Soundcore's New Nebula X1S Projector Is Really, Really Bright

Anker's Soundcore division has announced the Nebula X1S, a new 4K projector that is far brighter than the model it replaces. The X1S can produce up to 6,000 ANSI lumens of brightness, up from 3,500 in the original Nebula X1 (Engadget).

Lumens are a measure of how much light a projector puts out. Think of it like a light bulb: more lumens means a brighter picture. Most home projectors in this price range produce between 2,000 and 3,500 lumens. At 6,000 lumens, the X1S is bright enough to watch in a room where you cannot fully control the lighting, which has always been one of the biggest drawbacks of projectors compared to regular TVs.

The X1S uses three separate lasers (one each for red, green, and blue light) to create its image, a setup that typically produces richer, more accurate colors than a traditional single-bulb projector. It supports 4K resolution and Dolby Vision, a format that improves contrast and color in supported movies and shows. The projector can fill a screen up to 300 inches diagonally, and its zoom lens can create a 200-inch-wide image when placed 13 to 22 feet from the screen. You can also tilt it up to 25 degrees for ceiling or shelf mounting.

Inside, the projector uses a glass lens system with 14 elements and an adjustable opening that controls how much light passes through. This gives it a contrast ratio of up to 56,000:1, meaning the difference between its darkest blacks and brightest whites is very wide. Soundcore says the glass construction holds up over the life of the projector. The company also mentions AI-assisted setup, though it has not provided much detail on what that involves (Soundcore).

The X1S includes built-in Google TV for streaming apps and two HDMI ports, one of which supports eARC (a feature that lets you send high-quality sound to a separate speaker or receiver through the same cable). A liquid-cooling system keeps the fan noise down to 26 decibels, which is roughly the level of a quiet whisper. There is no Dolby Atmos surround-sound support built in; audio comes from the projector's own stereo speakers. You can buy a bundle that adds two wireless satellite speakers, bringing total sound output to 150 watts.

The projector costs $3,299 on its own, $3,999 with the two extra speakers, or $4,167 with the speakers and a 100-inch screen. Through September 20, Soundcore is offering launch discounts that bring those prices down to $2,499, $2,799, and $2,899 respectively.

The Nebula line already includes two other models. The base Nebula X1, at $2,999, produces 3,500 lumens and includes a surround-sound system. The Nebula X1 Pro, priced at $4,999 and marketed as a "Mobile Theater Station," produces the same 3,500 lumens but is designed to be moved around. It weighs 72.4 pounds and has a retractable handle and wheels, and was first shown at IFA 2025 and later at CES 2026.

The X1S focuses on brightness rather than portability. Most projectors struggle in rooms with windows or lamps because the ambient light washes out the image. At 6,000 lumens, the X1S can hold its own in those conditions in a way most consumer projectors cannot.

The four-lamp design inside the X1S is unusual. Most projectors with this kind of laser system use one light source or a hybrid approach. Spreading the light across four lamp assemblies likely helps manage heat and keeps the image evenly lit across the whole screen. The liquid cooling system supports that idea, since brighter projectors usually need louder fans to stay cool. The trade-off is cost and size: the $3,299 price and the larger body needed to fit all those glass components reflect those compromises.

Soundcore also sells a shared accessory pack for the X1 and X1S that includes wireless speakers, wireless microphones, and a protective carry case, suggesting the company sees the X1S being used in social settings and not just in dedicated home theaters.

If you are choosing between this projector and a comparably priced 85-inch TV, the trade-offs are clear. The X1S can create an image far larger than any flat-panel TV, supports Dolby Vision, and is bright enough to reduce the lighting problems that have always held projectors back. What you give up is the deep, per-pixel black levels of OLED TVs and the simplicity of just setting a TV on a stand. At the launch price of $2,499 through September 20, the deal is considerably more attractive than at full retail.