Best Star Projectors for Your Home
Steve Scott
Updated on
It has been the fascination of many of our ancestors from centuries and centuries ago to stargaze and bring the universe closer to us. Now you can do that by merely turning on a star projector and let the wonders of our galaxy shine upon you!
You don’t even have to be an astronomy buff to do that. You can simply enjoy the stunning visuals.
If your kids are having trouble sleeping, you can turn their room into a soothing sanctuary that will help them drift to a peaceful slumber much faster.
Or you can set the most romantic setting for a dinner date with your loved one.
Here we’ve compiled a list of best star projectors. By the end of it, hopefully, you’ll know more about what makes a great projector, and which one would suit you best.
See related: Best 3D Projectors
Star Projectors - Our Top Picks
Specifications
- Size: 12 x 8 x 3.9 inches
- Weight: 12 oz
Key Features
- Night light
- Real star constellations
- Star guide
- 45-minute timer
- 3 soothing color options
PROS
CONS
Cloud B Twilight Turtle Classic Nightlight Star Projector Review
The cuteness levels on this model are through the roof. However, it’s not just cute but also comforting, educational and entertaining.
This projector is a nightlight that displays a night sky full of stars onto the ceilings and walls of your nursery or kids' room, making the night time a lot less frightening for your little ones.
Cloud b Twilight Turtle is a multiple award-winning piece, earning praise from both critics and customers in the process.
The craftsmanship involved with this projector is just astonishing. Each piece has been hand-painted to give it a more stylish and unique look.
Learn About Eight Constellations
As far as the educational side of it goes, parents can learn about eight different constellations with their kids. You could teach your kids to tell the difference between the Big Dipper or the Big Bear, and all with a little help from an illustrated guide you get with the projector.
There are three color options available: amber, green and blue. And all of these serve a purpose.
Blue evokes a sense of calm, green provides a healing atmosphere while amber emits warmth and serenity.
For best results, the turtle should be placed on the floor where it could easily project the stars onto the walls and ceiling that surround it. It will work for 45 minutes giving your kids more than enough time to go to sleep.
After that, it automatically turns off, letting your little ones go to deep sleep without any interruptions.
What are some of the best portable projectors? Learn from our post.
Specifications
- Size: 4.7 x 5.7 x 4.7 inches
- Weight: 10.9 oz
Key Features
- Removable dome cover
- 8 different patterns of light
- Built-in speaker with adjustable volume levels
- Auto shut down after one hour, or more if you wish
- Can tilt it to an angle of 45 degrees
PROS
CONS
SOAIY Aurora LED Night Light Projector Review
This incredible piece of projection equipment has earned a lot of praise from its buyers. And once you get a quick glance, it becomes clear why.
This model has a dual purpose, both as an educational tool and as a soothing aid.
When the dome is on and covering the projector, it will project a soft light and calming color patterns that are bound to put anyone in a relaxing state.
But once you take the dome off, you get to witness this model’s true potential. Your room will be filled with a starry sky and an Aurora Borealis light effects.
Eight Modes of Aurora Borealis Light
There are eight different modes of this northern light, which makes this a perfect tool for astronomy lovers. And you can go through all these modes by using a remote, which makes things a whole lot easier.
Another nice to have feature is the ability to tilt the projector up to 45 degrees, leaving you room to rotate the lights up to your liking and current mood.
And last but not least, it has a wonderful feature that allows auto-shutdown. What’s so great about this option that many other models also have built-in?
You have four different time windows available: one hour, two hours, four hours, or the whole night if that’s what you prefer. So it’s an excellent option for those whose children don’t fall asleep so quickly.
Specifications
- Size: 6.6 x 6.3 x 5.9 inches
- Weight: 1.76 lbs
Key Features
- 3-watt white LED technology
- Timer
- Adjustable angle and focus
- 60,000 stars production
- Shooting star function
PROS
CONS
Sega Homestar Planetarium Star Projector Review
Sega is a big name in the world of toy and gadget manufacturers. You would expect it to deliver even with things such as star projectors.
And you wouldn’t be wrong! This is a beautifully designed and crafted model, evolved from the mastermind of Takayuki Ohira.
The Homestar Planetarium comes in a neat, matte black package, showing the attention to design and detail put into this piece.
Astonishing 60,000 Stars
It is a rather small unit, but it comes packed with lots of different features. It has a whopping 60,000-star production, a shooting star function, the ability to adjust both the projection angle and focus and a timer.
