The 7 Best Star Projectors Of 2024, For Every Budget
Nothing beats a night when you’re laying in bed, wrapped up in warm blankets while watching a gorgeous display of stars on your ceiling.
It’s the closest thing to staring into outer space, when you’re deep in the woods on a camping trip.
Look to the left and you see the big dipper, glance upwards and you might even see a planet or two.
Star projectors bring you the luxury of viewing an entire galaxy that would normally only be visible in the wilderness, into the comfort of your home.
If you’ve ever dreamt of transforming your room into a celestial wonderland, look no further than star projectors. These nifty gadgets are like your personal ticket to the cosmos, bringing the magic of the night sky indoors. Essentially, star projectors use LED lights and advanced optics to project a mesmerizing array of stars and constellations onto your walls and ceiling. The result? A dreamy atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxation, sleeping or even adding a decorative effect to a house party.
Star Projectors Come In Many Different Shapes & Sizes
One of the coolest features of star projectors is their versatility. Many models come with adjustable settings, allowing you to customize the color and intensity of the stars, and some even include built-in sound systems for a complete sensory experience. Some galaxy projectors are meant primarily for educational purposes, and others for nothing but creating mesmerizing scenery. Whether you’re looking to set the mood for a cozy night in, create a soothing environment for meditation, or simply add a touch of cosmic flair to your living space, star projectors are the celestial shortcut to turning your room into a galaxy far, far away.
What Is A Galaxy Star Projector?
Technically speaking, the 100 year anniversary of star projectors just passed not too long ago. The first gadget that was ever considered a “star projector” was invented on September 16th, 1923 by the Carl Zeiss Jena company. Back then, the term they were known as was “modern planetarium star projector”, which is a term still used today. The original Zeiss projectors were large, bulky machines designed to function in a dark room with a dome-shaped ceiling and depict an accurate image of the stars and planets in outer space. Nowadays, they have become much smaller, and are not only used for educational purposes but for entertainment purposes as well. They are smaller, handheld electronic gadgets that can either be plugged in or are battery powered, and thankfully are not the size of a small car as they were in 1923. They can range anywhere from a few bucks to hundreds of dollars, and the type of star projector can vary, as there are dozens of different types with different features. The modern galaxy star projector is most often a toy for children, or a toy used for decorating a dark room, whether it be for parties or for simply making your bedroom ceiling look pretty.
Sega Homestar Flux
Best Galaxy Star Projector Overall
The Sega Homestar Flux projector is the perfect blend of realistic imagery with sleek looks and premium quality. Quality isn’t cheap though, and this projector is no exception to that saying. Its average price point is around $250 — not a bank-breaker for most people, but certainly not pocket change either. It’s an upgraded version from the previous model, and has a number of noticeable improvements. The most significant may be the picture quality of the stars. They are much more crisp than the Homestar Original model, and make the perfect night light for kids.
Over 60,000 stars are displayed onto your ceiling when the Sega Homestar Flux is turned on, and the imagery is truly gorgeous. Many of its users can vouch for us when we say it’s hyper-realistic… Some say the difference between the photo above and an actual photo from outer space are almost indistinguishable. It has a very sturdy build, never tipping over or falling off balance like many cheaper star projectors do. Sturdiness is often not the best feature of some galaxy projectors, so the build quality of the Homestar Flux is a breath of fresh air. It also has a pretty intuitive design, and it’s simple to setup. Once you open the box, all that really needs to be done is plug in the cords, place a disc into the disc slot and turn the power on. It runs relatively quietly, and doesn’t make much noise when compared with some other projector models. Having a quiet star projector is a huge plus when you think about how some users plan on falling asleep while using it. It has very bright lights that make crisp-looking stars on your ceiling… It’s almost like you’re staring down a telescope straight into outer space. Of all the star projectors I’ve seen, few visuals impressed me as much as the Sega Homestar Flux.
Pros:
Highly realistic visuals, very portable, simple yet attractive design, expandability with discs, very high-quality build
Cons:
Expensive, no bluetooth speaker, shooting star function needs improvement
Panamalar Nebula Star Projector
Best Budget Galaxy Star Projector
When it comes to affordability, few galaxy star projectors can compete with the Panamalar Nebula Star Projector. The value is considerably high for what you’re paying, which is typically around $45. Some may consider it more of a nebula cloud projector rather than a typical star projector, as its visuals are a bit different than those of the Sega Homestar Flux. They are far less realistic, but also more colorful and appealing. The Panamalar Nebula Star Projector seems to focus a lot more on aesthetics over realistic images. It is not considered an educational toy, but more of a decorative one. There are many other star projectors with nearly identical builds and with similar price points.It is equipped with a rotating image of nebula clouds and stars, coupled with tons of vibrant rainbow-like colors. If you’re a fan or bright color combinations, there’s no doubt you’ll love the imagery. It’s perfect for house parties, night time get togethers, slumber parties, mini-bars or other indoor things.
