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Nebula X1: two-minute evaluation
The Nebula X1 is the most recent projector from Anker, an organization that constructed its projector repute by releasing the Capsule and Mars sequence, among the most constant, well-performing 1080p portable projectors obtainable. A number of years in the past, Anker dipped its toes into the best 4K projectors class with the Nebula Cosmos Max, an oval-shaped, pixel-shifting LED projector designed to reside on a shelf or ceiling mount. Since then, Anker upgraded from an LED mild supply to a laser one, and leaned again into the transportable thought with the two,200-ANSI lumen Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K, which has a carrying deal with and rectangular form.
Now, Anker has stepped issues up once more. The brand new Nebula X1 is a 3,500-lumen triple laser 4K DLP projector with its 14-element all-glass lens on a novel motorized gimbal, which is designed to ease setup in just about any state of affairs whereas delivering a pointy, correctly aligned picture. Constructed-in liquid cooling retains temps down with out extreme fan noise. It additionally has Dolby Imaginative and prescient HDR help, is ISF licensed, and makes use of the Google TV sensible TV platform.
The X1 features a retractable deal with for portability and has 4 built-in audio system (a 15W full-range woofer and 5W tweeter on either side) with a front-firing passive radiator. For improved sonic efficiency, two wi-fi audio system will be paired with the projector, and wi-fi microphones can flip a film night time right into a karaoke night time.
All of this efficiency and adaptability comes with a worth, although, because the X1 by itself is $2,999, with the non-obligatory exterior audio system and microphones including to that base worth (to not point out a projection display). However for film nights, each inside and out of doors, the Nebula X1 delivers a superb expertise with a simple, constant setup course of that may have you ever watching films inside minutes.
Nebula X1 evaluation: worth and launch date
- First obtainable: Might 2025
- Value: $2,999 / £2,999 / round AU$4,500
The Nebula X1 is out there now for $2,999 / £2,999 / round AU$4,500 by the Nebula web site or Amazon. The exterior audio system, bought in a pair, value $699. An adjunct pack is out there that features two audio system, two microphones, and a carrying case that holds all of it for $999.
There aren’t any projectors on the identical worth level that supply the identical sort of efficiency and portability. The triple laser Valerion VisionMaster Professional 2 is probably the most related, though it’s extra appropriate as a single-room dwelling theater projector reasonably than a conveyable one. Different triple laser projectors round its worth are of the extremely quick throw (UST) sort, whereas different, inexpensive transportable laser projectors use a single laser.
Nebula X1 evaluation: Specs
|
Display sizes supported: |
as much as a 200-inch diagonal |
|
Brightness (specified): |
3,500 ANSI lumens |
|
HDR help: |
Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10, HLG |
|
Optical expertise: |
Triple laser DLP |
|
Sensible TV: |
Google TV |
|
Connections: |
2 x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), USB-A, USB-C, optical audio out |
|
Dimensions (W x H x D): |
11.1 x 7.3 x 9.7 inches (H x W x D) |
|
Weight: |
13.7 kilos |
Nebula X1 evaluation: design and options
- Extremely simple and correct setup
- Quiet operation because of liquid cooling
- Progressive motorized gimbal for optical engine
The form of the Nebula X1 is just like the Cosmos 4K and Cosmos 4K SE projectors within the Nebula line — a tall rectangular field with a deal with. The X1, although, is bigger than its cheaper cousins, and its deal with will be hidden in its physique, out of view, by urgent it down (it may be simply as simply prolonged by urgent on it once more). When powered on, the X1 illuminates a Cylon-esque purple line on its prime, and capacitive quantity, auto adjustment, and again buttons seem across the tactile navigation toggle.
Some projectors, such because the Hisense C2 and JMGO N1S 4K, have a gimbal stand to manually place the projector picture towards the display from a decrease vantage level. The Nebula X1 takes it to an entire new stage by having the built-in gimbal motorized and hooked up to the optical engine itself, thereby angling simply the optics and never all the projector.
