Nebula Capsule 3 Review

When it comes to recommending portable projectors, Anker’s Nebula range has been at the top of my list for years now. When making recommendations to friends and family, ease of use is a key factor, as I don’t want to be on the phone troubleshooting every other month. Thankfully, with the Nebula Capsule 3, Anker has once again made it easy to dive into the world of portable projectors, enjoying big-screen entertainment that is complemented by an easy-to-use interface. Oh, and yes, the Capsule 3 does indeed have native Netflix support!

Key Features

If you’ve not seen a Capsule unit in person before, the size can be quite surprising. It is really quite compact, adding to its portability. While it is a little weighty, it’s important to remember that it does have a battery inside, meaning you can enjoy projected movies, TV shows, and games without needing to plug into a power outlet. I’ve personally found this very useful in hotel rooms, where available outlets are usually very limited.

Charging by USB-C, and with quick charging enabled, really helps elevate this product above other portable projectors out there.

Easy does it

Native Netflix and Google TV support also help to make the Capsule 3 stand out. Ease of use is a big factor here and the seamless setup and streaming experience is a huge win for this product. Features like auto-focus, auto-keystone correction, and intelligent environment adaptation technology all combine to make for a fantastic experience, even for first-time users.

It might be small, but the Capsule 3 can push out a big image. Outputting content at up to 120 inches, it’s possible to fill even the biggest of walls. While that is very cool, it’s important to note the 1080p resolution which, while sharp, can only look so good when stretched to that degree. I found my 80” projector to be the sweet spot between size and overall clarity.

Shine brighter

While it’s simple to get up and running, and it is possible to get a great image out of the Capsule 3, there’s only so much you can do with 200 ANSI lumens of brightness. Users will want to find the darkest possible environment to enjoy content on this projector. While this should be adequate for most indoor settings, as lounges and hotel rooms can be made very dark with blackout curtains, it presents a challenge for outdoor use. Those planning to use this projector outside during summer evenings may find the brightness to be sub-par. It’s passable, but not at all ideal.

Final Verdict

At $549, the Nebula Capsule 3 is launching at a higher price than I expected. However, Anker frequently offers discounts, so I imagine that the price will be slashed fairly often over on Amazon.com.

For those looking for extreme ease of use as a priority, perhaps as a newcomer to the world of projectors who has a bit more money to spend for a smoother experience, the Nebula Capsule 3 will deliver. However, the low brightness may have you hunting for an upgrade sooner rather than later!

Disclosure: Nebula Capsule 3 provided for review.