Best lightsabers 2024: Toys, replicas, and props

If you want to become a Jedi Knight (or Sith, we're not judging), you're going to need one of the best lightsabers that credits can buy. Thanks to Black Friday, the lightsaber of your dreams might end up coming with a hefty discount, too — like the 44% saving currently available on the Yoda Black Series lightsaber.

We've included official lightsabers like the legendary Black Series and Galaxy’s Edge replicas that are perfect for cosplayers and collectors, alongside some more affordable options that are perfect for kids.

We've tried to cover a range of eras too, with lightsabers from the prequels and classic movies up to the modern trilogy and Disney+ Star Wars TV shows. If you want to complete your Star Wars cosplay then our best Star Wars costumes guide has you covered.

The quick list

These are our picks of the best lightsabers in a quick, easy-to-view format. For more in-depth information, scroll down where you'll find details on each lightsaber and links to individual reviews.

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Best lightsabers to buy in 2024

Best overall

Some of the easiest replica lightsabers to find are the Galaxy’s Edge Legacy Lightsabers, which are officially licensed Disney products and can be used alongside a lightsaber blade purchased at the Galaxy’s Edge park. While it's fun to grab one from one of the official theme parks directly, you can also find these across Amazon and Walmart, though the blade is sold separately from the hilt.

You can also buy the light-up blade online, but this could be a hindrance given its additional expense. Still, these character-specific designs, such as Kylo Ren, Darth Vader and Luke Skywalker, only vary in the hilt design, which makes the process of buying a blade a little easier when they’re actually in stock at the Shop Disney store.

Griping aside, these are some of the best officially licensed replica lightsabers to ever hit the market and a cut above the usual pop-up plastic toys you find down the toy aisle of Walmart. They’re better used as a displayed prop, but they do feature fantastic light and sound effects and come with a recommended age rating of 8+, making them perfect for swinging around for kids and grownups alike.

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Best Darth Vader

The most impressive lightsaber we've been able to brandish recently belongs to the Dark Lord himself, Darth Vader. It's an excellent collector-grade lightsaber that packs advanced LED technology, progressive ignition, and sound effects that even include duel and battle clash effects.

The hefty price tag will surely make some fans take a step back, but we're not joking when we say this is one of the finest lightsabers out there. Take a look at our Darth Vader Force FX Lightsaber review where we awarded it five stars. If you've got the money and consider everything this Black Series Force FX Elite has to offer, it's an excellent pick to crown any collection. There's even a bonus kyber crystal that can be added to the hilt or kept on display, an uncommon extra that the biggest Star Wars fans will appreciate. 

More importantly, this iteration of Vader's iconic red saber is based on his appearance in the Obi-Wan Kenobi series, meaning it reflects all the small tweaks and updates done to the design for the latest on-screen duels between Vader and Kenobi.

• Read our full The Black Series Darth Vader Force FX Elite Lightsaber review.

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Best Obi-Wan

Much like the latest iteration of Darth Vader's lightsaber, the Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX lightsaber is based on the show and feels like the ultimate Black Series replica of Obi-Wan’s weapon out there. Both sabers look even better together.

In our Obi-Wan Kenobi Force DX review, we noted how some corners have definitely been cut, but it's overall way above the competition, and the weathering effect on the hilt — the sands of Tatooine aren't kind to anything — adds a nice and unique touch that perfectly represents Obi-Wan's eroded state in the series. It's hard to fully capture all the little, movie-accurate features of a lightsaber, but Hasbro aren't joking with their Force FX Elite line.

Though there are better options available if you strictly want to put it on a shelf or are looking to swing it around, the Force FX Elite is a perfect all-around pick that does everything well and comes with plenty of bells and whistles. It's viable for display, cosplay, and even some light action. And if you pay lots of attention to the materials and details, it feels heavy and genuine (aside from the cheaper plastic neck of the emitter).

• Read our full Obi-Wan Kenobi Force FX Elite Lightsaber review.

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Best Luke Skywalker

Luke Skywalker's lightsaber is well recognized throughout the franchise, which is unsurprising given not only did it belong to the first protagonist of the original trilogy, but it was also one of the first lightsabers to ever appear on screen. 

The Black Series is a range design by Hasbro that offers a more accurate replica of the on-screen props, while still being officially branded as a children's toy, so this model can be played with and used in duels.

Doing so will reveal lighting and sound effects when clashed against a surface, and while this is far from what enthusiasts would call 'dueling quality,' you can smack it around without having to worry too much about snapping anything.

Still, it's far from cheap, so it's understandable that collectors prefer to keep this as a mounted display prop, and while it's based on Luke's blade from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, it isn’t a 100% accurate replica of the original which may bother perfectionists.

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Best Kylo Ren

Love them or hate them, the sequel trilogy introduced a new generation to the Star Wars universe and, with it, a new villain in the form of Kylo Ren. His iconic, medieval-inspired lightsaber is characterized in the movies with crackling sound effects to represent the unstable kyber crystal housed within, something that's beautifully replicated within this faithful prop toy.

