Star projectors bring the wonder of the night sky indoors, transforming any room into a cosmic wonderland.
Our best star projector guide covers a range of models, from scientific home planetariums that project real nebulas and galaxies to budget-friendly options that create stunning, colorful displays inspired by space. These projectors are popular gift choices, especially during Black Friday sales on Nov. 29. If you want to bag a bargain, we’ll be covering all the best star projector deals in our Black Friday deals hub. The Pococo Galaxy Projector and Astronaut Star Projector are often discounted in the big sales events, so keep checking back for some great deals.
We’ve tested each model thoroughly to offer genuine insights into features, image quality, and overall value. Whether searching for an immersive stargazing experience or a relaxing light show, our list will help you find the perfect star projector. For a unique gift alternative, you might also explore our best science kits for kids, best chemistry sets, and top coding toys for kids.
Quick list
Best overall
Easily rivals the more expensive competition. The images are vivid, there’s hardly any motor noise, it’s rechargeable and you can purchase extension packs.
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Best premium model
A well-known favorite amongst space fans. The sophisticated design and pin-sharp images delivered by the 5-watt LED make this a desirable model.
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BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve
Best cheap option
A great app-controlled non-scientific star projector that floods the room with lovely color-blended pastel shades.
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Sega Toys Homestar Matataki
Best for realistic stars
If realistic, twinkling stars is what you want, this is the model to go for. It’s cheaper than the Flux and can has a speaker which loops through nine different relaxing sounds.
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Pococo Galaxy Star Projector
Best aesthetics
Aside from looks, the Pococo is ultimately the same as the Orzors Star Projector — offering crisp imagery in a rechargeable device. Choose whichever one you like the look of!
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Astronaut Starry Sky Projector
Best for kids
A lovely star projector that any space fan will love. It’s good quality, remote-controlled and offers ample color combinations to transform your space for less than $20.
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Best star projectors we recommend in 2024
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Best overall
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Buy it if
✅ You want something rechargeable: No need for batteries, this model is rechargeable with a USB-C to USB-A cable (which is provided).
✅ You want high-quality imagery on a budget: This star projector easily rivals the Sega Homestar Flux for a fraction of the cost.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You don’t want to buy extra disks: It comes with a generous five disks, but you do have to buy extra if you want to expand your collection.
❌ You don’t want a scientific projector: If you’re just looking for a pretty light, we’d recommend the Bliss Lights Sky Lite Evolve.
The bottom line
🔎 Orzorz Galaxy Lite Home Planetarium Star Projector: It has all the things we love about the Homestar Flux without the expensive price tag. It’s sleek and modern, the images are bright and vivid, it’s simple to operate and it has an extensive library of add-on disks. ★★★★★
We were very impressed with the Orzorz Galaxy Lite when we reviewed it. It easily rivals the Sega Homestar Flux (which used to sit at the top of this list) in terms of image quality and functionality and comes at a fraction of the cost.
With 180-degree positioning, it allows for projection onto the ceiling or walls and its modern, sleek white design will suit almost any home. You just need to turn the focus wheel to make the image sharp, and we liked that even though the three function buttons are small, they’re easy to locate in the dark because they protrude slightly. It’s worth noting here that there’s no remote control included.
The colors produced by this projector are undoubtedly impressive — they are vivid and bright, and the images are incredibly sharp once focused. You can even enjoy the projections in the daytime; there’s no need to be in total darkness — although, you’ll get the best projections in total darkness. We liked that Orzorz resisted the temptation to include the somewhat garish blue/green laser ‘stars’ that you see on other models — which makes it feel much more suitable for adults who want a realistic-looking projection.
The projector ships with five disks — Pillars of Creation, NGC 2359 (Thor’s Helmet), the Moon, the Milky Way and the Earth and Moon (on one disk), but there’s a whole catalog of others to choose from to purchase separately. There are also some child-friendly slides which is a nice touch, including the ‘little astronaut’ cartoon disk and a novelty Christmas-themed slide. The disks also fit the Pococo Home Planetarium and vice versa, making the library of images to extend your collection even greater. We did think the tiny disks could be a little fiddly for those with larger hands.
There is one rotation speed which is slow and soothing — there’s a little bit of noise from the motor but nothing that would be distracting if you’re sat close to it, and better than many models we’ve tested. There’s no option to speed up the rotation, which we didn’t mind, but it wouldn’t be suitable for parties.
