OVERALL
ALTERNATIVES
SPECS
VS AVERAGE
REVIEWS
Scored using Projectors Methodology v3.0
Projectors Methodology v3.0
Mathematical & Unbiased Scoring
Products in this category are scored under Frontum Projectors Methodology v3.0: the technical score from the specifications is the base, and independent expert and video reviews (up to ±0.5 points), owner opinions (up to ±0.3) and best-of lists (up to +0.3) move it up or down.
Explore Projectors Methodology v3.0

Anker Nebula Astro review: 86 specs compared

Avg. price:~£250Native panel resolution:854x480ANSI lumens:100Throw ratio:1.3:1Lamp life:30000 hours

Anker Nebula Astro Review: Compare 86 technical specifications and 1 expert and video reviews to see how this product ranks in the Projectors category and whether it is worth buying.

Anker Nebula Astro
6.1/10

Overall score

Score
6.1/ 10
✕
What it is
Our main score for this model, 1–10. It combines specs, best-of lists, expert reviews and owners.
How we count it
Parts: Technical score 35%, List score 30%, Reviews score 25%, Sentiment score 10%
Marks: Each part gets a mark out of 10. For reviews, lists and owners, a typical model in this category gets about 8 and the best one gets 10.
No data yet: A part with no data shows "?". It counts as the mark of a weaker model in this category (4 in 5 models with data score higher). This way, models with reviews, lists and owners usually come out ahead.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 96% of models
Score components

35%

5.2

Technical score

30%

?

List scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 7.5, the mark of a weaker model in this category

25%

5.2

Reviews score

10%

?

Sentiment scoreNot enough data yet, so we use 6.8, the mark of a weaker model in this category

â–¼Worse than 96% of projectors
7.0

Value for money

Value for money
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 50% of models
Score components

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

â–²Better than 50%
5.2

Technical score

Technical score
5.2/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components

42%

4.1

Image Quality

22%

5.8

Projection & Lens

12%

5.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

6.7

Audio & Features

8%

5.8

Connectivity

6%

7.6

Design & Power

â–¼Worse than 95%
5.2

Reviews score

Reviews score
5.2/ 10
✕
What it is
Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
How we count it
Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 97% of models

5.2

Mark 7.8 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

80%

8.5

Average grade

20%

5.0

Popularity

Grades by review (1)
1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
â–¼Worse than 97%
?

List score

List score
7.5/ 10
✕
What it is
How often independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers put this model in their best-of lists for this category.
How we count it
Points: The model in the most lists of this category gets 10; the others get 8 to 10 in proportion. In no list yet: 7.5. Lists count 30% of the overall score.
Enough data: Every list counts, even a single one. With fewer than 5 best-of lists in the category, this part is left out.
Lists with this model (0)
Not in any best-of list yet, so this part counts as 7.5. Models in a list get 8 to 10.
Not in any best-of list yet
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Where to buy
    N/A~ £250
Best rankings
Available: ranking among products currently available (including other versions of this product).All: ranking among all products in the database.
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Technical Specifications of projector Anker Nebula Astro

Technical score
Technical score
5.2/ 10
✕
What it is
How good the specs are compared with the other models in this category, 1–10.
How we count it
Areas: We rate the specs in each area against the other models in this category.
Weighting: The areas that matter most to buyers count more. The shares are shown under Score components.
Share: The technical score is 35% of the overall score.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–¼ Worse than 95% of models
Score components:

42%

4.1

Image Quality

22%

5.8

Projection & Lens

12%

5.2

HDMI & Gaming

10%

6.7

Audio & Features

8%

5.8

Connectivity

6%

7.6

Design & Power

5.2
Reviews score
5.2
List score
?
Value for money
Value for money
7.0/ 10
✕
What it is
An indicator that combines the projector's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters
When you are looking for a projector with a good balance between quality and price.
Score distribution
â–¼
<55-66-77-88-99-10
â–² Better than 50% of models
Score components:

