Best star projectors 2024: From night lights to home planetariums (2024)

You've come to the right place if you're in the market for one of the best star projectors. We've rounded up some of our favorite star projectors right here, all of which can project beautiful recreations of the night sky on your walls and ceilings.

Star projectors — or home planetariums, as they're sometimes called — come in various shapes and sizes, and we've included a range of them here, covering different price points, too. Some aim to offer realistic representations of the night sky, which can be useful as educational tools. Others are simply shows of light, modeled on realistic nebulas but nothing more. But with many having built-in speakers, it can be a fantastic way to relax even if the projection isn't based on reality.

When might you use a star projector? Well, whenever, really. We've found that children, in particular, love them, and they can help them relax or fall asleep. Some star projectors can also help children learn about space. That's not to say these are just tools for kids, though. Adults love them just as much, and many grown-ups will use them as a relaxation tool. They're also great to pull out at parties, particularly if you host a space-themed get-together.

In this guide to the best star projectors, you'll find a summary of each projector we've included and a link to a full review. There are links to buy each projector at the best price from trusted retailers and a quick summary of each one's pros and cons.

The quick list

Best star projectors we recommend in 2024

Best overall

There's no doubt about it: the Sega Toys Homestar Flux is the best star projector you can buy. It's more expensive than most on this list, however, and it can occasionally be hard to get hold of. But if you can afford it and do manage to see it in stock, you won't regret buying it: Very few other star projectors offer the same experience as this.

The Homestar Flux brings true-to-life night skies into your living room. Sporting advanced glass lenses, it's bright and colorful — even in partially lit rooms. It very much is more of a home planetarium than a basic projector, especially thanks to its high scientific accuracy. So accurate, in fact, that it offers displays of up to 60,000 stars. You can adjust the focus, too, ensuring it displays just right on your walls and ceiling.

What sets the Sega Homestar Flux apart is that it can be expanded with different discs, with two included with purchase. One shorts the Northern Hemisphere, and the other is the Northern Hemisphere Constellations, with constellations labelled 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. 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.

Like many other star projectors, there's a 'shooting star' function, although, in our Sega Homestar Flux review, we thought it was a little predictable as the star fell in the same place each time. We'd have liked if there was a bit of variation to it to feel more realistic. It also has an automatic switch-off after 15, 30 or 60 minutes — great if you're using it to fall asleep and don't want to get up to turn it off!

• Read our full Sega Toys Homestar Flux star projector review

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Best for space-themed parties

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.

Perhaps our favorite thing is just how customizable it is. You can change how visible the stars are, turn on the full moon, and adjust 'Aurora Borealis' colors depending on your mood. There are 16.7 million colors to choose between, and you're able to adjust the LED light and green lasers depending on how vivid you'd like them to be. Oh, and you can control it with the included remote control or on your smartphone via a compatible app.

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 ambience.

Bluetooth speakers are often of low quality, but we found this speaker to be 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 to a different music genre.

• Read our full Encalife Aurora Borealis Northern Lights Star Projector review

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Best for voice control

During our Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector review, we were impressed by its sleek design, which will delight many. It's modern and compact, allowing users 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 angles, making it flexible enough to project onto the wall or ceiling.

We particularly enjoy how easy the Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector is to use and set up — one feature that makes it stand out is its voice control options. You can use your voice to change its colors, adjust its brightness, and even control the speed of projection rotation. It's compatible with Alexa or Google Assistant, too. You don't have to talk to it if you don't want to, of course: There's a smartphone app you can download on iOS or Android.

The Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector boasts 16.7 million colors, which is great on paper. And while you can certainly change the color to just about anything in the spectrum, you'll likely struggle to distinguish anywhere near as many with the naked eye. Not that that should put you off, though: It still offers a fantastic light display.

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

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Best budget star projector

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, particularly as we've seen its price vary significantly between online and in-store retailers.

After going viral on TikTok, many retailers are now selling their own versions, creating price competition among them. If you look around, you can find a good deal. However, we wouldn't recommend paying more than around $30 for it — we've seen them for as little at $10. Nevertheless, we consider it one of the best affordable star projectors on this list.

While we're including the Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector as one of our best star projectors, it needs to be considered as 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 absolutely fantastic. Just be aware that different retailers are selling products that aren't all identical, so they may vary in quality somewhat.

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 theBlissLights Sky Lite 2.0and theEncalife 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 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.

• Read our Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projectorreview

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Best for pastel shades

This Evolve star projector is the most recent so-called 'galaxy light' to come from BlissLights, and it may be the best yet. It features voice control via Alexa or Google Assistant, meaning you can change the colors simply by using your voice, which is neat.

