17 Best Star Wars Lightsabers Ranked with Character Images

Lightsabers are an iconic part of Star Wars. ‘A Galaxy far, far away’ is synonymous with glowing laser swords – the “elegant weapon for a more civilized age”.

Generations of children have whacked each other with makeshift lightsabers (pool noodles always worked nicely) in gleeful homage to the famous weapon.

Star Wars has many sophisticated lightsaber variants. Beginning as simple glow swords – blue for the good guys, red for the bad – characters now yield double-barreled, spinning, and dual-powered lightsabers in multiple colors.

But the most awesome lightsabers aren’t just memorable for their fancy tech but the deeds of the Jedi (or Sith) that wielded them.

The best Star Wars lightsaber was the very first that audiences ever saw: the Skywalker lightsaber.

Created by Anakin Skywalker and passed down for two generations, the simple blue lightsaber had multiple famous users. It was wielded for both good – killing Palpatine – and evil – killing Jedi younglings.

As for the rest – from Darth Maul’s double-blade saber to Ahsoka’s twin lightsabers – here are the 17 most awesome Star Wars lightsabers, ranked.

17. Tera Sinube’s Sabercane

For an elderly Jedi, what could be more convenient than a dual lightsaber/mobility aid?

The Cosian Jedi Master wielded a lightsaber hidden in the shaft of a walking stick. The blade was ignited when Tera Sinube removed the T-shaped cane handle.

Type:	Sabercane.
Design:	A wooden walking stick with a plasma blade hidden in the shaft.
Color:	Blue (traditionally associated with Jedi Guardians).
Appearances:	The Clone Wars
Similar models:	A geriatric Darth Maul also used a cane lightsaber during the Galactic Empire era.
Fate:	Unknown. Most likely burned with the rest of the Jedi lightsabers after Order 66.

16. Agen Kolar’s dual-colored lightsaber

Agen Kolar was a Zabrak Jedi Master. His two-colored lightsaber was the unique result of adding a second Kyber crystal.

This crystal belonged to his padawan, Tan Yuster, who had a blue lightsaber.

Yuster was killed in the battle of Geonosis (this can briefly be seen in Attack of the Clones). Kolar salvaged the crystal in tribute to his fallen padawan.

Type:	Dual-phase, single-blade lightsaber.
Design:	Brass and durasteel hilt, two Kyber crystals.
Color:	Green (traditionally associated with Jedi Consulars) and Blue (traditionally associated with Jedi Guardians).
Appearances:	Revenge of the Sith.
Similar models:	Any Jedi and Sith used dual-phase (two Kyber crystal) lightsabers, with Darth Vader’s being the most famous example. Agen Kolar’s lightsaber is a rare example of dual-phase resulting in two different colors.
Fate:	Unknown. Most likely burned with the rest of the Jedi lightsabers after Order 66.

15. Count Dooku’s curved-hilt lightsaber

As a sophisticated and refined villain, it’s no surprise Count Dooku wielded an “elegant weapon”. His lightsaber had a distinctive and beautifully curved hilt.

This had the advantage of not only looking stylish but improving Dooku’s fighting skills. The curved hilt allowed better lunging and slashing motions.

Type:	Curved-hilt lightsaber.
Design:	Single blade with a curved hilt, made of alloy metal.
Color:	Red (bled Kyber crystal).
Appearances:	Attack of the Clones, The Clone Wars, Revenge of the Sith.
Similar models:	Ventress and Ahsoka Tano also wielded curved-hilt lightsabers.
Fate:	After being used by Anakin Skywalker to behead Dooku himself, the lightsaber was destroyed in General Grievous’ broken ship above Coruscant.

14. Vernestra Rwoh’s Lightwhip

Vernestra Rwoh was a Mirialan Jedi Knight during the High Republic Era. She modified her single-blade lightsaber to include a lightwhip mode.

Lightwhips had multiple emitters, allowing numerous small plasma blades to be flexible and extendable.