70%

6.1

Overall score

30%

9.2

Price

7.0
ANSI lumens
100
Market range: <250 – >4k
This projector reaches 100 ANSI lumens, dimmer than 98.6% of projectors and equal to 0.8% of projectors.
Contrast ratio
1,000:1
This projector has a contrast ratio of 1000:1, lower than 85.9% of projectors and equal to 7.5% of projectors.
Native panel resolution
854x480
This projector uses a native resolution of 854x480, lower than 95.3% of projectors and equal to 2.3% of projectors.
Output resolution
854x480
This projector supports output resolution up to 854x480, lower than 95.5% of projectors and equal to 2.3% of projectors.
Projection technology
DLP
Show more
Throw ratio
1.3:1
Min throw distance
0.58 m
Market range: <0.5 m – >2 m
This projector needs a minimum throw distance of 0.58 m, shorter than 85.5% of projectors and equal to 0.3% of projectors.
Max projection size
100 inch
Market range: <100 inch – >300 inch
This projector supports projection sizes up to 100 inch, smaller than 92% of projectors and equal to 6.7% of projectors.
Zoom ratio
N/A
Motorized zoom
no
This projector does not have motorised zoom. 14.8% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Input lag
?
Auto low latency mode (ALLM)
no
This projector does not switch to low-latency mode automatically. 16.1% of projectors offer this.
Variable refresh rate (VRR)
no
This projector does not support variable refresh rate. 1.8% of projectors offer this.
HDMI version
1.4
This projector supports HDMI 1.4, older than 54% of projectors and equal to 35.7% of projectors.
Max HDMI bandwidth
10.2 Gbps
Market range: <10 Gbps – >50 Gbps
This projector supports HDMI bandwidth up to 10.2 Gbps, lower than 51.2% of projectors and equal to 46.5% of projectors.
Show more
N. of HDMI ports
1
Market range: <1 – >6
This projector has 1 HDMI port/s, fewer than 54.2% of projectors and equal to 42.9% of projectors.
Wi-Fi connectivity
yes
This projector connects to Wi-Fi networks for streaming. 46.7% of projectors offer this.
Wi-Fi version
Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n)
This projector uses Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n), which is newer than 50.1% of projectors and the same as in 5.4% of projectors.
Bluetooth connectivity
yes
This projector supports Bluetooth for speakers and headphones. 49.4% of projectors offer this.
Bluetooth version
4.2
This projector supports Bluetooth 4.2, more modern than 56.1% of projectors and equal to 6.1% of projectors.
Show more
Smart TV features
yes
This projector has built-in smart TV features. 56.2% of projectors offer this.
Operating system
Android 7.1
Android OS
yes
This projector runs Android OS. 81% of projectors run Android OS.
Dedicated smartphone app
yes
This projector comes with a dedicated smartphone app. 63.3% of projectors come with a dedicated smartphone app.
Remote control
yes
This projector includes a remote control. 1.5% of projectors offer this.
Show more
Light source type
led
This projector uses led light source technology, more advanced than 33.6% of projectors and equal to 39.9% of projectors.
Laser light source
no
This projector does not have a laser light source. 26.8% of projectors offer this.
Lamp life
30,000 hours
Market range: <5k hours – >30k hours
This projector offers lamp life of 30,000 hours, shorter than 67.9% of projectors and equal to 25.9% of projectors.
Lamp life (eco mode)
?
Operating power consumption
5 W
Market range: <50 W – >400 W
This projector uses 5 W of power, less than 99.8% of projectors and equal to 0.1% of projectors.
Show more

