If there’s one thing I’ve learned in recent years, it’s just how useful a projector can be. In fact, I use a projector for almost all my movie watching, video gaming, and anything else I can think of instead of a traditional television. But this may leave some of you wondering, what about when I leave the comfort of my home and have no projector screen at my disposal?
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For these moments, I can think of nothing better than Nebula’s Capsule 3 Laser, a laser-powered mini projector. It’s smaller than a 22 FL OZ can of Arizona iced tea, and yet it still packs powerful capabilities that make it ideal for traveling and projecting on the go, whether that’s on the wall of a hotel room, the outside wall of a house in the back yard, or camping in the great outdoors.
Nebula Capsule 3 Laser
Last year, I acquired a Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K projector, which I frequently use at home. Despite the host of differences between this and the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser, you’re going to see a lot of similarities in terms of build quality, materials, color choices, and the likes.
Perhaps the first similarities you’ll notice right off the bat are the gunmetal gray color toned exterior, the vent holes that are used for active cooling and double as grilles for the internal speaker, and the red ring around the projector lens.
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser uses laser light to deliver a powerfully bright 300 ANSI lumen picture in stunning 1080p high-definition video quality, which is more than enough for most use cases. Best of all, you can project up to a 120-inch screen on a flat surface and use built-in entertainment support apps such as Google TV, Google Assistant, Netflix (officially licensed), and more.
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is a battery-powered portable projector that supports up to 2.5 hours of video playback or 8 hours of music playback. Yes – this means you can use the projector either as a video device or as a Bluetooth speaker without video. You can also plug the projector in to a USB-C-enabled power source if you need more time.
At a glance, all of this flexible technology fits into an ultra-compact design that weighs roughly two pounds and fits inside of almost any go bag, whether that’s a purse, a sling bag, or a backpack.
Laser projection
Nebula offers two versions of the Capsule 3 projector – a laser version and a non-laser version. The laser version reaches 300 ANSI lumens, while the non-laser version reaches just 200 ANSI lumens. Both are adequately bright, but the laser-powered Capsule 3 is a lot punchier when it comes to projecting far away.
Compared to traditional LED-powered portable projectors, the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser provides a longer lifespan, better power efficiency, and delivers exceptional image quality with more life-like color replication. All of this is accomplished in the same sized package as the LED version.
While the laser version is more expensive than the non-laser version, we consider this worth it. The added brightness, durability, and lifespan will pay for itself.
I/O and connections
You can watch your favorite shows on the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser with the built-in entertainment apps by way of Android TV 11, such as Disney+, Google TV, Hulu, Netflix, Prime Video, and so many other options, or you can connect your device(s) directly to the projector and watch that way.
The backside of the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector features three ports, including HDMI for video-in, a 3.5mm audio jack for audio out, and a USB-C port for charging. Previous models included a USB-A port for additional media connections, but that doesn’t seem to be the case anymore.
The HDMI port is plenty for most applications, including connecting a computer, a tablet, a phone, or even a gaming system such as the Nintendo Switch. This effectively makes the projector into a mere output device, but because of the built-in operating system, you can use the projector in and of itself without any I/O with nothing more than an internet connection.
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser also supports Google Cast, which makes it an ideal device for wirelessly casting to over a Wi-Fi network. This works perfectly with Apple’s AirPlay feature, which is a huge plus for me as an Apple device user.
An included Bluetooth remote helps you navigate the built-in operating system, but it’s worth noting that you can also download the Nebula app for the same experience. The remote features shortcut buttons to popular apps like Netflix and YouTube, while the expected navigational buttons provide a way to move your selection left, right, up, or down, and select. You can also adjust volume from the controller.
At the top of the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser, you’ll find similar controls to those that are on the remote, minus the custom app buttons. You’ll find navigational buttons, a selection button, volume controls, and more.
At the bottom of the projector, you’ll find a 1/4×20 threaded hole where you can attach a traditional tripod camera or another accessory for mounting. I usually use a camera tripod just so that I don’t have to set a table out. This is a convenient setup option for when you’re out and about.
