When choosing a portable projector, it is important to consider certain features to ensure it meets your needs. The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is a portable projector that covers all the essential features. Firstly, it is highly portable with its compact size of 3.3” D X 6.7” H and weight of just 2.1 lbs., making it easy to carry around. Secondly, it delivers an impressive 300 ANSI lumens of brightness, ensuring clear and bright images in environments with controlled ambient light. Thirdly, it has a high resolution, capable of displaying Full HD (1080 x 1280) for sharp and clear images. Fourthly, it has a long battery life with a built-in 52Wh battery that allows up to 2.5 hours of video playback.
Additionally, it can connect to various devices via HDMI, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. It also has built-in speakers and the option to connect to external speakers for better audio quality. Lastly, the auto focus and auto keystone correction allow for quick adjustments to ensure clear and properly shaped images, even if the projector is not positioned at a perfect angle. Overall, the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is a versatile and reliable portable projector that meets all the important requirements for a great viewing experience.
Having a portable projector is great!
Having a portable projector is great! We’ve been fortunate enough here at Projector Reviews to have had hands-on experience with numerous other great portable projectors, including XGIMI’s Halo+ and Samsung’s The Freestyle. For clarification, the name of Samsung’s projector is, in fact, “The Freestyle” I’m not mistyping its name. As of the writing of this review, XGIMI’s Halo+ retails for $739, which I can only assume is a price drop to be more competitive. The Halo+ retailed for $849 when I reviewed it back in 2021. Samsung’s The Freestyle retails for $799.99.
As you can see, the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser has some stiff competition in the $800 portable projector category. The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser claims 300 ANSI lumens of brightness, the Halo+ claims 900 ANSI lumens, and The Freestyle has a manufacturer claim of 550 lumens. Samsung chose not to measure its projector brightness in ANSI lumens. Lumens and ANSI lumens are both units of measurement used to describe the brightness of a projector or other display device. However, there is a difference in how the two units are measured. The ANSI lumens rating is generally considered to be a more accurate representation of a projector's brightness, as it takes into account the size of the projected image and provides a standardized measure that can be used to compare different projectors.
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser has an integrated 52Wh battery for up to 2.5 hours of movie playtime. The Halo+ has a built-in 59Wh battery that is rated to last up to 2 hours of movie playtime. The Freestyle doesn’t have an integrated battery, but it does have an optional battery base called “The Freestyle Battery” base for an additional $189.99, which offers 3 hours of movie playtime. The Freestyle also has an optional “The Freestyle Socket” for an extra $79.99, which lets you power The Freestyle using a standard lightbulb socket.
The XGIMI Halo+’s integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI) allows the Auto Keystone, Auto Focus, Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance, and Intelligent Screen Alignment to work together. Together, they intelligently identify and avoid obstacles in the projection area. The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser and Samsung The Freestyle don’t have any AI obstacle avoidance features, but, of course, you could just not project where there are obstacles.
The Freestyle uses the Tizen OS smart platform, just like Samsung’s newest flat-panel TVs. Samsung, after all, is the world’s leading manufacturer of smart TVs. The smart Tizen operating system has been refined over several years. It is utilized in over 190 million Samsung smart TVs since their televisions provide a seamlessly integrated software and hardware experience. I found the Capsule 3 Laser’s Android TV 11 operating system to work well on my review sample with no significant complaints. Android TV 11 features an updated user interface with a more streamlined design, personalized recommendations, and a new Discover tab for finding new content to watch. The Halo+ has the Android TV 10 OS, making it the oldest operating system in this comparison.
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser, XGIMI Halo+, and Samsung The Freestyle represent some of the best when it comes to small form factor battery-operated portable smart projectors. All three target slightly different consumers. Those who want unique accessories and don’t mind paying for the accessories may choose Samsung The Freestyle. Those who want AI obstacle avoidance and up to 900 ANSI lumens of brightness may choose the XGIMI Halo+. Lastly, those who want an all-in-one portable projector with the smallest cylindrical shape and no desire to buy additional projector accessories may choose the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser.
With access to numerous streaming services, such as Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Apple TV, and Amazon Prime Video, directly from the Capsule 3 Laser, an integrated 52Wh 2.5-hour battery, and a built-in sound system, the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is easy to take with you for big-screen entertainment without cables. If you’re a military member, always on the move, a road warrior, an RVer (a recreational vehicle user), or a student living in an apartment or dormitory, this portable projector is probably for you. If you’re a homeowner, a parent, or anybody else who could use a compact portable projector for a quick movie night setup or an after-dark street party in the cul-de-sac, this projector could also be for you.
PROS
1080p resolution
Laser light source
30,000-hour Laser light source lifespan
Quick and precise auto focus and auto keystone correction simplify setup
Game Picture Mode
Built-in 8-watt speaker
Small and portable cylindrical shape
Includes a vast amount of streaming apps, including Netflix