Type:	Dual single-blade lightsaber/lightwhip.
Design:	A single-blade lightsaber with a secret lightwhip mode, activated by a hidden ring twist on the handle.
Color:	Purple (no traditional Jedi subgroup association with this color).
Appearances:	The High Republic: A Test of Courage (middle-grade novel).
Similar models:	The Nightsisters or ‘Witches’ of Dathomir also used lightwhips.
Fate:	Unknown – we are only just beginning to learn about Vernestra’s adventures in the High Republic Era.

13. Rey’s yellow lightsaber

The final scenes of The Rise of Skywalker gave us our first and only glimpse of Rey’s lightsaber. In a nod to her scavenger background, the hilt is made using wood and cloth from her quarterstaff.

Rey’s lightsaber is yellow, with tiny flashes of blue and green around the emission shaft when ignited.

Type:	Single-blade lightsaber.
Design:	Metallic cylinder handle with wood and cloth.
Color:	Yellow (traditionally associated with Jedi Sentinels).
Appearances:	The Rise of Skywalker.
Similar models:	Bastila Shan, of the non-canon but popular video game Knights of the Old Republic, also had a yellow lightsaber.
Fate:	Unknown – last seen newly created by Rey.

12. Asajj Ventress’ split saber

Asajj Ventress was a Sith assassin and also Count Dooku’s secret apprentice.

She was born a Force-Sensitive Nightsister of Dathomir. Her distinctive lightsaber could be wielded as two single-blade weapons or joined together to make a double-blade.

The curved hilt created a distinctive S-shaped lightsaber when in double-blade mode.

Type:	Metallic curved-hilt split saber.
Design:	Two single-blade lightsabers that could be joined at the hilt to make a double-bladed lightsaber.
Color:	Red (synth-crystal).
Appearances:	The Clone Wars.
Similar models:	Kreeve Trennis, a Jedi in the High Republic era, wielded a green split saber.
Fate:	Stolen by Bariss Offee and recovered by Anakin Skywalker. Most likely burned with the rest of the Jedi lightsabers after Order 66.

11. Darth Rey’s hinged double lightsaber

Rey sees a vision of her dark-side self while exploring the ruins of Death Star II.

“Darth Rey” is dressed in black and has a formidable double-bladed lightsaber, which folds neatly in two.

The scene lasts less than a minute but appeased fans who always hoped to see staff-wielding Rey with a similarly designed lightsaber.

Type:	Hinged, double-bladed lightsaber.
Design:	Two typical lightsabers joined by a hinge, allowing it to be folded like a Swiss Army Knife.
Color:	Red (bled Kyber crystal).
Appearances:	The Rise of Skywalker.
Similar models:	Hinged lightsabers were traditionally used by members of the Jedi Temple Guard.
Fate:	The lightsaber, like Darth Rey, doesn’t exist. It’s only a vision…so far.

10. The Grand Inquisitor’s spinning lightsaber

The Grand Inquisitor was the head of the Inquisitorius, a group of Force Sensitive ‘Jedi Hunters’ employed by the Galactic Empire.

His formidable lightsaber featured rotating double blades. These were useful for both defense and for intimidating people.

However, the circular emitter was also an easy target, making the lightsaber vulnerable to skilled opponents.

Type:	Double-bladed spinning lightsaber.
Design:	Two Kyber crystals. Metallic hilt with a spinnable hand guard extension.
Color:	Red (bled Kyber crystal).
Appearances:	Star Wars Rebels.
Similar models:	Other members of the Inquisitorius used a spinning lightsaber, including Second, Third, Fourth and Ninth Sister; and Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eigth Brother.
Fate:	Split in two by Jedi Kanan Jarrus and thrown into the reactor of a Star Destroyer (along with the Grand Inquisitor himself).

9. Kylo Ren’s crossguard lightsaber

The first teaser trailer of The Force Awakens featured an instantly memorable moment: a man in black, later revealed to be Kylo Ren, igniting a crossguard lightsaber in the snow.

