
ZDNET Highlights
- The Govi Star Light Projector is available for $80.
- This smart light offers an aurora-like display with coverage up to 650 square feet
- It has over 16 million color options and over 50 preset scenes, including music and white noise.
- Although a great projector, the Govi app is not intuitive or user-friendly, leaving you guessing as to how to change some settings and features.
I have young children who rely on bedtime rituals to fall asleep. Yes, I created these routines, but they work for all three, and as a person who values my own sleep, I’m not about to change them. after testing Govi Star Light Projector Over several months, I’ve found that it makes bedtime much easier. It’s more than just a night light or white noise machine – it goes above and beyond.
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Govee unveiled a series of new smart lighting products last year: Govee Strip Light 2 Pro, COB Strip Light Pro, Curtain Lights 2, Icicle Lights, Star Light Projector, and Christmas String Lights 2.
I was especially excited to test the Star Light Projector with my kids, who rely on the combination of a projector and smart light at night. My kid loves the unicorn-shaped Govee Neon Rope 2 in her room, but it’s too bright as a night light because it’s positioned right above her bed. To solve this, I added an affordable RGB projector that keeps him entertained and also works as a night light.
My three-year-old is the most challenging sleeper out of all my kids, and I’ve definitely nailed it. With a night light and a separate white noise machine, my little “Threenagar” loves to fall asleep listening to a lullaby. The new Govi Star Light Projector has replaced my kids’ entire bedtime setup, from the projector to the white noise machine and even the HomePod Mini for lullabies.
The Govi Star Lite is easy to set up out of the box with a companion app, but you’ll primarily use the on-device buttons to control it. The visuals were spectacular the first time I turned it on for my kids, who were surprised and amazed at the dreamy mix of lights all around them, having only seen a $14 RGB projector before.
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The lights are stunning and highly customizable, mixing to create new colors and effects similar to the Northern Lights. The projector features a dual lamp bead design, projecting a flowing light with a starry sky. Besides being a great sleep aid for both kids and adults, it’s perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere or setting the mood at a party – it’ll definitely be the highlight of any sleepover.
The Govi app has over 50 preset scene modes, many with music and white noise options, though you can mix and match to customize your experience. The Govi app isn’t the most user-friendly software I’ve tested, as it’s difficult to figure out how to customize patterns and colors beyond the preset views. Still, some trial and error got me where I and my kids ultimately wanted.
ZDNET’s shopping advice
Govi Star Light Projector It has changed how my baby sleeps and what my husband and I have to do to get him to sleep. Instead of playing lullabies on the HomePod mini, we now play them on the Star Light’s speaker and switch it to white noise after a while.
Now I don’t have to manually turn on the projector for the night light, which I had to do with the old one. This is a great option for those who enjoy intense lights for relaxation, especially if you like to fall asleep while watching them while listening to the sound of a stream in the middle of the forest. At $80 (currently $56), the multifunctional aspect of the Star Light Projector makes it worth it.

