Soundcore Nebula P1 review: a portable projector that plays to its own strengths
TechRadar tested the Soundcore Nebula P1, a compact 1080p projector with detachable wireless speakers. It doesn't win on pure picture quality, but its portability and flexible sound make it a niche pick.
The Soundcore Nebula P1 is a projector that knows what it is and doesn't try to be everything. TechRadar's review found it isn't the sharpest or brightest model in its price range, but its travel-friendly design and clever detachable speakers give it an identity that rivals can't easily copy.
Design and portability
The projector is a compact column about five inches wide and under a foot tall, weighing 5.3 pounds. A carrying strap makes it easy to tote, and the projection unit swivels vertically to reveal the lens and ports on the back. It runs on USB-C power, so you can pair it with a suitable portable battery, and it offers Google TV built in, so no external streaming device is needed.
Two small wireless speakers sit on top of the projector and charge via pogo pins when not in use. They pop off and can be placed around a room or yard to create a wide stereo soundstage. The speakers have a 20-hour battery life and automatically sleep when the projector shuts off. Both units carry weather resistance ratings: IP33 on the projector and IP54 on the speakers, so occasional raindrops won't ruin an outdoor movie night.
Picture quality: expected trade-offs
The Nebula P1 outputs 1080p resolution with 650 lumens of brightness, which means it needs a fairly dark environment to look its best. In TechRadar's testing, colors were solid and lifelike, and the image remained sharp enough for casual viewing at up to roughly 100 inches. However, black levels weren't deep, showing as hazy gray in dark scenes, and the 1080p resolution could exhibit a screen-door effect on very large projections.
Default settings were a weak point. Almost every picture profile had motion interpolation enabled, which visibly harmed film and animation; the review recommended turning it off. Over-sharpening also caused aliasing on fine details, and dialing sharpening down to level '4' produced a cleaner image. The projector's 'Movie' preset performed better than the 'NebulaMaster' preset.
Gaming was a mixed bag. A dedicated game mode delivered low input latency, but it disables digital corrections like keystone and zoom, which is a limitation. Other picture modes allowed corrections but introduced noticeable lag.
Sound and competition
The satellite speakers are the main selling point. They emphasize mids, making dialogue clear, but they lack bass depth and can sound slightly harsh with some sibilance. When you spread them out, though, the soundstage is far wider than most in-built projector speakers achieve.
TechRadar notes that the P1 faces strong competition from models like the JMGO N1S Ultra 4K, which has seen price drops under $1,000 and offers much better picture quality. But the P1's advantage is its portability, USB-C power option, and weather resistance.
Verdict
At $799 / £699 / AU$1,299, the Nebula P1 is priced for convenience rather than performance. It has appeared on sale several times, dropping to around $700 or lower. For those who want a carry-around projector that can handle a backyard screening with real stereo sound, it's a compelling bundle. For anyone prioritizing picture quality above all, the reviewer advises looking elsewhere.