Galaxy projectors are soothing devices that project gorgeous color combinations and patterns to help with anxious sleepers, kids, or anyone who just loves looking at the night sky. Some devices feature smart app controls, others offer more simple and straightforward controls, but all the items on our list create a dreamy atmosphere that’s sure to mesmerize you. Some venture well outside efforts to recreate actual stars and simply project coo light patterns around the room. As discussed in our Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe review, this star projector draws many parallels to the Bresser-made National Geographic Astro Planetarium but doesn't include an integrated FM radio or the ability to attach an audio device. The Bresser Junior can only be powered by 3 x AA batteries, so buyers will likely need to grab some spares if they use it long-term. This galaxy projector casts 10 color nebula effects across your walls or ceiling, as well as thousands of green stars. The 10-color palette is comprised of four monochrome and six bicolor colors. These can mix together to form over 16 million color variations, and can all be controlled via your smartphone. The downside of the Pococo design is that you only have 30 degrees of movement to shine the lights, though as you'll typically be shining this at the ceiling, this isn't a deal breaker. PopPhoto has a long history of delivering the opinions of some of the sharpest and most prolific camera dorks the world has to offer. Since 1937, we’ve been reviewing cameras, providing wisdom from well-known photographers, and generally just nerding out about all that goes into making great pictures. Our current crop of writers and editors have decades of professional photography and camera writing experience among them. Collectively, we’ve probably shot with just about every camera and lens combo you can imagine—as well as some obscure stuff you may not even know about. Remember the Casio Tryx folding camera? PopPhoto does.

The only downside with the Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector is that the nebulas and stars aren't scientifically accurate. Still, we enjoyed the experience so much that we didn't feel short-changed. We were especially happy with the option to adjust both the brightness and the projection speed, which makes the device great for setting a calm environment or an energetic party scene. In a class of its own and the clear choice for any Seymour Skinners who want to localize Aurora Borealis entirely within their kitchen, at this time of year and at this time of day! Create A Night Sky Projection Kit:If you've got time with the kids to fill, this could be a fun introduction to stargazing. Don't expect to be dazzled by a plug-and-play awe-inspiring experience, but you can enjoy the process of setting it up with your kids.★★★ Despite its compact size and unassuming appearance, this USB-powered projector is powerful for transforming any room into a celestial-like wonderland. When connected to a USB power source, it projects hundreds of laser stars in a single color, creating a truly immersive and atmospheric experience. Whether you're a gamer looking to enhance your gaming environment, a parent looking to create a magical bedtime routine for your child (ensure they can't look directly into the beam), or simply someone who appreciates the beauty of the cosmos, this star projector will surely delight.

In more detail.. Best Star Projector Reviews

Considering its reasonable price tag and the many educational benefits it offers, we believe this projector is a worthwhile investment for homeschooling or simply learning about space with your child.

To make it even more relaxing for kids or adults, this night light galaxy projector comes with 19 different white noise machine sound modes. The spherical design means you have near 360-degree angling, and it comes with a 1.5 m cable, giving maximum positioning flexibility. This gives it a slight edge over the Encalife Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Smart Projector, which has similar specs but can only be used in four fixed positions.Pococo Galaxy Star ProjectorIt does what it is supposed to — it projects high-quality imagery onto any surface to immerse you in the wonders of what the universe has to offer, maintaining a static picture or slowly rotating image.★★★★ The answer to this question depends on the type of star projector you're considering. Some FDA-approved laser star projectors are safe for brief and accidental exposure to eyes, but they are not recommended for children, and you should never look directly into a laser beam. Some galaxy projectors offer green stars, some blue, some have millions of color combinations, and some have fewer. Always read the description to find out which colors are available! Ease of use Do you like the idea of using a star projector as you fall asleep but hate the idea of wasting power as you sleep? Most light projectors come with a timer setting that lets you set the timer for a specific amount of time. This can range from 15 minutes to several hours. As soon as it reaches that time limit, the projector will shut down. Some of the models suitable for parties and outdoor use have a timer of five hours or more, which help you can keep the party going all night long. Lighting Modes and Options

