Chicco Next2Stars Night Light Projector Review

This review focuses on the Chicco Next2Stars Night Light Projector (£24.95), designed specifically for 'Next To Me' cribs within the Chicco Next2Me range, although it claims to fit most cots, including travel cots.

The primary function of this battery-operated light projector is to create a relaxing atmosphere for your baby, promoting calm and aiding sleep. It features a smart sensor that activates music and lights when the baby cries. The music plays for 30 minutes, with volume control and a selection of genres. Gentle projections of coloured stars enhance the soothing environment. Additionally, a cuddly plush toy is included, which is detachable and machine washable. There are similar products on the market, notably Vtech V-Hush Sleep Training Soother (£29.99), Infantino 3-in-1 Projector (£42), and the well-known Sweet Dreamers’ Ewan The Dream Sheep (£29.99). The alternatives offer similar functions, and all appear to be well-reviewed. Comparatively, the sensor ability of the Next2Stars appears to be the obvious stand-out.

Testing the Chicco Next2 Stars Night Light Projector

As second-time parents of two boys, we tested this projector with our youngest son, who is three and a half months old. This review reflects our experience with a baby of his age, and results may vary with older or younger children. We tested the product for about two months, attaching it to a Next To Me crib (an alternative to the Chicco model) at various times of day to ensure a comprehensive evaluation during different moods and settings.

The packaging is appealing and user-friendly. The projector is visible through the front of the box, allowing buyers to see the item before purchasing. The colours match the product, and the brand is prominently displayed at the top.

Setting up the projector was relatively easy; we simply inserted batteries (not included) and secured the battery compartment with a screw to keep it out of reach of little hands. However, we found attaching and detaching it from the crib a bit cumbersome. Despite being universally compatible with all cribs, the projector leaned into the baby’s crib, which did not feel entirely safe. Even when the mount was tightly secured, it felt a bit loose.

The instructions were clear and easy to follow, which was a plus. The product performed its intended function, but the melodies sounded somewhat tinny and lacked quality. While the music didn’t upset our son, it wasn't soothing for us, and he did not fall asleep to it.

Overall, our son enjoyed the gentle projection of stars onto the ceiling. The light-changing effect appeared calming, and it was not overly bright or stimulating. He seemed to enjoy looking at the lights for short periods, although he became unsettled after a few minutes. Compared to a standard nightlight, he was content for longer—about 5-10 minutes—but I wished it would hold his attention for a bit longer, allowing me time to do things like make a coffee. The projector worked much better at night when he was already sleepy. However, he never fell asleep with it on, which was one reason we considered purchasing it. Another aspect that we were hoping would outshine others in its field was the sensor to restart the machine if activated by a cry. This appeared to be a great function and worked well during the day. However, it also activated whilst the baby was not in the crib (which frightened the life out of me downstairs) - luckily, this wasn't during the night as this could have been disastrous.

Final verdict

In summary, I feel this product does not justify its price. Compared to other light and sound projectors, it felt rather cheap. Although our son was briefly soothed by the lights, it did not hold his attention long enough to be useful, nor did it help him fall asleep. This would likely vary from baby to baby, which is an important factor to consider. For us, I feel that there are better alternatives for the price range put there.