1. The list in brief ↴
2. Best overall
3. Best multi-functional
4. Best for space-themed parties
5. Best for voice control
6. Best budget model
7. Best for pastel shades
8. Best value rechargeable
9. Best for homeschooling
10. Best generalist
11. Best for portability
12. Best for silent operation
13. Best for multi-media ambiance
14. Best DIY model
15. Star Projectors FAQ
16. How we test
The best star projectors can either be used as home planetariums, projecting realistic night skies and galaxies indoors, or they can serve as soft, glowing night lights for adults or children.
Depending on the model you choose, star projectors can recreate the night sky accurately from the comfort of your own home, surrounding you with stars and constellations and many even double as galaxy projectors. Whether you’re hosting a space-themed party, learning about the cosmos or simply looking for a way to help you fall asleep, star projectors can do it all.
Star projectors vary in shapes, features and sizes, catering to different needs. Some models, like those designed as night lights for children, focus on creating a soothing atmosphere rather than realistic star patterns. Meanwhile, there are highly accurate star projectors that aim to provide a scientific representation of the night sky, offering an experience that will feel like being inside a planetarium.
Moving from Black Friday into Cyber Monday some deals will be ending on the night of 27 November, but you can check out the best Cyber Monday star projector deals in our Cyber Monday deals hub.
The quick list
Best overall
The most realistic star projector that projects bright, detailed images of the real night sky. This is a premium projector for all ages.
This rechargeable star projector emits bright, colorful and sharp imagery that gives the best star projectors we've tested a run for their money.
One of the most reasonably priced star projector STEM toys for budding astronomers who want a glimpse of the night sky at home.
Best for space-themed parties
16.7 million colors to choose from, adjustable brightness settings, compatible with Android and iOS.
Best for voice control
More of a mood-setting light, showing colors and patterns that reflect galaxies and nebulas with lasers that you could associate with a starry sky.
Best budget star projector
A well-made novelty star projector that every kid, or space fan, will love to have in their bedroom.
Load the next 7 products ↴
Best for pastel shades
The newest star projector from BlissLights features color blend technology, voice and app control. A great option for anyone shopping for a mood-enhancing star projector.
Best multi-functional
It has great functionality, with a time and date selector and a built-in-speaker and it's scientifically accurate.
Best for generalist projection
This Bresser planetarium star projector, designed for kids, has true-to-life projections, a time and date selector, a shooting star function and a sleep timer.
Best for portability
An instant way to transform your space into a pleasing sensory laser environment.
Best for silent operation
A fun way to see and create lights that are comparable to deep space imagery and stars, albeit not scientific.
Best for muti-media ambience
It isn't scientifically accurate but it displays vivid nebula-inspired patterns to enhance the ambience in any room.
Best for DIY crafty types
If you've got time with the kids to fill, this could be a fun introduction to stargazing. This build-your-own star projector is ideal for learning and enjoyment.
Best star projectors we recommend in 2023
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Best overall
✅ You want to explore the skies: There are plenty of discs available for this projector, all of which are scientifically accurate, most of which is NASA-based imagery.
❌ You're on a budget: This is the most expensive option on this list, so if you're on a budget, there are more suitable options that perform almost just as well.
❌ You just want a pretty light: For anyone who just wants a nice mood-setting light, this will likely be overkill.
🔎 Sega Toys Homestar Flux Great for recreating a realistic-looking night sky inside. It's on the pricier end of the market but the option to upgrade your disc collection is attractive. The night sky representation is about as realistic as it gets. ★★★★½
The Sega Toys Homestar Flux stands out as a compact and stylish star projector, known for its power and sleek design. While it comes with a higher price tag, it delivers a lot in return.
Using advanced glass lenses, this projector creates realistic night skies that appear bright, even in rooms that aren't completely dark. It goes beyond a basic star projector, resembling a home planetarium with high accuracy. With adjustable focus, you can enjoy an impressive display of 60,000 stars, surpassing the capabilities of many other projectors.
