Star projectors may be wondrous to behold, turning a room right into a starry show, awash with colours, nebulas and extra. However as spectacular as they’re in motion, you needn’t lay our a fortune. We have rounded up the very best star projectors underneath $100, some lower than $20.
It is vital, nonetheless, to tell apart between ambient temper projectors and correct projectors. As beautiful as the previous can look in motion, they do not mirror the true night time sky. Some star projectors, alternatively, venture correct pictures of planets, stars and different our bodies. In our information, we spotlight which is which that will help you make the fitting selection.
Our professional reviewers have put each one in every of these projectors to the take a look at so that you may be certain you are getting your cash’s value. Or if finances is much less of a problem, check out our wider round-up of the very best star projectors.
The short listing
Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector
Finest underneath $20
A well-made novelty star projector that’ll delight youngsters with its room-filling energy.
Finest underneath $30
With an impressively small footprint, this very good budget-priced projector will fill any house with shiny, colourful patterns and inexperienced laser stars.
BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve
Finest ambient underneath $40
This budget-priced projector boasts a seamlessly blended show of stars, pastel nebulae and extra. It is impressively customisable, too.
Brainstorm Toys Deep House Residence Planetarium
Finest for accuracy underneath $40
This finances projector and STEM toy tasks correct pictures of the cosmos, ideally suited for for budding astronomers who desire a glimpse of the night time sky at residence.
Darkish Skys Skyview Pocket Planetarium
Finest underneath $50
An correct, moveable pocket-sized projector, good for studying concerning the constellations seen from the Northern Hemisphere.
Encalife Atmosphere Galaxy & Star Projector
Finest underneath $75
The Encalife Atmosphere shows vivid, room-filling nebula-inspired patterns and, as an added bonus, features as a Bluetooth speaker.
Finest star projectors underneath $100 that we suggest in 2025
Why you’ll be able to belief House.com
Our professional reviewers spend hours testing and evaluating services so you’ll be able to select the very best for you. Discover out extra about how we take a look at and evaluate merchandise.
Finest underneath $20
Picture 1 of 3
Purchase it if
✅ You desire a reward for a kid: This small however well-made projector is ideal for lighting up a toddler’s room, and adults will admire its wow issue too.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You wish to refill a mid-sized room: This mannequin is rather less highly effective than different, so it is best used with smaller rooms.
The underside line
🔎 Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector: A well-made novelty star projector that is good for any younger space-fan’s bed room, and adults will get a kick from it too. ★★★★
There is not any doubt that the Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector is geared toward youngsters however do not be fooled into considering it is a toy. It isn’t scientifically correct however it’s starry show is certain to thrill youngsters and also you may need some adults borrowing it too.
In our evaluate of the Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector we awarded it 4 out of 5 stars, calling it a “Value-effective approach so as to add quick ambiance to a room.” It might not have the ability of the BlissLights Sky Lite 2.0 and the Encalife Environment Sensible Galaxy Star Projector however it presents loads of efficiency given its price ticket.
Nonetheless, there are a number of producers promoting their very own model of this product. Do not be tempted to spend $100 on a mannequin that is functionally equivalent to this sub-$20 star projector.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Stable construct, novelty design, geared toward youngsters. |
|
Efficiency |
Brilliant lights and lasers, fairly patterns. |
|
Performance |
Customizable settings, sleep timer. |
Finest underneath $30
Picture 1 of 4
Purchase it if
✅You desire a good worth star projector: The Pikoy Galaxy Projector’s value belies its energy and it is able to filling room with its starry show.
✅You may have restricted house: Although highly effective, the Piko Galaxy Projector is sufficiently small to take a seat on a shelf.
Do not buy it if
❌You need scientific accuracy: This mannequin does not use correct star maps and is for atmosphere solely.
❌You desire a rechargeable projector: Not like another fashions on this listing, this must be plugged into an influence provide to function.
