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Who isn’t fascinated by the night sky? Look up on a clear night, and you are looking at a vast unexplored and mysterious expanse that still holds wonder for astronomers and scientists to this day. Space, the final frontier as the movie tag-line goes, is something special, and it tends to captivate children as well as adults. We learn about the planets in our solar system at quite an early age, and about the sun, and the moon, and many of the stars and constellations, but we still only touch the very tip of the vast numbers of celestial bodies that one can see in the night sky.
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If you are lucky enough to live in or close to an area with low or no light pollution – perhaps one of the many designated Dark Sky regions across the country – and have a telescope, there is no limit to what you can see. You may even observe distant galaxies, and it is simply a thing of wonder. It has fascinated scientists for centuries – in fact, the first telescopes designed for observing the heavens were invented as long ago as the early 1600s, and we still use pretty much the same principle today.
Perhaps interest in the stars and planets was boosted by the space programmed of the late 1960s and early 1970’s – an era of great discovery and achievement as man finally set foot on the moon – and ever since, amateur astronomers – not to mention professionals – have been training their telescopes on the skies, looking for new planets and more.
PRODUCT | FEATURES | LATEST PRICE |
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1.Science Kidz Star Galaxy Projector |
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2. Delicacy LED Star Light Projector |
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3. Umiwe Ocean Wave Projector Night Light |
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4. TOMNEW Remote Control Ocean Wave Projector |
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5. SlowTon Star Moon Ocean Projector |
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6. ElfeLand LED Star Projector |
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7. BlissLights Sky Lite |
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8. Home Planetarium Homestar Pro |
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9. GAIATOP Star Projector |
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10. Yofidra Star Projector |
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It’s not the telescope we are talking about today, but another great and innovative device that allows us to view the heavens: the starlight projector, a relatively new arrival on the scene, and one that is fun as well as educational. So, before we have a look at the best star projector night lights, let’s talk a little more about what they are, and why you need one.
Want to find the best star projectors available in the US? Check out this star projector list.
Best Star Projectors | The Top 10
1. Science Kidz Star Galaxy Projector
As we have a mix of kid’s and adult’s projectors in this review, we will tell you which category each falls into. These should not be thought of as toys, however, as they are much more than that. This one falls into the kid’s category but is still pretty impressive for what it is. It’s a nicely presented, compact projector designed for an overhead representation of the universe, and displays the Northern Hemisphere with as many as 10,000 stars. It has a clear and concise projection and is easy to use.
The lens system is high-quality optical material so you get great performance, and it comes with full instructions. It also comes with two discs that you can insert, each with different areas of the sky represented. One feature we like is that it has a 30-minute auto switch-off function, so if your child wants to use it as a sleep aid, it makes a great relaxation tool and is very soothing. All in all, it’s a great little projector, and at a little more than £25, would make a great gift for the budding astronomer in the family.
PROS
- 10,000 stars
- Auto switch-off
- Sensible price
- Two disks
CONS
- None that we can see – it does what it’s intended for!
2. Delicacy LED Star Light Projector
This rotating ocean wave night light is appropriate for babies, children, and adults. It isn’t distracting and creates a calming ambiance that is perfect for aiding sleep. Not only does the light look cool and calming, but the UFO-shaped projector also looks fun, and children love playing with it when it isn’t in use.
The projector can read music from external memory storage, as well as having a USB flash disk socket and Bluetooth speaker features. Play the music you love through the star projector!
It is remote-controlled so that you can change its features with just a click of a button. You can also set a timer for the lights, music and adjust the rotating speed as you wish.
PROS
- Great gift for adults and children
- Remote control included
- Great connectivity
- Breathing light option
CONS
- Very noisy
3. Umiwe Ocean Wave Projector Night Light
You might ask whether this one should be on this list, as we did! To be clear from the outset, it’s not a starlight projector at all, and is really a fancy night light. However, if you are looking for a star projector as a relaxation aid – and many buyers are – this one may appeal to you, as that is what it is designed for. Basically, it projects a soothing light show on a wall or ceiling, and it is very effective indeed at making you settle back and relax.
