The best star projectors | Popular Science

Beyond a few bright celestial objects, the rise of light pollution has made it difficult for most people to experience a genuinely starry night sky—and that’s where star projectors come in. If artificial lights have obscured your view of the Milky Way, these compact devices provide a fun and comfortable way to observe the cosmos. All you need is a dark room with a power outlet and you’re ready to bask in the wonders of the universe. We’ve chosen the Govee Star Light Projector as our best overall pick for its balance of performance and price. Many also function as night lights or pattern projectors that can spruce up a room without the celestial theme. While nothing can replace the awe-inspiring feeling of seeing millions of stars in person, the best star projectors can still leave you transfixed.

How we chose the best star projectors

I’ve been fortunate to visit areas less affected by light pollution, so I know what it’s like to gaze upon the grandeur of our galaxy. As an editor at TechnoBuffalo, I visited NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab in Pasadena, Calif., to learn about the Mars rover. I also took a guided tour of the Goldstone Deep Space Communications Complex, where I saw enormous satellites used to communicate with faraway spacecraft. Over the last 10 years, I’ve written about gadgets and space for outlets like CNN Underscored, TechnoBuffalo, and Popular Science, and this guide, in a way, allows me to write about both. If you’re searching for a projector for movie night, you’re in the wrong place (though we do have a guide for the best projectors, the best home theater projectors, and the best outdoor projectors). But if you enjoy the stars of the sky as much as you do the stars of the screen, read on.

The best star projectors: Reviews & Choice

Whether you’re looking to liven up your space with colorful lights or follow in the footsteps of Carl Sagan, a star projector is a novel way to explore the cosmos. When making our picks, we found a balance between fantastical projectors, options for kids and adults, and a more scientifically accurate model that’s great for those who love astronomy.

Best overall: Govee Star Light Projector

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Specs

• Dimensions: ‎6″L x 6.3″W x 8.6″H
• Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Power: USB

Pros

• High-quality image
• 16 million colors
• Cool motion settings
• Built-in Bluetooth speaker
• More than 50 scene modes
• Works with smart assistants

Cons

• Not built for an accurate star depiction
• Speaker audio quality is underwhelming

If you want to create an impressive celestial display on your ceiling, this is the best mix of performance and price. The projector uses a dual-LED light source to create a 650 square-foot light display. You can program more than 50 different modes, most of which are meant to set a mood rather than show an accurate depiction of the night sky. A built-in Bluetooth speaker can play music from a phone or one of 18 white noise tracks.

This isn’t built to recreate the night sky with any real accuracy (our Best Splurge pick is much better in that regard). It does set a great mood, though. The aurora modes create calming motion that’s great to have on when you’re chilling out. It’s great for kids as well as adults.

Best splurge: Sega Toys Homestar Flux

Explore the Galaxy

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Why it made the cut: Sega’s Homestar Flux features the most scientifically accurate images out of all the star projectors we picked.

Specs

• Dimensions: 6.3 x 6.3 x 5.9 inches (LWH)
• Weight: 1.36 pounds
• Power: USB

Pros

• Supports multiple discs
• Projects up to 60,000 stars at once
• Great educational tool

Cons

Sega’s Homestar Flux is the closest thing to a planetarium if you’re a fan of astronomy and intend to use your star projector as an educational tool. It can project up to 60,000 stars at once and covers a circle with a 106-inch diameter. Unlike the other star projectors on this list, Sega’s model supports interchangeable discs, allowing owners to explore different parts of the universe in incredible detail. The Homestar Flux comes with two discs, the Northern Hemisphere and the Northern Hemisphere with constellation lines; it also supports additional discs that feature the Andromeda Galaxy, the southern hemisphere, and more.

These discs contain data from different missions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the United States Naval Observatory (USNO). While Sega’s projector is pricey, it features the most scientifically accurate experience and is a must-have for would-be astronomers.

brary. However, you shouldn’t get your hopes up where audio fidelity is concerned—consider this a fun bonus feature. If you want to take a star projector to a friend’s place or on vacation, this is the one to grab.

Best for kids: Gdnzduts Galaxy Projector