After years of testing, we've found the best star projectors for kids and are highlighting them in one place so you can spend your hard-earned money on quality models that will last.
Not all of these projectors were designed specifically for children, but these projector models captivate young minds with fun, engaging visuals and are easy and safe to use. Some models serve purely to create a soothing ambiance, acting as night lights for children, whereas others can be educational tools with accurate renderings of the night sky indoors.
We've already compiled a comprehensive list of the best star projectors on the market, but this guide features the best child-friendly models based on years of reviewing both as adults and alongside children.
We know from experience that star projectors can aid a young child's bedtime routine, level up gaming setups, and make movie nights more exciting.
The quick list
Best overall
This isn't the cheapest kid-friendly projector, but it is an excellent value. The customization possibilities are among the best we've seen, and the music syncing mode will delight any young music fan.
Best budget
Instantly transform your child's space with bright, colorful patterns and green laser stars, without spending a lot.
Best novelty
This well-made novelty star projector will look great in the bedroom of any kid or space fan.
Best portable
This palm-sized device is a great way to learn about the Northern Hemisphere's constellations.
Best for pastel shades
The unique color-blend technology creates pleasing pastel colors that make it different from most of the other projectors we have reviewed.
Best rechargeable
The projections from this stylish unit are some of the brightest and sharpest we have seen. There are plenty of expansion discs to purchase, too.
Load the next products ↴
Best educational
This star projector is a great STEM toy for budding astronomers who want to learn more about the night sky.
Best true-to-date
If your child is curious about the positions of the stars in the sky on any given date, this is a great option.
Best star projectors for kids we recommend in 2025
Why you can trust Space.com Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test and review products.
Best overall
✅ You want something from a reputable manufacturer. Govee is well known for creating quality, affordable lighting solutions.
✅ You want a dual-purpose device. In addition to offering impressive lighting, the Govee Star Light Projector includes a surprisingly good-quality built-in Bluetooth speaker that's great for listening to music or stories at bedtime.
❌ Your child will use it as a sleep aid. The motor noise can get quite loud when a lot of functions are in use at once, so we wouldn't recommend it as a soothing sleep aid.
❌ You don't want to spend a lot. Although we think it's a good value, this projector will set you back around $80.
🔎 The Govee Star Light Projector is one of the best star projectors we've tested. Kids will love creating their own lighting designs and colors. ★★★★½
When we reviewed the Govee Star Light Projector recently, we were impressed. Although we didn't review it specifically with children in mind, we think it would be a great gift for a young, tech-minded user.
Full customization requires the use of an app. So, although this projector may not be suitable for very young children, older kids with their own smartphones will likely enjoy using it.
The customization possibilities of this star projector are among the best we've come across. There are several preset modes, as well as the option to create your own. You can choose the movement, brightness, colors and pattern of the lights, as well as add lasers. Tech-minded kids will love creating their own lighting designs.
We've tested several star projectors that feature built-in speakers, and they often produced poor-quality, tinny sound. However, we were pleasantly surprised by the sound from the Govee Star Light Projector. The music pickup feature that syncs light patterns and colors with the sounds (from the speaker or elsewhere) is impressive.
- Read our full Govee Star Light Projector review
Best budget option
✅ You want a good value. This is a surprisingly affordable star projector. It isn't as impressive as the better-known models, but you can still transform your environment for a low price.
✅ Your child doesn't have much room. This model has a very small footprint, so it won't take up too much shelf space.
❌ You need something rechargeable. This model requires power, which might limit its positioning options.
❌ You want a scientific projector. The Pikoy Galaxy Projector is purely for enhancing your environment with pretty lights and patterns.
🔎 The Pikoy Galaxy Projector is a great value and would be a good gift for a child. ★★★½
When we reviewed the Pikoy Galaxy Projector, it cost less than $20. For that price, you can't really go wrong.
You can pick up this palm-sized projector in white, navy, blue and pale pink, so there's a shade to suit every child's bedroom decor.
It is one of the smallest star projectors we have reviewed, so it doesn't take up much shelf space and can easily be carried around by little hands. That said, it isn't rechargeable, so it needs to remain close to a power outlet. (It uses a USB-C cable, which is provided.)
The backlit buttons make the Pikoy Galaxy Projector easy to operate in the dark. Despite the low price, this projector can easily flood your child's room with colorful lights and lasers. The customization via the supplied remote control is limited, but it's plenty to keep a young child entertained.