On startup, the X1 scans the wall for a projection display or unobstructed house for the picture by transferring the gimbal up and down throughout its full 25-degree vary. When a display is detected, the Nebula’s Clever Setting Adaptation instruments alter the picture to suit the display dimension and side ratio. If, for some cause, the auto setup didn’t correctly alter the picture, there’s a button on the prime of the distant (and on the projector) that may run spatial adaptation once more.
In my weeks with the projector, I solely wanted to do that a pair instances, and all however a kind of was as a result of I didn’t have the projector located far again sufficient for the scan to cowl everything of my 100-inch Elite Screens CineTension 3, ensuing within the display house not being crammed correctly. Scooting the projector again just a few inches and operating the setup course of once more mounted the user-error problem. The picture match isn’t completely pristine and may lengthen right into a display’s masking or body by just a few centimeters, however that’s nonetheless mightily spectacular for an automatic system, and, fairly actually, about pretty much as good as you’ll get doing it by yourself.
Whereas the usable picture is sized properly to the display, there’s some dim mild bleed to the borders of the unaltered projected picture dimension (that’s, the complete dimension earlier than taking any auto setup into consideration). It’s solely noticeable when the adjusted image goes to black, or if you happen to’re particularly on the lookout for it whereas watching content material. And if you happen to’re projecting onto a freestanding display exterior, it’s of no consequence, as a result of that mild bleed disappears into the house across the display.
It’s vital to notice that if you happen to merely short-press the facility button to show off the Nebula X1 whenever you’re accomplished, the gimbal won’t instantly return to its default place — a brief press places the projector in standby mode. Actually, it’s going to take near half-hour for it to return, and if you happen to unplug the projector to place it away, the gimbal will keep in that place till you flip it again on. You must long-press the facility button and choose Energy Off, which can shut down the projector and trigger the gimbal to maneuver into its vertical, default place inside six seconds. The projector is then able to be unplugged and put away safely. The directions level this out when discussing the facility button on the projector, however not when utilizing the distant, so it’s simple to overlook.
As an alternative of relying solely on followers to maintain the internals cool, the X1 has a liquid cooling system — touted as an business first — to maintain issues operating at an optimum temperature, with a big fan exhausting the warmth out the again of the projector. The liquid cooling makes the X1 one of many quietest projectors I’ve come throughout. Remember that if you happen to plan to sit down straight behind the projector, you’re in for a heat night.
On both aspect of the projector, behind the built-in grilles, are two audio system — a 15W woofer and a 5W tweeter — with a single passive radiator on the entrance. When paired with the 2 non-obligatory wi-fi audio system, the projector acts because the subwoofer within the 4.1.2 configuration.
The IR distant management is small and lightweight, with backlit buttons that glow when the distant is picked up. There’s a built-in mic to be used with Google that may be activated with a microphone button. Probably the most distinguished button is the four-way nav with the choose button within the center. Under it’s the dwelling button flanked by quantity (up and down), settings, and the again button. Slightly below these are 4 fast buttons for YouTube, Netflix, and Prime Video, and quantity mute.
The up and down quantity buttons are laid out horizontally (with down on the left aspect and up on the best), as an alternative of being oriented vertically, as is the setup on most remotes I come throughout. It’s a minor gripe, however I discovered myself hitting the again button (which is situated straight above the quantity down button) on quite a few events after I meant to lift the quantity.
- Design and options rating: 4.5/5
Nebula X1 evaluation: image and sound high quality
- Unbelievable element from the 14-element, all-glass lens
- Correct colours in Film mode
- Gaming requires cautious projector setup
The Nebula X1 has 9 completely different image modes – NebulaMaster, Customary, Vivid, Sport, Film, Sport (with two sub modes I’ll speak about under), Convention, ISF Day, and ISF Night time.
As is perhaps anticipated, Film and the 2 ISF modes are probably the most correct. I measured peak HDR brightness on a ten% white window sample at 188 nits in each modes. The Nebula X1’s native distinction ratio in the identical was 1,656:1, and its dynamic distinction was 11,482:1.
What was not anticipated is that each mode, together with the ISF modes, has a point of MEMC (Movement Estimation, Movement Compensation), generally known as movement smoothing or the ‘cleaning soap opera impact.’ With some content material, the movement smoothing launched artifacts when set at Center or Excessive. Low was extra acceptable and might be helpful when watching sports activities, however normally, I counsel you flip it off instantly.