The underside line
🔎 The Pikoy Galaxy Projector presents wonderful worth and although we would want it have been rechargeable it is a good reward for a kid or grownup. ★★★½
Once we reviewed the Pikoy Galaxy Projector, it was out there for lower than $20 and whereas the worth has since gone up it is nonetheless implausible worth at lower than $30.
It is a surprisingly small projector, able to sitting neatly in your palm. Regardless of its dimension, it is not rechargeable however it’s compact sufficient to perch on a shelf and highly effective sufficient to fill a small to mid-sized room with colourful lights and lasers. Whereas adults will take pleasure in this show, it is geared in the direction of youngsters, coming in white, navy, blue and pale pink colours.
One child-friendly function, particularly, is the built-in speaker that can be utilized to play youngsters to sleep with audiobooks, nursery rhymes, rainforest sounds and extra. And due to the backlit buttons, you’ll be able to change it off at the hours of darkness with out the chance of waking its proprietor.
|
Design |
Compact design, out there in a number of colors. |
|
Efficiency |
Good efficiency for the worth. |
|
Performance |
Backlit buttons, not rechargeable. |
Finest ambient underneath $40
Picture 1 of 4
Purchase it if
✅ You desire a good residence suitable projector: The BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve may be paired with Alexa or Google Residence for good residence interplay.
✅ You need customisable projections: The BlissLights Sky Gentle Evolve’s shows look beautiful in motion, and you may tweak them to your coronary heart’s content material.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You need scientific accuracy: As beautiful because it seems in movement, the projections don’t precisely signify the night time sky.
❌ You desire a rechargeable projector: This mannequin does not run on batteries and has to stay plugged in to function.
The underside line
🔎 The BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve‘s show will not be scientifically correct, however it’s definitely spectacular. The nebulas are shiny and endearing, complimented completely by the hue of the blue/inexperienced lasers, and the color shifts are seamlessly blended. ★★★½
Decide up the BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve and you will be instantly struck by its spherical form. Its spherical design means it has close to 360-degree projection; simply place it in the course of the room and you will be handled to its undeniably beautiful show.
You may select between three fashions: blue, inexperienced and no stars, the latter of which is just a little cheaper. All function color mixing know-how which ensures its shifting transitions are by no means jarring.
You may fortunately sit again and let the BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve function, not least as a result of it is so silent. However it’s additionally supremely customisable. It may be built-in into your good residence setup and, by way of a cell phone app, you’ll be able to edit the already spectacular mild exhibits.
In our BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve evaluate we awarded it 4 and a half stars and it is arduous to beat a strong however pocket-friendly star projector. Except you want scientific accuracy, it is a worthy buy.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Spherical design |
|
Efficiency |
Putting, color blended shows of nebulae and stars |
|
Performance |
Operated by way of distant or good residence |
Finest for accuracy underneath $40
Picture 1 of 5
Purchase it if
✅ You need an academic projector: The Deep House Residence Planetarium tasks NASA pictures of spacecraft, astronauts, nebulae and planets.
✅ Your youngsters are into house: This projector is a STEM device, aimed firmly at younger youngsters and they need to have little downside utilizing it.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You desire a shifting, room-filling stellar show: As correct as the photographs it tasks are, they’re geared toward schooling, not atmosphere.
The underside line
🔎 The Brainstorm Toys Deep House Residence Planetarium is a STEM toy that’ll entertain and educate. Youngsters between 6 and 10 will love going hands-on with it and sharing their data with others. ★★★½
It is doubtless a coincidence however the Brainstorm Toys Deep House Residence Planetarium’s resemblance to R2D2 is certain to get the eye of adults and kids alike. It is marketed firmly on the latter, a STEM device designed to coach and entertain youngsters from 6 upwards, who’ve a burgeoning curiosity in house.