One awesome feature that the Panamalar Nebula Star Projector has is its Alexa/Google integration. Most other star projectors don’t have features like this, so that really sets it apart from the majority of star projectors on this list. Many reviewers on Amazon have spoken positively of this feature, and it significantly adds to the overall value, being only $40-50. Wifi-enabled, you can communicate with it just as you can with Amazon Alexa. It also has a few different customizable settings, where you can combine its green stars with its rainbow colors, or display them separately. When they’re combined, the display is a bit more bright and much more colorful. The only real negative thing we have to say about the Panamalar star projector is its lack of realistic imagery, though some might not even consider that a bad thing. Comparing different star projectors with this one, its hard to find one that offers more bang for your buck.
Pros:
Inexpensive, beautiful display, WiFi-enabled, USB-powered
Cons:
Unrealistic, many identical generic models
National Geographic Astro Planetarium
Best Versatile Star Projector
We’ve all heard of National Geographic and their interesting documentaries about nature, earth, and all things science. The National Geographic Astro Planetarium star projector has its own interesting quirks, like a built in speaker, FM radio, and educational images. It also comes with educational posters, which sets it apart from most of the star projectors on this list. With a variety of unique features its easily the most versatile galaxy projector. It’s highly realistic… almost comparable to that of the Sega Homestar Flux visuals. It projects a starry night sky, which in result means it lacks in the vibrant color department, as any realistic imagery will. If you’re looking for something to light up the room with vibrant colors, this would definitely not be your go-to projector. On the other hand, if you are looking for a star projector that is more for educational purposes, nothing on this list tops the National Geographic Astro Planetarium.
People looking for pretty images for house parties or house-bar sceneries will be utterly disappointed with the lack of color. One thing to note is its a bit blurry around the edges of the projected image, which is noticeable in the photo above. It does not have very high resolution visuals, at least compared with models like the Sega Homestar Flux. Its physical attributes are a plus, as it’s more on the portable side. It weighs less than 1.5 lbs and stands 8 inches tall. Its not as bulky as some other projectors and is relatively easy to move from one surface to another. Some other unique features that the National Geographic Astro Planetarium has is the ability to connect your smartphone to a 3.5mm audio jack, where you can play music or listen to the radio with its inbuilt speaker while you watch the night sky. It also has a time and date selector, giving it the ability to project stars that are true to the date and time that it’s programmed with. The National Geographic Astro Planetarium Star Projector includes so may unique features, no star projector on our list can beat its versatility.
Pros:
Projections are coordinated with time and date, five year warranty, portable, comes with many unique features
Cons:
Lacks bluetooth compatibility, slightly blurry images around edges
Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector
Best Kids’ Star Projector
The Astronaut Starry Sky Projector has kids’ toy written all over it. From its action figure-like appearance, to the 45 and 90 minute timers that are perfect for nap time. It’s ideal for putting your kids to sleep, or for adults who want to power-nap while falling asleep to colorful images of outer space. It could be a great addition to house parties or other similar gatherings where colorful lights are appreciated. The cord that is included with it is a little short, so it’s difficult to move around if you want to take it far away from its power source. The astronauts head can rotate 360 degrees, giving you the ability to point the lights in any direction of your room.
In the past few months it has been trending on Amazon and TikTok, and is mildly popular among the younger crowd. The Astronaut Starry Sky Projector has a few different variations of nebula colors, although the stars can only be turned green. The effects are gorgeous when paired with any color wall or ceiling, but look best on white surfaces. Obviously, this would not be considered a realistic star projector, it is purely made for decoration. One poorly designed feature is the attachable stand that it comes with, considering it won’t be able to stand up on its own without the stand and falls over easily. Most of the weight is distributed in the astronauts helmet, making it rather top heavy and not very sturdy.
Pros:
Impressive lights for its size, very portable, super cheap, gooseneck cable is easily adjustable, great for kids
Cons:
Dull packaging, lack of customizability with lights
BlissLights Starport USB star projector
Best Portable Star Projector
The BlissLights Starport USB star projector is by far the smallest star projector on our list. Being only 65mm long, it can easily fit into your pocket, backpack or glove compartment. The laser is surprisingly bright when you consider the projector’s ultra-small physical size, and the adjustability of the gooseneck cable is very pleasant. You can point it in virtually any direction, so long as your laptop or other device does not get in the way of its lights. Most would think that since it’s only a few inches in size, the lasers wouldn’t reach a high ceiling, however they shine surprisingly bright on an 8ft ceiling and even taller. It can completely fill the room with bright, starry dots. Like most star projectors, the darker the room is, the brighter the lights will shine. It has a class 2 laser, which is considered safe for casual everyday use. Class 2 lasers are not necessarily safe for children, and they should be closely supervised if they are using the BlissLights Starport USB star projector. Keep in mind any laser is capable of causing damage to your eye, so any children using a laser should be carefully watched while doing so.