NebulaMaster mode, in accordance with data on the Nebula X1 website, dynamically adapts the picture based mostly on projection dimension and ambient lighting, whereas additionally utilizing decontouring algorithms to scale back posterization artifacts (often known as banding). In my room, the picture on this mode leaned closely blue in each SDR and HDR, which was confirmed by my measurements. Some want a picture with a cooler coloration stability, however for my style, it was a bit an excessive amount of. The mode additionally tended to barely increase black ranges in darker pictures.
Out of the field, Film and the ISF image modes have been my most well-liked image modes for all of my viewing. Colours, notably pores and skin tones, have been much more correct. Grayscale and colours might be dialed in even additional in Film mode with 11-point white stability correction, and a coloration administration system for adjusting hue, saturation, and coloration brightness (luminance), plus offset and achieve. (An ISF calibrator can unlock these choices for the ISF image modes, as properly.)
The X1 carried out admirably in darkish scene torture checks from Dune and the opening scenes at Sapper Morton’s dwelling in Blade Runner 2049, with some element being seen in the dead of night shadows on the little dwelling’s partitions close to the piano and within the kitchen. The X1 additionally delivers quantity of brightness that permits the picture to nonetheless have some pop whereas viewing in a yard the place there’s uncontrollable mild air pollution. Simply wait till the solar goes down for one of the best expertise.
However maybe probably the most spectacular efficiency side of the X1 was its element. The 14-element, all-glass lens produces a gorgeously detailed 4K picture, even with the image adjustment processing to suit the picture to the display, which may introduce readability points in direction of the sting of the picture. The X1’s image appeared crisp from nook to nook.
There was one problem I encountered throughout testing with the eARC port (HDMI2). I deliberate to observe a Blu-ray on my disc participant linked to HDMI2, however the projector would solely acknowledge the disc participant as an audio supply, and the video would default again to Google TV. Once I contacted Anker about this, they mentioned, “We’re conscious of this problem and can optimize this performance in future software program updates.”
In terms of any gaming that requires a good response time (which incorporates the overwhelming majority of video games), the projector must be within the Sport image mode with the Excessive setting lively. This disables the keystone correction and delivers one of the best enter lag, which I measured at 18.3 ms. However as you’ll be able to think about from that sentence, if you happen to’ve been counting on the auto-adjust options to observe films and TV exhibits, the second you set it on this mode, the picture turns into skewed and now not suits your display. Should you use Sport mode with the Customary setting, the keystone correction stays on, however the enter lag shoots as much as 142.1 ms with a 4K/60 sign, far too excessive for any severe gaming.
This state of affairs requires you to do a correct setup with out using top-of-the-line elements of the Nebula X1 – the auto adjustment. The lens must be stage with the underside of your display, and it’ll take a while to mess around with positioning to get the picture to sq. up along with your display.
The built-in audio system can play impressively loud, though audible distortion will be heard from round 90 % and above. However I wouldn’t suggest listening at that stage anyway. As I listened in my lounge, the utmost quantity I set was between 50 and 60 %, and normally decrease. Dialogue was clear, and whereas it’s not the fullest and most strong sound I’ve heard (these are small woofers, in any case), it was loads to ship a pleasant expertise.
Including the wi-fi audio system brings the sound efficiency to a different stage. The left speaker linked rapidly, whereas I wanted to show the best speaker on and off a number of instances earlier than the connection occurred. Naturally, being able to broadly set a left and proper channel with side-firing audio system elevated the soundstage with a convincing phantom middle, and the projector turns into the subwoofer. The upfiring Atmos audio system do a bit so as to add some top to the sound, however it’s not a convincing Atmos cover with sounds flying overhead such as you get from the best Dolby Atmos soundbars or discrete audio system with DSP. And if you happen to use them exterior, with no ceiling to bounce the hold forth of, the impact is minimized.