You can choose from seven different color modes – including a multi-color version that is very effective – and it projects images of ocean waves and more that do the job they are meant to. It also reads audio cards, so you can input the music you want from your MP3 or another device, should you wish. It has an adjustable auto-off timer so you can be sure it will shut down when you fall asleep, and it has several angles that you can project at. It will only cost around £15 so is not expensive, but it’s not a star projector!
PROS
- Cheap
- Colourful displays
- Music capability
CONS
- Not a star projector
4. TOMNEW Remote Control Ocean Wave Projector
We reckon this to be the same as the above, so: You might ask whether this one should be on this list, as we did! To be clear from the outset, it’s not a star projector at all, and is really a fancy night light. However, if you are looking for a star projector as a relaxation aid – and many buyers are – this one may appeal to you, as that is what it is designed for. Basically, it projects a soothing light show on a wall or ceiling, and it is very effective indeed at making you settle back and relax.
You can choose from seven different color modes – including a multi-color version that is very effective – and it projects images of ocean waves and more that do the job they are meant to. It also reads audio cards, so you can input the music you want from your MP3 or another device, should you wish. It has an adjustable auto-off timer so you can be sure it will shut down when you fall asleep, and it has several angles that you can project at. It will only cost around £15 so is not expensive, but it’s not a star projector!
PROS
- 7 x color variations
- Good price
- Very soothing
CONS
- Not a star projector
5. SlowTon Star Moon Ocean Projector
This one is firmly in the kid’s category, so if that’s not what you are looking for, move on! However, we reckon it’s worth including because it is very cheap, and because it does a decent if not spectacular job. It is designed to be a soothing sleep aid rather than an astronomical display piece, and has three different themes: you can project stars, the moon, or ocean waves, and each is very pretty and effective. The stars are not descriptive of the night sky, however, so it’s not a serious device.
You get six adjustable light settings including a series of different color options, and it provides a very soothing effect that will certainly help kids get to sleep. It also rotates so you have movement at all times, and it comes with brightness adjustment, too. It’s a nice bedroom light, but it’s not for astronomers, so wouldn’t make our shortlist. However, at not much more than £10 it’s very good value if it’s what you want.
PROS
- Cheap
- Various color settings
- Easy to use
- Brightness adjustment
CONS
- Not a star projector
6. ElfeLand LED Star Projector
Choose between two lighting options, and you can change between the two to mix things up a bit. You can use this light as a decoration for parties and gatherings, or keep it in your bedroom to help you wind down after a long day.
Use the Bluetooth feature to play your favorite tunes from your phone or tablet, or insert a USB drive with song data to play music from an external source. Control the lights manually or via remote control, and select your favorite color from the 10 color options available to you.
PROS
- Ocean wave and starlight features
- Great connectivity
- Suitable for adults and children
- Great sound system
CONS
- Sound quality deteriorates quickly
7. BlissLights Sky Lite
The drifting stars in a deep blue nebula projected from this light are very realistic and magical. The precision glass optics and holographic projector bring the galaxy indoors for your enjoyment.
The light can be controlled manually, and changing the settings is very straightforward. Choose from the three light features and enjoy the view!
PROS
- Very realistic lights
- Appropriate for children and adults
- One of the more popular star projectors on the market
CONS
- No remote control
8. Home Planetarium Homestar Pro
Back to the adult category, and this home planetarium comes from the famous Sega brand, which made their name-making games consoles.
It’s a very modern-looking device in the form of a dish on a stand, and it is very impressive in what it can do.
Make no mistake this is a serious planetarium for the home, and although it is a compact device, it packs a lot of action into its small size.
For a start, it uses the very latest White LED projection technology for the best possible results, and it really does impress when projected onto the right surface. 60,000 stars are represented, and you can add to the authenticity by selecting the shooting star feature, which gives you some little extras along the way.
