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

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 star projectors we recommend in 2024

Best overall

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

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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.

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.

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

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Best for voice control

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

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Best budget star projector

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 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 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.

• Read our Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projectorreview

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Best for pastel shades

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

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Best value rechargeable star projector

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

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Best for homeschooling young children

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.

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

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Best multi-functional scientific star projector

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

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Best for generalist projection

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.

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

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Best for portability

The BlissLights Starport USB star projector is unlike any other in our guide, given that it relies on a USB connection and is far more of a compact package. This is a hassle-free device that's also one of the most budget-friendly — and it can transform the atmosphere around you with stunning projections. We'd use the term "star projector" sparingly, however, and it isn't entirely accurate scientifically.

Simply plug it into a USB power source, and it will fill the room with hundreds of laser stars, creating a beautiful and immersive experience. It lacks any kind of scientific accuracy or customization options, but nevertheless, we think it's a great choice if you're looking for a portable star projector for relaxation or a calming 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 it with you — it takes up virtually 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 impressed by the sturdy construction of this small star projector. While the packaging may be lacking, the unit itself is well-built, and the lights are bright enough to set a lovely ambiance or enhance any 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 then you'll be up and running in no time.

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.