It comes with changeable (rotating) discs displaying 24 official NASA pictures of nebulae, spacecraft, astronauts, planets and the moon, some taken by the Hubble House Telescope. It isn’t geared toward creating an atmosphere, moderately, it is a device for educating youngsters concerning the night time sky.
The Deep House Residence Planetarium is good for youngsters ages 6 and up. It requires hands-on operation, which is certain to maintain youngsters engaged with it longer. You may’t at present purchase extra discs, however we nonetheless suppose it is a implausible, bargain-priced funding for space-loving youngsters.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Compact design, resembles R2D2 |
|
Efficiency |
Vivid projection of pictures. |
|
Performance |
Child-friendly, hands-on, simple to make use of. |
Finest underneath $50
Picture 1 of 5
Purchase it if
✅ You need an academic projector: The Darkish Skys Skyview Pocket Planetarium presents an correct view of the Northern Hemisphere’s constellations.
✅ You need portability: This rechargeable projector is sufficiently small that you may slip it right into a pocket.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You desire a temper projector: You may’t alter this projector’s colours and there is no sleep timer.
❌ You desire a collection of views: You are restricted to the one view of the Northern Hemisphere.
The underside line
🔎 The Darkish Skys Skyview Pocket Planetarium is a conveyable academic device that educate youngsters concerning the Northern Hemisphere’s constellations. ★★★½
If you happen to’re in search of an academic projector that you may slip in your pocket, the Darkish Skys Skyview Pocket Planetarium matches the invoice. Not solely does it venture correct pictures of the Northern Hemisphere’s skies, however it additionally has an non-compulsory line overlay, making it simpler to select every constellation. We predict it is the very best pocketable projector for teenagers.
You should utilize it to identify Ursa Main, Ursa Minor, Cygnus, Draco and others, all revolving round Polaris, and it additionally boasts a chargeable battery, making it further moveable. It does not boast so much in the way in which of performance, and it does require a darkened room, extra so than another projectors which function properly in lit rooms.
However for lower than $50 it is a good way to introduce youngsters to the cosmos and, if you happen to’re within the Northern Hemisphere, you’ll be able to head outdoors and see if you happen to can spot those self same stars you have been moments earlier.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Compact, super-portable design |
|
Efficiency |
Works greatest in a darkened room. |
|
Performance |
Not very customisable. |
Finest underneath $75
Picture 1 of 4
Purchase it if
✅ You desire a mixed projector and speaker: This projector contains a built-in Bluetooth speaker that is surprisingly top quality.
✅ You desire a temper setting star projector: It will not be correct however this projector is spectacular sufficient to view in motion.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You desire a scientifically correct projector: As spectacular as that is to observe in motion, its shows bears little resemblance to the true cosmos.
The underside line
🔎 With its inbuilt speaker, the Encalife Atmosphere Galaxy and Star Projector is a superb mood-setting star projector, and its vivid shows are perfect for events or leisure. ★★★½
The Encalife Atmosphere Galaxy and Star Projector lives as much as its identify, enhancing the atmosphere of any room with its vivid shows. It offers 4 colours (blue, inexperienced, white and purple) and presents loads of customisation choices and, due to its dome design, it might venture its show to fill a complete room.
In our Encalife Atmosphere Galaxy and Star Projector evaluate, we have been impressed by its construct high quality (even when its packaging is lackluster) and by how quietly it operated. Its smooth design and black color imply it blends in with many residence leisure techniques.
Because of its Bluetooth speaker, you’ll be able to couple its already spectacular shows with music, turning a room right into a starry disco or a meditation haven. It isn’t scientifically correct, however it tasks a implausible mild present, ideally suited for adults or youngsters.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Wonderful compact design |
|
Efficiency |
Vivid, room-filling projections |
|
Performance |
Customisable, built-in speaker. |
Finest underneath $100
Picture 1 of 4
Purchase it if
✅ You desire a high quality star projector at an incredible value: The Orzorz Galaxy Lite rivals some pricier, premium fashions.