There's a built-in speaker that's suitable for audiobooks before bed, as well as 15 built-in sounds, such as lullaby, piano music and rainforest.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Very small, spherical design; two positioning angles |
Performance | Good enough performance for the price |
Functionality | Built-in speaker, supplied remote control, built-in sounds |
Best novelty star projector
✅ You want a star projector that can double as a decoration. This projector features a novelty astronaut design that looks just as at home in the daytime as it does in the dark.
❌ The price is too high. We've noticed that the price fluctuates wildly, as this device is available from several distributors. We've seen it priced anywhere from $10 to $100. We'd be happy paying anything less than $35 for it.
The 🔎 Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector is a fun and well-designed novelty star projector that any kid or space enthusiast would love in their bedroom. While it may not match the performance of higher-end models, it delivers exactly what you’d expect for its budget-friendly price. ★★★★
It's easy to dismiss low-cost star projectors that were made famous on TikTok or YouTube, but the Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector defied our expectations. From the moment we tested it, we were pleasantly surprised by its build quality and its performance as a fun, novelty star projector. We've been using it daily ever since our review in November 2022!
As you might guess from its price, this isn't a scientifically accurate projector. Your child won’t be exploring real nebulas or constellations, but they'll get a stunning light display in a charming, astronaut-themed package. The vibrant colors and immersive visuals make the Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector a fantastic gift for space lovers of any age.
Don’t let the simple packaging fool you; the projector is genuinely impressive when in use. Although it's slightly less refined, the lighting module is comparable to those of better-known models. It's not an educational tool, but it creates a mesmerizing atmosphere. Plus, its quiet operation makes it even more enjoyable.
Because this is a non-branded product, replicas flood the market. Be wary of listings as low as $10, as they may be low-quality knockoffs. Similarly, some distributors will take their chances at inflating the price. We'd be happy to pay anything less than $35, or perhaps $40.
If we had to nitpick, we would prefer a USB-C connection instead of the included USB-A-to-DC cable for a more modern convenience. Aside from that, this is a fun, affordable and visually captivating projector that's a great choice for any space enthusiast.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Novelty astronaut design that looks good in both the daytime and nighttime |
Performance | Bright projection, pretty lights and lasers, quiet operation |
Functionality | Customizable settings, remote control, sleep timer |
Best portable projector
✅ You want a portable star projector. This is a tiny device that can slip into a large pocket and be taken anywhere.
✅ You want your child to learn about the night sky. This mini planetarium shows the Northern Hemisphere constellations with an optional star map overlay.
❌ You want simple ambient lighting. This star projector is meant to project the pattern of the Northern Hemisphere constellations rather than serve as ambient lighting.
❌ You want to change the image. This projector shows either the constellations or the constellations with a star map overlay.
🔎 The Dark Skys Skyview Pocket Planetarium is a handy little educational device that helps you learn about the Northern Hemisphere constellations. ★★★★
The Dark Skys Skyview Pocket Planetarium is a compact and affordable device that brings the night sky to any location you choose.
Despite its small size, it claims to project over 1.2 million stars and offers an immersive stargazing experience. Children can easily switch between a star-only view and a constellation view by rotating the device's outer ring.
We're pleased to say that the Dark Skys Skyview Pocket Planetarium is equipped with a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that charges using micro-USB.
The rotation speed is fixed and may be faster than some users prefer, although you can turn it off completely.
Priced at approximately $40, the Dark Skys Skyview Pocket Planetarium is a reasonably priced option for people who are interested in learning about and exploring the night sky before heading outdoors to see and understand the positions of real stars. (The price seems a little steep for the limited functionality, but it's understandable considering that it's a small company.)
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Palm-sized, pocketable planetarium |
Performance | Good for educational purposes |
Functionality | Simple operation; rechargeable device |
Best for pastel shades
✅ You want a lot of customization. Although the laser stars can be only blue or green (depending on the model you get), you can customize the clouds through the app.
✅ You want a smart-home-compatible projector. The BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve can work with both Google Home and Alexa, so you can turn it on and off and give other voice commands.
❌ You want it to be scientifically accurate. This projector is for adding atmosphere and projecting pretty colors, not for providing scientific representations of the night sky.