This globe-shaped star projector stands out from the rest with the sheer number of distinct stars it projects, and it also has some very tempting science-based upgrade options. It comes with two discs, the Northern Hemisphere, which shows a starry sky with 60,000 stars, and the Northern Hemisphere Constellations which contains constellation labels to help with learning. There are a further 17 Sega-branded discs available to purchase separately for around $18 a piece, and also compatible with Homestar Original disks.
Like many other star projectors, there's a 'shooting star' function, although, in our Sega Homestar Flux review, we explained how we'd like this to be at random intervals, or in a different place each time so it isn't as predictable. It has an automatic switch-off after 15, 30 or 60 minutes function.
There are 30 additional discs available when you visit Astrial, Sega Toys' official online store. Simulations of the aurora borealis and the aurora australis are perhaps the highlights. There is a disc that displays the planets of the solar system as well, but it is the ones that show galaxies, nebulas and other NASA-based imagery that really stand out. For example, the North America nebula as taken by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and the weird seven-star system called Jabbah (officially called Nu Scorpii and IC 4592) as imaged by NASA's WISE mission. You can also buy disks that simulate fireworks, 'night jellyfish' and a hot-air balloon festival.
Editor's note 21 Nov: It looks like this star projector is unavailable for the time being in the US, but you can still purchase it in the UK and overseas.
- Read our full Sega Toys Homestar Flux star projector review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Premium finish and build quality. |
| Performance | Excellent brightness, sharp imagery. |
| Functionality | Variety of stargazing discs, no novelty lights or lasers. |
Best for space-themed parties
✅ You want to pair it with music: We were impressed with the musical rhythm mode, where the lights flash and dance along to the beat of the music.
❌ You want scientific accuracy: It's not a scientifically accurate projection, although that said, it's the most realistic-looking one we've tested.
🔎 Aurora Borealis Northern Lights Star Projector It's highly customizable, the patterns are realistic and the music rhythm mode is impressive. This is one of our favorites. ★★★★½
Once again, we're not sure what we love most about this feature-rich Aurora Borealis Northern Lights Star Projector. You can easily choose between a whopping 16.7 million Aurora colors by using the buttons on the device, the remote control that comes with it or your smartphone.
This Northern Lights projector is compatible with all Android and IOS smartphones. You can customize the visibility of the stars, full moon activation and the 'Aurora Borealis' colors to suit your mood. The LED light and green lasers are adjustable from barely visible to highly vivid.
During our Aurora Borealis Northern Lights Star Projector review, we were impressed with the musical rhythm mode. It does a good job or adjusting the lighting display to match the 'feel' of the music, and you can adjust the sensitivity of the microphone to alter the power of the light display, making it perfect for using at parties.
Bluetooth speakers tend to be quite poor quality, but we thought the speaker was surprisingly high quality and had excellent sound clarity and detail. The adjustable sound settings are a plus, enabling you to customize the sound to your liking and to switch to a different genre of music.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Matte black finish. |
| Performance | Realistic looking aurora. |
| Functionality | App or remote (supplied) controlled. |
Best for voice control
✅ You want voice activated: You can control this projector using your smart home devices (Alexa & Google etc), meaning you don't have to fiddle with buttons to set the mood.
❌ You want it to be scientifically accurate: It doesn't show any constellations or any type of scientific night sky projections — you'll need to pay more for that.
🔎 Encalife Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Star Projector: Although it is called a Galaxy Star Projector, like most others, this is more of a mood-setting light, showing colors and patterns that reflect galaxies and nebulas with lasers that you could associate with a starry sky. ★★★★
We don't know what we love most about the Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector from Encalife: The exquisite 16.7 million nebula colors to choose from or the ability to control this projector with our voice with Alexa and Google.
During our Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector review, we were impressed by its sleek design that's sure to delight many. It's modern and compact, allowing the user to place it anywhere in the house without ruining the aesthetic and sticking out like a sore thumb. The unit can be adjusted to four different angles, making it flexible enough to project onto the wall or ceiling.
The Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector is incredibly user-friendly, allowing you to use voice control to change colors, adjust brightness and control the speed of the projections. You can also control it using the Smart App on your smartphone (available for Android and iOS). On the app, you'll see a color wheel with a broad spectrum of tones, ranging from cool blue to warm fiery red. However, in our testing, we found that while it's certainly impressive to offer 16.7 million different colors, it's unlikely you'll actually be able to distinguish them all with the naked eye.
The only downside with the Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector is that the nebulas and stars aren't scientifically accurate. Still, we enjoyed the experience so much that we didn't feel short-changed. We were especially happy with the option to adjust both the brightness and the projection speed, which makes it great for setting a calm environment to relax in, or an energetic party scene.
The Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector comes with a USB power cable and attractive packaging, which would be lovely to receive as a gift.
- Read our full Encalife Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Star Projector review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Compact design and shape, premium feel. |
| Performance | Bright & vivid colors, responsive controls. |
| Functionality | Highly customizable. |
Best budget star projector
✅ You're buying for your child: It features more of a novelty astronaut design that's primarily aimed at children, though in our experience, adults love it too!
❌ The price is too high: This is another star projector where the price fluctuates wildly — we've seen it priced anywhere from $10 to $100, we'd be happy paying anything less than $35 for it.
🔎 Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector: A well-made novelty star projector that every kid, or space fan, will love to have in their bedroom. It isn't quite on par with other star projectors performance-wise, but it does everything we'd expect of it, given its reasonable price. ★★★★
When we managed to get our hands on this little guy for our Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector Review, we didn't have high expectations for this seemingly novelty item with a price that we've seen vary significantly between online and in-store retailers.
Many retailers are selling it, resulting in price competition among them, and it's recently gone viral on TikTok so if you shop around you'll be able to find yourself a bargain. However, we would consider anything below $35 to be a great deal and we think it's one of the best cheap star projectors on this list.
This is the only item in this guide that could be considered 'novelty shaped', and that's because they're often not very good quality — but this one is an exception. While the packing could use some improvements, the projector's design and build quality are excellent. It has a great look that we think would fit well in the home of any space fan.
The operation of the motor is very smooth and quiet, so it would be fine as a night light to drift off to sleep. As we mentioned in our review, the lighting module seems to be the same — if just a tiny bit less impressive — as other star projectors we have reviewed, including the BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0 and the Encalife Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Star Projector. They are by no means scientific, but they can be customized using the supplied remote control to any speed and color configuration you like.
The only thing we didn't like was that it is powered by USB-A to DC cable, which seems a little outdated (we'd prefer USB-C), but aside from that, it would make an excellent gift for any space lover for any occasion.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Novelty design more suited to children, but surprisingly good quality. |
| Performance | Bright lights and lasers, pretty patterns. |
| Functionality | Customizable settings, sleep timer. |
Best for pastel shades
✅ You want a lot of customization: Although the laser 'stars' can only appear as blue or green (depending on which model you get), the clouds offer a lot of color customization through the app.
✅ You want it to be compatible with your smart device: It can work with both a Google and Alexa home device, so you can turn it on and off, and give other commands with your voice.
❌ You want it to be scientifically accurate: This projector is better for atmosphere and projecting pretty colors rather than providing any kind of scientific accuracy.
🔎 BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve The nebulas are bright and endearing, complimented perfectly by the hue of the blue/green lasers. This is a great option for anyone shopping for a mood-enhancing star projector (rather than a scientific one). ★★★½
The Evolve is BlissLights' latest 'galaxy light,' and it's equipped with the handy feature of being voice-controlled through Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa. You can effortlessly change the ambiance of any room without getting up from your seat. Additionally, you can connect the device to your Wi-Fi network using the BlissLights app.
The spherical design means you have near 360-degree angling, and it comes with a 1.5 m cable, giving maximum positioning flexibility. This gives it a slight edge over the Encalife Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Smart Projector, which has similar specs but can only be used in four fixed positions.
