Budget Projectors and Dust: What to Know Before Buying One
You’ve probably seen them on TikTok or Amazon — small, stylish projectors that promise 4K picture and surround sound for under £100. They seem perfect for film nights, gaming, or distracting the kids on a rainy weekend. But after seeing a few come through my workshop in Wickford, I can tell you these budget projectors have one big weakness: dust.
If you're thinking about buying one, or you've already got one that's suddenly sounding like a hoover, here’s what you need to know.
1. Budget projectors aren’t built for the long haul
Most cheap models look decent on the outside but are poorly ventilated inside. The fans pull in air and every bit of dust that comes with it. It doesn’t take long for the internals to clog up, especially if you’re using them on carpets, shelves, or anywhere near a radiator.
I’ve opened up a few of these recently. One was completely blanketed in dust within a few months of light use. No filter, no mesh, just a fan spinning dust straight into the lens and circuitry.
2. The first sign of trouble: fan noise and overheating
You’ll notice the projector getting louder, running hotter, or randomly turning off mid-movie. That’s your cue something inside isn’t happy.
Once it starts overheating, image quality drops and internal components degrade fast. Left long enough, the LEDs or board components can fail entirely. And since most of these projectors aren’t designed to be serviced easily, you’re left either binning it or calling someone like me to carefully open it up and clean it.
3. Cleaning them isn’t always easy, but it helps
The good news is a proper internal clean can bring them back to life, or at least extend their lifespan. I recently cleaned a small LED model for a customer in Wickford. Looked brand new again inside and out, but I warned them it'll likely need doing again in 6 to 12 months.
If you’ve already got one and want to avoid another breakdown, it’s worth booking a quick service. It’s cheaper than replacing it every year.
4. Tips if you’re buying one anyway
Avoid using it near carpets or radiators
Raise it off surfaces with something like a laptop stand
Blow out dust from vents every month with compressed air
Don’t run it for hours straight without breaks
And if you see “easy to clean” in the reviews, be suspicious. Most are sealed with clips or glue.
Final word
I get the appeal (I’ve got one myself!) These little projectors are affordable and surprisingly decent for the price. But just like with laptops, regular cleaning makes a huge difference in how long they last. If yours is already noisy or getting hot, don’t wait for it to die. I’m happy to give it a once-over and get it sorted.