Are you interested in learning a bit more about some the finest Pico projectors? Then check out our extensive guide.
The thing that makes most users fall in love with this model is a truly realistic depiction of a starry night sky. Looking at the projection coming from this screen will make you feel like you’re looking right into the depths of space.
The LED lights available are as accurate as they get and don’t become even slightly blurry when you rotate the projector to the desired angle.
You get two projection discs with this model, which depict a realistic rendition of the northern and the southern hemisphere. But, there are many other disc options available for purchase.
Specifications
- Size: 5.4 x 5.4 x 5.9 inches
- Weight: 15 oz
Key Features
- Timer from 5 to 95 minutes
- Auto shutdown
- 4 LED lights
- 4 AAA batteries powered or 59 inch USB
- Material: Plastic
PROS
CONS
ANTEQI Romantic Room Rotating Cosmos Star Projector Review
At first glance this Antequi night light projector impresses both with its visual appeal and an affordable price tag.
But once you get to use it for a while, you’ll see that it has a lot more to offer. Check out this guide to see if it’s ok to have a night light in your baby’s room.
For such a tiny projector, it sure has a lot of power to light the whole ceiling or walls and to make a room look like a real constellation.
To enhance the cosmos experience even more, it comes with three different lighting modes and a rotation option. But it’s not there just for astronomy purposes, it can be used as a night light, too.
Almost No Noise
This model is equipped with a solid and powerful motor. The wonderful thing about it is that it makes almost no noise when in working mode.
It is extremely easy to carry around, and you can power it either with batteries or a USB cable if needed.
And as with most models on this list, it comes with a timer. In this case you can set it from 5 to 95 minutes, which can be a little short for some people.
Specifications
- Size: 7 x 7 x 3 inches
- Weight: 12 oz
Key Features
- Multi-color LEDs
- Orange, blue and green color options
- Touch activated on/off
- 45-minute timer
- Powered by 3 AA batteries
PROS
CONS
Galaxy Beetlester Twilight Galaxy StarBee Projector Review
This model goes hand in hand with Twilight Turtle when it comes to cuteness. Kids just love this charming and adorable bee shaped design.
But it also hides a lot of cool features inside itself. This night sky projector allows you to alternate between color modes and to choose multiple colors: orange, green and blue.
You can’t, however, change the direction of the stars since there’s no angle adjustment option. That doesn’t necessarily have to bother you, but it would be nice to have such an option available.
Operating this projector is as straightforward as it gets. Being able to touch-activate and deactivate it makes the whole process even more comfortable.
And when your kids fall asleep, you don’t have to worry about switching it off. It will do that itself automatically after 45 minutes.
Long Battery Life
But, in the end, its sturdiness and long battery life are the things that separate this model from the rest.
High impact plastic construction will ensure that this model stays intact even if your kid accidentally drops it or throws it to the ground.
And powered with three AA batteries will give you 60 or more nights of good night’s sleep.
Specifications
- Size: 4.25" x 4.25" x 4.5" inches
- Weight: 12 oz
Key Features
- IC dimming led chip
- 5 lighting modes
- 15 feet projection distance
- Eight color options
- Brightness adjustment
PROS
CONS
Easony Romantic Star Sky Night Light Projector Review
Easony Star Sky is probably not the best model on this list and doesn’t have the effect the other ones do, but it gets things done. And all without making a massive dent in your wallet.
Its lighting modes are something that makes this model special.
There are two fantasy modes available that let you project either a star and moon scene or underwater landscape.
But if you wish to get into a more romantic mood, three romantic modes allow you to set a mood for parties and date nights.
Up to 250sq Feet of Coverage
The LED chip on this projector can throw the light up to 15 feet and cover 250 square feet of space. More than enough to turn your room into a mini planetarium.
A vast choice of colors (eight), the ability to control brightness and multiple lighting effects are all operations that make this projector a fan favorite.
However, a big minus is that it doesn't come with an auto-off timer or angle adjustment, which can be a major turn off for many parents.
Star Projectors - A Buying Guide
What is a star projector?
Simply put, a star projector is a device that uses a light source to project certain images or visuals on different surfaces like walls, ceilings, etc. Such a projector can also create an ambient light within the desired space.
Although they are most often used by parents whose children can't sleep well at night, and as a relaxation aid, star projectors found other purposes also.
Take a look at some of the best cheap projectors in our post.
Some use them as a part of the interior decor as a way to make the space more beautiful and appealing. Others use them as a learning tool, allowing aspiring astronomers to enjoy "stargazing" every once in a while.