An upgrade from the BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0 mentioned above is the inclusion of patented color blending technology. Instead of using harsh color blocks to fill a projection space up to 15ft x 15ft, the four LED lamps allow for more color possibilities, and the colors 'blend' so they look softer and give off a more pastel and relaxing yet immersive environment. It covers up to 30ft x 30ft, and your space can be transformed into a beautiful ethereal sensory experience with laser 'stars' that you can gaze at for hours.
As we confirmed in our BlissLights Evolve review, the operation is near silent like the Sky Lite 2.0. The Bliss Lights Sky Lite Evolve would be perfect in a gaming room, during a party, at a movie night or as a relaxation tool to unwind or drift off to sleep with. There are three models in the range — choose from blue, green, or no lasers.
- Read our full BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Small and discrete, spherical design. |
| Performance | Bright stars and nebulas. |
| Functionality | Highly customizable. |
Best value rechargeable star projector
✅ You want realistic imagery: The projections from this projector are incredibly bright, sharp and high resolution, almost indistinguishable from the 'big players'.
❌ You just want something cheap to set the mood: This certainly isn't the most expensive model on this list, but if all you're looking for is a projector with nice lights to create a relaxing atmosphere, there are cheaper options that will do the job.
🔎 Pococo Galaxy Star Projector It does what it is supposed to — it projects high-quality imagery onto any surface to immerse you in the wonders of what the universe has to offer, maintaining a static picture or slowly rotating image. ★★★★
The Pococo Galaxy Star Projector is a worthy addition to this guide, and it is a good rival to the National Geographic Astro Planetarium and the much more expensive Sega Homestar Flux. During our full Pococo Galaxy star projector review, we found it a good value star projector with decent build and projection quality.
There are additional discs you can purchase alongside the two that come with it (six discs for around $50). We think it strikes a great balance between appealing to children and adults, and there's a stylish color gradient paint job or a matte white finish to choose from. To adjust the clarity of the projection, you just need to use the focus wheel — which is great if you move it between different surfaces.
Controlling it is simple, using three buttons — power, rotation and sleep timer — and it is powered by a battery which you can charge with a USB-C cable. You're not tied to a power source like with the Homestar Flux, and you don't have to keep changing the batteries as you do with the National Geographic model—again — another happy medium.
The downside of the Pococo design is that you only have 30 degrees of movement to shine the lights, although as you'll typically be shining this at the ceiling, this isn't a deal breaker.
- Read our full Pococo Galaxy star projector review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Simple, attractive design. |
| Performance | Bright, high-resolution projections. |
| Functionality | Simple operation, no apps needed, rechargeable. |
Best for homeschooling young children
✅ Your kids are interested in space: More of a planetarium than a star projector, it's a great educational STEM toy that will help your kids learn more about space.
❌ You want more of a customizable star/nebula projector: This is more of an educational item than a mood-creating star projector, so if that's what you're looking for, there are better options.
🔎 Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium Star Projector A neat little STEM toy with multiple functions. Kids between 6 and 10 will love to learn more about space with this hands-on device. ★★★½
Having completed a recent Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium and Star Projector review, we feel that it deserves a spot in this guide as a great STEM toy that will captivate kids ages six and up, and, in our opinion, spark their interest in all things space-related.
This particular projector is aimed at children, and the stars it projects aren't scientific like you'd find on the more 'adult' Sega Homestar Flux. But it still features a slide projector and three easy-to-handle discs containing 24 color images taken by the Hubble Telescope. Each disc has a different theme; Nebulas, Spacecraft & Astronauts and Planets & the Moon.
Operation is manual rather than digital, but you can access additional informative descriptions of the pictures on the slides online using a provided 'secret code.' This allows children to learn more about the objects in space and adds a bit of fun and mystery to learning.
Considering its reasonable price tag and the many educational benefits it offers, we think this projector is a worthwhile investment for homeschooling or simply learning about space with your child.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Looks like R2-D2. |
| Performance | Projection is clear & bright. |
| Functionality | Portable with no cables. |
Best multi-functional scientific star projector
✅ You want true projections: The projections are true to the date and time that you 'program' it to (if you're in the Northern Hemisphere)
✅ You're buying for your child: While it's not a toy, we think it's aimed more at the younger market who have a keen interest in astronomy.