🔎 The BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve projects bright nebulas that are complemented perfectly by the blue or green lasers. This is a great option for anyone who's shopping for an aesthetic star projector rather than a scientific one. ★★★½
The BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve stands out for its smart connectivity, seamless color blending, and near-360-degree positioning options. Although the device isn't rechargeable, the 5-foot (1.5 m) cable ensures easy placement for optimal projection in any room.
One of the biggest draws of this star projector is its smart home compatibility. You can connect it to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, and your child can change the colors, adjust the settings, or turn it on and off with just their voice. This is impressive given that it is a very reasonably priced star projector.
The Sky Lite Evolve operates almost silently, so it can be used as a sleep aid and it won't interrupt a movie or a game.
The projector features patented color-blending technology that uses four LED lamps to create soft, seamless color transitions instead of solid blocks of color. This results in a soothing, pastel-like palette.
This model has three variations — blue, green or no lasers — making it a great choice for parties, movie nights or gaming setups. It's also perfect for creating a calming environment to help your child settle. On the BlissLights website, you can buy a bundle that contains two units, which would be great if you're buying a gift for more than one person.
- Read our full BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve review
Attributes | Notes |
Design | Small, spherical design that matches most decor |
Performance | Bright, lovely colored nebulas |
Functionality | Voice and app control |
Best rechargeable star projector
✅ You want a disc-based star projector. Rather than dancing lights and lasers, this device projects images from small discs. The projections are bright, sharp and high-resolution.
❌ You just want something cheap to set the mood. If all you're looking for is a projector with nice lights to create a relaxing atmosphere for a child, there are cheaper options that will do the job.
❌ You don't want a disc-based projector. This model doesn't throw lights and lasers around the room; it projects a bright image of the inserted disc.
🔎 The Pococo Galaxy Projector delivers exactly what it promises: It projects high-quality images onto any surface to create an immersive cosmic experience. You can enjoy a static display or let the image rotate slowly for a more dynamic effect. ★★★★
In our Pococo Galaxy Projector review, we were really impressed by the vibrant and realistic images. Like more expensive Sega Toys Homestar models (the Homestar Flux and the Matataki), the Pococo Galaxy Projector uses discs that display different night-sky views. Only two discs are supplied with the device, but expansion packs are available. They cost around $50 for a box of six.
This disc-based projector is easy to operate with its on-body controls. There is one button for power, one for rotation and one to activate the sleep timer. The focus wheel is simple enough for a child to use.
The Pococo Galaxy Projector is one of the first rechargeable models we reviewed at Space.com. Because it's rechargeable, there's no need for your little one to go near a power outlet.
This projector is available in a stylish pink color gradient or a matte white finish.
The downside of the Pococo's design is that you have only 30 degrees of movement to shine the lights. That's considerably less than some competitors allow, but it's not a deal-breaker if you intend to shine it only at the ceiling. The projection area is pretty big, so a child shouldn't have a problem finding somewhere to display the impressive imagery.
- Read our full Pococo Galaxy Projector review
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Modern, attractive design |
Performance | Vivid, high-resolution projections |
Functionality | Simple-to-operate, disc- based projector with on-body operation |
Best educational star projector
✅ Your kids are interested in space. The Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium is more of an educational planetarium for kids than a star projector. It's a great educational STEM toy that will help young space enthusiasts learn more about their favorite subject.
❌ You want a customizable star/nebula projector. This is more of an educational tool for learning about various objects in the solar system than a customizable light-and-laser-style star projector.
🔎 The Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium is a STEM toy with multiple functions. Kids between 6 and 10 will love learning more about space and sharing their knowledge with adults with this hands-on device. ★★★½
The Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium comes with changeable (rotating) discs showing 24 official NASA images of nebulas, spacecraft, astronauts, planets and the moon taken by the Hubble Space Telescope. It is a great tool for children to learn more about the night sky.
The Deep Space Home Planetarium is ideal for children ages 6 and up. Although it isn't a scientifically accurate representation of the night sky, it's an educational projector meant to teach kids about space.
Because the projector requires hands-on (rather than digital) operation, children will likely stay engaged with it longer. In our Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium star projector review, we found a secret code that grants access to additional online descriptions of the slide images, offering kids a fun way to deepen their knowledge of space.
The price is reasonable, and we think it is a worthwhile investment to teach kids about space.
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | R2-D2 resemblance |
Performance | Clear and bright projection |
Functionality | Portable, hands-on device |
Best true to date
✅ Your child wants a realistic view of the night sky. This unit comes with two discs — one featuring a starry night sky and the other with overlays of constellations — both of which are correct to the time and date you set it to.
