For several years, the European Union has been working to reduce the use of hazardous substances, particularly mercury. This heavy metal, toxic to the environment and health, is still present in many electronic products, including UHP (Ultra High Performance) lamps that equip a large proportion of traditional video projectors.
From December 2025, the marketing of new mercury lamps will be banned. In concrete terms, this means that no new replacement lamps can be manufactured or marketed in Europe, except in very specific cases. For projector users, this poses an immediate problem: when a lamp reaches the end of its life, it will become impossible—or extremely expensive—to replace it.
Which projectors are affected?
It is mainly models equipped with UHP or equivalent lamps that are directly impacted. Among the brands and ranges affected, we find in particular:
- Epson EH-TW610, EH-TW7000, EH-TW9400 (and many other consumer or home cinema models)
- BenQ W1090, W2000, TK800
- Optoma HD146X, UHD50X, GT1080Darbee
- Sony VPL-HW45ES, VPL-HW65ES
- Acer H6540BD, H7850
All these devices, although still popular for their image quality and value for money, rely on conventional lamp technologies that will become difficult to maintain.
Is this an immediate death knell?
Not quite. First, manufacturers like Epson have reassured their customers: stocks of replacement lamps will be available for a few more years, at least until 2027 for some brands. This will give users some time to organize.
Secondly, the regulations concern the placing on the market of new lamps, not the use of lamps already purchased or available in stock. If you already have With a replacement lamp, it will still be possible to extend the life of your projector for a while.
However, expect the price of new lamps to skyrocket as stocks dwindle, making repairs less cost-effective than buying a new unit.
A Transition to New Technologies
This halt to mercury lamps should accelerate the transition to projectors with LED, laser, or hybrid light sources. These technologies, although often more expensive at purchase, have many advantages:
- A much longer lifespan (up to 20,000 to 30,000 hours without replacement)
- Less maintenance
- Instant on and off
- Reduced energy consumption
Models like the XGIMI Horizon Ultra, the Epson EF-12 or the BenQ V7050i embody this new generation, already acclaimed for its comfort and reliability.
Should you change your video projector right away?
Not necessarily. If the device is working well and the lamp is still recent, there is no rush. However, it is advisable to inquire now about the availability compatible lamps, or even to buy one in advance if you want to extend the life of your equipment.
For regular users or for those who are considering a new purchase, it is however relevant to turn directly to models without mercury lamps, just to be at peace for the next ten years!
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