Why it made the cut: This budget LED star projector comes with direct diode Laser, precision glass optics, and holographic technologies for a magical blue atmosphere that also budget-friendly. The best star projectors can either be used as home planetariums, projecting realistic night skies and galaxies indoors, or they can serve as soft, glowy night lights for adults or children. With that bitter pill to swallow, why not console yourself with the next best thing? Smart star and galaxy projectors can bring the wonders of the universe into your home. Bathing your walls and ceilings with majestic starfields, swirling galaxies, and nebulae—all controllable via your smartphone. Not all star projectors are scientifically accurate — some are designed to be pleasant ambient lights to be used as kids' night lights or just to create a relaxing atmosphere. However, some models are scientifically accurate and create a planetarium in the comfort of your own home — these include the the Sega Toys Homestar Flux, National Geographic Astro Planetarium and Bresser Junior Astro-Planetarium Deluxe. What is the difference between a star projector and a planetarium?

The Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector is super easy to use, and you can use voice control to change colors, adjust brightness and control the speed. You can also use your smartphone with a Smart App (for Android and iOS) to give commands. The device has a color wheel where you can choose from a wide range of tones, from cool blue to warm fiery red. However, during testing, we found that most of the 16.7 million different colors were hard to tell apart with the naked eye.

Encalife Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Star Projector: Although it is called a Galaxy Star Projector, like most others, this is more of a mood-setting light, showing colors and patterns that reflect galaxies and nebulas with lasers that you could associate with a starry sky.★★★★ Reviewers love that it’s small and compact, making it great for apartment dwellers or smaller bedrooms. It features direct diode laser, precision glass optics, and holographic technology that creates a gorgeous ambience. Star and galaxy projectors also have some benefits for children. These simple devices serve as a night light for kids who are afraid of the dark. Your kids can get up and go to the bathroom or get a drink of water at night without turning on all of the lights in your home. Star projectors can also foster their creativity and get them interested in science. The right one will encourage them to come up with new stories about the planets and stars that they see. A projector may also get your child excited to learn about the planets and constellations. How Can You Use a Projector? The Sky Lite 2.0 is best compared to the likes of a lava lamp in terms of what it tries to achieve. This star projector delivers if a hypnotic journey through an imaginary nebula (or aurora?) is the effect you're after. Other light features are included and can be played around with at your pleasure. There are eight different white noise options for sleepy children, and a built-in Bluetooth speaker means you can ‘keep it real’ whatever cosmic display you’re tripping out to.The National Geographic Astro Planetarium is a high-quality indoor planetarium for a reasonable price that accurately represents the night sky and comes with plenty of extras. There are two projection discs included; one displays 8,000 stars, and the other has guidelines for the major constellations overlaid on them. Crucially, what you see is true to the time and day you set, as we confirmed during our National Geographic Astro Planetarium review. We also made sure each model was affordable. With so many good options on the market, there’s no reason to spend hundreds of dollars on a galaxy projector that can produce the same effects of a cheaper model. Brightness settings can also be controlled on the app and there are enough timer functions here to suit your needs. And if the preset scenes are not quite to your liking, you have the option to tweak them slightly, until you get the effect that you want—or a close approximation. The galaxy displays here will react to the tempo and the rhythm of the music you play, and with 10 nebula colors, there’s a reasonable amount of variation to enjoy. It has a 360-degree rotation, and you can set up some cool effects like shooting stars on the displays. As we confirmed in our BlissLights Evolve review, the operation is near silent like the Sky Lite 2.0. The Bliss Lights Sky Lite Evolve would be perfect in a gaming room, during a party, at a movie night or as a relaxation tool to unwind or drift off to sleep with. There are three models in the range — blue, green, or no lasers.