❌ You just want something to project nice lights: If you just want an affordable little projector to set the mood of your room, you may as well choose one of the cheaper options on this list.
🔎 National Geographic Astro Planetarium would make a nice space gift for a budding astronomer. It has great functionality, with a time and date selector and a built-in speaker. ★★★★½
The National Geographic Astro Planetarium is an affordable and high-quality indoor planetarium that accurately depicts the night sky, offering excellent value. It comes with two projection discs – one displaying 8,000 stars and the other featuring guidelines for major constellations. Crucially, what you see is true to the time and day you set, as we confirmed during our National Geographic Astro Planetarium review.
To get a bright and sharp projection on your ceiling, just rotate the image and adjust the focus wheel (which is easy to do in the dark thanks to the blue illuminated buttons). The optics are from the German optics brand Bresser, who make binoculars, telescopes, and microscopes. However, we did notice that the stars at the edge of the projection can seem blurry. One novel feature is an optional 'falling star' mode, which projects a flashing meteor every 40 seconds, though the falling star is always in the same place.
Inside the box, you'll get four educational posters, three AA batteries and a 3.5mm jack cable, which allows you to connect your smartphone or other audio device. You can play your favorite music or atmospheric sounds while enjoying the breathtaking view, and it can also function as an FM radio.
Editor's note 21 Nov: It looks like this star projector is low in stock in the US, but you can still purchase it in the UK and overseas.
- Read our full National Geographic Astro Planetarium review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Yellow accents not particularly inconspicuous. |
| Performance | Projection is bright and easy to focus. |
| Functionality | Integrated radio/speaker. |
Best for generalist projection
✅ You want a realistic night sky: It comes with two disks — one featuring a starry night sky and the other featuring overlays of constellations — both of which are correct to the time and date you're using it.
❌ You want it to have a speaker: If you want a star projector that features a speaker, you'll have to look at other options.
🔎 Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe This Bresser planetarium star projector, designed for kids, has true-to-life projections, a five-year warranty and is simple to operate. It has a time and date selector, a shooting star function and a sleep timer, and it ships with two disks. ★★★½
As discussed in our Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe review, this star projector draws many parallels to the Bresser-made National Geographic Astro Planetarium but doesn't include an integrated FM radio or the ability to attach an audio device. The Bresser Junior can only be powered by 3 x AA batteries, so buyers will likely need to grab some spares if they plan on using it long-term.
This model is silver and black and shares the same basic features and projections as its National Geographic counterpart. However, there are some noticeable differences between them. The same Astro Planetarium Multimedia disks are included — one featuring a starry night sky and the other with overlays of constellations, and it's all accurate for the time and day you're using it.
The image can be rotated in its stand and has 360-degree mobility with built-in motors. It performs best when projected from a distance of around two meters. The lens, made by Bresser, features a focusing wheel for simple image adjustment. Like many star projectors, it offers automatic shutdown options after 30, 60 or 120 minutes, making it great for kids who want to fall asleep under a starry sky in their bedroom. Additionally, it includes a 'shooting star' mode, projecting a 'meteor' every 40 seconds.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Silver & black design, but dated packaging. |
| Performance | Date & time feature works well. |
| Functionality | Battery powered (no mains option). |
Best for portability
✅ You want something portable: This star projector is so small it could be mistaken for a flash drive. Perfect for on-the-go ambiance.
❌ You want customization: If you want to change the colors, brightness or add rotation to the lasers, then you'll want to go for a different model.
🔎 BlissLights Starport USB star projector A pocketable device for adding instant ambiance to parties, gaming rooms, music studios or spas, but we use the term star projector very loosely. ★★★½
This is an unusual entry on our list, given that it only has one function. That said, we have included it in this guide as an inexpensive 'faff-free' star projector, though as we discussed in our BlissLights Starport USB star projector review, we use the term star projector loosely.