You can change the angle of production easily as the device sits on a fully adjustable stand, and you have a full-timer function so it will switch off if you fall asleep. As a branded product, we expect it to be in the higher price bracket, but at about £100, it is definitely one of the best star projectors.
PROS
- 60,000 stars
- Up to date technology
- Clear image
- Fully adjustable
- Timer
CONS
- None if you want a proper planetarium
9. GAIATOP Star Projector
If you put the projector in a baby’s room, you can use the white noise feature to soothe your baby to sleep. Choose from the 10 combination light colors and adjust the theme to suit the occasion.
PROS
- Great white noise feature
- Versatile
- Good color options
- Remote controllable and auto-off timer
CONS
- Breaks easily
10. Yofidra Star Projector
This night light rotates 360 degrees with very dynamic projection. It is battery-powered and convenient, so you can use it everywhere without having to worry about plugging it in.
The flow speed and brightness are adjustable to suit the occasion, and that can all be done with just a few clicks of the remote control. Take advantage of the auto-off button if you plan to use this projector in your children’s room, as you won’t need to disturb them to switch the light off.
The Bluetooth connection is great, and the light also has a USB port for external memory drives. Play music from any device using this projector.
PROS
- Easy to use
- Portable
- Dynamic projection
CONS
- Remote control is not laid out in the most comfortable way
That’s our list of ten, then, so before we go on to sum things up, a quick reminder of what you need to look for when you are choosing your star projector.
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How It Works
A star projector is a clever device that allows you to project certain images of the night sky in your home. They have their origins in the planetarium, a specially built theatre dedicated to displaying the heavens as we see them. Originally a physical display, they now tend to be projected, so the home star projector is a miniature version.
In fact, the planetarium itself has its roots in a curious device known as an Orrery; this is a physical representation of the planets around the sun in our solar system engineered to move as they do in relative time. If you can find a museum with an Orrery, it is well worth a look.
You can find planetariums at many museums across the country; we recommend that, if you are ever in the area, you check out the one at Jodrell Bank, the famous observatory on the Cheshire Plain, where you can also find a massive and very spectacular radio telescope that dominates the landscape from afar. For kids who love the stars and planets, it’s a must-see place.
A star projector can give you a small-scale version of the planetarium, and while some of those reviewed are intended for children, there are a number on our list that are very much aimed at adults and are close to a professional standard. These are not expensive items for what they are – no matter how many times you use your star projector there will always be something new for you to look at – so here’s our run-down of the top 10 star projectors on the market right now, complete with our advice and summary.
Important Features to Consider
We began this review in the expectation of having a long list of features to consider when choosing the best star projector, but after reviewing ten, we realize that the simple fact is there is really only one that towers over everything else, and it’s this:
Kid’s or Adult’s – put simply, do you want a star projector, a genuine replication of the night sky, as near to a portable home planetarium as you can get? Or, are you looking for something for your kid’s bedroom that will show them a soothing light show, and help them get to sleep? If it’s the former, you have a choice of precisely two, and the latter make up the remaining eight.
So, there you have it; all that remains now is to wrap things up!
Let’s Wrap It Up!
The most versatile star projector on this list is the Science Kidz Star Galaxy Projector. It is easy to use and has very useful features and specifications that can be adapted to different occasions.
FAQ
Q: What is the best star projector?
A: We liked the Science Kidz Star Galaxy Projector, but all of the 10 projectors on this list are brilliant! Take a look at the reviews and see which one you like the best?
Q: What is the sky projector that is on TickTock?
A: The galaxy projector is a new trend and something that has gone viral on multiple social media networks, including TickTock and Instagram.
Q: How much do sky projectors cost?
A: Sky projectors vary in price. They can cost as little as £20 or upwards of £100. The price will depend on the added features and specifications.
Q: Can you sleep with a skylight on?
A: Some people may struggle sleeping with a skylight on; however, children and babies often find skylights soothing.
Q: How long do skylights last?
A: Skylights last around 90 days. Every model and manufacturer is different, so this will differ from model to model.