Nebula Mars 3 Air Review: Is This the Right Portable Projector for Your Needs?

Amanda Brown

Active member

First Impressions​

It seems there are two schools of thought when it comes to the design of portable projectors today, the most popular of which yields devices shaped like cylinders or cones. Just as interesting is the movement to replace them with cubes or rectangular devices, like the Anker Nebula Mars 3 Air. At 7 x 4.8 x 5.2 inches and 3.7 pounds, it's slightly larger and heavier than the cylindrical Asus ZenBeam L2 but has a carrying handle for moving it to the living room at home or an empty room at work.
Its perforated gray plastic case has a large central lens that's placed 4-inches above the base so that in many cases it won't need to be tilted for screen or wall viewing. It does, however, lack a pull-out leg beneath the projector—as is the case with some competitors—for situations where tilting is necessary. Like most others, there's neither a lens cap nor a way to level the projector.

Introduce​

Parameter
Nebula Mars 3 Air​
Picture​
NebulaMars3Air.jpg
Reference Price​
$599.99​
Recommended Uses​
Indoor/Outdoor​
Built-In Media​
Adapter​
Highlight
Portability: Google TV projector
Display Resolution: 1080P HDR
Brightness: 400 ANSI Lumens
Playback Time: Up to 2.5 hours for video, 8 hours for music
Audio Output: Dual 8W Dolby Audio
Setup Time: 3 seconds (auto keystone correction, autofocus, obstacle avoidance)

Display​

Parameter
Nebula Mars 3 Air​
Screen Size​
40 Inches - 150 Inches​
Throw Distance​
1.06 Meters - 3.9 Meters​
Maximum Resolution​
1920x1080 Pixels​
Native Resolution​
1920 x 1080​
Brightness​
400 Lumen​
Display Type​
DLP​
Picture Enhancement​
HDR​
Viewing Experience
The Anker Mars 3 Air projector offers a straightforward user experience with four projection presets and a customizable mode for tailored settings. While it lacks standardized color balance options like sRGB or Rec.709, it provides adjustable color temperature settings and a Custom mode for fine-tuning RGB gains. The projector demonstrates solid performance in well-lit environments, achieving a peak output of 399 ANSI lumens in Conference mode, although this mode tends to produce a green cast, making it less ideal for color-sensitive content. Switching to Standard mode enhances the overall image quality by eliminating the green tint, resulting in vibrant and rich visuals, albeit with a slight warmth. Overall, the Anker Mars 3 Air is a versatile projector that excels in textual presentations but may not satisfy users seeking precise color accuracy for HD content.

Features​

Parameter
Nebula Mars 3 Air​
Video Encoding​
VP9​
LightSource Life​
2.5 Hours​
Controller Type​
Button Control​
Control Method​
Remote​
Lamp Wattage​
8 Watts​
Wattage​
8 watts​
Connectivity Technology​
HDMI,USB-A,AUX,DC-IN,BT,WiFi​
Hardware Connectivity​
Bluetooth, HDMI​
Compatible Devices​
Smartphone, Tablet, Laptop, Television​
Other Features​
Pico​
L x W x H​
7"L x 4.8"W x 5.23"H​
System Experience
The projector delivers a bright and vibrant full HD 1920x1080 resolution image, utilizing advanced LED technology for enhanced color performance. Its sealed lighting components eliminate the need for an air filter, ensuring hassle-free maintenance and longevity. With an impressive LED lifespan of 30,000 hours, this projector promises durability and consistent performance, making it an appealing choice for users seeking a reliable and low-maintenance option.

User Feedback​

Pros:
• Excellent 1080p picture quality, even at large sizes (over 200” in dark environments)
• Built-in Google TV with responsive OS and native Netflix support
• Fast and reliable auto keystone feature
• Impressive internal speakers with clear sound quality
• Lightweight and compact design, ideal for portability
• Good battery life of over 2 hours, despite slight drain when off
• User-friendly operation with quick auto-focus and keystone adjustment

Cons:
• Performance diminishes in bright environments
• Battery life may not be sufficient for longer viewing sessions
• Fan operates continuously and can produce a slight hum
• Minor fine-tuning may be needed for picture adjustments

Overall Impression:
This portable projector offers a fantastic combination of picture quality, user-friendly software, and impressive sound, making it a strong choice for anyone seeking a versatile home entertainment solution. While it may have some limitations in bright environments, its overall performance and features make it a worthwhile investment for family movie nights and casual viewing. Highly recommended!
 
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