Starry sky projectors in comparison

What to look out for when buying a starry sky projector for your child. The best recommendations & insider tips at a glance.

Whoever looks at the starry sky begins to dream.

Children are often afraid of the dark and need some distraction to be able to fall asleep on their own.

This also applies to small children. Whatever moves outside the bed will attract the little ones’ interest and keep them busy.

With irregular sleep phases of the offspring, there may be deviations in your own sleep rhythm. Starry sky projectors for the nursery are a welcome and reliable sleep aid for babies .

  • Night light and music box were yesterday
  • In our ultra-modern age of electronic alternatives, you can combine and automate all of this technologically
  • There are also some exciting alternatives to the starry sky projectors

There are many providers with even more models. Keeping track of all of these products and their various functions is no easy feat. This buying guide is intended to help you make a decision.

If you only want to invest a little time and only want to assess the test winner, you will find this starry sky projector here:

Before I explain the individual products and their purchase criteria to you, a little note.

What should I look out for when buying a starry sky projector?

Of course, you yourself determine the price, quality, functions and design of your desired projector.

Before you buy, be sure what exactly you want for your child. You should ask yourself these questions:

  • Is the basic version enough for me or do I want many additional functions?
  • How should the starry sky projector be operated? (Push of a button, touch, remote control, voice control)
  • Would you even like to have many different color combinations projected on the wall?
  • How should the topic be? More childlike or timeless for several age groups?

Color changes are considered calming and are mainly used in the wellness sector. Personally, I would therefore recommend a projector that can project multiple colors.

The smart and tech-savvy father might come up with the idea of ​​converting a projector for this purpose. I advise against this not only because of the higher electricity costs.

  • These devices emit a lot of electrosmog, which can affect sleep and health.
  • This also happens with a starry sky projector if it is switched on. But the concentration is much lower.

I would like to tell you later how you can avoid electrosmog in the children’s room after purchasing it.

 

There are some features that I personally find very useful. For me, the following additional functions compared to traditional products are a purchase argument:

  • Music can be played = additional reassurance
  • Operation by remote control = you do not have to enter the children’s room
  • The projector rotates = light stays in motion
  • Battery operation = set up the device independently of power sources

The length of the cable is therefore also important when buying a starry sky projector. You don’t want the child to somehow reach the projector and cause damage.

Also make sure that the projector’s laser is never exposed. Children can quickly become curious about how things work and like to lend a hand. The laser can permanently damage your child’s eyesight.

 

Now that you know about the most important purchase criteria, I would like to introduce you to a few specific purchase recommendations in the following section. Starry sky projectors are available in numerous versions, but one night light particularly impressed me:

My test winner

Recommended age group: 0 – 6 years

There can be no two opinions on the test winner. The following projector offers several solutions and areas of application.

Here are the most important functions and main arguments for the test winner:

  • 2 different motifs: starry sky and animal world
  • 8 different colors
  • Can play 12 soothing songs
  • The remote control supplied has a range of 5 meters
  • Night light mode with 4 colors
  • Timer can be set flexibly from 5 to 500 minutes
  • Colors change automatically between projections
  • Can also be charged via USB

You also have the option of removing the two stencil attachments. The two motifs described above are shown on the templates.

So you can only project the color changes onto the ceiling without depicting stars or animals.

12 soothing songs are played to give the child additional peace of mind. This also ensures enough variety and the parents do not feel annoyed by the everlasting rumbling melody.

An additional advantage is that the device can be battery operated. This is useful when you are traveling with the whole family and want to take it with you.

The starry sky projector can also be operated outside of the familiar atmosphere in the children’s room. So if you stay overnight in a hotel or other accommodation, you are not dependent on the local power sources.

The required CR2025 cell batteries are not included in the scope of delivery. Neither do the AAA batteries in the remote control. To be able to use the wireless functions immediately, you must have these batteries at home.

The imaginative all-rounder

Recommended age group: 0 – 8 years

The following starry sky projector offers a particularly large number of color combinations and motifs. At the same time, it is a very flexible all-rounder for relatively little money.

Here are the most important functions and main arguments of the imaginative all-rounder:

  • 5 different motifs: starry sky, planets, birthday, ocean world, universe
  • 3 different colors
  • Can also be used as a night light
  • No timer – manual shutdown required
  • No remote control
  • No music
  • Colors change automatically between projections
  • Can also be charged via USB
  • Battery operation possible

By removing the film from the starry sky projector, you can also use it as a pure night light. The rotation can also be switched on or off manually.

This starry sky projector may be your best choice for babies and toddlers. Thanks to five different motifs and the coloring, the imagination of the little ones is probably stimulated the most.

Please note that this projector cannot play music compared to the other starry skies. There are no speakers built into the projector and you would have to look for another solution here.