Anker Nebula Astro vs the average projector

246810TotalImage QualityProjection & LensHDMI & GamingConnectivityAudio & FeaturesDesign & Power
  • Supports auto keystone correction
    Anker Nebula Astro corrects keystone distortion automatically, while the average projector does not. 36.9% of projectors offer this.
  • 0.43 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (0.6 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.58 m vs 1.0055 m
  • Supports smart TV apps
    This projector has built-in smart TV features, while the average projector does not. 43.9% of projectors offer smart TV features.
  • 10 degrees more vertical correction
    This projector offers more vertical keystone correction than the average projector (40 degrees vs 30 degrees). The average projector offers vertical keystone correction of 30 degrees.
    40 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • Smartphone app support
    This projector supports smartphone app control, while the average projector does not. 36.7% of projectors support smartphone app control.
  • Supports AirPlay
    This projector supports AirPlay, while the average projector does not. 40.3% of projectors offer this.
  • Includes built-in battery
    Anker Nebula Astro has a built-in battery, while the average projector does not. 6.3% of projectors have one.
  • 10,000 hours longer lamp life
    This projector has a higher lamp life than the average projector (30,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life.
    30,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 2.64x cheaper
    Anker Nebula Astro is cheaper than the average projector (£250 vs £660).
    £250 vs £660
  • Supports auto keystone correction
    Anker Nebula Astro corrects keystone distortion automatically, while the average projector does not. 36.9% of projectors offer this.
  • 0.43 m shorter throw distance
    This projector has a lower throw distance than the average projector (0.6 m vs 1 m). The average projector has 1.0055 m of throw distance.
    0.58 m vs 1.0055 m
  • 10 degrees more vertical correction
    This projector offers more vertical keystone correction than the average projector (40 degrees vs 30 degrees). The average projector offers vertical keystone correction of 30 degrees.
    40 degrees vs 30 degrees
  • Supports AirPlay
    This projector supports AirPlay, while the average projector does not. 40.3% of projectors offer this.
  • Supports Miracast mirroring
    This projector supports Miracast, while the average projector does not. 46.4% of projectors offer this.
  • Supports smart TV apps
    This projector has built-in smart TV features, while the average projector does not. 43.9% of projectors offer smart TV features.
  • Smartphone app support
    This projector supports smartphone app control, while the average projector does not. 36.7% of projectors support smartphone app control.
  • Android OS built-in
    This projector features Android OS, while the average projector does not. 19.1% of projectors feature Android OS.
  • Includes built-in battery
    Anker Nebula Astro has a built-in battery, while the average projector does not. 6.3% of projectors have one.
  • 10,000 hours longer lamp life
    This projector has a higher lamp life than the average projector (30,000 hours vs 20,000 hours). The average projector has 20,000 hours of lamp life.
    30,000 hours vs 20,000 hours
  • 225 W lower power use
    This projector uses less power than the average projector (5 W vs 230 W). The average projector uses 230 W of power.
    5 W vs 230 W
  • 86.6% lighter weight
    This projector is lighter than the average projector (0.4 kg vs 2.98 kg). The average projector weighs 2.98 kg.
    0.4 kg vs 2.98 kg
  • 208 mm narrower width
    This projector is narrower than the average projector (89 mm vs 297 mm). The average projector has a width of 297 mm.
    89 mm vs 297 mm
  • 95.5% dimmer image
    This projector has lower ANSI lumens than the average projector (100 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    100 vs 2,200
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (854x480 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    854x480 vs 1920x1080
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (854x480 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    854x480 vs 1920x1080
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (1000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    1,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 150 inch smaller image size
    This projector has a lower projection size than the average projector (100 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    100 inch vs 250 inch
  • 29.7% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.2/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 97% of models

    5.2

    Mark 7.8 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    5.2 vs 7.4
  • 29.7% lower review score
    Reviews score
    5.2/ 10
    ✕
    What it is
    Average grade from independent test sites, magazines and video reviewers, 1–10.
    How we count it
    Grades: Each review's own score is converted to 1–10; without one, we grade the review ourselves. Big test sites count more, short reviews half as much as full tests. A video review counts half.
    Score: The average grade is 80% of the review mark; the number of reviews is the other 20% (1 review = 5, the typical number in this category = 8, the most-reviewed model = 10).
    Enough data: With few reviews, the average grade is pulled toward the typical grade of this category. No reviews yet: 7.8 for now.
    Share: Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    Score distribution
    â–¼
    <55-66-77-88-99-10
    â–¼ Worse than 97% of models

    5.2

    Mark 7.8 is below the typical mark 8.2 of this category, so it cannot lift the score above the technical score