It was really easy to load the disks into the projector and operation couldn’t be simpler. There are just three buttons — on/off button, start/stop rotation and set the sleep timer. And one of our favorite stand-out features of the Orzorz is that it’s rechargeable, providing up to 8 hours of projections. This also means you don’t have to rely on having an electrical outlet close to wherever you want to place it in your home.
We’ve chosen to put this projector at the top of this list as it offers the same (or even better) functionality as the Sega Toys Homestar Flux but at a much lower cost. It’s also basically the exact same as the Pococo Home Planetarium, so just choose whichever one you prefer the look of.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Sleek, contemporary look that will suit any home decor. |
| Performance | Easily rivals the Sega Homestar Flux — high quality, realistic imagery. |
| Functionality | Rechargeable and easy to operate. |
Best premium model
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Buy it if
✅ You want a quiet model: In an otherwise silent room, you can only hear the faintest whir of the motor.
✅ You want scientific accuracy: All the disks and projections are scientifically accurate.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You’re on a budget: This is one of the more expensive models, and it’s rarely on offer. The Orzorz Galaxy Lite is pretty much the exact same, but much cheaper.
❌ You want a rechargeable projector: If you don’t want to keep it plugged in, the Orzorz Galaxy Lite or Pococo Galaxy Projector are both rechargeable.
The bottom line
🔎 Sega Toys Homestar Flux: Unlike many ‘star-projectors, ‘ this model has no gimmicks and instead focuses entirely on creating an accurate projection of over 60,000 stars. The only downside is the steep price tag compared to alternative models that do a similar job. ★★★★
There isn’t a ‘top X star projector list’ you’ll come across without finding the Sega Toys Homestar Flux taking a podium position. Unlike many ‘star projectors,’ this model’s main focus is to project a realistic-looking, high-quality image of extraterrestrial subjects onto your wall or ceiling, often using real photos from various observation stations around the world.
It ships with two disks as standard, but over 30 compatible disks are available as additional add-ons, ranging from exceptional pin-sharp views from astronomical observatories in other countries, the different stages of a solar eclipse, to the more novelty discs like swimming jellyfish or balloons at a hot air balloon festival, allowing for a greater level of exploration than with other star projectors and home planetariums.
It has a sleek and mature design with a high-quality satin black finish, which we appreciated during our Sega Toys Homestar Flux review. It also comes in an attractive and robust box which would be a delight to give or receive as a gift, and one that can be saved and used as storage rather than heading straight for the recycling bin. Many of the other star projectors we’ve reviewed come in somewhat questionable packaging, so at least they’re providing quality in every aspect of the Homestar Flux considering the price.
The 5-watt LED projects pin-sharp images across the whole projection, from edge to edge. The operation is quiet, and there are three sleep timers for automatic shut-off. There’s no remote, app control or built-in speaker, but these aren’t functions you’ll need if all you’re doing is selecting your desired disk and switching the projector on to gaze at the stars. We thought it was incredibly intuitive to use and its operation couldn’t be simpler — just choose a disk, put it in and away you go.
The stand can be positioned at any angle, with the sphere itself being able to pivot 360 degrees. There is a shooting star function, but it leaves a little to be desired as it was always in the same place at a fixed time interval — we think it’s an unnecessary add-on.
The Sega Homestar Galaxy Flux used to sit at the top of the list for a long time until the Orzorz Galaxy Lite arrived. Aside from aesthetics, they’re basically the exact same, although the Orzorz is a lot cheaper.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Matte black finish. |
| Performance | Impressive, scientifically accurate projections. |
| Functionality | More than 30 compatible disks available. |
Best cheap star projector
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Buy it if
✅ You’re on a budget: This model is incredibly budget-friendly.
✅ You want voice control: You can control it with your Alexa or Google device.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You don’t want to use an app: The accompanying app is needed in order to use all its functions.
❌ You want scientific accuracy: There’s no scientific accuracy to this star projector — check out the Orzorz Galaxy Lite instead.