Although small and discreet, this USB-powered projector has the capability to turn any room into a celestial wonderland. When connected to a USB power source, it projects hundreds of laser stars, providing a truly immersive and atmospheric experience. Whether you're a gamer aiming to elevate your gaming space, a parent wanting to create a magical bedtime atmosphere for your child (ensuring they don't look directly into the beam) or just someone who enjoys the beauty of the cosmos on a dark and dreary night, this star projector is sure to bring joy.
It serves no other purpose or provides any scientific accuracy. Still, it is a discrete, affordable, high-quality device that puts out visually stunning lasers to transform your surroundings while drawing very little energy.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Tiny device, looks like a flash drive. |
| Performance | Lasers are very bright and fill a large area. |
| Functionality | Does what it's meant to and nothing more. |
Best for silent operation
✅ You want atmosphere over accuracy: This is another projector that focuses more on creating a relaxing mood rather than being scientifically accurate, and we thought it fulfilled that brief very well.
❌ You want semi-realistic looking stars: One of our main gripes with the model we reviewed was that the stars were green with no way of changing their color. You can turn them off, but it would be nice to have more realistic-looking stars.
🔎 Blisslights Sky Lite 2.0 A fun way to see and create lights that are comparable to deep space imagery and stars, albeit not scientific. Ideal for creating a relaxing mood in the home. ★★★½
Imagine being immersed within a star cluster or drifting through a nebula. If you want scientific accuracy, look elsewhere, as what you get with the BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0 is a hypnotic ambient experience that makes up for in creativity what it lacks in scientific rigor.
Designed for home offices, home cinemas, gaming rooms, spas, bedrooms and house parties, this laser-powered 'galaxy projector' takes viewers on a journey through multicolored clouds. When we reviewed the BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0 review, we found it very easy to set up and liked its easy operation.
With three adjustable ridges on the bottom, you can easily position this projector at three different angles, including upward onto a ceiling. It utilizes both LED and direct laser diode technologies to produce dynamic RGB projections with moving patterns. It's portable and convenient, powered by a USB cable, enabling you to connect it to a computer or a portable battery.
The 2.0 version of this projector comes with the BlissLights smartphone app, connecting via Bluetooth. Using the app, you can select from seven effects modes, modify the projector's intensity, adjust laser brightness, and even set the rotation speed. Additionally, you can create your own custom color blend through the app. Just keep in mind that the stars will always appear either green or blue, depending on which model you get.
Unlike some other models, we found it to be near silent in its operation, which is great if you're using it to get to sleep or whilst watching a film.
The Sky Lite 2.0 is best compared to the likes of a lava lamp in terms of what it tries to achieve. If you're after a hypnotic journey through an imaginary nebula (or aurora?) — this star projector delivers.
- Read our full BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0 star projector review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Simple three button operation. |
| Performance | Vivid colors and lasers. |
| Functionality | App controlled. |
Best for multi-media ambiance
✅ You want a projector & speaker combo: This is a 2-in-1 projector and speaker and, surprisingly, we found the speaker to actually be pretty decent quality.
❌ You want something scientifically accurate: Much like all the cheaper options on this list, this projector is solely for mood and ambiance rather than scientific accuracy. If that's what you're looking for, you're going to have to pay more.
🔎 Encalife Ambience Galaxy & Star Projector: A neat combination of a star projector and Bluetooth speaker built into one. It isn't scientifically accurate but it displays vivid nebula-inspired patterns to enhance the ambience in any room. ★★★½
In comparison to the Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector, the Ambience Galaxy & Star Projector has fewer lighting modes available, but it doesn't suffer from it. It offers four colors: blue, green, white and red, and users can blend these colors together using the supplied remote control and adjust the brightness to their specific preference.
We were pleasantly impressed with the high-quality build of this compact star projector. Despite the poor quality packaging, the unit itself is well-built and the lights are bright enough to create the desired ambiance or party atmosphere.