    80%

    8.5

    Average grade

    20%

    5.0

    Popularity

    Grades by review (1)
    1 video review, counting half as much as a written test. Reviews count 25% of the overall score.
    User ratings collected online are not part of this score.
    5.2 vs 7.4
  • 95.5% dimmer image
    This projector has lower ANSI lumens than the average projector (100 vs 2,200). The average projector has 2,200 ANSI lumens.
    100 vs 2,200
  • Lower output resolution
    This projector supports a lower output resolution than the average projector (854x480 vs 1920x1080). The average projector outputs at 1920x1080 resolution.
    854x480 vs 1920x1080
  • Low native resolution
    This projector has a lower native panel resolution than the average projector (854x480 vs 1920x1080). The average projector has a native panel resolution of 1920x1080.
    854x480 vs 1920x1080
  • No HDR10 support
    This projector does not support HDR10, while the average projector does. 57.6% of projectors support HDR10.
  • Lower contrast ratio
    This projector has a lower contrast ratio than the average projector (1000:1 vs 10000:1). The average projector has 10000:1 of contrast ratio.
    1,000:1 vs 10,000:1
  • 2 bit lower color depth
    This projector has a lower color depth than the average projector (8 bit vs 10 bit). The average projector has 10 bit of color depth.
    8 bit vs 10 bit
  • 29.4% lower refresh rate
    This projector has a lower refresh rate than the average projector (60 Hz vs 85 Hz). The average projector has 85 Hz of refresh rate.
    60 Hz vs 85 Hz
  • No 3D video
    This projector does not support 3D video, while the average projector does. 55.4% of projectors support 3D video.
  • 0.27 inch smaller DMD chip
    This projector has a lower DMD chip size than the average projector (0.2 inch vs 0.47 inch). The average projector has 0.47 inch of DMD chip size.
    0.2 inch vs 0.47 inch
  • No 3D glasses support
    This projector does not display 3D with glasses, while the average projector does. 54.4% of projectors offer 3D with glasses.
  • 150 inch smaller image size
    This projector has a lower projection size than the average projector (100 inch vs 250 inch). The average projector has 250 inch of projection size.
    100 inch vs 250 inch
  • Limited HDMI format
    This projector supports a less capable max HDMI input format than the average projector (1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz). The average projector supports a max HDMI input format of 4K/120Hz.
    1080p/60Hz vs 4K/120Hz
  • 43.3% lower HDMI bandwidth
    This projector has a lower HDMI bandwidth than the average projector (10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps). The average projector has 18 Gbps of HDMI bandwidth.
    10.2 Gbps vs 18 Gbps
  • Older HDMI version
    This projector has Old HDMI standard than the average projector (1.4 vs 2). The average projector supports HDMI 2.0.
    1.4 vs 2.0
  • More outdated HDCP support
    This projector supports an older HDCP version than the average projector (1.4 vs 2.2).
    1.4 vs 2.2
  • 1 fewer HDMI ports
    This projector has fewer HDMI ports than the average projector (1 vs 2). The average projector has 2 HDMI ports.
    1 vs 2
  • No RS-232 control
    This projector does not support RS-232 control, while the average projector does. 50.6% of projectors support RS-232 control.
  • 70% weaker audio output
    This projector has a lower audio output power than the average projector (3 W vs 10 W). The average projector has 10 W of audio output power.
    3 W vs 10 W
  • Basic light source
    This projector has Basic light source than the average projector (led vs laser). The average projector uses a laser light source.
    led vs laser

Video reviews

Hands-on testing, unboxing, and real-world video evaluations

9.0
9to5Toys
≈ estimated
26/08/2020
Review · design, kid features and menus
Verdict
The Anker Nebula Astro is a good entry point into Anker's portable smart projectors, with easy menus and features suited to families.
Not graded

Third-party reviews

What customers like about Anker Nebula Astro

  • At 0.4 kg it fits easily into a bag.
  • Operating power of 5 W is very low for a projector.
  • The built-in battery means it runs without a socket.
  • Android OS lets it play streaming apps without a laptop.
  • A minimum throw of 0.58 m lets it sit close to the wall.
  • AirPlay support sends video from an Apple device.

What customers don't like about Anker Nebula Astro

  • 100 ANSI lumens only works in full darkness.
  • The picture tops out at 100 inch.
  • The 3 W speaker is too weak for a room full of people.
  • The 854x480 resolution looks soft on a large wall.
  • There is only one HDMI port for a console or a player.

Verdict

Running on just 5 W and weighing 0.4 kg, the Anker Nebula Astro is a pocket projector for camping, a hotel room or a child's bedroom. It runs Android, so films and streaming apps work without a laptop. The built-in battery means no socket is needed nearby. A dedicated phone app and Bluetooth make control easy. A minimum throw of 0.58 m lets it sit close to the wall, and vertical keystone correction goes up to 40 degrees. The trade-off is brightness: 100 ANSI lumens works only in full darkness, and the picture stops at 100 inch. AirPlay also sends video from an Apple device, and it works for ceiling projection too. It suits someone who wants simple streaming on a bare wall and does not mind a dim picture.

Compare Anker Nebula Astro with other products in the Projectors category

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