The bottom line
🔎 BlissLights Evolve Star Projector: A definite upgrade to the previous Bliss Lights Sky Lite designs, this model is discrete and refined. The white finish and compact form factor complement a variety of home decor. The app control is sleek and intuitive, and the Alexa/Google voice control is a bonus. ★★★★
Here we have the newest version of BlissLights ‘galaxy lights,’ the Evolve, available with green, blue or no lasers. Unusually, it has voice control (Google Assistant /Amazon Alexa), single button control and app control, however, the app is needed to control all of its functions. During our BlissLights Evolve Star Projector Review, we found the app to be responsive and effective, easily adjusting the color, speed and brightness settings. You can also set a sleep timer for anywhere from 1 minute to 24 hours, which is much more generous than a lot of the other models on this list.
The spherical projector isn’t fixed to the supplied base so gives maximum positioning flexibility. You can point it at walls, ceilings and even the floor if you have high shelving, and you won’t have a problem angling the Class 2 laser away from vulnerable eyes. We thought the white plastic finish made it feel a bit cheap and a little ‘toy-like’, however, we think the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ applies here. It also felt a bit fragile, so you’ll want to keep it away from kids if they’re likely to drop it.
It displays an immeasurable amount of color combinations from a bright 5-watt bulb. The colors are vivid and immersive, and the BlissLights Evolve uses unique color blending technology to allow for pastel-style colors rather than highly contrasting color patterns. You can spend hours gazing up at the soothing changing patterns and experimenting with color combinations and brightness in the app. Turn on the laser ‘stars’ to further transform your space (up to 30×30 feet!) into an otherworldly sensory experience. We personally aren’t too keen on the laser ‘stars’ as they can look a bit gimmicky, especially in the unrealistic green or blue colors, but some people do prefer that.
Though clearly not a scientific star projector, it would totally transform your gaming room, party atmosphere or sleeping environment. As the motor is very quiet — near silent, in fact, the motor noise won’t be a distraction, allowing you to get to sleep or focus on the immersive and impressive light patterns. If you’re looking for something with scientific accuracy, we’d recommend the Orzorz Galaxy Lite at the top of this list.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Small and discreet. |
| Performance | No scientific accuracy, just a pretty night. |
| Functionality | App and voice controlled. |
Best for realistic stars
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But it if:
✅ You want a rechargeable projector: This projector requires a DC cable to work.
✅ You want realistic projections: The twinkle plate gives the illusion of twinkling stars.
The bottom line:
🔎 Sega Toys Homestar Matataki: Offering several features that the Flux lacks, the Matataki is an affordable alternative to the fan-favorite projector. The twinkling lights look realistic and it offers nine relaxing sounds played on a loop, although we’d rather it had a Bluetooth speaker. ★★★★½
Meet the newest star projector from Sega Toys – the Matataki. The ever-popular Homestar Flux was the best star projector on the market for a long time, but with the Orzorz Galaxy Projector and Pococo Galaxy Projector providing some competition, Sega have now thrown a cheaper alternative into the mix.
We thought the Matataki felt a bit plastic to the touch, and lacked the refined ‘adult’ feel of the Flux. But, considering it’s less than half the price, that doesn’t bother us so much. We noted in our Sega Toys Homestar Matataki review that although it has a built-in speaker, it can only play a set number (nine) of sounds. We’d rather it have some kind of Bluetooth connectivity to play music or curated playlists rather than generic sounds on a loop. We thought these built-in sounds to be a bit of an unnecessary extra.
The Matataki produces a noticeably dimmer projection than the Flux (3-watt bulb versus the Flux’s 5-watt bulb) which we had to wait until dark to be able to see in all its glory. That said, we didn’t mind the softer image, and we actually felt the Flux’s projections were a bit too bright and looked a little unrealistic in comparison. The motor is fairly quiet, but we thought it was noticeably noisier than the Pococo Galaxy Projector, which is near-inaudible.
You’ll get two disks supplied with the Matataki — one containing 60,000 stars and one containing 10,000 stars, which is to be used with the ‘twinkle plate’. This gives the illusion that the stars are twinkling rather than just static pinpoints. A common complaint among star projector users is the dreaded ‘green laser stars’ in many of the cheaper models, so we appreciate that Sega have gone the extra mile to produce a more realistic experience. There’s also an optional shooting star setting.