Its sleek black color blends in with many home decors, and it can also function as a music player, allowing you to listen to your favorite music or atmospheric sounds as you watch the celestial shadows dance across the ceiling and walls. When we reviewed the Encalife Ambience Galaxy and Star Projector, we found the speaker to be surprisingly high quality and audibly well-rounded.
The faceted dome shape means the lights can be projected and dispersed over 180-degrees, meaning the entire ceiling is covered with lights.
You'll need to set up your phone's Bluetooth before you start using the projector, but it's easy enough to do so, and the device will be up and running within moments.
Like the Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector, you won't get scientific accuracy, but you'll get a fantastic 'insomnia-busting' experience that allows your children (or yourself) to sleep better at night.
- Read our full Encalife Ambience Galaxy and Star Projector review
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Sleek & compact design. |
| Performance | Bright, vivid lights. |
| Functionality | Nice amount of customization, decent in-built speaker. |
Best for DIY crafty types
✅ Your kids want to learn about the night sky: For a fun little project to kill an hour or so and help your child learn about the stars, it's a neat little gift.
❌ The price fluctuates too high: We've seen the price fluctuate anywhere between around $10 and $32, so make sure you're not paying too much for it.
❌ You want something that's going to entertain for more than an hour: It's the type of thing we can see kids getting bored with after an hour or so, so if you want something to keep their attention for longer, consider a slightly more interesting option.
🔎 Create A Night Sky Projection Kit: If you've got time with the kids to fill, this could be a fun introduction to stargazing. Don't expect to be dazzled by a plug-and-play awe-inspiring experience, but you can enjoy the process of setting it up with your kids. ★★★
Ever wondered how to make a star projector? Sold as the 4M Night Sky Projection Kit, (or in the U.K. as the Science Museum Create A Night Sky) this cardboard cut-out might not seem at first to be a worthy addition to our list of the best star projectors. After all, what's on offer here is merely some tiny holes in cardboard positioned over a lamp. The resulting image is pretty basic, of course, but how you get there is the clever part.
As discussed in our Create a Night Sky Projection Kit review, this is a great learning device when assembled with a guardian. The goal is to create a globe-like night sky that shines and projects the constellations. Before moving on to the stars, children learn about the northern and southern hemispheres. Then, they make holes with a sharp tool where the major stars should be, which introduces them to the important stars and constellations in the night sky.
The hardware is simple and straightforward. It includes a small lamp that runs on 4 x AA batteries (not included) and a square base. The assembled night sky dome, positioned over the lamp, has support fixed at each of its four corners. Once the lights are off, the stars on the globe light up, casting their projections onto the walls and ceiling.
There are drawbacks, of course. In order to ensure an accurate (although somewhat blurry) projection, the printed stars and constellations are back to front. It's also quite fiddly and time-consuming, but that just makes for an effective and affordable learning device. Just don't expect it to be anything more than a time filler and a novelty night light for your child's bedroom.
We've noticed the price fluctuates dramatically so we'd recommend not spending more than $15 on this item.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Made out of cardboard. |
| Performance | Can be fiddly. |
| Functionality | Accessories not included (batteries, tape etc). |
Star projectors Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best star projector?
The Sega Toys Homestar Flux is the best star projector you can buy right now. We’ve tested and reviewed a range of star projectors and concluded that, because it's a premium model, the Homestar Flux projects an incredibly accurate night sky, with the possibility of buying up to 30 extra disks to project the Milky Way, shooting stars, and the aurora.
Are star projectors realistic?
Not all star projectors are scientifically accurate — some are designed to be pleasant ambient lights to be used as kids' night lights or just to create a relaxing atmosphere. However, some models are scientifically accurate and create a planetarium in the comfort of your own home — these include the the Sega Toys Homestar Flux, National Geographic Astro Planetarium and Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe.
What is the difference between a star projector and a planetarium?
While the terms are often used interchangeably, star projectors can also be used to refer to unrealistic night and ambient or mood-enhancing lights that aren't scientifically accurate. Planetariums on the other hand are strictly realistic and accurate depictions of the night sky, which are sometimes even time and location-sensitive to show you the night sky as it appears at a given time.
