Is Anker's Android TV projector the ultimate portable cinema?
Best for: Streaming enthusiasts, Android TV fans, bedroom cinema, window projection, portable entertainment
Avoid if: You need daytime brightness, 1080p native resolution, or silent operation
Bottom line: The Nebula Capsule II is the most versatile portable projector under £400. Android TV integration eliminates the need for dongles, auto-focus actually works, and build quality feels premium. It's dimmer than the XGIMI MoGo 2, but the software experience is superior.
The Nebula Capsule II (also called Anker Nebula Capsule II) is a portable mini projector shaped like a soda can. It's roughly 15cm tall, weighs about 740g, and packs Android TV 9.0, a built-in battery, and surprisingly decent speakers.
Originally launched in 2019, it's still competitive in 2026 because Anker nailed the fundamentals: it works out of the box, auto-focus is reliable, and the Android TV interface means you get Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, and thousands of apps without needing a Firestick or Chromecast.
It's the direct competitor to the XGIMI MoGo 2, and the two dominate the "portable projector under £400" category. The key difference? Capsule II has Android TV built-in. MoGo 2 is brighter but requires a streaming stick.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Resolution | 720p native (1280 × 720), supports 1080p input |
| Brightness | 200 ANSI lumens |
| Projection Size | 40-100 inches (optimal: 60-80") |
| Battery Life | 2.5 hours video playback (tested) |
| Operating System | Android TV 9.0 (certified) |
| Auto-Focus | Yes (works reliably) |
| Keystone Correction | Manual vertical ±40° |
| Audio | 8W speaker (360° sound) |
| Connectivity | HDMI, USB-C, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Weight | 740g |
| Dimensions | 15cm × 8cm (height × diameter) |
| Fan Noise | ~35dB (noticeable but not intrusive) |
This is where the Capsule II shines. I tested it projecting onto bedroom and living room windows for ambience videos (fireplace, aquarium, rain). The 200 ANSI lumens are enough for evening/night use, and the auto-focus means you can place it anywhere and it locks on within 3 seconds.
Key advantages for window projection:
I used it with my throw distance calculator to figure out optimal placement. For a 60-inch projection on my bedroom window, I placed it about 2 metres away. Auto-focus handled the rest.
I tested the Capsule II for tabletop RPG battle maps using Owlbear Rodeo and Foundry VTT. Verdict: it works well, but brightness is a limitation.
What works:
What doesn't:
If D&D projection is your main use case, check out my D&D projector buying guide. The Capsule II is a solid mid-range option, but the XGIMI MoGo 2 is brighter for well-lit rooms.
This is the Capsule II's sweet spot. Project onto the ceiling above your bed, lights off, 80-inch image, full movie. It's magic.
Battery lasts 2.5 hours (tested with Netflix at 50% brightness). That's enough for most films. For longer sessions, plug it in via USB-C or use a power bank.
The 8W speaker is loud enough for solo viewing, but for immersive cinema I recommend Bluetooth headphones or a portable speaker. Audio quality is clear but lacks bass.
200 ANSI lumens = dark room projector. Any ambient light (windows during daytime, overhead lights, lamps) will wash out the image. This is the Capsule II's biggest limitation.
For context:
The Capsule II sits in the middle. Fine for evening/night use, not for daytime. If you need daytime projection, look at the Mars II Pro or MoGo 2.
720p is the standard for portable projectors under £400. It's acceptable at 60-80 inches but not razor-sharp. Text is readable (good for presentations, battle maps, YouTube captions) but not crisp like a 1080p screen.
Supports 1080p input via HDMI, which it downscales to 720p. So you can plug in a Blu-ray player or gaming console, but the output will be 720p.
For window ambience and D&D, 720p is fine. For home cinema purists, it's a compromise.
Colour reproduction is good for a DLP projector in this price range. Reds are vibrant, blues are punchy, skin tones are natural. Contrast is decent in dark rooms but blacks look grey in any ambient light.
No HDR support (expected at this price). Colours are accurate but not spectacular.
This is where the Capsule II wins. Setup is genuinely plug-and-play:
Auto-focus works reliably. I tested it at 1.5m, 2.5m, and 3.5m throw distances - locked on perfectly every time. If you move the projector, tap the remote and it refocuses.
Keystone correction is manual (no auto-keystone like the MoGo 2). You use the remote to adjust vertical tilt up to ±40°. Horizontal correction is not available, so placement matters.
Real-world battery test:
Anker claims 2.5 hours, which matches my Netflix test. Battery degrades slightly over time (my unit is 8 months old).
