Best star projectors 2024: From night lights to home planetariums
The best star projectors bring the cosmos inside: Scientifically accurate home planetariums, ambient lights for parties or simple night lights for kids.
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 multi-media ambiance
13. Star Projectors FAQ
14. How we test
The best star projectors come in all kinds of shapes and sizes. These dazzling devices, also known as home planetariums, can project stunning visions of the night sky on your walls or ceilings. We've rounded up a handful of the best models you can buy right now across a variety of price points — but the star projector you choose depends on your particular needs.
You can use star projectors to learn about the stars in the night sky — with many based on the nebulas you might see if you look to the skies with one of the best telescopes. Others also have built-in speakers which make them a great choice if you're looking to unwind and take a minute to appreciate some stunning sights. You can also be sure that you'll kids love them — with star projectors a fantastic aid for sleeping while also serving as a useful education tool. Don't assume they're only for little ones, though, with adults getting plenty of joy out of them.
We've put together a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to pick out of the best star projectors — from budget-friendly options to high-end party-starters. You'll find a summary of each product, alongside a link to the full review and some quick pros and cons so you can find the perfect star-projecting device for you.
The quick list
Best overall
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.
Best rechargeable
Best value rechargeable
This rechargeable star projector emits bright, colorful and sharp imagery that gives the best star projectors we've tested a run for their money.
Best budget
Best budget
A well-made novelty star projector that every kid, or space fan, will love to have in their bedroom.
Best for homeschool
Best for homeschool
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 parties
Best for space-themed parties
16.7 million colors to choose from, adjustable brightness settings, compatible with Android and iOS.
Best for voice
Best for voice control
Better suited to mood lighting, the Atmosphere Smart Galaxy shows patterns and colors that mimic galaxies and nebulas but are in no terms scientifically accurate.
Load the next 5 products ↴
Best pastel shades
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
Best multi-functional
It has great functionality, with a time and date selector and a built-in-speaker and it's scientifically accurate.
Best generalist
Best generalist
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
Best for portability
An instant way to transform your space into a pleasing sensory laser environment.
Best for muti-media
Best for muti-media ambiance
It isn't scientifically accurate but it displays vivid nebula-inspired patterns to enhance the ambience in any room.
Best star projectors we recommend in 2024
Why you can trust Space.com
Best overall
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ 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
You can't find a better star projector than the Sega Toys Homestar Flux — and we can guarantee you that. Ultimately, we love the way it creates a stunning replica of the night sky, with its bright and colorful astral vistas thanks to advanced glass lenses — with enough brightness to give you an image to gaze it in even brighter rooms. Using the Sega Toys Homestar Flux is akin to tapping into the power of your own personal planetarium, given its high degree of scientific accuracy, and you can see up to 60,000 stars at once.
It's far more expensive than many of the best out there, but you. You'll find few projectors out there that offer the same user experience. That said, it's tough to find — so grab it while it's in stock at one of our trusted retail partners.
What sets the Sega Homestar Flux apart is that it can be expanded with different discs, with two included with purchase. One shows the Northern Hemisphere, and the other is the Northern Hemisphere Constellations, with constellations labeled to aid education.
There are 30 additional discs available for around $18 each when you visit Astrial, Sega Toys' official online store. Simulations of the aurora borealis and the aurora australis are perhaps the highlights, in our opinion.
There is a disc that displays the planets of the solar system as well, but the ones that show galaxies, nebulas and other NASA-based imagery are the ones 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.
Like many other star projectors, there's a 'shooting star' function, although, in our Sega Homestar Flux review, we found it a bit predictable because the star always fell in the same spot. It would've been nicer if it had more variation to make it feel more real. Plus, it has an automatic shut-off option after 15, 30 or 60 minutes, which is handy if you're using it to fall asleep and don't want to get up to switch it off!
- 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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ 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
Honestly, we're not sure what we love most about this feature-rich Aurora Borealis Northern Lights Star Projector. It might not be scientifically accurate, but it packs in a lot of great features.