❌ You want it to have a speaker. If you want a star projector with a speaker, you'll have to look at other options. This projector has limited functionality.
❌ You're looking for ambient lighting and lasers. This is a disc projector that projects Northern Hemisphere constellations onto a surface.
🔎 The Bresser Junior Astro Planetarium Deluxe is designed specifically for kids and features realistic projections of Northern Hemisphere constellations. It includes a time-and-date selector, a shooting-star function, and a sleep timer. ★★★½
The Bresser Junior Astro Planetarium Deluxe is a projector with limited functionality. Its sole purpose is to project the supplied discs (Northern Hemisphere constellations and Northern Hemisphere constellations with a star map overlay) onto your child's chosen surface.
It is made for children (hence the "junior" in the name). The draw of this device is that you can enter the date and time to make the projections appear how they would if you were to step outside on a particular night. This is a great way to get kids to navigate the night sky in the real world.
The images appear best when the projector sits around 6 feet (2 m) away. The large focusing wheel is ideal for smaller hands. The projector is battery-operated, so there is no need to be tied to a power source.
Like most star projectors we've reviewed, the Bresser Junior Astro Planetarium Deluxe has an automatic shutdown feature (often called a sleep timer) that can be set to 30, 60 or 120 minutes. This is especially useful if your child wants to fall asleep "under the stars." Additionally, it includes a shooting-star mode that projects a "meteor" every 40 seconds, which can also be used as a way to fall asleep (like counting sheep).
There are minimal differences between this model and the National Geographic Astro Planetarium. However, this one is a little cheaper, and we prefer the color!
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Silver-and-black spherical design with a disc drawer |
Performance | Date and time feature |
Functionality | Battery power, sleep timer |
Best with moon projection
✅ You want a small projector. This is a compact unit, so it won't take up too much shelf space.
✅ You want to use your star projector as a sleep aid. This is a very quiet unit, so it can be used to help your little ones drift off to sleep.
❌ You want the projector to double as a speaker. The built-in speaker is fine for audiobooks, but it's not great for music.
❌ You want the packaging to impress a gift recipient. The packaging doesn't reflect the product's quality.
🔎 The Cadrim star projector takes up little shelf space and would be best for young gamers or movie buffs. ★★★★
We reviewed the Cadrim star projector recently and can happily recommend it as a good star projector for a child. It takes up only a small amount of shelf space, and unlike other light and laser projectors on this list, it also projects an image of the moon.
If you can get past the mediocre packaging, the unit itself actually looks pretty cool. Its angular design gives it a futuristic feel.
When the projector is operating, you can barely hear the motor. Some projectors can be very loud, making them unsuitable for a bedtime routine, but we're pleased to say the Cadrim star projector is nearly silent.
The unit is controlled via the on-body buttons or the supplied remote control. Children will enjoy adjusting the speed of rotation, the brightness of the moon projection, and the color combinations of the lights. There is also a "party mode" that, like the more expensive Govee Star Light Projector, syncs the light patterns to music or external sounds.
- Read our full Cadrim star projector review
Attributes | Notes |
|---|---|
Design | Small, angular design; two colorways |
Performance | Good performance for the price; bright, customizable lights; bonus moon projection |
Functionality | On-body and remote control operation; built-in speaker; quiet operation |
Comparison
Product | Rating | Pros | Cons |
Govee Star Light Projector | ★★★★½
| ✅ Multifunctional, with an impressive speaker
| ❌ Noisy motor that makes it unsuitable as a sleep aid |
Pikoy Galaxy Projector | ★★★★½ | ✅ Great value and doesn't take up much shelf space | ❌ Not a rechargeable device (needs to be near a power source) |
Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector | ★★★★ | ✅ Novelty, but well-made design | ❌ Fluctuating price (don't spend more than $35) |
Dark Skys Pocket Planetarium | ★★★★ | ✅ Highly portable and educational | ❌ Limited functionality and no customization |
BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve | ★★★½ | ✅ Highly customizable and smart capabilities | ❌ Not scientifically accurate |
Pococo Galaxy Projector | ★★★★ | ✅ Disc-based star projector with plenty of add-ons available to purchase | ❌ No ambient and customizable lighting |
Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium | ★★★½ | ✅ An educational STEM toy to help children learn about space | ❌ More of a learning tool than a star projector |
Bresser Junior Astro Planetarium Deluxe | ★★★½ | ✅ True-to-date night sky | ❌ Limited functionality |
Star projectors frequently asked questions
What is the best star projector for kids?
