Portable projectors have a certain sort of attraction. Showing a movie anywhere there’s a blank surface is one way to gather folks around you, but there are common issues. Anker claims its new Soundcore Nebula P1 addresses the most glaring of these issues by integrating larger speakers than are typically found in the projector format.
Anker, known for its audio gear, batteries, and projectors, has included detachable speakers in its newest Nebula. The idea is simple enough that we’re almost surprised that it hasn’t been done before, but, Anker claims, this is a world first.
Discovering the Nebula P1
The Nebula P1 looks like any old speaker stack you might stick in a bag for a day at the beach, but the top section is actually two 10W Bluetooth speakers that attach magnetically to the projector unit. They’ll work in place, but can also be detached for a stereo experience. If you’re projecting onto a white sheet strung between some trees, it could change the experience for the better. If you can find a plug point.
The removable speakers use batteries, because they wouldn’t be wireless otherwise, but the Nebula P1 projector still needs a source of power. If you’re camping, a power station will take care of that problem, but the ability to move your audio setup to suit a room has its place away from the great outdoors. The speakers will run for twenty hours on a charge, apparently, which is longer than your portable power solution will hold out. At least you’ll still have music.
The P1 projector lives inside its stand, which acts as a base that the lamp and other innards can swivel on to reach its target surface. It projects a maximum screen of 180in, backed by 650 lumens of brightness. There’s no 4K resolution, but the Nebula will do 1080p if you ask it to. The projector features an IP33 rating (we’ve never seen that one before — it’ll resist tool ingress and sprays of water), while the speakers have an IP54 rating. The whole unit is operated by a Google TV OS, so streaming is on the menu. The Nebula P1 also includes HDMI 2.1 (eARC), USB-A, USB-C, and Aux out ports.
The only catch is that you’ll pay R14,000 for one of these if you pick it up in the States. It’s more glamping than camping fare at that price, with any local release likely to push that price tag up even higher. Still, it’ll ensure that you’ve always got a large enough screen on hand for four-player Mario Kart World.
