Anker Nebula Capsule Air Review: LITTLE LED CAN; Can Irritate a little

The Anker Nebula Capsule Air is the company's latest can projector. I've checked the capsule 3 and the original capsule. Both of them performed well. The air is dimmer than Capsule 3, one of my choices Best portable projectorbut it's also smaller and cheaper, which is a reasonable trade-off depending on how you intend to use it.

The usual warning applies to capsule air because it is not very bright and its image is not very accurate. But this may be a high standard for coke size. Google TV is built in, and it's a fantastic and portable way to watch almost everything anywhere.

Specifications, etc.

• solve: 720p
• Lumen specifications: 150
• Soaring: No
• Lens Movement: No
• Battery life: 2 hours (claimed, ecological model)
• LED Life (Normal Mode): 30,000 hours

Capsule Air is a very small projector with very small specifications. When most projectors are 1080p or 4k it is 720p, but the built-in battery should last about 2 hours. For drink-sized stuff, it's all good.

Anker claims light output is 150 lumens. I measured 84 in custom mode and 102 in smaller meeting mode. Of course, this is within the scope of other small pocket projectors. Original capsules for comparison, 85 were proposed, which were actually the same. The contrast ratio is surprisingly good – again, for a small projector – at 381:1. This is twice as much as the original capsule can manage, and is a recent comparison of larger, more expensive projectors.

There is no zoom or lens offset – no surprise – but if you move the projector, there is an autofocus that automatically adjusts. Anker recommends screen sizes from 30 to 80 inches, mainly because larger images will be very dim. After all, this is only 85 lumens. While it may be 100 inches, the projector starts to go crazy and repeatedly asks you to move it to the screen. However, you can still focus the image at that distance. And, as long as you don't bother it further, it will eventually stop bothering you.

connect

• HDMI input: 1
• USB port: 1 (USB-C)
• Voice: Bluetooth
• internet: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz/5GHz
• Remote: Backlighting is also an application

Despite its small size and may be used as a portable streaming monitor, there is an HDMI input on the back. For example, if you want to connect to a gaming console, that would be great. It doubles as a Bluetooth speaker and is about one size. It won't be as loud as a dedicated speaker, but if you just want to carry a single device, it sounds enough.

Unlike some portable projectors, capsule air has a USB-C connection that can be charged and in some cases it can provide full power to the projector. If your battery library has a 45W output (PD2.0), you can add 2 hours of playback time in Eco mode. If you don't have such a battery, Anker sells it Built-in in tripod base This doubled the play time and sat down in the air.

The box contains a screw base that allows you to tilt the air so it is projected higher than the seated position. There are some upward throws, but the bottom of the image is about the height of the capsule. So if the projector is on the floor and you want the image to be high on the wall, this tilted base can allow it, but must be used at the expense of Cornerstone correction. The base also has a metal ring that allows you to invert the capsules. Anker envisions hanging it from a hook on one wall and then projecting it on another wall. Smart idea, that.

Comparison of picture quality

AAXA M8 Laser Projector (Review Pending)

Anker Capsule 3

Capsule 3 is a brother with larger and stronger capsule air. That's why spending more money can attract you. The AAXA M8 laser (review pending) costs roughly the same price as the air, but you'll see different design priorities. I connected them to a single 1×4 distribution amplifier and viewed them side by side on a 102-inch 1.0 GAIN screen.

These two capsules are much different than them. They can be produced – once you turn off all other image “enhanced” settings, you can watch reasonable and accurate images. While the colors are inaccurate, they are close enough considering size and price. The contrast isn't amazing, but they're at least as good as many expensive, full-size 4K projectors.

So, what about spending more on larger capsule 3 for you? Look carefully at the numbers: 3 highlights at 3 lumens, and the contrast ratio is better at 471:1. Side by side these differences are subtle. With the regular content, do these 3 look brighter and more contrasting? Yes…but there are almost no. Personally, I think I'll go into the air and then make the screen a little smaller.

3 is by no means bulky, but obviously bigger. This is not to say it doesn't fit in the same place, but the total volume increases by about 50%, which may be obvious in a backpack or wallet. As of this writing, the air is also 30% cheaper. While I haven't reviewed it yet, the Capsule 3 laser may be a little brighter than any of them, but it's more expensive. That is, yes, larger capsules have worse functions, but the air performs well enough and wins size and price. For me, size and price are the focus of PICO projectors.

Meanwhile, the competitive AAXA M8 laser is a bit surprising. I've reviewed some Aaxa projectors and the image quality is not great despite their size and price. M8 laser is crazy Oversaturated, almost cartoon-like, but the image is pretty good. It has 3 times more contrast than capsule air and is significantly brighter. Even in normal brightness mode, it emits an impressive 343 lumens.

I can't quite say it will win two capsules, but it's an alternative to a specific purpose. First, streaming options are more limited, including Netflix's mobile standard defined version. Plus, the fans are huge. To get impressive brightness, there are tiny fans spinning like their lives, which can be distracting depending on how far you sit. But if you absolutely need 85 lumens from the capsule Air and don't mind something bigger, louder and more convenient, the M8 laser is a fun option. I will make a full review as soon as possible.

May I? It can.

Capsule air is a wise evolution of Anker's portable projector design. Every generation will get better in some way. There is no doubt that the capsule air is dim. But for price and scale, this seems like a reasonable trade-off. I like the included tilted base and optional tripod accessories, even though the latter does increase the overall price a little. But for camping or improvising movie nights in the basement, the capsule Air’s impressive portability is fantastic.