down on direct blue light exposure
Cutting back on screen time is one way to cut back on blue light exposure. One improvement would be to use our smartphones less. If you want a solution for that, check out my guide on how to project from a phone, maybe that will help.
Another way is to use filters on smartphones, laptops, monitors, and tablets.
If you already wear glasses, I recommend switching to anti-reflective lenses. I love mine, they really do make a difference in blocking blue light from screens and displays.
Get a projector instead of a TV
Since we answered the question are projectors better for your eyes with a yes, I would say that one way to cut down on blue light exposure is by getting a projector instead of a TV.
Projectors have evolved so much in the last few years. It also means that prices have also dropped. You can get a wonderful Full HD projector for a price between $500 and $1,000. In this price range, you will find projectors that display 1080p content on large screens (80-100 inches or more).
If you have a lower budget, you can check out the best projectors under $300.
You can also find models that work very well in ambient light, like the best projectors for watching sports.
If you want to combine watching indoors and outdoors, you can search for the best projectors for camping.
As you can see, the world of projectors is wonderful. It comprises models for all needs, all budgets and situations.
Moreover, if you have very generous budgets, you can get a 4K projector that can impress even the most demanding cinephiles.
Plus, we can connect streaming devices if you want to enjoy our favorite streaming services in an instant. We can also use all sorts of source devices connected to a projector: cable box, TV tuner, laptop, tablet, PC, smartphone, etc.
Big projectors screens
Another advantage that projectors come with is that we can choose to display on very big screens.
80-100-120 inch projector screens might be the most popular because they’re also more affordable but you can buy 200-300 inch screens if you have the space for them and you’re using a high-quality projector.
We should want to watch our favorite entertainment sources on big screens because if the images are bigger, they are more comfortable for our eyes to view.
We don’t need to strain our eyes, not even for seeing details.
Subtitles are also a lot easier to follow on big screens. Even 720p projectors can clearly display text on a big screen. It’s another factor that can contribute to less eye strain.
Projectors with eye protection features
Nowadays, we can also buy models that incorporate eye protection features.
There are just a few available. I don’t really think that we need to look for projectors with eye protection features because we already saw all the reasons why all projectors and not TVs are better for our eyes.
Vankyo Miracle 110 is a small projector that is especially designed to protect kids’ eyes from eye strain. Thus, it’s a model geared toward children. It’s also under $100 so don’t expect impressive performances.
Xgimi Aura and Xgimi Horizon Pro are two other models that offer eye protection features that reduce the effect of blue light on eyes. They also have an article that discusses how blue light affects our eyes.
I also reviewed the XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro 1080P here.
ViewSonic M1 Mini is another model that mentions that it minimizes eye strain due to their Eye Care Technology.
Still, I sincerely don’t believe that projectors need to come with eye protection features because that protection is guaranteed by the way they display images on a screen.
All in all, the answer to the question are projectors better for your eyes is yes because, unlike TVs, projectors emit indirect blue light, a projector screen works by reflecting the light back from the projector to our eyes so we are exposed to reflective light and not direct blue light, and we get to watch our favorite entertainment sources on very big screens.