The Use of Star Projectors
As we've mentioned above, star projectors found different purposes, according to the interests of those using them.
Astronomy enthusiasts might want to fill their rooms with celestial objects such as stars, planets, constellations, and many more. It's a way of staying closer to their field of interest, which can be relaxing at the same time.
Many parents use star projectors as an aid to help their children go to sleep at night.
The soft images projected on the surface, in combination with some slow music, will put a child to sleep in no time.
Parents also use these projectors as an educational piece, allowing their kids to get familiar with the universe that surrounds us.
Different Types of Star Projectors
There are so many different types of star projectors that it would be difficult to list them. Considering that there are hundreds of features available, it all comes down to what will meet your needs.
What does it project?
Well, calling all of them "star "projector might be an overkill. They don't all project stars, after all.
Some project certain natural phenomena (like the Northern lights). Other project images more suited for kids, like cartoonish figures or animals like ducks or turtles.
Also, some models can be customizable and have the option to change the projection image.
Some projectors can't confine the image to just one place, while others are more precise and will only throw picture to the surface where they're directed at.
Kids or Adults?
Who's to say that adults can't use children's projectors to go to sleep. We're all wired differently, after all.
However, it's more likely that dancing duckies or cartoon characters won't do any good for the quality of your sleep. So, you might want to consider getting a more adult-friendly star projector.
In most cases, a projector will come labeled with an age category, but in the end it's up to your personal inclination.
Are they realistic?
Not all star projectors are made with realism in mind. Some do provide an accurate picture and a simulation of the space above.
This might give you the sensation of sleeping under the stars.
Others lean more towards entertainment, and project images that youngsters will find soothing and appealing.
There is a middle ground, as always. Some models allow you to change the projection images, so you can shift from serious to fun in no time.
What are the power requirements?
Most of the projectors available on the market will require an outlet to plug the device into.
There are, however, certain circumstances where a plug-in might be unavailable (like a camping trip), so check if that particular model has any additional battery options.
Does it have any additional features?
The feature that most people look for in a star projector is sound or music playing.
However, there are so many different features that it would be difficult to take them all into account.
The most important is the powering options. Some projectors use batteries (like AA or AAA).
Others use batteries and a USB. Using a projector with a USB can prove to be a smart move since you'll be able to hook it up to a computer, laptop or a power bank.
And you won't need to have a battery with you all the time.
Another essential feature is the lighting modes. It all comes down to personal preference here.
You might like a calm, dimmed light source, or you might enjoy a bit more dynamic ambiance, with lights rotating around you.
Luckily, most projectors come with a switch that will allow you to switch between different modes.
Do They Improve Sleep Quality?
The best environment for sleep is in complete darkness, uninterrupted by any light sources. That being said, there are differences between sleeping in a fully lit room and with dimmed lights.
While powerful lighting can seriously damage your natural sleep cycle, a soft and dimmed light can bridge the gap and allow you to go to sleep faster without ever shortening the amount of sleep you get.
If the night light is too strong, it can lead to a shortening of your sleep and breaking up your sleep patterns. That's why you need to make sure your night light is as soft as possible.
But if you don't want to expose yourself or your kids to any source of light, you could consider placing a star projector just outside of the room, where the effects are still visible, but it's not in direct contact with you or your loved ones.
What's the best film pattern for you?
Star projectors are available in many different forms and sizes. Choosing one that's best suitable for you is not an easy task.
So, to find the best one, you'll have to keep an eye on many different features. And one of the most important is film patterns.
Most of these projectors come with a plethora of different patterns. These can be shapes, planets, stars, living objects and many more.
Many of these patterns are so beautiful that these projectors can be used as decor pieces at various events.
The best thing is that you can change these patterns according to your preference.
You'll be able to buy a new design every once in a while and replace the old one.
Just make sure that the patterns are compatible with your projector and that they work well in creating a relaxing atmosphere.
In Conclusion
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to lie down in the comfort of your own bed and have the luxury of looking up and seeing the sky sprinkled with stars? Or to have fun and learn with your kids, all at the same time.
Whether you need a relaxing visual, an incentive to sleep, or mental stimuli, a star projector can offer any of these things.
My name is Steve Scott. Father of 2 and owner of Outdoor Movie HQ. I’ve been involved in the A/V industry for most of my life and built this blog to help people better understand projector technology. Please leave a comment if you have any questions.