Kylo Ren’s lightsaber had a dangerously unstable Kyber crystal (reflecting the man himself). It required two side vents to safely control the plasma stream.

Type:	Crossguard lightsaber.
Design:	Single-blade lightsaber with alloy metal hilt. Two side vents (quillions) to accommodate the plasma stream from the unstable Kyber crystal.
Color:	Red (bled Kyber crystal).
Appearances:	The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker.
Similar models:	Stellan Gios in the High Republic Era and ancient Sith Lord Darth Atrius both wielded crossguard lightsabers.
Fate:	Thrown by Kylo Ren, redeemed as Ben Solo, into the oceans of Ker Bif.

8. Mace Windu’s purple lightsaber

Mace Windu was a renowned Jedi Master and Warrior. His distinctive purple (or amethyst, to be precise) lightsaber was a sign of his rank, position, and ability. The hilt was also high quality, with electrum plating.

Mace Windu used the lightsaber throughout The Clone Wars and during his final, fatal confrontation with Emperor Palpatine.

Type:	Single-blade lightsaber
Design:	Metallic cylinder handle, with electrum plating.
Color:	Amethyst (no traditional Jedi subgroup association with this color).
Appearances:	Attack of the Clones, The Clone Wars, Revenge of the Sith.
Similar models:	Vernestra Rwoh wielded a purple lightsaber/lightwhip (see number 14 on this list).
Fate:	Fell through a window alongside Mace himself. Recovered in the Coruscant streets by scavengers and sold as a keepsake to Senator Sano Sauro.

7. Ezra’s blaster-saber

While some lightsabers were specifically designed to stand out – such as the Grand Inquisitor’s spinning model (see number 10) and Mace Windu’s amethyst, electrum-plated model (see number 8) – others needed to remain hidden.

Ezra Bridger’s brilliantly compact lightsaber-blaster hybrid is a perfect example.

Self-designed and constructed, Ezra’s lightsaber appeared and functioned as a simple blaster until it needed to become something stronger.

Type:	Lightsaber-blaster hybrid.
Design:	Typical blaster with a secret plasma blade emitter.
Color:	Blue (traditionally associated with Jedi Guardians).
Appearances:	Star Wars Rebels.
Similar models:	The blaster-saber was unique to Ezra Bridger.
Fate:	Destroyed by Darth Vader while dueling with Ezra during the Mission to Malachor.

6. Din Djarin’s darksaber

The darksaber was an ancient Jedi weapon stolen by Mandalorian raiders. Passed down over generations, it became a symbol of Mandalorian ruling authority.

The darksaber was unique in having a black blade color with a white halo. This was achieved by the Kyber crystal at its core absorbing surrounding light.

Type:	Single-blade lightsaber.
Design:	A straight, thin hilt made of beskar steel. The plasma blade had a curved, pointy tip.
Color:	Black, with a white aura.
Appearances:	The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett.
Similar models:	The darksaber is unique.
Fate:	Last known to belong to the Mandalorian Din Djarin. Prior to that it belonged to Imperial Warlord Moff Gideon, who stole it during the Great Purge of Mandalore.

5. Ahsoka Tano’s twin green lightsabers

Anakin Skywalker’s plucky Togrutan apprentice, Ahsoka Tano, wielded two lightsabers.

One was a typical single-blade lightsaber, the other a short-blade shoto lightsaber. She received training on dual-lightsaber combat from Yoda.

Ahsoka continued to wield two lightsabers long after her originals were lost, replacing them with white, curved-hilt versions.

Type:	A single-blade lightsaber and a shoto lightsaber.
Design:	Both lightsabers were single-blade with cylindrical metal hilts. The shoto lightsaber had a much shorter blade.
Color:	Green (traditional lightsaber) and yellowy-green (shoto lightsaber). Green was traditionally associated with Jedi Consulars, yellow with Jedi Sentinels. Both lightsabers became blue following modifications by Anakin Skywalker.
Appearances:	The Clone Wars.
Similar models:	Grand Master Yoda also used a shoto lightsaber, in accordance with his small size.
Fate:	Left behind on an unidentified moon, as part of Ahsoka’s attempt to fake her own death after Order 66. They were later recovered by Darth Vader, and it is unknown what happened to them after his death.