We think the Govee Star Light Projector is the best star projector for kids on the market right now. Not only is it highly customizable, providing hours of fun, but the built-in speaker is impressive too, so you're really getting a two-in-one device.
What is the cheapest star projector for kids?
Prices fluctuate a lot, especially with the models from more than one distributor. But the cheapest star projector for kids is the Pikoy Galaxy star projector, which costs $19 at the time of this writing. The most expensive is the Pococo Galaxy star projector, which is $99.99.
Are star projectors realistic?
Not all star projectors are designed to be scientifically accurate. Some, like the Govee and the Bliss Lights Evolve, were designed to be environment-changing, relaxing or mood-enhancing lighting solutions. Other models, like the Bresser Junior Astro Planetarium Deluxe (and the National Geographic Astro Planetarium, which we have not listed in this guide because it is increasingly difficult to source), offer truer representations of night-sky objects.
How do I choose a star projector for a child?
We've compiled this list to make it as easy as possible for you to select a star projector for your child. We have picked easy-to-use models that don't require a complicated setup, and many are rechargeable.
You will need to decide whether the child wants a scientific projector to learn about the real night sky or just one that makes them feel like they are somewhere otherworldly.
In this guide, the prices range from around $25 to $100, and we selected the best model for each type of use or preference. We will add other models as we discover and review them, as well as remove any models that are discontinued or become difficult to source.
Are star projectors good for babies?
We have used star projectors as part of our babies' bedtime routine for years. They still produce an audible "wow" each night. The sleep timer means that once your child is settled, you don't have to reenter the room to turn it off.
If your baby has light sensitivities or conditions like epilepsy, avoid models with flashing lights. If the unit has lasers, make sure they aren't shining into your babies' eyes, and don't leave young children unattended near them. If you're in doubt, consult your doctor before you use the device in your baby's room.
What are the best star projectors on Amazon?
Most of the star projectors we've listed in this guide are available on Amazon. We have supplied links to Amazon and other stores for each model. We think the best models for children are the Govee Star Light Projector and the Pikoy Galaxy Projector.
Are laser star projectors safe?
Whether laser star projectors are safe depends on the type of star projector you're considering. Some FDA-approved laser star projectors are safe for brief and accidental exposure to the eyes. However, they are not recommended for children, and no one should look directly into a laser beam.
Models that have lasers in this guide are the Govee Star Light Projector, the Pikoy Galaxy Projector, the Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector, the Dark Skys Pocket Planetarium, the BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve, and the Cadrim star projector.
The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states, "The FDA recognizes four major hazard classes (I to IV) of lasers, including three subclasses (IIa, IIIa, and IIIb). The higher the class, the more powerful the laser is and the greater the potential to pose serious injury if used improperly."
The FDA says Class IIIa lasers (like laser pointers or some used in star projectors), "depending on power and beam area, can be momentarily hazardous when directly viewed or when staring directly at the beam with an unaided eye. Risk of injury increases when viewed with optical aids."
If you're in doubt, check the laser classification before you purchase a star projector, and compare it against the rules from the FDA or a relevant health and safety agency in your region.
How we test the best star projectors
To guarantee you're getting honest, up-to-date recommendations on the best star projectors to buy, we make sure to test and review every star projector here at Space.com. We review each star projector based on a multitude of aspects, including its packaging, quality of materials, design, noise emitted from the rotating motor, performance and scientific accuracy.
Each star projector in our guide is tested by expert staff or knowledgeable freelance contributors with lots of experience using star projectors. This hands-on approach ensures fair, unbiased reviews, where each projector is evaluated based on its price, category and intended use.
Rather than making unfair comparisons — like a high-end star projector from a leading brand versus a DIY cardboard kit — we assess each model within its own class. This way, every projector is recognized for its strengths to ensure you find the best option for your specific needs.
We look at how easy each star projector is to operate and test all of its functions to see if it is effective and works as advertised. We check the projections and build quality, and make suggestions for the most appropriate use for each unit.
With complete editorial independence, Space.com is here to ensure you get the best buying advice on star projectors. We advise on whether to purchase a product, and our buying guides and reviews are reliable and transparent.
Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: community@space.com.
