Govee Star Light Projector review

We have reviewed countless star projectors and are always excited to see new arrivals in the market. There are literally hundreds of star projectors available, so we keep an eye out for models that have unique or different functionality than those we have reviewed.

The Govee Star Light Projector (model number H6093), which was released in September 2024, is one of them, thanks to its multifunctional design and simple smart home connectivity. We put it to the test against the models we already reviewed in our best star projector guide. It is not a scientific star projector. Rather, it's meant to create an immersive, space-like environment. Govee has a good reputation in the lighting world, so we were excited to try it out. Let's get started.

Govee Star Light Projector review

Govee Star Light Projector: Design

★★★★

• Nice, gift-friendly packaging
• Fairly large footprint
• Smart, quality-looking unit

Because star projectors make excellent gifts, their packaging is always worth mentioning. Companies sometimes overlook this nowadays, since "shelf appeal" isn't as important in the online shopping world. But when you're purchasing a product for someone special, first impressions count.

We're happy to report that the Govee Star Light Projector box is nicely designed, with different-colored aurora-like patterns on each side of the decent-quality box. It doesn't have grammatical or spelling errors due to translation, which we've found is often the case with this type of product. It also includes the "CE" mark and various international packaging symbols that give confidence that this product is high-quality. Inside, the unit is sufficiently protected with polyethylene foam.

The unit itself looks smart; it's shaped like an American football chopped in half and sits in a stand that allows the device to pivot vertically. It is available in only one color: black. As with other black plastics, we got frustrated by having to rub fingerprints and dust specks off the unit during the daytime, as they show up very easily. This isn't a deal-breaker, though; as we said, it's a nice-looking unit.

No assembly is required. You just place the unit where you'd like it and pivot the head up or down until you find the desired angle. There are five function buttons on the back to control the power, white noise (built-in sounds), play/pause, volume, and light scene changer. There is a decent amount of spacing between each button, but it is almost impossible to see which button is which in the dark (when you'll be using this device). We would have liked to see glow-in-the-dark or backlit buttons.

The buttons need a fair amount of force to be pushed. Given that the unit is light, at just under 3 pounds (a little over a kilogram), we found ourselves steadying the device while pushing the buttons so we wouldn't launch it off the table.

Govee Star Light Projector: Performance

★★★★

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• Incredibly quick smart home connection
• Pleasingly bright colors and lasers
• Noisy motor

To our surprise, when we plugged in the unit and powered it on for the first time, without touching anything, our Google Pixel 7 Pro recognized the device using "Matter." It's the first star projector we've reviewed that utilizes this consumer-friendly standard. It took only seconds to power up and add the device to our Google Home account as a smart device. This meant we could use voice, phone and Google Nest to power the device on and off and set up automation. Matter means it will work across most smart home platforms, including Google Home and Alexa Smart Home. We were impressed by how easy this was.

We were — and have continued to be — delighted with the lights' brightness and room coverage. Even during the daytime, the colors still pop, the lasers shine brightly and it looks seriously impressive in the dark. All of the preprogrammed "scene" modes are lovely, and you can create your own scenes in DIY mode if you want to. It's one of the most customizable star projectors we've come across.

Notably, however, the motor that moves the lights is quite loud. It's clear that users have made the company aware of this issue; not long after creating our Govee account and pairing the device, we received an email titled "Understanding the Motor Sound of Your Govee Star Light Projector," with tips to reduce the sound (essentially, using fewer effects). Although this doesn't eliminate the problem, it's nice to know Govee is responsive to feedback.

The email states that the company's tests measured the sound volume at approximately 30 decibels when 30 centimeters (about a foot) from the unit. During our own testing, we found it to be more like 37 dB, and we ended up turning it off to concentrate on a task. This device would be best suited to someone using it alongside other noise — for example, while gaming, watching movies, or partying.

Govee Star Light Projector: Functionality

★★★★★

• App control
• Highly effective music-syncing mode
• One of the better Bluetooth speakers we've come across in a star projector

To get full functionality from the speaker, we needed to download the Govee app and create an account, which is typical of most smart home devices. Again, we couldn't have been more impressed with the speed and ease of connecting the unit with the app; there was not a single error message. The first time you pair the Govee Star Light Projector, you are taken through a unit update and an optional on-screen user guide, but everything in the app is perfectly navigable without prior knowledge.

You can pick scenes to suit different moods and holidays, for example. There are 52 of these preset modes, including Halloween, Christmas, Romantic, Universe, and Space Walk. You can set a sleep timer (which is set to four hours automatically), adjust the brightness, and even make the unit change depending on any music playing, either from the unit itself or nearby. This function is very effective, and you can use the app to adjust the sensitivity and control what happens in this mode (gathering, dynamic or calm).

In addition to the lighting scenes, the "white noise" function comes with 18 preloaded tracks. Personally, we're not fans of preloaded sounds; they seem superfluous to us, and we rarely use them. However, we can see why they might be useful to soothe a baby, for example.

You can also use the unit as a Bluetooth speaker. We're always a little skeptical of devices with this many features, but we're pleased to report that the speaker is pretty decent! Of course, it doesn't rival the best Bluetooth speakers on the market, and audiophiles would want a fuller sound with more bass. But we've been more than happy using the device for background music and podcasts.

Should I buy the Govee Star Light Projector?

We're writing this as users who have reviewed countless star projectors, and we are pleased to say this model is among the best. At around $79, the Govee Star Light Projector isn't cheap, but we can see why it's priced higher than other models. The only people we wouldn't recommend this unit to would be those looking to use it as a sleep aid or in a quiet space. The sound of the motor really needs to be masked by something.

For a quieter model with similar functionality, consider the Cadrim star projector (review to follow). It is much smaller, and you can barely hear any noise when it's powered on. You control it with buttons on the device and a remote rather than with an app, but we were pleased with the level of functionality and customization for the price.

For disc-based projectors, the Sega Toys Homestar Matataki is our main choice for a plug-in device, and the Pococo Galaxy star projector is the best rechargeable option.

If app customization is important to you, consider the Encalife Aurora Borealis Northern Lights Star Projector, though the music pickup (for dynamic light displays) isn't as good as the Govee star projector's.