Compactness
As we alluded to earlier, the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector is small. It’s comparable to a canned beverage in size, while most of its weight comes from the 52Wh battery inside.
Because of the size, you can discreetly carry this thing around and set it up just about anywhere you go. It’s also light enough to use on most tripods, of which I often use my Peak Design travel tripod in order to gain some height in a room or while outdoors.
Picture quality
I’ve used a lot of regular LED-based DLP projectors in my day, and they’ve all been great. But after trying Laser, I find it hard to go back. Laser-based projectors seem to deliver higher brightness, enhanced contrast, and more lifelike picture quality than LED-based DLP projectors do.
The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser, despite being a small and compact package, doesn’t stray. In fact, even in this small package, the laser video output provides exceptional brightness from a distance. The colors are rich, saturated, and contrasted correctly. This stands in opposition to cheaper projectors I’ve tried that lack contrast or exhibit light bleeding issues.
Whether you’re projecting up close, or from a distance, the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser puts out an amazing image. The projection remains bright even when moving further from the projection surface, showing less degradation in brightness over longer distances than traditional LED-based DLP projectors.
Because of the laser light source, you’ll want to be mindful not to look directly into the projector while it’s turned on. This can harm your eyes. While the same is true about the LED-based variants, the extent to which a laser can harm your eyes is much greater, so please heed this warning carefully.
With its built-in auto-focus and Keystone picture correction, it doesn’t matter whether you bump the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector or set it at an angle. It will also re-capture the perfect focus and deliver a properly aligned image so that it doesn’t appear distorted on whatever surface you project on.
Sound quality
You can connect virtually any speaker you can think of that supports a 3.5mm audio connection to the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser and use that as the sound output device, but as a portable projector, the Nebula team built quality sound right into the projector so that you don’t need to lug additional equipment with you unless you want to.
Built into the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser is an 8W Dolby Digital speaker that supports Dolby Audio. While this driver isn’t going to deliver any wall-rattling bass, it’s certainly crisp enough for you to hear conversations in movies, loud action effects, or silent pin drops. Moreover, it’s theatrical audio that sounds deep and intentional. It doesn’t have that tinny sound that a lot of cheaper speakers and projectors have.
Battery and power
I’ve found that when it comes to projectors with built-in batteries, you should take the advertised battery life with a grain of salt. Nebula says you should expect 2.5 hours of viewing on a battery charge, but as you might come to expect, it’s a little less than that when using a comfortable audio volume. Still, it’s good enough to watch a standard-length movie on.
When the battery gets low, you can connect it to a USB-C power source, and it charges up quickly thanks to Power Delivery. Personally, I like to use the projector when always connected to a power source whenever possible, as this ensures that the battery never runs out.
My thoughts on the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector
I appreciate a compact device with a lot of functionality, so the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector checks a lot of boxes for me. Below, I’ve compiled a brief list of pros and cons to summarize my thoughts on this device:
Pros:
- Unbelievably bright in such a compact package
- Up to a 120-inch screen with great picture quality
- Offers HDMI wired input connection as well as wireless Cast connections
- Built-in Android TV 11 operating system already has most streaming apps built-in
- Automatic focusing and Keystone correction built-in
- Remote control included, or you can use built-in controls or the app
- Built-in speaker doubles as a Bluetooth speaker when not projecting
- Laser better than LED for projector technology for longevity and performance
Cons:
- Battery life could be better
- No front element projection
- The price might be out of some peoples’ budgets
- Carrying case sold separately
How to get one
Those looking to acquire a Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector can acquire one from Amazon for $550 (normally $750). The non-laser variant of the Nebula Capsule 3 projector is available from Amazon for $380 (normally $500). Both models frequently see discounts of well over $100 from both sources.
You can purchase the carrying case for the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser projector for $50 from Amazon.
Wrapping up
Looking for a portable powerhouse of a projector? There may be no better option for you than the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser. Nebula is a trusted name in the portable projector space and even includes native Netflix apps with no hacks or workarounds required.
Pro tip: I take this thing around every time I go to a friend’s house to play on my Nintendo Switch, and it’s always a party that way.