Our biggest complaint is that it isn’t rechargeable, and it requires a DC charging cable rather than a USB. Ultimately, personal preference is going to dictate whether you buy the Matataki, Orzorz or Pococo, as they’re all fairly similar in price but have slightly different features and design.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Not as luxe as the Flux. |
| Performance | Pleasing soft projections. |
| Functionality | Twinkling stars look realistic. |
Best aesthetics
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Buy it if
✅ You’re on a budget: This star projector is quite affordable for what it is.
✅ You want excellent quality projections: We were very impressed with the quality of the images from the disks.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want to avoid unreputable brands: The marketing around this product is bizarre, plus they make false claims that are just greenwashing. We were impressed with the professionalism of the Sega Toys Homestar Flux.
❌ You want a remote or app: It has accompanying discs to project. For app use, try the Bliss Lights Sky Lite Evolve.
The bottom line
🔎 Pococo Galaxy Star Projector: An affordable alternative to the more expensive star projectors like the Sega Toys Homestar Flux. It offers the same functionality and image quality (if not better), and it is also rechargeable, which gives you more flexibility in terms of where you can point the projections. ★★★★
The Pococo Galaxy Projector is ultimately the same technology as the Orzorz Galaxy Lite mentioned at the top of this list but in a different body. In terms of functionality, it’s all the same and even uses the same shape disks; it’s just the shape and color of this model that makes it different. Still, we were very impressed with the images in our Pococo Galaxy star projector review.
The Pococo’s design is simple and stylish, with a pink and blue ombre paint job. Like the Orzors, the packaging and presentation are nice, so it would be good to give as a gift for a slightly younger user who might want something a bit ‘prettier’.
So, if it’s exactly the same, why is it further down in this guide? A few reasons — one is we think the Orzors has a more ‘grown up’ design and would complement a wider range of decor — therefore, more of a ‘safe bet’ if you’re purchasing it for someone else.
The other reason is the strange marketing around the product, which seems to target ladies’ insecurities, — which we obviously disagree with. They seem to have tidied it up a bit since we first noticed this, but there’s still some wording in there about how it can help love your body somehow. It also claims to be an ‘eco-friendly’ star projector, which simply isn’t true. While this seems trivial, it’s important to call out greenwashing.
That said, we thought it projected bright and vivid imagery, even during the daytime. Once we focused the images, they were crystal clear and it was easy to operate. Like the Orzorz, there’s only one rotation speed, so if you want to be able to customize the projections, you might want to go for something along the lines of the Bliss Lights Sky Lite Evolve. It was also one of the quieter projectors we’ve tested, and we could only hear it if we physically pressed our ear up to it — perfect for drifting off to sleep.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Attractive design with four available colors. |
| Performance | Bright, vibrant and sharp images. |
| Functionality | Basically the same as the Orzorz Galaxy Lite. |
Best star projector for kids
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Buy it if
✅ You’re on a tight budget: This star projector tends to sit at around the $20 mark.
✅ You’re buying a gift for a child: It’s an affordable gift that children will love.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want scientific accuracy: This is about as far away from scientific accuracy as you can get. If that’s what you want, try the Orzorz Galaxy Lite.
❌ You want a long cable: We noted that the cable is quite short, so you may need an extension lead if you don’t have any plugs near your chosen surface. You might want to consider a rechargeable option, like the Orzorz Galaxy Lite or Pococo Galaxy Projector.
The bottom line
🔎 Astronaut Starry Sky Projector: A great quality star projector for space lovers of any age. The novelty astronaut design is certainly a conversation starter, and we thought the projections were bright and vivid. The sleep timer makes it a perfect choice for your child’s bedroom. ★★★★
This is a great quality star projector for any space fan of any age. We were dubious about how good this star projector would be, as historically, novelty-shaped star projectors are pretty disappointing. But after it went viral on TikTok earlier this year, we’re pleased to say that during our Astronaut Starry Sky Projector review, this ‘cute’ projector meets space-themed ornament surpassed our expectations.
The lights and laser are projected out of the astronaut’s space helmet in one of 8 eye-catching nebula color combinations, and the buttons are on their backpack, but you can also use the included remote control so you don’t have to leave your seat to alter the color, speed and brightness settings. The laser ‘stars’ are quite an unnatural green color, which tends to be the case with the more affordable models due to the complexity of creating yellow or white colored stars.