✅ Your need an correct, expandable projector: The projector’s interchangeable disks provide correct pictures of the cosmos and you should purchase extra disks.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You desire a super-ambient projector: As highly effective a venture as that is, it is constructed for projecting correct pictures, not creating a vibrant atmosphere.
The underside line
🔎 The Orzorz Galaxy Lite is an outstanding projector that provides premium efficiency at a finances price ticket. ★★★★★
Orzorz will not be a well known model however the Orzorz Galaxy Lite star projector gained viral fame by way of TikTok, and deservedly so. Regardless of its sub-$100 price ticket, this correct star projector’s efficiency matches a few of its pricier rivals.
We awarded it a implausible 5 stars in our Orzorz Galaxy Lite star projector evaluate, praising its “Glossy design, vivid pictures, simple operation, and an enormous library of add-on disk.” It is design means it will not look misplaced in most rooms and whereas its disks may be barely fiddly to deal with, there is a huge library of extra disks available for purchase, guaranteeing this projector will proceed to occupy adults and kids.
It isn’t an ambient projector, however its pictures are however completely gorgeous and impressively vivid. Consider its rechargeable battery and timer choices and you have got a star projector that provides premium efficiency at a pocket-friendly price ticket.
|
Attributes |
Notes |
|---|---|
|
Design |
Eye-pleasing gray and white design |
|
Efficiency |
Clear vivid pictures, 4m projection space |
|
Performance |
Rechargeable battery, swappable disks |
Finest star projectors underneath $100 FAQs
What is the distinction between ambient projectors and correct projectors?
Many star projectors are ambient projectors, which means they venture stunning, shifting pictures of nebulae, stars and extra. These are wonderful for altering the temper in a room, whether or not you are attempting to lull a toddler to sleep or wish to loosen up. Many ambient projectors allow you to customise this show, altering the colors, altering the velocity and extra.
Nonetheless, if you happen to go outdoors, you will not be capable of spot these precise stars as a result of these projectors aren’t scientifically correct. Ambient projectors provide a extra basic and spectacular illustration of the cosmos.
Scientifically correct projectors, alternatively, venture pictures of the particular night time sky or, no less than, a snapshot of it. Some use slides to venture NASA imagery of nebulae and planets, an correct illustration of these objects. On the entire, nonetheless, they’re much less customisable. The latter are higher for schooling, whereas the previous are appropriate for leisure or meditation.
How do I inform if a projector is correct or ambient?
In our information, you may discover a desk beneath every projector’s entry that explains whether or not a projector is correct or not. If you happen to’re wanting on-line, if a projector does not particularly point out it is scientifically correct, likelihood is it is not. The cheaper a projector is, the much less doubtless it’s to be correct.
Ought to I spend greater than $100 on a star projector?
All these star projectors are available in at underneath the $100 mark, however do you have to spend extra? If you happen to’re after an ambient, mood-setting projector, the reply is basically no. Whether or not it is for leisure or a toddler’s room, the ambient projectors we have highlighted are wonderful buys.
If, alternatively, you are after a scientifically correct projector, there are advantages to spending extra. The Sega Homestar Flux is priced at over $250 however it actually does create wonderful, correct recreations of the night time sky.
In our evaluate of the Sega Homestar Flux, we remarked that it “It’s pricer than different residence planetariums, however it does really feel such as you get what you pay for.” That further $150 is kind of an ask, nonetheless.
How we take a look at
Every star projector is examined by both our professional employees or educated freelance contributors who know their topic areas in depth. This ensures truthful reviewing is backed by private, hands-on expertise with every star projector and is judged primarily based on its value level, class and supposed use. For instance, evaluating a top-of-the-range star projector from one of many largest producers of star projectors to a make-your-own package produced from cardboard would not be applicable, although every star projector is perhaps the best-performing product in its personal class, and that’s how we have categorized them on this information.
Could 22: We created this information.