One of the best features is how much you can customize it. You can make the stars more or less visible, turn on a full moon and change the colors of the Aurora Borealis to match your mood. There are 16.7 million colors to choose from (in theory), and you can adjust the LED light and green lasers to your preferred brightness. Plus, you can control it with the remote control it comes with or through the accompanying app on your smartphone.
Phew. That's a lot of stuff, but we've only just scratched the surface. In our Aurora Borealis Northern Lights Star Projector review, we talked about the projectors' musical rhythm mode, remarking how much fun it is to listen to music and adjust the lighting display to match the 'feel' of the music. It's a great relaxation tool and creates a wonderful ambiance.
Bluetooth speakers are often of low quality, but we found this speaker was surprisingly high-quality with excellent sound clarity and detail. The adjustable sound settings are a bonus, allowing you to personalize the sound to your preference and switch between different music genres.
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Matte black finish. |
Performance | Realistic looking aurora. |
Functionality | App or remote (supplied) controlled. |
Best for voice control
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ 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. ★★★★
This sleek and modern star projector has a great look and feel and barely looks out of place no matter where you put it around the house. We loved the Atmosphere Smart Galax Projector's design when we reviewed it, especially because it can seamlessly blend in with your furniture and look almost like a style piece. You can also adjust its build to four angles and it's flexible enough to project onto both the walls or ceilings.
We love how simple it is to use and set up the Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector. One standout feature is its voice control options, allowing you to change colors, adjust brightness and control the rotation speed using just your voice. It works seamlessly with Alexa or Google Assistant, but if you prefer, you can use the smartphone app, available for both iOS and Android.
The Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector offers an impressive 16.7 million colors, which sounds fantastic in theory, however, in reality, it's highly unlikely you'll be able to make out all those colors with the naked eye. But don't let that discourage you! It still delivers an amazing light show experience.
The only thing to note about the Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector is that the nebulas and stars aren't scientifically accurate. However, if you're looking for a beautiful light display, you'll be delighted with it. We enjoyed the experience so much that we didn't feel disappointed. We especially liked the ability to adjust both brightness and projection speed, making it perfect for creating a serene environment to relax in or an energetic party scene.
The Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector has 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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ 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. ★★★★
You shouldn't be so quick to judge a device just because it's a low-cost option, as we found with the Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector in our review. But we were pleasantly shocked with how something that came across as a novelty toy was ticks all the boxes — despite incredibly its varied price when you look for it online.
The original hype came from its viral spread on TikTok — and retailers have since been selling clones, which has led to a fair amount of competition and a watering down in the market, meaning you can get some for a little as $10.
While we're including the Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector as one of our best star projectors, it needs to be considered a novelty item first and foremost, mostly due to its fun astronaut shape. But while most novelty pieces tend to be cheaply made, we've found this one to be an exception. Its packaging isn't the best but the product inside is well made and it looks fantastic. Just be aware that different retailers are selling products that aren't all identical, so they may vary in quality somewhat due to retailers hopping on the trend.
In operation, the Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector is surprisingly great. 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. It isn't based on science, unfortunately, but as long as you're happy to simply enjoy a pretty visual representation of the night sky, you'll get a lot of joy out of this. It helps it's very quiet in use, too.
The only downside we found is that it's powered by a USB-A to DC cable, which feels a bit outdated; we would prefer USB-C. Other than that, it's a fantastic gift for any space enthusiast, no matter the 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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ 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
Our BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve review highlighted just much we appreciated the smart features in this star projector. You can get this "galaxy light" to work across several smart home ecosystems, froom Google Assistant to Alexa, you can use your voice to change its colours or turn it on or off — this is fantastic if you want a hands-off option to ease into your relaxation time.
The BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve has a spherical design, which means you have near 360-degree angling. Few other star projectors offer so much coverage, and coming with a 1.5m cable, too, you should be able to position it in the best place in your room.
In our BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve review, we praised its almost-silent operation — just like its predecessor, the Sky Lite 2.0. Another improvement compared to the Sky Lite is the integration of patented color blending technology. Essentially, instead of using solid color blocks, the four LED lamps provide a broader range of color options. This results in blended colors, offering a softer, pastel-like appearance, which is perfect for setting a calming atmosphere.
The BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve is ideal for a gaming room, party, movie night or as a relaxation tool to unwind or drift off to sleep with. There are three models to choose from — pick between 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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ 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. ★★★★
Amid the excellent National Geographic Astro Planetarium and the premium Sega Homestar Flux, we've highlighted the Pococo Galaxy Star Projector as a good value option with a solid build quality and projection qulity. We highlighted, in particular, the realistic images you can get in our full review.
You can purchase extra discs alongside the two included ones, with six discs typically priced at around $50. This projector strikes a nice balance, appealing to both kids and adults. It's available in a stylish color gradient paint job or a matte white finish. Adjusting the clarity of the projection is simple by using the focus wheel, which is handy if you want to move it between different surfaces or rooms.
The Pococo Galaxy Star Projector is super easy to control, utilizing just three buttons on its body: Power, rotation and sleep timer. Its rechargeable battery can be charged with a USB-C cable, so it doesn't have to be connected to a power source while it's in use.
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ 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
The Brainstorm Toys Deep Sapce Home Planetarium and Star Projector earned its spot in our guide thanks to its great educational qualities. It's ideal for kids aged 6+ as we highlighted in our review, and has the potential to really engage with a fantastic hands-on tool.
This particular projector is aimed at children, so the stars it projects aren't scientifically accurate 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 included disc has a different theme; Nebulas, Spacecraft & Astronauts and Planets & the Moon.
Instead of using digital controls, you operate it manually. However, there's a "secret code" you can use to access additional informative descriptions of the pictures on the slides online. This allows children to learn more about space objects and adds a fun and mysterious element to the experience.
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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ 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
If you're looking for a high-quality indoor planetarium, the National Geographic Astro Planetarium offers a fantastic true-to-life projections of the starry night sky at great value. For a device that's a tad less pricy than some of the more premium options, you get two projection discs with one showing 8,000 stars and another featuring guidelines for major constellations. You also get an accurate view of what you'll see for the time of day you're using it — adding to the authenticity and its educational qualities.
To get a clear and bright projection on your ceiling, just rotate the image and use the focus wheel (which is easier to see in the dark because of the illuminated blue buttons). The optics are from Bresser, a well-known German brand famous for making binoculars, telescopes and microscopes. However, we did notice that stars at the edges of the projection can sometimes look a bit blurry.
In the box, you'll get AA batteries, a 3.5mm jack cable (for connecting an audio device or smartphone) and four educational posters. By hooking up an audio device, you can listen to your favorite music or even the radio while enjoying the stunning projections from the projector.
One novel feature here is the 'falling star' mode. It projects a flashing meteor every 40 seconds, although we think it's a shame the falling star is always in the same place. A level of randomization would make it a bit more enjoyable and unpredictable.
- 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
Specifications
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
✅ 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
Much like the National Geographic Astro Planetarium, this device has many of the similar core qualities but there are one or two differences that sets it apart. For starters, the Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe misses out on a speaker and doesn't feature an FM radio. You aren't able to attach an audio device at all, unfortunately. It can only run from its battery, too.
On the plus side, however, its color palette of silver and black gives it a far more mature quality than the National Geographic device — which does appear divisive, and may not be such a great-looking fixture around your house, depending on your perspective.
As we mentioned in our Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe review, the same Astro Planetarium disks can be used in both devices, with two included in the box: one features a starry night sky, and the other has constellation overlays. You can set a day and time on the device, making the projections accurate for that time — a very nifty feature to have.
You can rotate the image in its stand, and it's fully mobile with built-in motors allowing for 360-degree movement. We found that it works best when the images are projected from about two meters away. Bresser designed the lens with a focusing wheel for easy image adjustment. Like many star projectors, it has automatic shutdown options after 30, 60 or 120 minutes, making it suitable 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.
There are minimal differences between this and the National Geographic Astro Planetarium, but this is a little cheaper. If you don't want music compatibility and you're happy for it to be battery-powered, it's probably worth considering over the other.
Attributes | Notes |
---|---|
Design | Silver & black design, but dated packaging. |
Performance | Date & time feature works well. |
Functionality | Battery powered (no mains option). |