There’s also a 45-minute or 90-minute sleep timer (that you can also set using the remote), which we found ideal for a child’s nursery, as you don’t need to go in and risk disturbing the child to turn it off. The projections are bright enough during the daytime too, great for very young children who might go to sleep before it’s dark during summer.
This projector would be most suited to a child’s bedroom, just be mindful that the lasers aren’t pointing directly in anyone’s line of sight — pretty easy to accomplish given the positioning flexibility the magnetic space helmet allows.
It comes with a DC port, which we thought was a little annoying and would be much better with a USB port. We also noticed that the cable is fairly short, so you may end up needing an extension lead if you don’t have any plugs close to your chosen surface.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Novelty astronaut design. |
| Performance | Adjustable brightness, but has the dreaded green lasers. |
| Functionality | Has a sleep timer with two settings. |
Best educational star projector
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Buy it if
✅ You want something portable: The advantage of it being battery-powered is that it’s more portable than mains-powered projectors.
✅ You’re on a budget: It’s a great STEM toy for kids that won’t break the bank.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You don’t want to use batteries: It runs on 3 x AA batteries, which aren’t included. Most of the other options on this list either plug into the wall or are rechargeable.
❌ You have older kids: While younger kids between 6-10 years would find it interesting, there isn’t much of a wow factor that would impress older kids. If your kids are older, they might get on better with the Orzorz Galaxy Lite.
The bottom line
🔎 Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium: Overall it’s a good, interactive STEM toy for space-enthusiastic kids aged between six and ten. We think it offers good value for money for a multi-functional product that kids will enjoy. ★★★½
Here we have one of the most reasonably priced star projectors available. Think of it as an educational STEM toy for young budding astronomers rather than anything too sophisticated or scientific. But we liked its multi-functional three-in-one aspect, either displaying rotating constellations and stars, projecting slides with images on or can be used as a nightlight.
Its sturdy and well-built body resembles a well-known sci-fi character (R2D2); we’re sure this wasn’t an accident. A pill-shaped device pivots vertically on a stand to expose either the planetarium end, which is ultimately a light with a plastic cover over the top allowing small ‘stars’ to be outwardly projected or a slide projector with a focusing ring. Using another of the supplied light covers, the star projector can also be used as a simple blue-colored night light, something we liked in our Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium review.
We found it very easy to set up and use, although we did note that it’s best used in a very dark room.
Three disks are supplied — one has spacecraft images, one has astronauts and the other features eight images of nebulas and planets taken by the NASA Hubble Telescope. This is the most educational function and users are provided with a ‘secret code’ to unlock online learning material — although we were disappointed there wasn’t any educational information provided with it, only an online version.
This is an excellent purchase for homeschooling or to simply spend some time with your child learning about the wonders of space. It ticks the boxes as a STEM toy for educational, hands-on experience, but it’s likely something they’d soon outgrow.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Looks like R2-D2. |
| Performance | Star and constellation projection could be more refined. |
| Functionality | Gives users a hands on experience. |
Best bookshelf star projector
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Buy it if
✅ You want app control: You can control it remotely via the app — but it connects over Bluetooth, not Wi-Fi.
✅ You don’t want anything big: It’s slim enough to sit on your bookshelf out of sight, and nicely blends into your interiors.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want accuracy: This is little more than a pretty light, so don’t expect to get anything educational out of it. If that’s what you’re looking for, try the Pococo Galaxy Lite.
❌ You’re on a budget: While it’s not horrendously expensive, many retailers have created their own replica of this at a much lower price.
The bottom line
🔎 BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0: It’s a fun little way of seeing the colors of the night sky without needing too much space. It’s friendly on the wallet, easy to use and produces pleasing projections, just don’t expect any kind of accuracy. ★★★½
Bliss Lights SkyLite 2.0, although superseded by the Evolve as mentioned above, is still an excellent star projector that features most of the same functionality, just not Google or Alexa voice control. It looks different because it is ‘wheel-shaped’ rather than spherical, but it slots nicely onto a bookshelf without taking up much space.
The colors of the lights and lasers are vivid, and the dedicated app still affords you many customization options in terms of color mix, speed, timing modes, brightness and so on. One thing that might put buyers off is the green laser ‘stars’, which many have said to be quite tacky looking and not particularly realistic (a common feature of many cheap projectors). Still, it produces vivid colors and certainly isn’t lacking when it comes to creating a relaxing atmosphere.
