PIQO Projector vs Nebula Capsule 3

The projectors are now increasingly smaller and smaller, which makes them more portable. PIQO projector and Nebula Capsule 3 are both portable projectors, and they have the same 1080P resolution. In this guide, we will compare the two projectors side by side and help you to make a wise decision.

PIQO Projector vs Nebula Capsule 3

The two projectors are both positioned as portable projectors which has small size and low weight. They both have a built-in battery and support outdoor use. In terms of brand influence, product popularity, and market share, Nebula is obviously better than PIQO.

On the whole, Anker Nebula Capsule 3 has a higher configuration and overall performance, but the PIQO projector has an edge on portability. You can see the specs comparison below.

PIQO Projector vs Nebula Capsule 3 comparison

Design

The two projectors are both small enough, but PIQO mini projector is relatively smaller and lighter.  As for shape, Anker Nebula Capsule 3 is cylindrical while PIQO mini projector is cubic.

PIQO mini projector has a touch-screen panel on the top and an HDMI interface at the side panel. Looking from the front view, we can see a lens module on the left side and the PIQO logo on the right side.

Anker Nebula Capsule 3 has a typical can-like outer design of the Capsule series. The Nebula logo is located at the bottom while the lens module is equipped at the upper central part of the projector. The outer panel is perforated for heat dissipation and noise reduction.

On the whole, Anker Nebula Capsule 3 has more delicate workmanship.

Light Source

One of the biggest differences between the two projectors is the light source. Anker Nebula Capsule 3 adopts laser as the light source while PIQO mini projector has an LED light source.

In terms of brightness, Nebula Capsule 3 is measured at 300 ISO lumens (about 375 ANSI lumens), while PIQO mini projector has only 200 ANSI lumens. As ISO lumen and ANSI lumen are different brightness measurements, you can use this ANSI to lumens converter to convert different lumens units.

Generally, LED light is widely seen in some budget projectors while the laser is applied in some high-end smart projectors.

Image

The two projectors have the same 1080P resolution, but they are different in terms of brightness, image size, and image technique. PIQO mini projector has only 200 ANSI lumens, which is less bright than Anker Nebula Capsule 3 projector.

 If the projector is less bright, you can only use the projector in a dim environment. It is worth noting that the two projectors are both not bright enough for daytime use. To improve the viewing effect, you need to lower the ambient light.

As for HDR decode, Anker Nebula Capsule 3 is compatible with HDR10 while PIQO mini projector doesn’t. In terms of image technique, Anker Nebula Capsule 3 is relatively smarter as it has auto focus and auto keystone function.

Regarding image size, PIQO mini projector has a max image of 240” while Anker Nebula Capsule 3 has a max image size of 120”. Generally, a 120-inch screen is big enough for a living room.

System

The two projectors both have a built-in system. PIQO mini projector has built-in Android OS while Anker Nebula Capsule has Android TV, which is more powerful. See our previous post on Android TV vs Android OS.

You can see the table below to see their differences.

ParametersPIQO Mini ProjectorAnker Nebula Capsule 3
OSAndroid OSAndroid TV
Memory16G16G

Portability

As portable projectors, portability is one of the top considerations.  In terms of size, PIQO Mini Projector is relatively smaller and can be put in the palm. Anker Nebula Capsule 3 is relatively bigger, but it still can be grasped by hand easily.

The battery is also neglectable for good portability. The two projectors both have a built-in battery, but PIQO Mini Projector has longer battery life. In addition, they both support Wi-Fi and enable users to connect to the network wirelessly.

ParametersPIQO Mini ProjectorAnker Nebula Capsule 3
Dimension5.7 x 5.7 x 5.7cm17x 8.3cm
Weight210g950g
Battery Life5 hours2.5 hours

To conclude, PIQO Mini Projector is better in terms of portability.

Audio

The two projectors both have built-in speakers, but PIQO Mini Projector’s speaker is less powerful than Anker Nebula Capsule 3 projector. More importantly, Anker Nebula Capsule 3 is compatible with Dolby Audio, while the PIQO counterpart doesn’t.

The two projectors both support Bluetooth 5.0, which can be connected to external Bluetooth speakers wirelessly.

Connectivity

Most portable projectors have limited interfaces, and so do the two projectors. PIQO Mini Projector and Nebula Capsule 3 projector have 1 HDMI interface, 1 USB interface, and a 3.5mm audio jack. The difference is that Nebula Capsule 3 has HDMI 2.1 while the other projector doesn’t. See the differences between different HDMI versions in the previous post: HDMI vs HDCP.

In terms of wireless connectivity, the two projectors both support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and screen mirroring. Nebula Capsule 3 projector is relatively better because it has a built-in Chromecast.

Pros and Cons

PIQO Mini Projector

Pros

  • 1080P Resolution
  • Small Size
  • Built-in Android OS
  • 240 Inches
  • Longer Battery Life

Cons

  • Less Powerful Speaker
  • No HDMI 2.1

Nebula Capsule 3

Pros

  • 1080P
  • Laser Light Source
  • Auto Focus
  • Android TV
  • Dolby Audio
  • HDMI 2.1

Cons

  • Only 1 HDMI Interface

Conclusion

After the comparison above, we can conclude that PIQO Mini Projector is better in terms of low cost and portability, while Nebula Capsule 3 projector has higher brightness, smarter features, and a more powerful system.

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