You're getting 80 LEDs for bright lighting, a real metal hilt, and the ability to switch between Battle FX for combat sounds and Molten FX to simulate you melting the environment with the blade when you press it against a surface, as seen when wielded by Kylo in the franchise. 

You get a collectors stand in the box if you want to keep this displayed on a desk, but it can withstand being swung around as long as you're not being too rough with it. Outside of extremely expensive small-batch replicas, this version of the Supreme Leader's lightsaber is considered to be one of the best officially licensed products available on the market.

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Best Darksaber

The movies aren't the only Star Wars media to have captured our hearts, with the Emmy award-winning Clone Wars series proving an especially popular watch for both children and adults alike (check out our list of the best Star Wars: The Clone Wars episodes). The Darksaber first appeared in this animated series and has since gone on to feature in The Mandalorian, a live-action series on Disney Plus, so while this particular blade has never made it onto the big screen, it's a very iconic and recognizable lightsaber for Star Wars enthusiasts.

You’re getting a selection of light and sound effects, which do a pretty good job at emulating the original iconic design, and of course, the style more closely resembles that of an actual ninjatō, the weapon of choice for Ninjas during Japan's feudal era.

This Black Series replica Dark Saber isn't cheap, but that's hardly unique to this particular design. It is, however, on the delicate side, so while it's tempting to swing it around and pretend you're going to lead the Mandalorians in battle, this is probably best left as a display-only collectible.

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Best for kids

If you're not a super fan then it can be pretty difficult to distinguish which of the common blue and green colored lightsabers belong to what character, but if you're buying for a small child then this could be a benefit more than a hindrance. This officially licensed Disney lightsaber is styled after Yoda's blade, but for kids who just want a recognizable lightsaber to swish around. Thankfully, you can easily locate this model in Disney stores and on websites like Amazon.

It doesn't have the usual pop-up style that many other toy lightsabers have, but that gives it a bit more structure for being inevitably whacked against things, and you still have some decent sound effects when the blade is in motion.

It's far from perfect and it's not ideal as a collector’s replica, and the lights look dull when compared to other toy sabers on the market, but for an officially licensed toy, it's an affordable purchase that your kids will adore.

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Best build-your-own lightsaber

The fact that a lightsaber is unique to its wielder is something that runs deep in Star Wars lore, and while the experience of making your very own at Disney World sounds fantastic, it's also a pricey affair. A much cheaper alternative is the Jedi Master Bladebuilders Lightsaber from Hasbro, a kit that lets you switch between several styles of hilt, blade, and angles to create a fully playable toy.

It's still on the expensive side for a kids' toy, and those small parts could go missing if they're not looked after, but this is a breath of fresh air from the pop-up toys or solid blades often seen on the shelves. You can also use them with other lightsabers in the Bladebuilders range, giving you a spectrum of customization.

This lightsaber can take a decent beating for a modular toy, and you also get movie-accurate sound and light effects that'll make for memorable battle moments. Unfortunately, this does require six batteries to run which is a lot more than any of the other lightsaber models out there.

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Best unofficial lightsaber

Most unofficial lightsabers aim to ape the look and feel of the movies, without actually creating replicas of any famous character's weapons. Not so with the SabersPro line-up, which offers a load of Star Wars character replicas alongside the usual array of custom sabers. Is such a thing legal? What am I, a lawyer? What I can tell you is that they've done a fantastic job with the Obi-Wan Episode 3 replica.

This thing looks incredibly screen-accurate, with all the details and gubbins that you'd expect to see on Master Kenobi's iconic blade. The design is very clean, which might not be to everyone's taste if you're using it for cosplay, but you can't deny that it looks like Kenobi's lightsaber, fresh off the workbench. Cosplayers can always dirty it up themselves if needed too. It's a well-built piece of kit too, as you'd expect for the price, with a metal body, detachable blade and a rechargeable battery.

The lighting effects are fantastic too. It's so much brighter and more vibrant than any of the official sabers that I've wielded in the past. You also get the option to switch to a variety of blade colors and sound packs, which is nice, if a bit off for a replica of a specific blade. Useful if you want to cosplay evil Kenobi for a day with a red version of his saber. Some of the sounds included are definitely not licensed though, with some Star Wars movie quotes and even sounds from other franchises like Tron, Stargate and Jurassic Park… yeah, I know, what?

Despite these weird choices, this is one of the best-looking and most premium-feeling replica lightsabers I’ve come across, so it’s maintaining the high ground for now.

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Best budget unofficial

Encalife lightsabers are relatively affordable as far as custom blades go, which makes them a great way to dip your toes into saber collecting before jumping into a customizable order. As we discussed in our Encalife Lightsaber review, there are very few alterations you can make, with the only adjustments being in regard to the light and sound effects, and that's going to come with its own set of pros and cons.

It's a good way of getting started without too much complexity, though other brands will allow you to select individual hilt and blade components to create a product that exactly suits your requirements. If you're not too fussed about that then Encalife’s Lightsabers are an easy off-the-shelf alternative.

Better yet, these sabers are highly durable and combat-ready, so you're getting incredible motion-activated light and sound effects in a robust enough package to actually swing around and whack things with — it's hard not to feel like a real Jedi or Sith when you're battling it out with friends, which makes these well-suited for LARP and roleplay.

