Anker Nebula X1 Projector: Life Moves Pretty Fast—So Pause It for a Backyard Movie Night

Nebula, Anker’s smart entertainment brand, has unveiled its most advanced projector to date—the Nebula X1. Building on the success of the Cosmos series, the X1 is crafted to deliver a premium cinematic experience with 4K UHD resolution, brighter visuals, richer colors, and more detailed sound. Whether you’re transforming your living room or setting up the ultimate backyard movie theater, the Nebula X1 combines cutting-edge performance with hassle-free setup for big-screen magic, indoors or out.

Setup

Nebula’s X1 projector takes the hassle out of setup with an impressively user-friendly design. Thanks to a built-in micro gimbal, the X1 can be placed on a stand, table, or even the floor, with the optical engine and lens array tilting up to 25 degrees for optimal alignment on a screen or wall. Paired with its optical zoom, the X1 can project images up to 200 inches diagonally from a distance of 13 to 22 feet, offering flexibility without compromising image quality.

While it’s not a short-throw or ultra-short-throw projector, the X1’s optical zoom and gimbal make it easy to position closer to the screen when needed. A built-in memory feature even remembers your room settings, so if you move the projector, it’s ready to get back to movie night without skipping a beat.

The X1 features Nebula’s advanced A.I. Spatial Adaptation technology, making setup practically effortless. This smart system includes real-time autofocus and keystone correction, auto obstacle avoidance, auto screen fit, and auto optical zoom—ensuring a perfectly aligned image no matter where you place it. It also adapts to ambient lighting and wall color, so you get the best possible picture even in imperfect conditions.

For added safety, the X1 includes EyeGuard, which automatically dims the projection if someone walks in front of the lens—protecting eyes without interrupting the viewing experience.

Display Technology

The X1 incorporates a triple laser light engine, with 3,500 ANSI Lumens and 4K Ultra HD resolution, providing an unparalleled visual experience on up to a 300-inch display, making it the perfect backyard projector for daytime and nighttime use. The X1 also has ISF and TÜV display certification for the optimal combination of color and brightness in a given setting.

Pro Tip: Like many 4K UHD DLP projectors, the Nebula X1 uses a 0.47-inch 1080p DLP imaging chip—also known as a Digital Micromirror Device (DMD)—from Texas Instruments. This chip contains 2.1 million tiny mirrors (pixels), which is far fewer than the 8.3 million pixels required for true 4K resolution.

To bridge that gap, the X1 rapidly shifts the pixels both vertically and horizontally at a rate of 240 times per second (240Hz). This pixel-shifting technique happens so quickly and precisely that the final result is classified as a 4K image when projected on screen—delivering sharp detail and clarity that belies its native resolution.

The X1 also provides HDR support with Dolby Vision. This helps to optimize the projector with greater depth, enhanced contrast, and enriched colors. The X1 also includes the NebulaMaster Image Processing Engine, which further enhances viewing with immersive, natural-looking images, accurate colors, in combination with the RGB laser light engine. 

NebulaMaster technology also improves contrast with more details in both bright and dark areas of the image. 

To complete its impressive image display system, the X1 is equipped with a premium 14-element glass lens array. This high-quality lens ensures exceptional image clarity and sharpness, while also offering long-term durability. Unlike plastic lenses found in many competing projectors, glass resists yellowing and warping over time—so the X1’s picture stays crisp and accurate for years to come.

Audio Technology

Anker gives viewers two solid audio options with the Nebula X1 projector.

Built into the X1 are four side-firing internal speakers—two 15W drivers, two 5W tweeters, and a pair of passive radiators—that deliver surprisingly powerful and full-bodied sound for a projector of this size.

For those seeking a more cinematic audio experience, especially in outdoor settings or when watching with a crowd, Anker offers optional Wi-Fi satellite speakers. Each speaker packs four drivers: two front-facing powered by a 40W amp, plus an upward-firing and side-firing driver, each driven by 20W amps. This 160-watt multi-directional setup adds serious depth and height to the soundstage, making action sequences hit harder and dialogue come through with clarity.

Each wireless speaker offers up to 8 hours of battery life, recharges via USB-C, and is rated IP54 for dust and water resistance—so even a surprise rain shower won’t ruin movie night.

The satellite speakers can also be used in combination with the X1’s internal speaker system. In this setup, the X1’s internal speakers can be switched to subwoofer mode, providing additional bass, creating a 4.1.2 configuration that provides a more impactful audio listening experience for movies. 

Liquid Cooling 

Another standout innovation in the X1 is its Liquid Cooling system—something Anker claims is a first for a video projector. Working in tandem with a rear-mounted fan, this advanced cooling system improves heat dissipation by 15% compared to traditional fan-only designs, all while reducing the projector’s overall footprint by 30%.

The result? Better thermal management in a more compact package, with minimal noise. The system operates at just 26 dB from one meter away—quiet enough to blend into the background like a whisper, so it won’t distract from your movie night.

Portability

For easy mobility, the X1 features a retractable handle, which rises up with a single push while moving to the location of movie night and stows inside the projector with a second push. 

Smart Features & Physical Connectivity

The Nebula X1 features the Google TV platform with built-in Netflix integration, allowing users to enjoy 700,000+ movies and TV episodes, live TV, and more available across 10,000+ apps.

In addition, two HDMI inputs are provided to connect a gaming system, Blu-Ray player, or other compatible device. 

Microphones?

Here’s something you don’t usually see with a projector: the Nebula X1 supports a pair of optional Nebula wireless microphones, perfect for turning movie night into karaoke night. These mics seamlessly connect to the X1 and its speakers, offering low-latency performance with just 15ms of delay and an impressive 40 hours of battery life.

Whether it’s a family singalong or a full-blown backyard concert, the X1 microphones bring a fun, interactive twist to your summer entertainment setup.

Specifications

The Bottom Line

With the rise of ultra-large TVs (we’re talking movie screen in your living room size, 85 to 116 inches), video projectors are facing a serious identity crisis. Once the go-to for supersized viewing, projectors are now fighting for relevance against the glare (literally) of high-brightness flat panels. It’s no longer enough to just be big—you’ve got to be smart, sharp, and show up with a few party tricks.

Enter the Anker Nebula X1. This thing doesn’t just tick boxes—it launches a full-scale invasion on your backyard with 4K UHD resolution, 3,500 ANSI lumens of retina-sizzling brightness, a premium 14-element glass lens, laser light engine, liquid cooling, and AI-powered setup wizardry that makes it feel more like a sci-fi gadget than a projector.

Throw in Google TV built-in, 3D playback (yes, 3D, the format TVs gave up on), and optional Wi-Fi satellite speakers with enough power to shame a Bluetooth boombox, and you’ve got one serious contender.

It’s practically a portable cinema—minus the popcorn machine. Though, at this point, we wouldn’t be surprised if the next firmware update added that too.

Price & Availability

The Nebula X1 is available for purchase on seenebula.com and Amazon.com starting on May 21st for $2,999.

Also available. The “backyard accessory pack,” which includes two Wireless Satellite Speakers, X1 Carry Case, and two Wireless Microphones for $999. 

This bundle, when paired with the X1, is available for $3,298 in the US through June 20th.

Related Reading

• The Backyard Movie Theater 
• Sony BRAVIA Projector 7 4K Laser Projector Makes Pro Cinema Quality More Affordable
• Epson’s QS100 4K Laser UST Projector Shines Like the Sun with 4,500 Lumens
• Optoma Debuts UHZ68LV 4K UHD Laser Projector at ISE 2025
• Newcomer Valerion Stirs The Lifestyle Projector Pot with VisionMaster Max at CES 2025