Be mindful that the app is connected to the device via Bluetooth — not Wi-Fi — so you have to be pretty near it to make any changes to the settings. If you’re looking to control it remotely from a different room (e.g. if it’s in a child’s bedroom and you don’t want to disturb them), you’d probably want to consider something that can connect to Wi-Fi. Although, there is a sleep timer, so setting it up to turn off after a certain time is one way around this potential issue.
The operation of the motor is nearly silent, so it would be a perfect sleeping aid if that is what you’re looking for a star projector to help with.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Light and compact. |
| Performance | Vivid color and lasers, near silent operation. |
| Functionality | App control via Bluetooth. |
Best audio from a star projector
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Buy it if
✅ You want to play music: It won’t win any awards, but the sound is surprisingly good for a Bluetooth speaker.
✅ You want quiet operation: It runs quietly, so it won’t disturb you if you’re trying to sleep with it on.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ It’s not on offer: Encalife products seem to fluctuate in price quite drastically, so wait until it’s on offer before purchasing.
❌ You want app or voice control: All its functionality is controlled from the remote, and there’s no kind of app or voice control. The Bliss Lights Sky Lite Evolve, however, has app, voice and remote functionality.
The bottom line
🔎 Encalife Ambience Galaxy & Star Projector: A convenient combination of a star projector and Bluetooth speaker, it’ll enhance the ambiance and atmosphere in any room and would be a great addition to a party. ★★★½
The Encalfe Ambience Galaxy & Star Projector is a combination star-projector meets Bluetooth speaker, perfect for a child’s bedroom. Be aware of the lackluster packaging and slightly disappointing build quality, but the device itself performs surprisingly well, which, we suppose is the main thing.
The Ambience Galaxy & Star Projector resembles a UFO shape and has a faceted dome to help disperse the LED over 180 degrees. After reviewing lots of star projectors, this is quite a unique design that makes it stand out from a lot of other models.
The lights are bright and vivid, and there is a fair amount of customization, but you’ll need to use the supplied remote to access some of the functions (rather than being able to access them using the buttons on the device, or through an app or voice control).
Other star projectors on this list, namely the Bliss Lights models, offer more color combinations, but there’s more than enough here to entertain yourself and your children.
There is a USB port for plugging in a flash drive to play music from, although admittedly, these are somewhat outdated now, so this probably won’t see much use. That said, we can see why this function would be useful if you were to pre-load an mp3 playlist (e.g. sleep sounds), an audiobook or similar to a flash drive.
Note September 2024: While this exact model seems to have disappeared from Amazon, there are plenty of cheaper alternatives that look identical and do offer app functionality.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Unique design with faceted dome. |
| Performance | Not as customizable as others, but the speaker is surprisingly good. |
| Functionality | Only works via the remote control. |
Best for dinosaur fans
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Buy it if
✅ You’re buying an inexpensive gift: If the person you’re buying for happens to love space and dinosaurs, then you’re in luck here.
✅ Your child wants a night light: It’s perfect for a child’s bedroom, and it has a sleep timer with an automatic shut-off.
Don’t buy it if:
❌ You want accuracy: This is neither astronomically nor paleontologically accurate. Kids who want to learn about the stars and constellations might prefer something like the Orzorz Galaxy Lite.
❌ You want something that blends in: This star projector doesn’t exactly have the most minimalistic design.
The bottom line
🔎 Dinosaur Egg Galaxy Star Projector: Reasonably priced and multi-functional projector with a fun design that kids will love— a nightlight, projector, Bluetooth speaker and white noise sound system all in one. ★★★½
Here’s one for space fans and paleontology enthusiasts alike. The second novelty-shaped projector in this guide and it’s surprisingly capable in terms of functionality, and during our Dinosaur Egg Galaxy Star Projector review, our children loved it!
When in one piece (with the ‘lid’ on the egg), you have a fun night light, emitting an ambient-colored light through the cracks of the hatching egg. Remove the lid and you have a star projector that can display wavy patterns in a multitude of colors in your choice, as well as a Class 1 or 2 laser (this isn’t specified) which can be turned on or off independently.
Not only this but there’s also an in-built Bluetooth speaker. As with most ‘cheap’ Bluetooth speakers, the sound quality won’t win any awards as it lacks bass and sounds a little tinny, but for background music or for reading aloud an audiobook, it does the job just fine. It also has a musical rhythm mode which flashes and syncs the projections in time with the beat of the music.
