It’s Star Wars season, with The Last Jedi fast approaching, making it the third year in a row that we’ve been given a new Star Wars film for Christmas – how lucky we are.
With it comes the usual barrage of new Star Wars toys and gadgets, which make the perfect fodder for Christmas gifts this year – to friends, family, or maybe just yourself. Be sure to check out our general Christmas tech gift guide for more inspiration.
There’s an almost overwhelming amount of Star Wars merch out though, so it’s hard to know where to begin. Luckily for you, we’ve taken on the arduous task of spending long office hours playing around with Star Wars toys to let you know which are the droids you’re looking for.
Sphero R2-D2
Two years after bringing BB-8 to life with a remote-control droid, Sphero has done it again, releasing what is undoubtedly the best R2-D2 toy we’ve ever seen.
Like BB-8 before it, this R2 is controlled entirely by an accompanying mobile app, which you can use to drive him about, flash his lights, and trigger animations and sound effects. The head dome can rotate independently of the body, and there’s even a functioning retractable tripod leg.
There are even some simple AR mini-games, and R2 can watch the Star Wars movies with you and react along the way – or react to the presence of other Sphero droids.
Put simply, this is the R2 toy you’ve been waiting for since you were a kid.
Lego Millennium Falcon
There are hundreds of incredible Star Wars Lego sets, including the amazing Slave I, Boba Fett’s famous craft, but our favourite Lego set from a galaxy far, far away has got to be the Millennium Falcon.
It’s a set with over 1300 pieces, so if you’re buying for a child then they might need some help, and if you’re buying for yourself, then don’t worry – we won’t tell anyone. We want one too!
Oh, and if that’s not enough for you, there’s always the 7,500-piece collector’s edition, the biggest and best Star Wars set ever made – though unsurprisingly, that one isn’t exactly cheap.
Star Wars BB-8 light
Carrying on the BB-8 love here we have a cool little BB-8 light, available from Hawkin’s Bazaar. The design is laser etched onto acryclic panel, which when lit gives off a 3D effect.
It won’t fill a whole room, but it’s a cool little mood light or display piece for the avid Force Awakens fan.
Millennium Falcon drone
Of all the spacecraft that inhabit the Star Wars universe, the Millennium Falcon still remains the most iconic. If Lego isn’t your thing and you’ve ever dreamed of piloting the fastest hunk of junk in the galaxy then your, ahem, ship has just come in.
Thinkway Toys has released a new drone version of the Falcon that can fly, perform a few maneuvers to lose imperial pursuers, and make you the coolest person in any room with a high ceiling. We’re still waiting on reports of how quickly it can complete the Kessel run.
Star Wars C-3PO Bluetooth Speaker
This is a fully licesned C-3PO bluetooth speaker from company ACW. It has excellent build quality (but isn’t fluent in 6 million forms of communication, sorry). It will, however, allow you to communicate, as it can act as a hands-free speaker for calls, as well as playing your music in high quality.
The head’s eyes light up when turned on and it’s easily charged via USB. A tad expensive, but worth it for the audio quality.
Disney Force Awakens Lightsaber
There are many expensive, £200+ lightsaber replicas out there, but nothing really beats messing about with the Disney toy version whether you’re 9 or 59.
This particualr one is sold as Rey’s saber from The Force Awakens, but as most of you will know, this is a blade with history – it’s Anakin Skywalker’s lightsaber, which was later used by Luke Skywalker up until he had his hand rudely removed in the Empire Strikes back. It’s a fun, affordable way to have a few lightsaber fights without breaking the bank.
Death Star Mood Light
If you want to bring a little light into the darkness, then this Death Star desk light will do the job admirably. Just make sure to keep those pesky rebel fighters away from the thermal exhaust port.
Star Wars Lightsaber Chopsticks
Show your support for the Force, while eating your noodles, by using these illuminated light saber chopsticks. Choose from three of your favourite Jedi with these light up cutlery classics.
They could also come in handy deterring any diminutive troublemakers in seedy Cantinas.
Star Wars: Battlefront
It’s all well and good owning Star Wars gear, but what if you want to take part in the fight itself? All too easy. Just pick up a copy of Star Wars Battlefront on the PC, Xbox One, or PlayStation 4, and soon you’ll have a good blaster at your side.
Darth Vader Rollerball Pen
This one is a bit of a luxury, but we love it nonetheless. A Darth Vader themed (yet attractively subtle) rollerball pen from reknowned brand Cross. The exquisite casing is modelled after the Sith Lord’s famous armour and the end is even topped with a Swarovski crystal – red in reference to Vader’s lightsaber.
It comes in a beautiful presentation box and is the perfect writing gift for a Star Wars fan of any age.