In addition to full lighting, you can also manually dim the light to 50% or 10% strength. In this way you determine the brightness of the projections to be broadcast.

In contrast to many other projectors, this one does not only emit the projection at the top of the dome. The lights also shine from the side of the projector and fill a larger area on the walls and ceiling.

Be careful, however, where exactly you are placing the projector. Due to the larger projection surface, the lights shine horizontally at a wide angle.

This advantage of the larger area could also be used incorrectly and have a counterproductive effect. If you set up this starry sky projector incorrectly, the light will shine on your child’s face and will be a hindrance to sleep.

You have to switch off this starry sky projector manually. There is no timer and no remote control, which in my opinion is a significant disadvantage compared to other products.

A USB charging cable is included. The starry sky projector can also be operated with batteries (4x AAA), which are not included in the scope of delivery.

The timeless variant

Recommended age group: 0 – 99 years

The modern solution without a childish look. Somewhat more expensive in terms of price, but the benefits go beyond the recent years.

Here are the most important functions and main arguments for the timeless variant:

  • 2 different motifs: starry sky and water waves
  • 10 different colors
  • Can play music via bluetooth or USB connection
  • Remote control has a range of 12 meters
  • Voice control possible
  • 3 different timer functions
  • 3 different levels of brightness
  • Colors only change manually between projections
  • Can also be charged via USB

But I also see a great advantage in modern projections. In contrast to many other childish motifs, your child is never “too old” for the projections of this starry sky.

As your toddler grows up, at some point in a stubborn manner it may no longer want to have animal pictures or other childish motifs. At some point, the sleep aid for babies can no longer be used and is thus practically superfluous.

For this, the more neutral motifs around the water waves and the classic starry sky score. These also allow you to use this projector for various purposes.

In addition to the classic night light as a sleep aid, the manufacturer also describes the following areas of application:

  • Fest
  • Playroom
  • Party
  • Disco
  • Relaxation
  • Starlight Dinner

Of course, all these areas of application are difficult to imagine with ladybirds or other animals projected on the wall. For this you need a rather neutral look.

I personally like the advanced solution with voice control, of course. As soon as your child finds out the magic trick to control it, however, you can be prepared for something J

The colors do not change automatically, you determine the coloring. I see the only real disadvantage in the inflexible timer. You only have the option …

  • 1 hour
  • 2 hours
  • 3 hours

adjust. Unfortunately, it is not possible to set all times flexibly between these hours.

This starry sky projector cannot be battery operated. The internal USB connection enables the power supply via PowerBank. This means that semi-mobile use is also possible.

The musical one

Recommended age group: 0 – 8 years

You expect one thing above all from a standard version: the starry sky. In addition to this, you are offered an extensive repertoire of music.

Here are the most important functions and main arguments for the musical starry sky:

  • 1 motif: starry sky (+ moons)
  • 4 different colors
  • Can play 12 soothing songs
  • Also contains a 128 MB memory card for additional music tracks
  • Remote control has a range of 10 meters
  • Timer from 5 to 999 minutes possible
  • Colors change automatically between projections

They are particularly flexible in terms of color design. 9 different lighting combinations allow many different starry skies for your child. You can choose a single color or multiple colors at a time.

High-quality loudspeakers allow the preset lullabies to sound pleasantly. Soothing guitar music also helps your children fall asleep.

This is also the projector with the most flexible timer. You can therefore set the timer very flexibly from 5 to 999.

But these special functions were already there. All in all, that’s very little to stand out from the competition and a bit expensive in terms of price.

All of that is pretty little compared to other products and the called price. Since you pay much more here than for the test winner, for example, you should think twice about buying this product.

Attention: The power cord is not included in delivery. The manufacturer recommends the power supply via USB cable.

However, this is included in the scope of delivery and is sufficiently long at 2 meters. However, operation using batteries is also possible. However, these (4x AAA) are not included in the scope of delivery.

Price-performance winner: the elephant

Recommended age group: 0 – 6 years

In contrast to the other starry sky projectors, this starry sky projector lights up in relatively few colors and only in one motif. But convinced

Here are the most important functions and main arguments for the price-performance winner:

  • 1 motif: starry sky (+ moon)
  • 3 different colors
  • Can play 1 song
  • No remote control – touch sensor
  • Timer is presented (5 minutes of music <-> 45 music light)
  • Colors change automatically between projections
  • Great design – the product is an elephant

All of the aforementioned starry sky projectors tend to have a very technical and futuristic design. Of course, this can quickly become a style break in a children’s room with all the childish decoration.

On the other hand, the look of the above product is much more appropriate. The projector is an elephant! In terms of appearance, this cool design fits more into the children’s room between all the toys.

The projector elephant can also be easily operated by your child thanks to the touch sensor.

