Here is where you'll find the best lightsabers that credits can buy ahead of Cyber Monday in a galaxy not so far, far away.
There's a wide range of the best lightsabers out there and with Cyber Monday here, we're seeign some of the top models with a sizable discount. If it's a deal you're looking for, check out the lightsaber section in our Cyber Monday deals hub. Regardless of your budget or your needs, you'll find something suitable below, whether it's for display or cosplay purposes, or even if you want to recreate your favorite battle scenes.
It's worth noting that this is a golden age for Star Wars content new theatrical releases and now hit TV shows like "The Mandalorian" and "Ahsoka" available to stream on Disney Plus. As a result, we're seeing some great merchandise too. This means that the best lightsabers out there offer genuine quality and we've reviewed a lot of the models, so you get an honest in-depth look at them.
This guide focuses on official Disney products but, it's worth noting there's quality "unofficial" products too. If the best lightsabers can't fill your Star Wars needs, then checking out the best Star Wars costumes, the Star Wars movies in chronological order and the best Lego Star Wars deals might. Black Friday has finished and for the best lightsabers this Cyber Monday, navigate your way through our in-depth guide below.
Best official lightsabers
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 which 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. 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.
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.
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 ain’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.
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 on 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.
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.
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.
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.
Did you know that only official partners are permitted to make exact replicas of real lightsabers? This Luke Skywalker lightsaber from Hasbro might not be as flashy as a neopixel blade or even a pricy model from The Black series of replicas, but it is as close as a kids toy can get to being a screen-accurate remake of Luke Skywalkers' iconic weapon.
The blade obviously isn’t as fancy as the hilt, but this is a necessary pain to accommodate another cool feature - this lightsaber can be customized using other blades from the Bladebuilders series of toys from Hasbro, which means you’re not limited to this just being Skywalkers replica.
As with most lightsaber toys, it comes with motion-activated noise and lighting effects so you can pretend you’re the man himself while you swing it around. The price is a little high for our liking, but official Star Wars toys don’t come cheap these days so you’ll have to cough up the cash if you have your heart set on a model designed after one of your favorite Star Wars heroes.
Best toy lightsabers
It isn’t easy for everyone to visit Galaxy’s Edge to build their own lightsaber, but luckily there are easier and more affordable options for smaller kids. The Bladebuilders series from Hasbro allows you to swap different pieces around, creating a customized toy that can be switched between other models within the series. This toy is based on Kylo Ren’s blade from the sequel trilogy and simulates classic light and sound effects from the films when you swing it around.
Unlike the collector’s replicas above, this is instead designed to be used as part of a Halloween costume or play fighting, and so it can take a substantial beating (provided a child is the one smacking it around). The red plastic pops up to extend the blade out and comes in a unique texture that resembles the crackling, distorted plasma seen on screen.
With the animated Star Wars: The Clone Wars episodes now airing on the Disney Plus streaming service, alongside the more recent The Mandalorian TV series, chances are your kids may have seen the Dark Saber in action, and we can hardly blame them if they want one of their own to swing around. It’s a seriously cool-looking saber, with a design that’s closer to swords used by real-life Japanese Shinobi (ninjas).
Suitable for ages 4+, you get the usual light and sound effects from swinging it around, though it isn’t as bright as the more standard designs. Still, it can withstand some light dueling and works well as a costume accessory, toy, or decorative prop.
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 as 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.
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.
It’s refreshing to see action toys equipped with female voice lines, and with this official Disney lightsaber being modeled on the version Rey uses in the sequel trilogy, you can hear phrases said by the young heroine throughout the movies.
With it resembling other popular blades (such as Luke and Anakin Skywalker’s), you might be tempted to grab this lightsaber as a costume prop, but be warned - you can’t disable the voice. So, if you want to use the other light and sound effects, you’ll have to endure the character phrases, too.
Still, that makes this a fantastic toy for young girls who are a fan of the trilogy, and the perfect toy to go with a costume. Plus, there’s also a QR code on the hilt you can scan to access free Jedi training videos to guide your swing and combat styles.
Best unofficial 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 sell’s 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 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.
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. There are very few alterations you can make, with the only adjustments being in regards to the light and sound effects, and that's going to come with its own set of pros and con.
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 durably 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.
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.
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.
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.
What controls a lightsaber's color?
Lightsabers in the Star Wars franchise are swords of pure, plasma energy that can cut through just about anything, though the real-world versions are far safer to wield. The color of a lightsaber’s blade depends on the kyber crystal that powers it, but can also be influenced by its user’s thoughts. This means that lightsabers are completely personal to the wielder, making it easy to tell the difference between Darth Vader and Yoda’s respective blades.
