My childhood bedroom ceiling was covered from corner to corner with those putty-installed plastic glow-in-the-dark stars. Each night, I’d zone out and be completely enamored by their glow, thinking about how badly I wanted to win the trip to Space Camp granted as the grand prize on one of the ’90s Nickelodeon game programs until I finally fell asleep.
Thanks to galaxy star projectors, kids nowadays have an improvement on my crummy plastic stars. These low-cost and very amusing gadgets appeal to people of all ages. They combine LED and laser illumination to generate vivid light effects that look like starry night skies and nebula clouds, transporting you to new realms. Some types allow users to customize the colors to match their mood.
If you’re looking for the best galaxy projector with breathtaking galaxies, twirling stars, and mesmerizing constellations, you’ll find it all here.
Our top picks:
These captivating projectors make a wonderful present and are also ideal for performers wishing to add ambiance, but there are a few things to consider before making a purchase.
What to Consider
ACCURACY
My colleagues at Popular Mechanics recommend a number of scientifically accurate star projectors, such as the SEGA Homestar, since they display genuine star clusters and essentially turn your room into a mini-planetarium. Although we admire these projectors, we have yet to include any of them in this guide because they’re more difficult to use and aren’t what most people are seeking when looking for a Galaxy Star projector. The models we’ve selected are more decorative than scientific equipment, and they help to create an atmosphere.
ADJUSTABLE SETTINGS
Pay close attention if the projector has adjustable settings that affect the intensity, brightness, and rotation speed. If you’re shopping for someone who enjoys fine-tuning settings, go for a model that allows you to modify the colors. Adjustable brightness is especially useful if you prefer a dimmer projection to fall asleep to.
EXTRA FEATURES
Several Galaxy smart projectors are capable of doing more than simply projecting lights onto a blank wall or ceiling. Some can also function as white noise machines or Bluetooth speakers, and many can sync to your music to produce a cool light show that accompanies your music. If you’re tech-savvy, we recommend the Liuyang Galaxy Projector, which is extremely adjustable and can be operated by a companion smartphone app or your voice via the Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa smart home platforms.
How We Chose
With hundreds of star projectors to pick from that seem virtually identical despite various product names, finding the best, most dependable projectors can be as difficult as locating the constellation “Lynx.” I investigated and compared 40 models and explored the internet for reviews published by space enthusiasts from magazines like Popular Science and Space.com. I also compared consumer evaluations and had two of our Best Products editors try a couple of models.
Our recommended projectors are fanciful, entertaining, and the greatest way to bring the universe into your home. So, check out our top five projectors below.
1
PROS
- Unique design
- Includes a remote control, so you can control it from afar
CONS
- Stars don't change colors
This projector, in the shape of an astronaut, casts captivating and wide galaxies onto its surroundings. It can glow continuously, rotate slowly, or alternate between seven different hues. We enjoy how the nebula and star shapes may be utilized both together and independently.
The astronaut, which comes in black as well, has an adjustable head, arms, and a removable base. It includes a remote control with which users may change the light pattern, brightness, and timer. The timer will undoubtedly be helpful for parents who want to use it in their child’s bedroom or nursery so that it turns off immediately after their youngster falls asleep.
2
THE BEST ONE FOR ENTERTAINERS
HODANS Northern Galaxy Light Aurora Projector
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PROS
- You can cycle between over 30 different light effects
- Doubles as a white noise machine
- The stars and auroras can synchronize and change to the beat of music
CONS
- There are only a couple of built-in white noise sounds
The Northern Galaxy Light Aurora projector, is ideal for entertainers who appreciate creating a delightful environment for friends and loved ones. It even has Bluetooth built-in, so it can play music and match its lights to the beat.
Sean Abrams, a tester, has had (and liked) this projector for several months. “It’s a lot of fun!” “We turn it on at night while watching movies or reading books,” he explained.
Unlike previous models, this one allows users to choose from 33 different light effects, including 16 different northern light effects and five distinct speed and brightness settings. It even functions as a white noise machine, playing soothing noises like rain, campfire, and waves. The Galaxy Night Light projector comes with a handy remote control that allows you to change modes volume, set timers, and control power.
3
PROS
- Syncs with the Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa
CONS
- Doesn’t offer any adjustments for the pattern of the nebula
Most galaxy projectors contain small green laser dots that behave as stars, spinning and dancing about as the image of the galaxy is projected onto the ceiling. Because they are distracting, I found myself turning them off on occasion.
Because it lacks a green laser, the Sky Lite Evolve is one of the few projectors that does not have a “star feature” at all. This projector emits a soft light that creates a stunning nebula. We like its compact appearance, and the projector’s spherical shape provides an astounding coverage area of up to 900 square feet.
4
PROS
- It's easy to adjust through the various light effects
- Has adjustable brightness
CONS
- Doesn’t have an app or voice control
The Sky Lite, like our best overall option, allows users to download a companion app that allows them to set the perfect mood easily. You can customize the brightness, lighting effects, and hue of the auroras.
The Sky Lite star projector includes an intriguing rotating feature and a shutoff timer, so the giftee may have it turn off automatically right before they go to sleep.
According to Space.com testers, the BlissLights Sky Lite projector stands out for its simple setup, compact design, and vibrant and bright colors.
“Unlike other models we tested, we found it to be near silent in operation, great if you’re using it to get to sleep or while watching a film,” Tantse Walter, the writer of the review, remarked.
5
PROS
- One of the few that can be controlled with your voice
- Has a companion app that lets you change the colors and effects
- Its stand lets you adjust where the projected image will be displayed
- Has a built-in timer
CONS
- We wish the cord were a little longer
After seeing one too many advertisements on Twitter attempting to sell me a fantastic Galaxy projector, I surrendered and did what I always do before making a purchase: compulsively read reviews, researched, and compared dozens upon dozens of items until I found the greatest one. For a variety of reasons, this projector is the best.
To begin, I appreciate how easily I can change its settings via a smartphone app. I can modify the speed of its rotation to avoid dizziness, play with the colors, change the motion of the nebulas, and turn off the stars to create a different atmosphere.
Another appealing feature is that this is one of the few star projectors that allows you to program timers and schedules to turn them on and off automatically. I placed the projector on a shelf and set it to turn on at midnight on New Year’s Day. Even though it only contributed to ambiance, it made the experience much more memorable, and my friends were astounded.
