Finding a TV that fits in a small space is harder than ever. After all, space is a luxury. The poor sound quality of most TVs leaves you with little space or choice. At least that's what I thought. After months of feeling trapped by my old TV, I decided to let it go. Its power just wasn't worth the squeeze. I wanted a cleaner room, and the TV was a big problem.
I decided to replace it with an Anker Nebula Capsule portable projector. It's about the size of a soda can and produces a better image than my old TV. I had the projector for about a year and thought I'd lost it. I managed to find the Nebula Capsule hidden in a box under my bed. I plugged it in, closed the blinds and the fuzzy projected image transformed into a sharp, focused image. To test the sound, I played a music video and was surprised it sounded better than my old TV (no soundbar needed).
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Anchor Nebula Capsule
What we like
The Nebula projector is compact, weighing just over a pound. It's easy to take with you on outdoor trips or to a friend's house for viewing. There are no cords or TV mounts required. You can project the projector's image onto various walls in your apartment. All you need is a stack of books or a chair to create a makeshift tripod. If stability is a priority, the Nebula has a slot to quickly screw on a tripod. Portable projectors aren't perfect, but if they fit your needs, they can completely change the way you enjoy entertainment in your living space.
The setup process is also easy. Powered by Android OS, it comes with multiple apps and customization options. Nebula can be easily connected via Wi-Fi, HDMI, Micro USB, or Bluetooth.
The picture quality on the Nebula exceeded my expectations. Many of my favorite shows and movies looked incredibly clear. You can also fully zoom in on the image; I ended up with mine taking up nearly an entire length and width of my bedroom wall. I also love how easy it is to control the Nebula; if the remote is out of reach, you can control it with your smartphone. Sound quality was also crisp and clear, with no muddy audio even when I tested it at high volume.
Notes
After setting up the Nebula projector for the first time, I noticed how dull the image looked on bright days, so blackout curtains are a great solution.
In my experience, the Nebula's battery life is around 2.5 hours. According to the brand, the battery lasts 4 hours in battery mode, up to 2.5 hours in standard mode, and 30 hours in Bluetooth speaker mode. This felt like a reasonable compromise for the size and portability of the device, and I felt I could watch shows, YouTube, and movies all the way through without any issues. You have to be prepared to make some sacrifices with a device this size, and I felt the pros far outweighed the cons.
Other products to consider
Anchor Nebula Capsule 3
I've been using the Anker Nebula Capsule so far, but if you're looking for a portable projector with upgraded resolution, brightness, and Dolby Atmos sound capabilities, I'd recommend trying the Nebula Capsule 3. It does come at a higher price, though.
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Why trust NBC Select?
Jordan Bowman is Commerce Editor at NBC Select, where he writes and edits articles on a variety of topics including technology, fitness, and home. In this article, he uses his years of commerce expertise and experience covering technology to find the ideal home projector.
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