Anker Nebula Capsule II Review

Anker Nebula Capsule II is a portable yet powerful screen projector. It’s an all-in-one gadget. It has a built-in Android TV and an 8W speaker. No need for a laptop or mobile phone to connect with. It has wired and wireless connections available. Thus, I can connect several gadgets with the Nebula Capsule II. I can use it with my laptop, Macbook, Android phone, iPhone, iPad, Nintendo Switch, and with a USD Flash Drive.

All-in-One Gadget

I wanted a projector instead of a TV because we have a small entertainment space in our condo. Most projectors are just that — video projectors. You still need a laptop or mobile phone to connect the video. Then you need to connect a speaker for the audio. That’s at least 3 gadgets in all.

The Anker Nebula Capsule II is already a video projector, an Android TV and a speaker in one. I just need to turn it on and I can watch videos on Youtube and Facebook. Streaming services like Hulu and Amazon Prime can be used too. It even has the Google Assistant installed. Netflix is also available but you need to download the free Nebula Manager app to make it work.

If we want to have an outdoor movie night, I just need to bring the Anker Nebula Capsule II, a tripod and a white screen. That’s it.

Bright Enough

The Anker Nebula Capsule II has a brightness of 200 ANSI lumen image. It is good for low light areas. It is useless to turn on in the morning with the sunlight bursting through the windows. So to watch it in our living room, we would cover the windows to block the sunlight and turn off the lights.

But watching it at night makes the projector’s brightness and 720p resolution stand out. The video and audio is clear. The autofocus function makes setting up very easy.

We have tried using it outdoors and it still looks great even with some stray lights from nearby houses. It is great for some bonding time with family and friends.

Connectivity

The Anker Nebula Capsule II has several connectivity options. It has HDMI, USB-C, Bluetooth, Wifi, and Chromecast. It has an AUX-Out for audio. I can use it with several other devices like Nintendo Switch, iPad, MacBook, Windows laptop, a sound bar, and more. I like how versatile it is.

Battery Life and Lamp Life

Battery Life is just enough for a 2 hour movie. It is only rated to last up to 2.5 hours. Most movies are just about this length. But if you plan for a movie marathon or a Netflix binge, then you need to attach it to a power source for uninterrupted play.

Lamp Life is rated at 30,000 hours. It looks like I can’t easily change the lamp DIY-style. But if I watch an average of 10 hours per day, I can theoretically use the Anker Nebula Capsule II for 3,000 days or about 8 years. It means I don’t need to buy a new one until the end of the decade. Damn!

Bluetooth Speaker

Using it as a Bluetooth speaker though will give you up to 30 hours of playtime. It has powerful bass sound and can fill a large room with your favorite tracks. But it is too heavy as a portable speaker. Music quality is just so-so. I think the speakers are great for movies and watching videos. It is not optimized for listening to music.

No Built-in Netflix

Anker Nebula Capsule II doesn’t come with a built-in Netflix app. This is due to some requirements from Netflix. However, there is a workaround by installing the Nebula Manager App to login and browse Netflix. It works but it could have been a lot easier if Netflix can be available out of the box.

Bugs and Hangs

The built in Chromecast and Android TV is great but it has its bugs. Sometimes, the connectivity is slow or the remote doesn’t move the way you direct it to be. Sometimes, I can quickly go back to the Home screen with a press of button or sometimes, I get a blank screen. I just restart the device and start over again. It can be annoying.

Screen mirror with a Apple device works sometimes… and sometimes not. Casting a video directly from Facebook app works sometimes… and sometimes not.

Pricey

The Anker Nebula Capsule II SRP is at 32,995 Php at the Anker Store in Lazada. That is a hefty price for such a small device. Compared to cheaper options, the Capsule II has a built-in 8W speaker, Chromecast, Android TV, Google Assistant, and a powerful USB-C Charger. These could add up to some significant savings as well. If portability is a priority in looking for a mini-projector, then the Anker Nebula Capsule II is currently your best option.

Anker Nebula Capsule II Review Summary

Despite the bugs and limitations, I still love using Anker Nebula Capsule II. It is truly an all-in-one projector. I don’t need to bring a separate speaker or to connect a video device. It simply works on its own. It is perfect for our small space in the condo where even a flat screen TV can take up valuable space.

Since it is portable, I can bring it anywhere. I can watch in the living room, in the bedroom and of course outdoors. We look forward to movie nights with our friends where we setup the Capsule II outside for everyone to watch.

The Anker Nebula Capsule II is available at the Anker Store in Lazada. It is priced at 32,995 Php. It can be a few hundreds lesser with some discounts and vouchers.