On top of the Bluetooth speaker, there is also built-in ‘white noise’ functionality, presumably to be used as a sleeping aid first and foremost. There’s a catalog of 19 different sounds from a cow moo-ing and a dog barking, to more sleep-appropriate ‘watery noises,’ piano tunes and ‘standard’ white noise.
We thought the colors were bright and pretty, but it lacked the texture of a lot of the other models on this list — we thought the nebula looked more like water. Still, it’s effective for creating an atmosphere or using as a relaxing nightlight.
| Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
| Design | Looks like a dinosaur egg. |
| Performance | Not the best sound quality. |
| Functionality | Sleep timer with automatic shut off. |
Best star projectors: comparison
| Row 0 – Cell 0 | Size | Bulb type | Laser | Control | Rotation | Sleep timer | Speaker | Projection surface |
| Orzorz Galaxy Lite | 160 x 120 x 120mm | LED | None | On body | Yes | Yes | No | 13 ft / 4m |
| Sega Toys Homestar Flux | 160 x 160 x 150mm | LED | None | On body | Yes | Yes | No | 8.9ft / 2.7m |
| BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve | 120 x 120 x 135 mm | LED | Class 2 | App, voice and single button | Yes | Yes | No | Laser — 30 x 30 ft, Nebula cloud — 15 x 15ft |
| Sega Toys Homestar Matataki | 160mm x 165mm x 165mm | 3-watt LED | None | On body | Yes | Yes | Yes (for built-in sounds) | 5ft x to 8.5ft |
| Pococo Galaxy Projector | 157 x 120 x 120mm | LED | None | On body | Yes | Yes | No | 40 ft² / 12m² |
| Astronaut Starry Sky Projector | 120 x 113 x 228mm | LED | Class 1 | On-body and remote | Yes | Yes | No | Not specified |
| Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium and Projector | 130 x 250 x 320mm | 2 x LED | None | On body | Yes | No | No | Projector 1m, stars not specified |
| BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0 | 235 x 207 x 76mm | 5 Watt LED | Yes | App or on-body | Yes | Yes (via app) | No | Laser – 30 x 30 ft, Nebula cloud – 15 x 15ft |
| Encalife Ambience Galaxy & Star Projector | 168.9 x 167.89 x 134.87mm | LED | Yes | On-body and remote | Yes | Yes | Yes | 160 – 540ft / 49 – 165m |
| Dinosaur Egg Galaxy Star Projector | 170 x 150 x 140 mm | LED | Yes | On body and remote | Yes | Yes | Yes | 20-80m² |
Contributing experts
Dr. Shelby Harris is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis. Specializing in behavioral sleep medicine, she focuses on treating sleep disorders like insomnia, nightmares, and narcolepsy through non-pharmacological interventions. A board-certified expert in her field, Dr. Harris is also the author of The Women’s Guide to Overcoming Insomnia, providing science-backed solutions for better sleep. Passionate about women’s health and sleep, she addresses topics such as sleep during pregnancy, motherhood and menopause, as well as the importance of prioritizing sleep in daily life.
Best star projectors FAQs
What is the most scientifically accurate star projector?
Star projectors are not created equal, with each one offering different functions. Generally, the more scientifically accurate ones tend to be the more expensive ones, with the star projectors at the more affordable end of the spectrum tend to focus on being a pretty light.
In this list, the most scientifically accurate models are the Orzorz Galaxy Lite, Sega Homestar Flux, National Geographic Astro Planetarium and the Pococo Galaxy Star Projector. The scientific models use disks to project real views of the night sky, rather than colorful projections from the cheaper models.
What ages are star projectors for?
All ages! They are great as nightlights to help babies and children drift off to sleep or learn about the night sky, and adults can use them to add atmosphere to a room — some models even double as speakers for parties.
We asked Dr Shelby Harris, Director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis, and she told us “Star projectors are great tools that can help people of all ages, from babies to adults. Babies can enjoy the soft lights, which create a calm bedtime atmosphere. For toddlers and preschoolers, star projectors can make bedtime fun and less scary, helping them feel more comfortable as they go to sleep. Older kids and adults can use them for relaxation, meditation, or even as a night light.”
