Best star projectors for kids: Night-lights and ambient toys to soothe young space fans

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 star projectors for kids we recommend in 2025

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Best overall

The Govee Star Light Projector is a neat-looking unit, but it's larger than others on this list.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The laser and lights can be operated independently of one another(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The lights are impressive and highly customizable (Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The app(Image credit: Tantse Walter/Govee)

(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

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

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Best budget option

The Pikoy Galaxy Projector during our review.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The front view of the Encalife Aurora Borealis Northern Lights Star Projector.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

Screenshots of app controls in the Smart Life App for light and speaker.(Image credit: Encalife)

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.

• Read our full Pikoy Galaxy Projector review

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Best novelty star projector

We're often skeptical of the quality of novelty-shaped devices, but this Astronaut Starry Sky Projector bucks the trend.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The supplied remote is needed to make the most of all of the functionality.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

These are the components that make up the Astronaut Starry Sky Projector, straight out of the box.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The blue LED indicates the sleep timer is set to 45 minutes. (Image credit: Tantse Walter)

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.

• Read our Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector review

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Best portable projector

(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

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.)

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Best for pastel shades

The spherical design of the BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve gives maximum positioning opportunities.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The unassuming design and plain color means the BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve blends in with all decor.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The integrated button the cable is probably our least favorite thing about this star projector. The weight of it pulls the projector out of place, and it is crucial for set up and reset.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

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

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Best rechargeable star projector

The Pococo Galaxy Projector is available in this pinkish design or white.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The discs for the Pococo Galaxy projector also fit the Orzorz Star Projector and vice versa.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

Although we like that there is plenty of choice, we can't help but think there would be a more environmentally friendly way to store them.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The little discs only fit into the draw one way, so the image is always projected the right way around(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

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

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Best educational star projector

Whether intentional or not, the Deep Space Home Planetarium and Projector bears a resemblance to the much-loved "Star Wars" character R2-D2.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium also doubles as a night light.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The sharpness of the star projection leaves something to be desired, but they are adequate enough for a STEM toy aimed at a younger audience.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

Everything is constructed to be kid-friendly, including the large focusing wheel.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The star projector's slide examples, held against the light showing planets the moon's surface and more.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

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.

• Read our Brainstorm Toys Deep Space Home Planetarium star projector review

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Best true to date

The Bresser Junior Astro Planetarium Deluxe is powered by three AA batteries, so it can be positioned anywhere.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The button controls are simple and almost identical to the National Geographic Astro Planetarium, in all but shape.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The button controls are simple and almost identical to the National Geographic Astro Planetarium, in all but shape.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

The packaging is a little dated.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

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!

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

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Best with moon projection

The Cadrim star projector is the best star projector with an image of the moon.(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

(Image credit: Tantse Walter)

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

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Comparison

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.