Nonetheless, for a extra immersive expertise, I like to recommend getting the wi-fi audio system. Their relative ease of use, setup flexibility, and stable efficiency are a welcome addition to the Nebula X1. And if you buy the accent pack, they match properly within the carrying case together with the projector, distant, energy provide, and (presumably) microphones. (I didn’t have the microphones readily available to check them.)
- Image high quality rating: 4.5/5
Nebula X1 evaluation: worth
- Prime-of-the-line transportable projector
- Dearer than rivals
- Finest expertise requires extra audio system
When in comparison with different transportable projectors, and even those who aren’t as transportable, the Nebula X1 delivers unimaginable efficiency and, extra importantly, an amazing movie-watching expertise irrespective of the place you set it up. There’s no have to take 10 minutes getting its top or angle completely right for a squared-up picture. Simply put it down, level it in direction of your display, and in just a few dozen seconds it’s set to go. With the addition of the wi-fi audio system, the sound efficiency significantly improves with no need to arrange (and plug in) a separate sound bar.
The $2,999 price ticket, although, places it lots of of {dollars} above the transportable competitors, and extra in step with way of life dwelling theater projectors such because the Valerion VisionMaster Professional 2 and UST projectors like Samsung’s The Premiere 7 and the Hisense PX2-PRO. After which the accent pack provides one other $999.
That mentioned, the efficiency and flexibility of the Nebula X1 make it a best choice for a film fanatic’s yard projector, and one with the pliability to function an indoor on a regular basis projector as properly.
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Notes |
Ranking |
|---|---|---|
|
Options & Design |
Automated image calibration and wi-fi audio system possibility; sturdy design with carrying deal with |
4.5/5 |
|
Image high quality |
Distinctive brightness for a conveyable projector and crisp 4K image |
4.5/5 |
|
Worth |
Dear, particularly with wi-fi speaker possibility, however distinctive image high quality for a conveyable projector |
3.5/5 |
Ought to I purchase the Nebula X1?
Purchase it if…
Don’t purchase it if…
Additionally think about…
| Header Cell – Column 0 |
Nebula X1 |
BenQ X3100i |
Nebula Mars 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Value: |
$2,999 / £2,999 / round AU$4,500 |
$2,399 (round £1,900 / AU$3,690) |
$1,099 (round £850 / AU$1,645) |
|
Display sizes supported: |
as much as 200 inches |
60 to 200 inches |
30-200 inches |
|
Brightness (specified): |
3,500 lumens |
3,300 ANSI Lumens |
1,000 lumens |
|
HDR help |
Dolby Imaginative and prescient, HDR10, HLG |
HDR10, HLG |
N/A |
|
Optical expertise: |
Triple laser DLP |
4LED, DLP |
LED DLP |
|
Sensible TV: |
Google TV |
Android TV |
Android TV |
|
Connections: |
2 x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC), USB-A, USB-C, optical audio out |
3x HDMI 2.0 (1x eARC, 1x inner), optical digital audio out, USB-A 2.0, RS232, 12V set off out, 3.5mm audio output, Ethernet |
HDMI, USB-A, USB-C, 3.5mm audio out, DC energy in |
How I examined the Nebula X1
- Examined in a number of conditions
- Measured with Calman calibration software program
- Evaluated with SDR and HDR content material
I primarily examined the Nebula X1 in my lounge on a 100-inch Elite Display CineTension 3 ISF-certified retractable display with a 1.1 achieve display materials. I additionally briefly introduced it exterior and projected it on my storage door to check brightness after the solar had set. To check grayscale and coloration accuracy, I used an X-rite i1 Professional 3 spectrophotometer, Murideo Seven-G 8K sample generator, and Calman calibration software program by Portrait Shows. Enter lag testing was accomplished with a Leo Bodnar 4K lag tester.
Subjective testing included watching hours of content material by the Google TV streaming platform utilizing the Disney+, Hulu, and Max apps, in addition to 4K Blu-ray discs performed on an Oppo UDP-203 disc participant. Video games have been performed with an Xbox One X console.
I’ve been testing and reviewing projectors, TVs, and different shows for a few a long time, and am an ISF Degree III licensed calibrator.
First reviewed: July, 2025