What are the benefits of star projectors?
There are endless benefits of star projectors. Some users simply want to create a relaxing atmosphere after a stressful day or use as a child’s nightlight, and others can be used as scientifially accurate learning tools to enrich children’s development and ignite their interest in the night sky.
“For kids, these projectors create a fun and cozy atmosphere that helps them feel less afraid of bedtime and the dark. The soft lights make their room feel safe and inviting, encouraging them to look forward to sleep. For adults, the gentle visuals can help with relaxation, making it easier to unwind and get to sleep after a busy day.” Dr Harris told LiveScience.
Where should I put my star projector?
Try not to put them too close to the wall or ceiling you’re projecting onto — a side table or bookshelf will be fine for most. Remember that many star projectors are mains or USB-powered, so they’ll need to be close to an outlet. Also, be careful not to place them in a spot where the light will shine into anyone’s eyes, especially if you’re putting it in your child’s bedroom. “Keeping the light at a comfortable level is important too; if it’s too bright, it might be too exciting and make it hard for kids to sleep. Parents should place the projector away from the bed. An auto shut-off feature could also be helpful to turn the projector off after a certain time, so it doesn’t stay on all night.” Dr Harris said.
Are star projectors expensive?
The scientifically accurate star projectors can be expensive, but if you’re just looking to create a relaxing atmosphere in your home then there are certainly some affordable sub $40 star projectors out there.
Are laser star projectors safe?
Overall, yes. We advise you not to deliberately stare directly into the beams — brief accidental exposure to the eyes isn’t likely to do any damage, though. Star projectors should be kept out of reach of children, though, as they may not know not to stare directly at it. “LED star projectors are generally safe for kids, but parents should take some steps to use them safely. It’s important to keep an eye on young children while the projector is on to avoid accidents.” Dr Harris told LiveScience.
Can I leave the star projector on all night?
Yes, you can, although many of them have an automatic power off setting.
Do star projectors help kids sleep?
We asked Dr. Shelby Harris, Director of Sleep Health at Sleepopolis, who told us “Star projectors can be a great way to comfort babies and young children at bedtime. The soft, colorful lights and gentle moving patterns can be a soothing distraction that helps them feel relaxed and secure as they settle down to sleep, easing bedtime anxiety or a fear of the dark. Parents should also make sure that the lights aren’t too bright or stimulating, as that could keep them awake instead of helping them relax and drift off.”
How long does a star projector stay on?
All star projectors vary in their running time. Some run indefinitely until you manually turn them off, whereas others have an automatic power off setting after a certain number of hours. Many of them have sleep timers you can program to switch off after a specific time.
Which is better — laser or bulb projector?
Lamp projectors typically have shorter lifespans, varying between 1500 – 5000 hours of use. Laser projectors, however, are designed with a much longer lifespan of around 20,000 hours and beyond. Each model will state their estimated lifespan in the user manual.
Do star projectors use a lot of electricity?
Most star projectors are low wattage, so you can connect them to any household outlet and use them without any problems. To find the wattage of a specific model, check the specs on their website or use manual.
How we test the best star projectors
When we see a star projector we like the look of, that has plenty of functionality and sits at a reasonable price point, we get hold of one for ourselves so we can put it through its paces and give it an honest hands-on review.
For the more scientific models, we check out how easy it is to change the slides/disks, the quality of the image and whether it is sharp from edge to edge. We consider the size of the projection and identify who or where the projector would be best suited for. Are expansion packs available, and if so, are they reasonably priced?
In the non-scientific, ambiance-creating models we like to see how the lights and lasers are controlled — on-body, remote control or via app. The level of customization control we have — can we change the color combinations, can the laser and lights be operated independently, the speed of the rotation and so on. We listen for how quiet the motor is when in operation — no one wants to create a soothing environment only to be distracted by a motor whirring around in the background.
Most star projectors will have a sleep timer — we look for how many options for the sleep timer duration you have and whether it is effective and reliable.
For both types of star projectors, we discuss the portability and positioning choices, whether they are rechargeable, and whether there is any additional functionality such as an in-built Bluetooth speaker or an alarm clock. Is there a slick app to control the device or is the remote control sufficient?
As with all products we test, we take special note of the build quality of each star projector, as well as the quality of the packaging, which can be important if you are giving a star projector as a gift.
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