Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Vs Samsung The Freestyle: Which Portable Projector is Right for You?

Portable projectors are all the rage these days, allowing you to turn any wall or surface into a big screen for movies, TV shows, video games, and more. Two of the hottest models on the market right now are the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser and Samsung The Freestyle. But which one comes out on top in a head-to-head comparison?

In this in-depth comparison guide, we’ll look at the key specs, features, pros and cons of each mini projector to help you decide which is the best fit.

Let’s dive in!

Overview of the Nebula Capsule 3 and Samsung The Freestyle

Nebula Capsule 3 Laser

The Nebula Capsule 3 Laser by Anker is the third generation of Anker’s popular Capsule line of mini projectors. Released in 2022, it’s packed with upgrades while retaining the signature soda can design.

Key specs:

Dimensions: 3.3 x 3.3 x 6.7 inches
Weight: 2.1 pounds
Resolution: 720p (1280 x 720 pixels)
Brightness: 200 ANSI lumens
Lamp Life: 30,000 hours
Inputs: HDMI, USB-C, Bluetooth, WiFi
Built-in speaker: 8W driver + passive radiator
Battery life: 2.5 hours (projection), 12 hours (music)
Operating system: Android TV 9.0

Notable features:

Capsule design easily fits in bags or backpack
Laser light source for sharper image and vivid colors
Auto keystone correction
Programmable smart assistant remote
Android TV built-in with Chromecast and Google Assistant

Samsung The Freestyle

The Samsung The Freestyle is a uniquely designed portable projector released in 2022. Shaped like a ball, it can project onto walls, floors, and ceilings.

Key specs:

Dimensions: 4.0 x 6.8 x 3.7 inches (with stand)
Weight: 1.80 pounds
Resolution: 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels)
Brightness: 550 lumens (normal), 240 lumens (ambient)
Contrast Ratio: 2,200,000:1
Lamp life: 20,000 hours
Inputs: USB-C, HDMI, Bluetooth, WiFi
Built-in speaker: 360 audio 5W tweeter + passive radiator
Battery life: 3 hours (projection)
Operating system: Tizen

Notable features:

Spherical design with 180 degree rotation
Auto keystone and autofocus
Far field mic for voice control
Portable battery base (sold separately)
Samsung Smart TV platform with streaming apps

Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s compare the two mini projectors head to head.

Image and Video Quality Comparison

Image and video quality is arguably the most important consideration when choosing a projector. Let’s see how the Nebula Capsule 3 Laser and Samsung The Freestyle compare.

Brightness and Contrast

Nebula Capsule 3: 200 ANSI lumens brightness. No official contrast ratio given.
Samsung The Freestyle: 550 lumens brightness (normal mode), 240 lumens (ambient mode). 2,200,000:1 contrast ratio.

Winner: Samsung The Freestyle – With nearly 3x the brightness and a high contrast ratio, The Freestyle is better equipped to produce a bright, vivid picture even in rooms with some ambient light. The Capsule 3 is best for darker environments.

Resolution and Aspect Ratio

Nebula Capsule 3: Native resolution of 720p (1280 x 720 pixels). 16:9 aspect ratio.
Samsung The Freestyle: Native resolution of 1080p (1920 x 1080 pixels). 16:9 aspect ratio.

Winner: Samsung The Freestyle – The higher 1080p resolution gives The Freestyle the edge in producing a sharper, more detailed image.

Focus and Keystone Correction

Nebula Capsule 3: Manual focus ring. Auto vertical keystone correction.
Samsung The Freestyle: Autofocus. Auto vertical and horizontal keystone correction.

Winner: Samsung The Freestyle – Autofocus makes setup quicker and easier. Auto horizontal keystone helps correct sideways distortion when projecting onto angled surfaces like walls.

With double the resolution, over 2.5x higher brightness, and superior contrast, the picture quality advantage goes to The Samsung Freestyle by a long shot. The automatic adjustments are just icing on the cake.

Audio Quality

Don’t forget the sound! Here’s how the audio shapes up on these projectors:

Speaker type: The Nebula has a single 5W speaker and The Freestyle houses a slighty more powerful 30W speaker.
Sound output: Despite the higher rated power, max volume is similar at around 80 dB. But The Freestyle produces fuller, richer audio.
Bass: With its larger size, The Freestyle can pump out more bass than the tiny Nebula. Not a thumping soundbar level, but decent for a portable.
Bluetooth: Both have Bluetooth for streaming audio from your phone or connecting external speakers if desired.

Winner: Draw – While both projectors have somewhat limited audio capabilities due to their compact form factor, The Freestyle certainly sounds better for movies and music with louder, clearer playback and a hint more bass. While the Capsule 3 has a slightly more powerful driver, both models produce decent quality audio and 360 immersive sound. External speakers can be connected via Bluetooth or aux cable for better audio.

Connectivity and Streaming

In order to view content, mini projectors need wired and wireless connectivity options. Here’s how they compare:

Wired Connections

Nebula Capsule 3: HDMI, USB-C
Samsung The Freestyle: HDMI, USB-C

Winner: Draw – Both have HDMI for physically connecting media players, gaming consoles, etc. And USB-C enables projection from smartphones and laptops.

Wireless Connectivity

Nebula Capsule 3: WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0
Samsung The Freestyle: WiFi 5, Bluetooth 4.2

Winner: Nebula Capsule 3 – It supports the newer Bluetooth 5.0 standard compared to 4.2 on The Freestyle. This allows slightly faster transfer speeds.

