How to Pick the Best Light Projector for Your Bedroom
Is your child terrified of the dark and feels too terrified to go to sleep alone? A light project might be the perfect solution. Night light projectors bring the magic of the night sky into the bedroom.
We’ll help you identify the best light projector for the bedroom, whether it’s for a child or an adult looking for a different way to relax.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  Merece LED Star Projector
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| #2 |  AIRIVO Store Northern Lights Aurora Projector
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| #3 |  One Fire Star Projector
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| #4 |  YOVAKO Star Projector Galaxy
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| #5 |  BlissLights Sky Lite
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| #6 |  Clesea Kids Star Projector Night Light
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| #7 |  Mubarek Galaxy Projector
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| #8 |  Fortally Night Light for Kids
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Best Light Projectors
1. Editor’s Choice: Merece LED Star Projector
Key Specs:
- Price Range: $30 – $40
- Color Options: 3
- Light Source Type: LED
Welcome to a light projector that seems to be the complete package. It has five built-in white noise options (from fan to thunderstorm sounds) to improve sleep quality for both children and adults.
This galaxy light projector brings the entire night sky under your roof. You can benefit from the music flash design and the water wave projection effect. It also comes with an integrated timer, a remote control, and Bluetooth connectivity.
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2. Runner Up: AIRIVO Store Northern Lights Aurora Projector
Key Specs:
- Price Range: $30 – $40
- Color Options: 3
- Light Source Type: LED
This light projector offers another array of interesting features. It uses a combination of Northern lights, aurora, and stars to offer an amazing effect each time you use it.
Aside from being a night light, this little device can also double as a Bluetooth speaker. That means you can connect it to your mobile device and enjoy your favorite tunes at any time of day or night. If not, you can always select one of the device’s integrated white noise options.
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3. Best for Kids: One Fire Star Projector
Key Specs:
- Price Range: $30 – $40
- Color Options: 2
- Light Source Type: LED
If your child has issues falling asleep because the room is too dark, this night light might be the perfect investment. This unit is designed with a remote control to help everyone operate it without stepping out of bed.
It is equipped with two auto shutdown timer options. You also have the possibility to let the lights stay on the entire night, if that makes your child feel safer.
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4. Customer Choice: YOVAKO Star Projector Galaxy
Key Specs:
- Price Range: $30 – $40
- Color Options: 2
- Light Source Type: LED
Despite being less expensive than some other similar products, this light projector has a bunch of features that I’m a huge fan of. First up, you can choose from several lighting modes.
It has adjustable brightness, which is always a plus because it caters to the needs of different types of sleepers. It integrates Bluetooth connectivity as well as an automatic shutdown timer.
The remote control is extremely convenient, as it does not require a complicated operation, and is suitable for both adults and children. It can be operated not only via the galaxy projector’s buttons, but also via the remote control.
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5. Best Quality: BlissLights Sky Lite
Key Specs:
- Price Range: $40 – $50
- Color Options: 2
- Light Source Type: LED
This one seems to take home the gold when it comes to quality light projects. This light projector is ready to turn your bedroom into a regular night sky show using a direct diode laser.
You can adjust the brightness and even start or stop the rotating motion. It’s the kind of product that would appeal to both children and adults. You can circle through the different light effects with the press of a button.
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6. Best Design: Clesea Kids Star Projector Night Light
Key Specs:
- Price Range: $40 – $50
- Color Options: 1
- Light Source Type: LED
This vibrant and unpredictable nebula is available in various color combinations and is illuminated by flashing star lights that can be switched on and off via buttons or remote control.
You can choose between 5 different color effects and mix them to get 10 nebula themes. This adorable-looking astronaut also includes an integrated timer that will turn the device off after 45 or 90 minutes.
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7. Best with white noise: Mubarek Galaxy Projector
Key Specs:
- Price Range: $30 – $40
- Color Options: 2
- Light Source Type: LED
You can enjoy a magnificent light show composed of eight different colors that complement a variety of room lighting. You can enjoy your free time and create a relaxing environment for you and your family.
The starlight projector adds a burst of brilliant color to the room while also providing the ideal ambient lighting. The 8 white noises can help ease anxiety and may also aid in sleep deprivation. It features an integrated timer, a remote control, and draws its power from an outlet thanks to the included cord.
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8. Best Budget: Fortally Night Light for Kids
Key Specs:
- Price Range: $10 – $20
- Color Options: 7
- Light Source Type: LED
This little egg-shaped device can be a true helper when you want to set the tone for relaxation and sleep. It comes with LED lights that offer 9 lighting modes to choose from. It draws power from either 4 AAA batteries, but you can also use the included USB cables to connect it to a power outlet.
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You might want to check: Best Projector Night Light
What Is a Light Projector?
The term “night light projector” refers to projecting images of celestial objects onto the walls and ceiling. It’s typically placed inside a bedroom to help our children or toddlers sleep better by visualizing the night sky.
However, light projectors have gained a lot of popularity over the recent years, so plenty of adults choose them for their bedrooms as well. The atmosphere created is unparalleled, some claiming it helps them calm down and soothe their anxiety.
What Is a Light Projector Used For?
Nowadays, night light projectors are extremely versatile and can be used for a variety of purposes. They can be used to lull children to sleep or to set the mood for special occasions. Certain star projectors can play music.
