When making our picks, we found a balance between fantastical projectors, options for kids and adults, and a more scientifically accurate model that’s great for those who love astronomy.

Laser projectors can be great replacements for a room-dominating big-screen TV, but kids, cats and even fellow housemates can cause you to lose sight of the action if they move in front of the light.

A projector can be a better option for kids in certain situations. Projectors generally emit softer, indirect light, which is easier on the eyes compared to the direct light from a TV. This can ...