Anker Soundcore Nebula P1 Review

Design

• IP33 rated
• Detachable speakers
• Single HDMI port

A tall canister, the Anker Soundcore Nebula P1 has a design similar to some older models, such as the XGIMI Halo+, rather than a flexible gimbal stand, as with the JMGO N1S 4K.

That’s only on a first glance, and before you dismiss this projector out of hand for not being flexible enough, you should know that the Nebula P1 is actually very cleverly built.

Look at the main section, and you can see that the main projector body is mounted on hinges on either side of the case, allowing it to swivel. This not only gives you built-in lens protection when the projector’s not in use, but it lets you angle the projector to hit the playback surface, whether this is a white wall or a proper projector screen.

It is best to try and get the projector as straight-on as you can to avoid using digital keystone correction, but life on the move doesn’t always make things that easy, so having the tilt is very useful.

Underneath, there’s also a standard tripod mount, so you can fix the projector to one of these to give you a stable projection surface and proper height adjustment.

With the projector swivelled into its working position, the rear panel is exposed, giving you access to the ports: a single HDMI 2.1 port (with eARC if you do want to use external audio), USB-A, and AUX. That’s pretty standard for a projector like this and it’s unlikely that you’ll need more than one HDMI input.

Power is provided via USB-C, with a 100W adaptor provided in the box, which has folding pins so that it doesn’t take up too much space.

Next to the USB-C port on the projector is an IR port for the bundled remote control.

Not that you’ll need this beyond setup, as the remote (the same model as on the high-end Anker Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro) can be paired via Bluetooth, so you don’t need line-of-sight, and you can use the built-in microphone for voice commands.

The remote is simple with just the controls you need for everyday use, plus shortcuts for YouTube, Netflix and Prime Video. I like it, but would have preferred a backlit version for use when it’s dark.

On top of the projector are the two detachable speakers. There’s a sliding lock to remove them and should be placed in front of you, despite being labelled surround speakers; that’s because they use virtual surround tech to push sound around you.

These speakers are charged when in place on the projector, but they also have USB-C inputs if you need to power them separately.

Anker provides a simple carry handle for moving the projector around, and an optional carry case is available.

The main projector body is IP33 rated, which means it has basic protection agains water sprays, so fine for light rain. The speakers are IP54 rated (dust-protection and resistant to water splashes).

There’s no battery in the projector, so you’ll need a power station if you want to watch films away from a power socket.

Features

• Google TV
• Access to all common apps, bar iPlayer and Channel 4
• Auto config via Nebula app

Google TV is the OS of choice, as it is for most smart projectors. It’s a decent enough option: easy to set up, with a clear and simple interface.

If anything, the interface isn’t quite as smooth here as with other projectors that I’ve reviewed, with a bit of lag moving around the interface, particularly when it scrolls vertically. It’s not a terrible level of jerkiness, but noticeable, particularly when compared to more expensive projectors.

All of the major streaming apps are available, but BBC iPlayer and Channel 4 are not. Strange licensing issues mean that the vast majority of projectors don’t have access to this app. It’s frustrating and means you’ll need to cast directly from the apps over Wi-Fi.

Automatic setup provides keystone correction and focus, and runs automatically when the projector is turned on. You can also enable an option to automatically trigger this when the Anker Soundcore Nebula P1 is moved. There’s also a shortcut button on the remote that can trigger this.

If you want more advanced options, such as screen fitting and obstacle avoidance, then you need the Nebula app on your phone. Once the projector displays a test pattern, you use the app to take a photo of it, which is then used to adjust the picture. It worked well enough when I tested it, but it’s not quite as simple as having all the features built-in.

Similarly, the Anker Soundcore Nebula P1 has an option to select the wall colour, if you can’t project onto a clean white surface, but it’s a simple selection choice, such as red or blue; with the Nebula X1 Pro there’s full wall colour calibration, where the projector will adjust its output based on what it detects.

Otherwise, the settings are pretty much as you might think, with a range of picture modes to choose from. I found Standard or Movie to be best overall. Be careful with the modes, as some sacrifice colour quality for brightness.

The software offers basic contrast, saturation, and hue controls, plus a colour tuner for detailed adjustments like hue, saturation, brightness, offset, and gain. It also features an 11-point white balance correction for precise calibration.

Picture Quality

• Bright and colourful
• Shade detail a little lacking
• HDR adds detail but not brightness

Internally, there’s a 0.23-inch DMD DLP chip. There are different native resolutions available up to 720p, but the Anker Soundcore Nebula P1 has a 1920 x 1080 resolution, using XPR technology to upscale the image, shifting the image sensor.

That’s common with DLP, and for general films and TV shows, it works well; text can look a touch jagged, and there’s not quite the same sharpness you get with a native Full HD projector.

Image brightness is rated at 650 ANSI Lumens (around 520 ISO Lumens), which is a good mid-range choice. That level of brightness is not good enough for a sunlit room, and you’ll want a darkened room to use the Anker Soundcore Nebula P1, with the best image quality coming in a very dark room or at night.

Under the right conditions, the Anker Soundcore Nebula P1 is a capable projector, with bright and vivid colours. There’s an LED, rather than a laser, backlight. That shows with slightly less rich colours than you might get with a projector with a laser backlight, such as the XGIMI MoGo 4 Laser. Generally, the Nebula Pro P1 does well, and better than I’d expected at the price. 

Brighter content is easier for the projector to handle, as it is for any type of display. Daylight footage is generally clean, with strong colours and detail and sharpness through the frame.

HDR10 is supported via any service that has it. HDR helps with overall image quality, but with the level of brightness on offer, you don’t get the peak highlights as with a brighter display. For example, the ‘flame on’ scene in Deadpool vs Wolverine looks good, but it’s not bright enough to sear your eyes.

Contrast is a little low, as you can see when watching anything with a combination of shadows and highlights, such as the running wheel scene in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. While the wheel is clear and in focus, detail towards the back of the scene is a little hazy.

Similarly, in the opening funeral scene of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, the flames stand out, but the apes in the foreground lack a little detail.

With the brightness on offer, that’s all to be expected, but the Nebula P1 does a good overall job at this price, with a pleasing image and enough detail that you don’t feel like you’re missing out.

With the backlight rated for 25,000 hours, the Anker Soundcore Nebula P1 can be used eight hours per day for eight-and-a-half years; realistically, it will last you way past the point where you’ll be looking for an upgrade.

Sound Quality

• Proper stereo separation
• Clean and clear speech
• Bass is a little lacking

With dual 10W speakers and a 65Hz bass sound chamber, the Anker Soundcore Nebula P1 is, on paper, a step up from most projectors at this price. Having detachable speakers means there’s proper stereo separation, with sound moving left to right.

I’m less convinced by the virtual surround effect. In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the bridge fight scene includes an off-screen gunshot that should come from slightly behind you to the right. With the Nebula P1, that gunshot is a little indistinct, off to the right, but not really behind.

It’s a better effect than you get with most projectors with fixed speakers, but not quite as fully immersive as having discrete surround sound speakers.

Bass is a touch light. There’s some warmth to the sound, but not the decisive boom from explosions and special effects that you might like. But, the sound quality is good. Speech is clear, the sound is well balanced, and stereo speakers mean you get a proper soundstage. Compare the Nebula P1 to any other projector around this price, and this one sounds better.

Should you buy it?