• Better Sleep
If you have children of your own and have struggled to get them to sleep at night, a light projector may be a welcome light soother. Red light emitted by projectors does not inhibit melatonin production and is also not overstimulating.
Most projectors include built-in white noise. Red light projected by projectors combined with white noise in the background is the ultimate recipe for lulling your newborn to sleep peacefully.
• More Ambiance Light
Light projectors may be the ideal ambiance lighting solution. Assume that you’ve planned a special evening with your partner or a friend and have prepared everything, but you’re not so sure about the lights.
A light projector can be a romantic night booster, but it also mesmerizes your partner with a romantic setting, ensuring that this special night is one to remember.
• Lowers Anxiety and Stress
You’re finally in your bedroom after an endless day. You want to unwind, but all you can really think about is work problems, financial issues, arguments, or get stressed about the upcoming day.
A light projector might be that unique touch that draws attention away from all that. A light project is definitely worth a shot with different lighting modes to set the tone for a relaxing evening. After all, if it makes you calmer, wasn’t it a worthwhile investment?
Where Can You Put a Light Projector?
To ensure a complete and clear image, ensure that your room has sufficient space. The best location for a star projector is in the room’s center, where it can project images directly onto the ceiling.
After deciding on an appropriate location for the image to be projected, you should also allow enough space for the projector to throw light.
Most star projectors require a minimum of five to six feet of clearance between the projector and the surface upon which it projects. If there is insufficient space, the images become blurry. To get the most stunning light show, consult the supplier’s instruction manual.
Take note to position the projector so that it does not shine directly on your baby’s face. Although the light emitted by the projector is gentle and safe, avoid shining it directly into your baby’s eyes. It is dangerous for some projectors that emit intense laser light to project directly on the eyes.
Can a Light Projector Work Outside?
There are ones designed to work outside. Just make sure to read the label and instructions included in the product description before buying.
What to Look for in a Light Projector for the Bedroom
You may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of night light projectors available, and it is not always possible to devote an inordinate amount of time to the research process to find the best one. So how do you choose the best light projector for your needs?
• Style
Certain night light projectors include replaceable projection films and a detachable white plastic cover. By removing the cover, you can use it as a night light or as a projector lamp.
Additionally, the projection films feature a variety of patterns, allowing you to switch between them to create new lighting effects.
Most light projectors come pre-programmed with various lighting effects, such as ocean wave, aurora, nebulae, and galaxies. They incorporate RGB LEDs to create a vibrant projection.
• Timer
While it’s enjoyable to watch the lights, constellations, and stars projected on the walls and ceiling, it’s not ideal if the projector continues to operate throughout the night, even after falling asleep.
Essentially, most light projectors include a timer setting that enables you to program the timer from 1 to 4 hours. When the timer expires, the projector will automatically shut down.
Certain projectors include an integrated auto timer that does not require manual adjustment; it will automatically shut down after several hours.
• Bluetooth
Needless to say, the Bluetooth capability is a bonus. Many projectors now include Bluetooth speakers, allowing you to enjoy the light show while listening to music from an external device via the projector’s speaker.
• Controls
Over 80% of night light projectors sold on Amazon come with a remote control, while less than 20% come with an app control device. Both the remote control and the app allow you to adjust the settings remotely, eliminating the need to manually operate the projector.
However, it is quite common that you will lose your remote and cannot locate it. In this case, you will have to control the projector via its button switch, which will disable some patterns or functions.
While an app-controlled projector can be connected to your phone, tablet, or another device, it provides the most flexibility and supports more features.
• Display Mode
The projector’s images can be rotating or static. Choose a projector with a rotating feature if you want a dynamic display. This allows the projector to move the images across the camera and project them onto the surface of your choice. You can select a still display to focus the images on a specific area.
You can choose between rotating or still displays, depending on what you prefer. Typically, a starry projector with a rotating function is equipped with a button switch, allowing you to choose how you want to display the pattern.
• Power and Portability
We plug most light projectors into an outlet, and only a few run on AAA batteries. Certain projectors can operate on either batteries or electricity. I’d recommend you invest in rechargeable lithium-ion batteries for best results.
Whichever method of powering the projector you choose will be determined by the environment in which it will be used. The plug-in night light projectors are ideal if you intend to use it in the bedroom near the bedside, where the outlet is easily accessible.
A battery-powered projector is a better choice if you intend to transport it or use it in locations without easy access to a plug socket. If you choose the battery version, be sure to check the battery’s capacity. A good star projector should last approximately 10 hours on a full charge.
You might be interested: Best Night Lights of 2022
Tips for Using a Light Projector
Since most of buy light projectors to soothe our little human come bedtime, let’s look at some good practices for making the best out of these tools:
- Consider turning it on prior to bringing them into the room, so they enter a dimly lit, calming environment.
- Lay your baby down and allow them to settle while they gaze at the shapes and patterns projected by your night light.
- Once your infant has fallen asleep, turn it off. We all sleep better in dimly lit rooms with few sources of light.
- If your baby prefers that the light remain on throughout the night, try to position it in the room so that the source of light is hidden from the baby’s perspective.
The Bottom Line
Finding the best light projector for the bedroom can take a while because many different options are available. Keep in mind that if you want to use this in a child’s room, you want a product that makes minimal noise, has adjustable brightness, and is safe to be around kids. We’ve got so many great tips to share, like our list of the best weighted blankets for kids.
Photo credit: Overdose Studio/Shutterstock