Smart Games Shooting Stars

[Tisha]

Whilethe terms are often used interchangeably, star projectors can also be used to refer to unrealistic night and ambient or mood-enhancing lights that aren't scientifically accurate. Planetariums on the other hand are strictly realistic and accurate depictions of the night sky, which are sometimes even time and location-sensitive to show you the night sky as it appears at a given time.

In this buying guide, we've tested and reviewed a range of star projectors and ranked them according to performance, quality and budget. We've included a variety of options at different price points with a range of features, so you're sure to find one that suits your needs and budget. We continue to monitor the market for different models, and we'll share our favorites with you.

In theory, yes. Most of the star projectors in this guide are AC mains-powered or DC through USB ports, so as long as they're plugged in, they can run. Some, however, are battery-powered, meaning you run the risk of the battery running out overnight.

It's important to check the manual that comes with your star projector before you leave it running for extended periods of time, as some models may become hot after prolonged use. Always resort to the manual if in doubt and follow the instructions.

The star projectors designed to be night lights can be good for babies and small children as they create a soothing ambient light. They can even make bedtime routines more fun and help your child drift off to sleep.

However, it's worth noting that some models include small flashes of light and swirling light patterns, so they may not be suitable for babies with light sensitivities or conditions like epilepsy. If in doubt, consult your doctor or local physician before using them.

Prices vary depending on the model of your choice and how many features you are after. Generally, you can buy a good quality star projector for anywhere between $25 and $250. The cheaper models tend to be destined to be used as night lights and are generally inaccurate in their depiction of the night sky. More premium models like the Sega Toys Homestar Flux are more expensive but offer scientifically accurate depictions of the night sky.

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.

The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) states that '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.'

In reference to Class IIIa lasers (like laser pointers or some used in star projectors), the FDA says: '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.'

Owning one of the best star projectors is a great way of being able to observe the wonder of the night sky, right from the comfort (and warmth) of your own home. But not all star projectors are made the same. Some are designed to be as scientifically accurate as possible; others simply allow you to enjoy the ambience of the stars.

Of course, the price of a star projector will vary greatly depending on what you want it for. There are a number of accurate planetariums featured on our list, which generally carry much higher price tags than ambient lights. There are also some star projectors designed to be educational tools for children: You'll find examples of all three on our list.

Remember Amazon Prime Day is approaching on 16 and 17 July, so you may be able to score a great deal on one of the best star projectors. As usual, Space.com will be covering the event and highlighting all the best deals on star projectors and more. Last year, the great voice-controlled BlissLights Sky Lite Evolve star projector was on sale for under $30 during Amazon Prime Day!

Sega is known for much more than Sonic the Hedgehog, you know. You might be surprised to know it's also the manufacturer of the best star projector you can currently buy: The Sega Homestar Flux. With the ability to observe over 60,000 stars at once, it truly does bring the night sky indoors.

We've tested the Homestar Flux extensively, and we're confident in saying that there are no better star projectors or home planetariums currently on the market. It offers scientifically accurate views of the sky, has beautiful, bright projections and, thanks to a disc system, allows you to change which parts of the night sky you're viewing. It ships with Northern Hemisphere and Northern Hemisphere Constellations (which includes labeled constellations), but many more are available to purchase separately.

There are 30 additional discs available for around $18 each when you visit Astrial, Sega Toys' official online store. We were particularly impressed by the simulations of the aurora borealis and the aurora australis are exceptional views.

There is a disc that displays the planets of the solar system as well, but the ones that show galaxies, nebulas and other NASA-based imagery are the ones that really stand out. The North America nebula as taken by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope and the weird seven-star system called Jabbah (officially called Nu Scorpii and IC 4592) as imaged by NASA's WISE mission. You can also buy disks that simulate fireworks, 'night jellyfish' and a hot-air balloon festival.

Like many other star projectors, there is a 'shooting star' function, although in our Sega Homestar Flux review, we found it a bit predictable because the star always fell in the same spot. More variation would have made the display feel more real. However, it does have an automatic shut-off option after 15, 30 or 60 minutes, which is handy if you're using it to fall asleep and don't want to get up to switch it off!

The downside is it is far more expensive than many other great projectors out there, but you'll find few that offer the same user experience. It's worth noting that the Sega Toys Homestar Flux is also tough to find, so grab it while it's in stock at one of our trusted retail partners.

This star projector is very customizable: you can choose to display a full moon, change the colors of the Aurora Borealis, or make the stars more or less visible, for example. You won't be limited by the catalog of colors, as there are 16.7 million to choose from (in theory at least, as we're not able to see that many). The LED lights and green lasers can also be adjusted to your preferred brightness. We also love that you can control the projector with the remote control it comes with, or through the accompanying app on your smartphone.

It also comes with a built-in Bluetooth speaker (which is genuinely good quality) and, if you want to create some party ambience, you can set the projections to "rhythm mode", having the lighting display sync with the music. It's a very neat feature.

In our Encalife Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector review, we note how simple it is to use and set up. We also love the projector's modern design; unlike most other projectors, it can blend in among your furniture and look great in most rooms. It also comes in attractive packaging, making it a great gift idea.

But this projector's standout feature is no doubt the voice control option, which allows you to do everything from adjusting the brightness, controlling the rotation speed or changing the colors using your voice. You can use the companion app on your smartphone which is available for iOS and Android, or your Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant to voice control your projector.

The Atmosphere Smart Galaxy Projector boasts 16.7 million colors, which sounds impressive but since we can't actually see that many colors with the naked eye, it's a bit of a wasted claim. Regardless, we're pleased to say the colours you can see are beautiful, with the projector offering up a fantastic light show experience.

You should note that the Atmosphere projector doesn't offer scientifically accurate representations of the stars. This isn't an educational tool, then, but if you're simply looking for ambient light shows, you won't be disappointed with what's on offer here. Extra features, such as being able to adjust the brightness and projection speed, allow you to tailor the experience to your personal needs, too.

While it's tempting to dismiss low-cost objects that go viral on TikTok, our review of the Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector proved us wrong. We were pleasantly surprised by how well made it was, and it ticked all the boxes a fun, novelty star projector should.

As you can probably assume from its price point, the Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector isn't scientifically accurate. It should be regarded as a fun light show in a novelty package. But while it might not provide an introduction to real-world nebulas and star systems, it does produce a fantastic display of light and colour, one that we think makes a great gift for any age.

It's worth noting, though, that many replicas of the Astronaut Starry Sky Star Projector are available. And since this is a non-branded product, it can be hard to ensure you're buying the proper thing. You should be cautious of sellers advertising the project for as little as $10 as you might end up disappointed with a low-quality product.

If we're being picky, we didn't love the fact that it's powered by a USB-A to DC cable instead of a USB-C, which would have been a lot more convenient nowadays. Other than that, it's a fantastic gift for any space enthusiast, no matter the occasion.

If you want a star projector that can sing and dance, the Sega Toys Homestar Matataki is the one for you. This is the newest projector from Sega Toys, expanding on its excellent Homestar Flux (which you'll find at the top of this list). Rather than replace the Flux, however, the Matataki sits alongside it, adding a range of new features.

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