Though it is petite in size, the BlissLights Starport USB Star Projector is actually pretty durable compared with most similar-sized electronics. It is made of “ABS” plastic, which is a material commonly found in TV remotes and other household electronics. Electronics of this size are often made with cheaper, less durable plastic. We wouldn’t recommend throwing it against the concrete, but it should be able to survive a few clumsy drops on hardwood or other hard surfaces. It also requires little to no power to use, which is pretty impressive compared to some other larger star projectors that can be electricity hogs.
Pros:
Extremely portable, very cheap, impressive lights for being 65mm long, USB can plug into most modern devices
Cons:
Lacks a variety of functions, limited to one color only, not comparable to larger star projectors, gooseneck cable is not strong enough to hold itself up
Pococo Home Planetarium Star Projector
Best Value Star Projector
The Pococo Galaxy Projector could easily be at the top of our list, having almost all of the high-quality features that many of our higher-ranked star projectors have. It has a very sleek, simple design, with a dome shaped projector and a sturdy stand that has a few buttons on it. It can rotate 60 degrees front and back, and is primarily pointed upright towards the ceiling. The Pococo galaxy star projector has very crisp, bright lights that are comparable to some of the best galaxy projectors on the market. They completely fill up a room, and the rotation speed is perfect for having a calming affect on most people. It is highly realistic, and comes with many expandable image disks with the theme of different planets or a different galaxy. The disks are also compatible with some other star projectors, which is a plus.
One could argue that the Pococo Home Planetarium star projector is comparable to the Sega Toys Homestar Flux, as it has similar features, and the image quality that they project are pretty close. Something that sets it apart is the price point — the Pococo Home Planetarium star projector is a fraction of the cost of the Homestar Flux. It is a rechargeable star projector, which is also a plus. However, something that is a bit strange is their word choice for marketing this gadget. It can be seen all over Amazon, and many other sites that sell the Pococo galaxy projector: “You have acne or Plus-Size Body Shape? You are called e-girl or car girl? You have to hide your authentic self after having a kid? It’s time to see yourself in a new light. Just switch on your POCOCO galaxy projector.” Quite frankly the weirdest choice of words that could be said to market a product, considering it has nothing to do with star projectors. That being said, it is still undoubtedly the best star projector that can be bought as far as value alone. The gorgeous imagery, the sleek look, the image disks that are included and the low price are features that no other galaxy projector can beat for a $100 price.
Pros:
Highly realistic images, elegant design, awesome expandable image disks included, reasonable price
Cons:
Strange marketing, rechargeable battery could last longer
Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe
Best Realistic Star Projector
Although the Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe is designed for kids, it has an insanely realistic projection surface. You could even make the case that it is more realistic than the Sega Homestar Flux, although it’s not as versatile. It is very simple to operate, and has quite a few notable similarities to the National Geographic Astro Planetarium star projector, the most obvious one being the physical resemblance. Unlike the National Geographic rival though, it does not have an in built speaker, which is unfortunate. It comes with two different disks, and the images it projects are pretty flattering. To say the least, the imagery is realistic, so much so that you could consider it more of an educational projector instead of one purely meant for entertainment. It is a dome shaped device that sits on a relatively sturdy stand, and it has a standard rotation feature that can face almost any direction, but it does not rotate vertically. It has a convenient timer, and a few buttons that allow you to control features like the rotational speed of the images, open the disk tray, or access the “shooting star” mode. Also, the “Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium star projector” is another comparable, as it is also educational and realistic, and primarily made for kids. Although it is not included in this list, it has some keen similarities to the Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe, and it could definitely be considered an honorable mention.
The box that it comes in gives the impression that it’s a toy for kids only, however once you remove it from the box and start using it, you’d realize it is perfect for people of any age. The motor is a bit noisy and annoying in a quiet room, which could be a small issue if one was planning on using the Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe while sleeping. It’s not a loud enough noise to wake you up, but if you’re a light sleeper, you may find the humming tune a little annoying. It is powered by three AAA batteries and should last you a pretty significant amount of runtime, assuming you have decent quality batteries. Overall, it’s a very solid buy, considering how realistic the images are. Simplicity, high-quality imagery and reasonable price point are what stand out about this projector. If you don’t mind having only a few less features than some star projectors like the Homestar Flux, the Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe makes a very good purchase.
Pros:
Five year warranty, highly realistic imagery, perfect for both kids and adults
Cons:
Noisy electric motor, no vertical rotation feature, lacks speakers
Consider These Features When Choosing A Star Projector
• size, weight and portability
• cost
• image quality
• theme (educational or entertainment purposes?)
• number of image disks included
• rotational features
• projection surface size and range (how big/far can it project?)
• corded or battery powered
• extra convenient features
How To Choose The Best Star Projectors?
The best star projectors consist of what you’re personally looking for. One should consider all of the features that are important to their personal wants and needs when searching for the right choice, and everyone wants something a little different. Some people may simply be looking for cheap star projectors, others might look for the just opposite in a high-end projector with premium quality. There is no such thing as the best star projector for everyone, however, there are some important features that you should keep in mind when choosing the best star projector, like the features listed above.
Matt is an SEO specialist, blogger, and the founder of Matt’s World 101.