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 upgrade over the Sky Lite is the inclusion of patented color blending technology. In other words, instead of using solid color blocks, the four LED lamps offer up a wider range of color possibilities. It means you get blended colors, giving off a softer and pastel-like appearance. It's great for creating a relaxing 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

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Best value rechargeable star projector

The Pococo Galaxy Star Projector is a worthy addition to this guide, and 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 thought it was a good value star projector with decent build and projection quality.

You can buy extra discs in addition to the two included ones (six discs cost around $50). We think it strikes a good balance, appealing to both children and adults. It comes in a stylish color gradient paint job or a matte white finish. Adjusting the clarity of the projection is easy by turning the focus wheel — perfect if you 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

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Best for homeschooling young children

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 6+, and, in our opinion, spark their interest in all things space-related.

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.

You operate it manually instead of digitally, but there's a 'secret code' you can use to access extra informative descriptions of the pictures on the slides online. This lets children learn more about the objects in space and adds a bit of fun and mystery to the whole 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.

• Read our Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium and Star Projector review

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Best multi-functional scientific star projector

The National Geographic Astro Planetarium is a high-quality indoor planetarium that accurately depicts our beautiful night sky, offering excellent value at an affordable price. It comes with two projection discs — one displaying 8,000 stars and the other featuring guidelines for major constellations. Impressively, what you see is true to the time and day you're using it, as we mentioned during our hands-on National Geographic Astro Planetarium review.

To achieve a bright and sharp projection on your ceiling, simply rotate the image and adjust the focus wheel (made easier in the dark thanks to the blue illuminated buttons). The optics are from the German optics brand Bresser, known for producing binoculars, telescopes and microscopes. However, we did notice that the stars at the edge of the projection can appear blurry.

Inside the National Geographic Astro Planetarium's box, you'll find AA batteries, a 3.5mm jack cable (to connect an audio device or your smartphone), and four educational posters. By connecting an audio device you can enjoy music of your choice (or even the radio) as you take in the beautiful views provided by the projector.

One feature that's particularly novel here is the 'falling star' mode. It projects a flashing meteor every 40 seconds, although it's a shame the falling star is always in the same place. A level of randomization would make it a bit more enjoyable.

• Read our full National Geographic Astro Planetarium review

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Best for generalist projection

The Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe is similar to the National Geographic Astro Planetarium we featured above. They share the same basic features and offer the same projections, but there are some key differences.

Firstly, the Bresser doesn't include an FM radio, nor can you attach an audio device. It can only be battery-powered, and this one comes with a silver and black body, which, in our opinion, looks a little more 'grown-up' than the yellow highlights of the National Geographic offering.

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.

You can rotate the image in its stand, and it has 360-degree mobility with built-in motors. We noticed it works best when the images are projected from a distance of about two meters. Bresser made 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. It also comes with 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.

• Read our full Bresser Junior Astro Planetarium Deluxe star projector review

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Best for portability

Given that it only has one function, this is a rather unusual entry on this list of best star projectors. We still think it's worth being featured, though: it's completely 'faff-free' and can instantly transform your surroundings with beautiful celestial projections. But as we said in our BlissLights Starport USB star projector review, you should probably use the term "star projector" loosely.

Connect this tiny USB projector to a USB power source, and it'll instantly project hundreds of laser stars around the room. It's beautiful and immersive, but that's all it can do. You won't find any scientific accuracy, and it can't be customized in any way. But it's a good option if you're looking for a star projector for relaxation or a meditative light show.

We particularly like this option given how affordable it is, and if you travel around a lot, you can pop it in your pocket to take with you — it takes up almost no space. Maybe you're a gamer wanting to enhance your space, or perhaps you want to make bedtime more enlightening for your child — it will do those jobs valiantly, too.

If you want more advanced features or something more scientifically accurate, you should probably choose something else over the BlissLights Starport.

• Read our full BlissLights Starport USB star projector review

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Best for multi-media ambiance

Compared to the Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector, the Ambience Galaxy & Star Projector has fewer lighting modes, but we don't see it as a drawback. It provides four colors: blue, green, white and red, which you can blend using the included remote control and adjust the brightness according to your preference.

We were pleasantly surprised by the excellent quality build of this compact star projector. Despite the packaging being of lower quality, the unit itself is well-constructed, and the lights are bright enough to create a beautiful 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, which is easy enough to do, and the device will be up and running within mere 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

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Star projectors Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.