Anker's latest Nebula X1 projector delivers powerful wireless audio for outdoor movie nights.

      Nebula, Anker's projector sub-brand, has introduced the Nebula X1 outdoor smart projector. This triple laser projector features a unique motorized gimbal-mounted lens equipped with AI-driven auto image setup, an innovative liquid cooling system, and a fresh approach to sound with built-in speakers that can be paired with optional wireless satellite speakers, promising an enhanced and immersive audio experience for outdoor movie nights.

      The X1 is an upgrade from Nebula's acclaimed Cosmos series of portable outdoor projectors, offering a powerful 3,500 ANSI lumen laser light engine that projects a 4K image as large as 300 inches. Its optical zoom capability allows for a 200-inch display from distances between 13 and 22 feet. This combination of high brightness, resolution, and display size makes the X1 suitable for both outdoor use and home theater setups, where it competes well with many traditional projectors.

      The RGB laser image technology is supported by Nebula's new all-glass, 14-element lens—the first of its kind in a smart projector—and the NebulaMaster Image Processing Engine, which creates realistic and vibrant images covering 110% of the Rec.2020 color space, ensuring that your summer viewing of the Barbie Movie matches the intended shades.

      This engine, along with Dolby Vision HDR compatibility, provides impressive contrast with bright highlights and deep shadows, achieving a native contrast ratio of 5000:1. To maintain a cooler and quieter operation compared to previous models, Nebula has implemented a pioneering liquid cooling system that enhances heat dissipation by 15%, reduces the overall size by 30%, and minimizes noise to just 26 decibels, preventing distractions during viewing.

      For those seeking a hassle-free setup, the X1 features an advanced tilting lens and plate with a swiveling micro-gimbal that can tilt up to 25 degrees for optimal wall or screen alignment. This design means you can place the projector on the ground, on a table, or mount it without the need for extensive adjustments.

      Additionally, Anker has integrated an AI-based “Spatial Adaptation auto setup procedure” into the X1, allowing it to perform real-time autofocus, keystone correction, auto obstacle avoidance, and more, all initiated with a single button press on the provided remote control.

      In an early demonstration, the X1 was placed on the ground, and with one button press, the projector image expanded and adjusted to fit perfectly onto the demo screen. The X1 features a memory option to remember different room configurations, making it easy to transition between indoor and outdoor use, though we have yet to test its performance.

      Anker has also focused on enhancing the sound features of the Nebula X1, which typically fall short in portable projectors, often necessitating the use of external soundbars. The X1 is equipped with four side-firing speakers and two passive bass radiators for a total output of 40 watts, providing sufficient sound for movie nights. Additionally, Anker offers an optional set of compact wireless satellite speakers that can be bundled with the X1 or purchased separately for $999. Each satellite speaker has four drivers—two front-firing, one up-firing, and one side-firing—producing a combined output of 160 watts. This setup generates a more expansive and immersive soundstage, and the projector's audio can function in “subwoofer mode” when used with the satellite speakers, enabling a 4.1.2 channel audio experience.

      The Dolby Audio-compatible speakers utilize a Wi-Fi mesh network (instead of Bluetooth), offer low latency of 25ms, operate within a 30-meter range, and support lossless audio quality for Dolby tracks. The wireless speakers have an 8-hour battery life on a single charge, and Nebula also provides a pair of wireless microphones that can be paired with the X1 for karaoke fun.

      The Nebula X1 operates on the Google TV platform, granting access to all major streaming services (Netflix is pre-installed), yet it also includes two HDMI ports, one of which supports eARC, for those who prefer using their own streaming devices or Blu-ray players.

      The Nebula X1 is priced at $2,999 and will launch on May 21 via the Nebula website and Amazon. Additionally, the “backyard accessory pack,” which includes the wireless satellite speakers, a carrying case, and two wireless microphones, is available for $999 or can be bundled with the X1 projector for a total of $3,298 in the U.S. until June 20th.