Charging: Takes 3 hours via included power adapter. Can charge via USB-C power bank (20W+ recommended) for extended sessions, though it won't fully charge while playing - just extends battery life.
The 8W 360° speaker is better than expected. It's loud enough to fill a bedroom (tested at 70% volume - comfortable for solo viewing). Audio is clear with decent mid-range, but bass is weak.
For casual viewing (YouTube, ambience videos, background content), the built-in speaker is fine. For cinema-quality sound, pair with Bluetooth headphones or a portable speaker via Bluetooth 4.2.
I tested it with Sony WH-1000XM4 headphones - audio sync was perfect, no latency issues.
This is the Capsule II's biggest advantage over competitors. It's one of the few portable projectors with certified Android TV (not generic Android).
What this means:
The interface is clean and familiar (same as Android TV on Sony/Philips TVs). Remote has dedicated Netflix/Prime Video/YouTube buttons.
Limitations:
For 90% of use cases (Netflix, YouTube, Disney+, Spotify), Android TV eliminates the need for dongles. You don't need a Firestick, Chromecast, or laptop. Just turn it on and stream.
| Model | Price (UK) | Brightness | Resolution | OS | Auto-Focus | Battery | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebula Capsule II | £350 | 200 ANSI | 720p | Android TV 9.0 | Yes | 2.5hrs | Streaming, portability, Android TV fans |
| XGIMI MoGo 2 | £350 | 400 ANSI | 720p | None (needs dongle) | Yes (auto-keystone too) | 2.5hrs | Brighter rooms, D&D, better image quality |
| Nebula Mars II Pro | £500 | 500 ANSI | 720p | Android TV 7.1 | No | 3hrs | Outdoor cinema, brightest portable option |
| Vankyo Leisure 470 | £180 | 150 ANSI | 720p | None | No | No | Budget static setup (requires mains power) |
| XGIMI Halo+ | £750 | 700 ANSI | 1080p | Android TV 10.0 | Yes (AI-powered) | 2.5hrs | Premium portable, brightest image, 1080p |
This is the big question. Both cost £350. Both have 720p, auto-focus, 2.5-hour battery. Here's how to choose:
Buy Nebula Capsule II if:
Buy XGIMI MoGo 2 if:
For window projection and bedroom cinema, they're equally good. For D&D and daytime use, the MoGo 2 wins. For streaming convenience, the Capsule II wins.
I own both. I use the Capsule II for bedroom window ambience (no dongles needed). I use the MoGo 2 for D&D (brighter image, better for lit rooms).
Perfect for:
Not ideal for:
Not reliably. 200 ANSI lumens is too dim for daytime use unless you have blackout curtains and zero ambient light. Evening/night use only.
Yes. The Capsule II has certified Android TV 9.0 with native Netflix, Disney+, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, and thousands of apps via Google Play Store.
2.5 hours for video playback at 50% brightness (tested with Netflix). Enough for most films. You can extend runtime with a USB-C power bank.
Fan noise is around 35dB - noticeable in quiet scenes but not intrusive. Similar to a laptop fan. The 8W speaker is loud enough for solo viewing.
Yes, but it's not ideal. You can connect a console via HDMI, but 720p resolution and input lag make it poor for fast-paced games. Fine for turn-based games or casual play.
Not natively (no AirPlay). You'd need to cast via third-party apps or use a Lightning-to-HDMI adapter. Android phone users can use Chromecast built-in.
100 inches maximum, but optimal viewing is 60-80 inches. At 100 inches, brightness and sharpness drop noticeably.
Yes. BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4, and My5 are all available via Google Play Store on Android TV.
Yes - if you value convenience over raw brightness.
The Nebula Capsule II is the most versatile portable projector under £400. Android TV built-in eliminates dongles, auto-focus works reliably, and build quality is premium. It's perfect for window projection, bedroom cinema, and portable streaming.
The 200 ANSI lumen limitation is real - you need dark rooms. If brightness matters (D&D in lit rooms, daytime use), the XGIMI MoGo 2 is better. But for evening/night use, the Capsule II's software ecosystem makes it the smoother experience.
At £350 (often £300 on sale), it's fairly priced. Not cheap, but you're paying for certified Android TV, reliable auto-focus, and Anker's build quality. Budget projectors are half the price but require dongles, manual focus, and offer worse image quality.
If you want a projector that works out of the box, fits in a backpack, and streams Netflix without cables, the Nebula Capsule II is the best choice under £400.
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