• Read our full Encalife Lightsabers review

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Best custom

Vader's Vault is a US-based custom lightsaber manufacturer that uses premium components, so it’s little wonder that these blades are often described as highly realistic movie props more than toys. 

Like many other custom sabers though, you can swing these around for roleplay (or just general fun). The lower-end products are fairly reasonable, but limited edition runs can easily exceed $2,000+, which is more than most will be willing to pay. And we're not sure we'd want to swing around anything costing that much.

Wait times are also an issue, with some customers claiming to have waited up to six months to receive their lightsaber. Instructions are also not provided with the product which can make connecting Bluetooth to change features a pain, but there’s a thriving online community of Vader's Vault customers who can offer a helping hand.

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Honorable mentions

These lightsabers are lightsabers we've previously recommended, and still feel are worth mentioning. They may have been succeeded by newer models or knocked off by something that's come along a little cheaper, or a little fancier — but regardless, we think they're still worth considering if you're shopping for one of the best lightsabers. 

The world of custom lightsabers is vast and expensive, leagues apart from the plastic toys we've seen on this list so far. You're unlikely to find many accurate replicas due to licensing, but for anyone looking for the brightest, professionally-made blades then the following manufacturers are the way to go.

Sabertrio tops the list thanks to it's glowing reviews and incredible build quality, and while custom lightsabers are typically very pricey, they offer many different configurable options that can make the cost feel reasonable when stacked against rival offerings. From combat-ready stunt sabers to neopixels equipped with soundboards to load in your own audio effects, there's a reason that Sabertrio lightsabers are so in demand. 

In fact, that demand can cause issues, as to get your hands on one you'll need to keep an eye out for stock drops, as the store often sells out as quickly as fresh inventory appears.

Want something you can order quickly, but still value all the amazing features you've seen mentioned above? Kybers sells its duel-ready lightsabers directly on Amazon, so while that means there's not much in the way of configuration, the process is extremely simple, and you’re still getting an arguably 'cooler' saber than you'd find at your local toy store.

There are a few issues, the main one being that shipping doesn’t appear to be available outside of the US, and as Kybers appears to be based in a non-English speaking country the language is a little confusing at times. Still, these things don't impact the overall quality of the product, and the Kybers' Amazon store has a pretty solid review rating from customers for some peace of mind.

There are also plenty of videos from both the creators themselves and those submitted by previous customers, so you can get an idea of what you're ordering before you add one to your basket. While they're simple, they're sturdy enough to smack around, with a metal hilt and some fantastic sound and light effects to boot.

Saberforge is a great option if you're looking to step into customizing your own lightsaber or even building one from scratch. The website is very clean and well laid out, reducing any confusion you might have when buying parts. They’re also rather affordable when compared to rival offerings, but you may get caught out by parts such as hilts and blades being sold separately.

You can really inject some personality into your lightsaber here though, with axe-style blades available alongside the usual straight tubes, and you can keep costs down by selecting a standard infinity blade over a threaded neopixel tube.

The customer service has a few complaints online, but Saberforge offers some of the best-looking hilt designs on the market without making your own from scratch, so if you want a gorgeous lightsaber you might be happy to look past that.

Ultra Sabers are another favored affordable option that lets you customize your lightsaber around your budget. Stunt sabers are available from just $60, though it's worth noting that these won't come with any sounds or reactive lighting, instead offering a single colored blade.

Ultra Sabers are well respected in the dueling community, and the lightsabers are capable of taking a real beating during fights. That, when factored in with the price, makes these the ideal choice for LARPing or other roleplay activities. 

The configurations are very straightforward and each component is well explained, so putting together a custom order is easier done on the Ultra Sabers website than it is on rival manufacturers. If you want a handcrafted product, though, the hilts are mass-produced to keep costs low, so bear that in mind before you buy.

Bendu Armory rose to popularity after creating some of the first carbon fiber hilts on the market, which were celebrated for their weight, balance, and durability when compared to aluminum offerings made by rival manufacturers. Better yet, they remain one of the most affordable options available for people looking to purchase their first lightsaber.

There are other benefits outside of the choice of materials, with Bendu developing a ‘quick swap’ chassis to allow you to rapidly swap the shell of the lightsaber hilt out without fiddling around with any tools. There are even staff options for the hilts, adding some variety to people looking for something outside of the usual sword-inspired designs.

The website can be a little confusing for newcomers though, with the configuration options listed when building your custom saber offering very little information outside of the additional costs, so make sure you brush up your lightsaber knowledge on some forums before your purchase.

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Lightsaber FAQs

How we test the best lightsabers

Here at Space.com, we give you detailed, impartial advice on what makes the best lightsabers on the market. Our team of experts have tested a selection of the lightsabers here, and you'll find links through to our full reviews where we have.

That hands-on information has allowed us to compare other lightsabers, picking out what makes the best. We've looked at things like price, build quality and features to ensure we're offering you the best on the market across a range of price points.

We're confident we can provide enough information to help you make an informed decision as to whether a lightsaber is for you or not.