Built-In Streaming & Mirroring

Nebula Capsule 3: Android TV 9.0, Chromecast, AirPlay, Miracast
Samsung The Freestyle: Samsung Smart TV platform, AirPlay 2, Tap View, Bixby/Alexa built-in

Winner: Draw – Both offer a full slate of streaming options and wireless screen mirroring. The Capsule 3 runs the Android TV interface while The Freestyle uses Samsung’s Smart TV platform. Which OS you prefer will be subjective.

Smart Features

Modern projectors do more than just project video – they integrate smart platforms and voice assistants for an enhanced experience.

Nebula Capsule 3: Google Assistant built-in, IFTTT integration, programmable remote
Samsung The Freestyle: Bixby/Alexa built-in, Samsung SmartThings integration, ambient mode

Operating these gadgets goes beyond just projecting video—here are some of the smart features you get:

Mobile app control: Nebula and The Freestyle both have companion apps to manage connectivity, streaming, settings, etc right from your iOS or Android phone.
Built-in streaming: In addition to screen mirroring, you get access to Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and other services sans cable.
Virtual assistants: Use Alexa on the Nebula Capsule or Bixby Voice on The Freestyle to launch apps, search for content, and more with your voice.
Screen mirroring: As mentioned earlier, you can easily cast or Airplay content from other devices over WiFi.

Winner: Draw – The Capsule 3 integrates Google Assistant for voice control and automation capabilities through IFTTT. The Freestyle offers Samsung’s Bixby or Amazon Alexa for voice assistance along with SmartThings ecosystem integration. Both provide options to control your smart home from the projector.

Special Features

Let’s talk about some extra goodies and special features offered by each projector:

Ambient Mode: Exclusive to The Freestyle is Ambient Mode which lets you display mood lighting, your photos, art pieces, or info when you’re not actively projecting video.
360° rotation: Only The Freestyle can freely rotate 360° to project against floors, walls or ceilings. The Nebula has a limited hinge design.
Auto keystone: As noted earlier, auto keystone on The Freestyle makes setup easier by correcting skewed projection angles.
Capsule design: The unique soda can-shaped design of the Nebula Capsule 3 makes it super portable and allows vertical projection.

Winner: Samsung Freestyle

Samsung packed more uniqueness into The Freestyle with the rotating design, ambient projection modes, and auto adjustments. But the Capsule’s mini can design holds some appeal too for mobility.

Portability

A key benefit of mini projectors is their portability. Let’s see how these models compare:

Dimensions

Nebula Capsule 3: 3.3 x 3.3 x 6.7 inches (83 x 83 x 170 mm)
Samsung The Freestyle: 4.0 x 6.8 x 3.7 inches (with stand)

Weight

Nebula Capsule 3: 2.1 lbs
Samsung The Freestyle: 1.8 lbs

Carrying cases

Nebula Capsule 3: Padded canvas carrying pouch included
Samsung The Freestyle: Protective silicone cover sold separately

Winner: Nebula Capsule 3 – While The Freestyle is still reasonably portable, the smaller, lighter Nebula Capsule 3 is easier to toss in a bag and take anywhere. The integrated smart streaming features let you travel without any accessories needed. The Capsule 3’s smaller soda can design easily fits into bags. It includes a carrying case and weighs 26% less than The Freestyle, making it the more portable option.

Setup and Ease of Use

Mini projectors aim to provide a quick, simple setup process. Here’s how they compare:

Nebula Capsule 3: Manual focus ring, automatic vertical keystone, projector control or mobile app
Samsung The Freestyle: Autofocus, auto vertical and horizontal keystone, projector controls, mobile app, or SmartThings app

Winner: Samsung The Freestyle – Autofocus makes setup a breeze. Automatic horizontal keystone correction enables projecting onto angled surfaces easily. Intuitive physical or app controls.

Accessories

The companies offer optional accessories to expand the capabilities of the projectors:

Nebula Capsule 3 accessories: Remote control, tripod, magnetic pico dongle
Samsung The Freestyle accessories: Battery base, floor stand, external battery, tripod adapter

The portable battery base for The Freestyle is a key advantage that lets you easily take the projector anywhere without a power outlet required.

Winner: Samsung The Freestyle

Price Comparison

Nebula Capsule 3: $799 MSRP, usually sells around that price
Samsung The Freestyle: $799 MSRP but often available for $599

Winner: Nebula Capsule 3. Given its superior brightness, resolution and audio, The Freestyle delivers good value at $799. But the Samsung The Freestyle is a veritable steal at only $599 if you can catch a deal.

Check Samsung The Freestyle

Check Nebula Capsule

Summary: Which Mini Projector is Right for You?

So in this battle of next-gen portable projectors, who wins: Nebula Capsule 3 or Samsung The Freestyle?

For pure image quality and sound, Samsung The Freestyle takes the crown with its 1080p resolution, 550 lumens brightness, laser contrast, and better audio.

But the Nebula Capsule 3 has its own advantages for portability with an impossibly small design, built-in battery, and smart streaming features.

Here are some final thoughts on which is a better fit for different use cases:

If you want the best overall viewing experience for movies and TV in a portable package, get The Freestyle.
If you need a highly portable pocket projector for occasional use, choose the Nebula Capsule 3.
For outdoor events or well-lit rooms, the brightness of The Freestyle will make a big difference.
As a fun gadget for dorm rooms or kids’ bedrooms, the Nebula Capsule is engaging.
For projection mapping or other creative uses, The Freestyle’s rotating design enables more options.

No matter which way you go, both Nebula Capsule 3 and Samsung The Freestyle represent amazing innovation in portable projectors. Your living room, backyard, or bedroom will turn into a personal theater with either pick!

Nebula Capsule 3 Laser Vs Samsung The Freestyle: Which Portable Projector is Right for You?