I have to admit that purely in terms of colors and motifs, the elephant would tend to lose out to the competition. But in my opinion, design and price are the strongest selling points.

Purely in terms of operation, you are somewhat limited. Only one song can be played. The star projection cannot be exhibited, so the elephant cannot serve as a lamp.

You cannot program the timer manually either. So you are more or less tied to the playback mode: after 5 minutes the music switches off, after 45 minutes the light switches off.

The delivery includes the 3 AA batteries for wireless operation. Thus the elephant is also well suited for travel.

Upgrade: the mouse

Recommended age group: 0 – 6 years

So that the elephant does not serve alone as a sleep aid and receives active support, there is a worthwhile upgrade. This set is well worth the money in my opinion.

This mouse set contains the elephant’s best friend, the mouse.

The scope of delivery includes another 3x Micro AAA batteries. The reason for this is that the mouse is not only a pure cuddly toy, but also …

  • at the same time the player of the music
  • Gives light

These two additional functions naturally help directly in the cot and encourage your children to fall asleep. So if it gets too scary in the nursery at night and your child is afraid of the dark, the mouse also helps psychologically.

The slumber night light bathes the sleeping environment in a calming light. Thanks to the removable electronics, the cuddly toy is also washable.

Other alternative sleep aids for children

Even if the following products are not real starry sky projectors, I do not want to withhold the following cool and modern solution from you.

3D projectors

Recommended age group: 6 – 12 years

Realistic 3D projections are possible with the following products and offer a welcome alternative to the starry sky projections mentioned above.

You can’t expect a rotating starry sky from all of these projectors. Here you can expect a static projection on a floor space.

Nevertheless, these 3D projectors can play back color changes and usually even offer more colors than the traditional starry sky. They can also all be battery operated.

But if your son is into dinosaurs or the daughter adores unicorns, you will of course find these 3D projectors just as great. So would not only be a sensible alternative, but also a targeted gift idea at the same time.

For more detailed product information, please click on the respective 3D projector from the list.

There are even more tips in this article: Sleep aids for babies and toddlers .

LED dream catcher

Recommended age group: 0 – 99 years

I also looked a little incredulous. But the following dream catchers can also glow and thus produce a similar effect.

Amazon advertising links / images from the Amazon Product Advertising API

Of course, nothing is projected here, and color changes are not possible. The traditional dream catcher has been expanded to include glowing LED diodes.

The LED dream catcher is also a rather timeless model that does not focus on one age group. Of course, the slightly esoteric touch isn’t for everyone.

As a pure decoration, however, not wrong and often used. And if the child needs to be told a story about Indian dream catchers to calm them down.

Nevertheless, a dream catcher can come into question in several areas outside of the children’s room. With the dimmed lighting you can create a relaxed atmosphere in the garden, terrace, living room, etc.

 

Most of the time, however, these alternatives can be purchased for small sums and of course require much less electricity. Precisely because there are no color changes here and only very simple LED lights are used very discreetly, the batteries also last much longer.

I also see an advantage in the processing of the product. Plastic is avoided, thus protecting the environment. These dream catchers are usually molded from materials like wood, feathers, velvet, pearls, etc.

Reading tip for adults: an overview of the best sleep aids.

For more detailed product information, please click on the respective LED dream catcher from the list.

At the same time you avoid the problem of electrosmog, which I would like to talk about after the product test:

Bonus tip: How you can avoid electrosmog in the children’s room

You remember the problem described above. The starry sky projector triggers electrosmog. This can affect your child’s health and sleep.

 

I was able to find a great solution. This mobile radiation protection helps to fall asleep if your child reacts sensitively to electromagnetic fields.

The further away your child sleeps from electrical appliances, the better. Of course, this does not work in every scenario – children’s rooms differ in their size and equipment from electrical appliances. So this should only be used as an approximate rule of thumb.

You can place this radiation protection where you want to use it. With this mobile all-purpose weapon against electrosmog, you can shield yourself and your baby from the electromagnetic fields without using batteries or electricity.

Conclusion:

As always, however, the following applies: Not everything that you want to buy for the offspring for amusement or occupation will also please the little ones.

Sometimes it is a matter of luck and chance until you find the right sleeping aid. The same applies to starry sky projectors.

Still, they are a good and trustworthy alternative. The investment pays off for you as a buyer thanks to the additional functions and over a long period of use.

I hope this buying guide has helped you a bit in your decision making. Which starry sky projector did you choose? Or did you choose one of the two alternatives mentioned?

Please recommend this page to others in order to help other people with this guide.

I created Sleep Knowledge to share my interests and experiences on healthy sleeping with others. On this page I am therefore dealing with interesting questions about the optimal night’s sleep & everything else that goes with it.

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