How do I choose a star projector?
In this buying guide, we've tested and reviewed a range of star projectors and ranked them according to performance, quality and budget. We've included a variety of options at different price points with a range of features, so you're sure to find one that suits your needs and budget. We continue to monitor the market for different models, and we'll share our favorites with you.
Can I leave a star projector on all night?
In theory, yes. Most models of star projectors run from mains AC power or DC through a USB port, so they will run as long as they are plugged in. Some models are battery-powered, meaning you run the risk of the battery running out of power overnight.
Most star projectors come with a 'sleep timer' that will switch the device off after a specified amount of minutes.
It's important to check the manual that comes with your star projector before you leave it running for extended periods of time, as some models may become hot after prolonged use. Always resort to the manual if in doubt and follow the instructions.
Are star projectors good for babies?
The star projectors designed as night lights can be good for babies and small children, as they create soothing ambient lighting, and can add enjoyment to bedtime routines and help your baby drift off to sleep. Some models include swirling light patterns and small flashes of light, so they may not be suitable for babies with light sensitivities or conditions like epilepsy. If in doubt, consult your doctor or local physician before using them.
What are the best star projectors on Amazon?
Most of the star projectors we've tested and included in this guide are available to buy on Amazon. The links directly underneath each section of the buying guide will take you to the recommended merchant's website.
How much do star projectors and home planetariums cost?
Prices vary depending on the model of your choice and how many features you are after. Generally, you can buy a good quality star projector for anywhere between $25 and $250. The cheaper models tend to be destined to be used as night lights and are generally inaccurate in their depiction of the night sky. More premium models like the Sega Toys Homestar Flux are more expensive but offer scientifically accurate depictions of the night sky.
Are laser star projectors safe?
The answer to this question depends on the type of star projector you're considering. Some FDA-approved laser star projectors are safe for brief and accidental exposure to eyes, but they are not recommended for children, and you should never look directly into a laser beam.
The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that 'The FDA recognizes four major hazard classes (I to IV) of lasers, including three subclasses (IIa, IIIa, and IIIb). The higher the class, the more powerful the laser is and the greater the potential to pose serious injury if used improperly.'
In reference to Class IIIa lasers (like laser pointers or some used in star projectors), the FDA says: 'Depending on power and beam area, can be momentarily hazardous when directly viewed or when staring directly at the beam with an unaided eye. Risk of injury increases when viewed with optical aids.'
If in doubt, check the laser classification on the device before purchasing and check it against the FDA rules, or a relevant health and safety body in your region.
How we test the best star projectors
To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best star projectors to buy here at Space.com we make sure to put every star projector through a rigorous review to fully test each product. Each star projector is reviewed based on a multitude of aspects, from its construction and design, to how well it functions as a star projector and whether it provides accurate night sky imagery.
Each star projector is tested by either our expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors who know their subject areas in depth. This ensures fair reviewing is backed by personal, hands-on experience with each star projector and is judged based on its price point, class and destined use. For example, comparing a top-of-the-range star projector from one of the largest producers of star projectors to a make-your-own kit made from cardboard wouldn't be appropriate, though each star projector might be the best-performing product in its own class, and that is how we've categorized them in this guide.
1. If you want it to be scientific, look for a simulation according to the actual time and day.
2. The smaller the room, the sharper the stars will look.
3. Check how many disks come with each product (if it uses them) or see if you can purchase add-ons.
4. Choose a model with a sleep-timer if using it as a night light.
5. Decide if you want to control it with a remote, app or smart device.
We look at how easy each star projector is to operate, test out all their functions to see if they are effective and work as advertised. We check that the projections are good, that the build quality is fit for purpose and make suggestions for the most appropriate use of each unit.
With complete editorial independence, Space.com is here to ensure you get the best buying advice on star projectors, advising on whether you should purchase a product, making our buying guides and reviews reliable and transparent.