4. Darth’s Vader’s Sith lightsaber

The first and greatest Star Wars bad guy, Darth Vader wasn’t complete without his burning red lightsaber.

The formidable weapon contained two Kyber crystals, allowing for different blade lengths during combat.

Darth Vader made continual upgrades and modifications to his lightsaber, keeping it as strong and deadly as possible. 

3. Luke Skywalker’s green lightsaber

After losing the Skywalker lightsaber (and his hand) in Cloud City, Luke constructed a new lightsaber from a green Kyber crystal.

He based his new weapon on Obi-Wan Kenobi’s third lightsaber. Kenobi left design notes for the latter in his hut on Tatooine, which were later discovered by Luke. 

Type:	Single-blade lightsaber.
Design:	Cylindrical hilt made of alloy metal and salvaged material.
Color:	Green (traditionally associated with Jedi Consulars).
Appearances:	Return of the Jedi, The Last Jedi, The Mandalorian, The Book of Boba Fett.
Similar models:	Jedi Master Qui-Gon Jinn also wielded a green lightsaber.
Fate:	Kept by the Caretakers (Fish Nuns) on the Island of Ahch-To.

2. Darth Maul’s double-bladed lightsaber

Even the harshest prequels critics were dazzled by the reveal of Darth Maul’s double-bladed lightsaber.

The ensuing battle between Maul, Qui-Gon Jinn, and Obi-Wan Kenobi is one of the best fight scenes in all of Star Wars.

The battle ended with Darth Maul’s seeming death, but thankfully Star Wars media has since resurrected both Maul and his truly awesome lightsaber.

Type:	Double-bladed lightsaber.
Design:	Two Kyber crystals, with two blades extending from both ends of the alloy metal hilt
Color:	Red (bled Kyber crystal).
Appearances:	The Phantom Menace, The Clone Wars.
Similar models:	Cal Kestis, from video game Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, also wielded a double-bladed lightsaber.
Fate:	Lost in combat during the siege of Mandalore.

1. The Skywalker lightsaber

The first and most basic Star Wars lightsaber has the most complex, bloody history. It was created by Anakin Skywalker and was infamously used to slaughter Jedi younglings during Order 66.

It was inherited by Anakin’s son, Luke, and used by Han Solo to cut open a Tauntaun.

Luke lost the lightsaber and the hand wielding it in Cloud City. Decades later, it was recovered by Maz Kanata and wielded by Finn, Rey Skywalker, and Ben Solo.

The Skywalker lightsaber was last yielded by Rey, in addition with Leia Organa’s lightsaber, to permanently kill Darth Sidious, AKA Palpatine.

Type:	Single-blade lightsaber.
Design:	Cylindrical handle made of carbon composites and alloy metal. Later patched with salvaged material after being split in half by Rey and Kylo Ren.
Color:	Blue (traditionally associated with Jedi Guardians).
Appearances:	The Clone Wars, Revenge of the Sith, Obi-Wan Kenobi, A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker.
Similar models:	Obi-Wan Kenobi also wielded a blue, single-blade lightsaber.
Fate:	Buried by Rey at the Lars Homestead on Tatooine.

Read more: Confirmed: Who are Rey’s Parents in Star Wars?

Honorable mention: General Grievous

Technically General Grievous didn’t own a lightsaber, but he stole and wielded hundreds from defeated Jedi.

He could also fight with four lightsabers at a time, making his own body a kind of ultimate-battle lightsaber.

After his death, the Empire retrieved his collection. They were most likely destroyed with the rest of the Jedi lightsabers after Order 66.

Also read: 20 Star Qars Quiz Questions for Ultimate Fans