The Star Wars fan base is one of the biggest in the world, with fans spanning different generations. Young or old, Star Wars fans love to collect memorabilia and cosplay as characters from the franchise. It is their way of connecting with the Force and their favorite characters.
Of all the items that Star Wars fans love to collect, the lightsaber is the most common. This doesn’t come as a surprise, seeing as how the lightsaber is one of the most iconic weapons to have ever graced our screens. It is also a must-have prop for any Star Wars cosplayer.
If you love Star Wars cosplay, below is a guide to help you select the best replica lightsaber.
Blade Lights
Cosplay is all about aesthetics, so it goes without saying that a replica lightsaber intended for cosplay must feature a blade with visual effects. For replica Neopixel lightsabers, these visual effects are designed to appear shaky and unsteady, thus, giving the impression that the saber is vibrating.
Cosplay lightsabers should also feature lights that are very bright. We recommend sabers that have their LED strips placed in the blade instead of the hilt as they tend to give off more brightness.
Additionally, the replica lightsaber should come with good color-changing features that allow for a smooth transition between colors (blue to red or red to blue). Sabers with RGB lighting are a good choice here.
Blade lights are also important if you intend to add the saber to your collection. For example, a replica of Darth Vader’s red lightsaber can be an eye-catching addition to your collection.
Hilt Design and Quality
A good cosplayer fully embodies the character that they are cosplaying.
This means that you will need to commit to mirroring every single detail of your character’s visual depiction in the films. In addition to getting the saber’s color right, you will need to make sure that its hilt design is also movie-accurate.
Hilt quality is another factor to consider. You can choose to go for either a metal or plastic hilt. If you intend to do a little sparring to make your cosplay more interesting, do make sure that your saber’s hilt is strong and sturdy enough to withstand the swings and strikes.
Sound Effects
Part of what makes the lightsaber such an eye-catching weapon is the buzzing and sparkling sound effects that accompany its blade movements. Ideally, your cosplay lightsaber should have movie-accurate noises and sounds accompanying the hum of its projector engine.
For added flair, go for a replica that also has motion-sensitive sound effects.
Power Options
Lightsaber features like blade lights and sound effects only work if there is an energy source to power the lightsaber. Most replicas make use of batteries (AA or Li-ion) that either come with the package or need to be bought separately.
Make sure to also examine the power-saving abilities of the lightsaber replica before you purchase it.
Conclusion
From collecting memorabilia to cosplaying their favorite characters, Star Wars fans always seize every opportunity to show their love and dedication to the franchise.
If you’re a fan looking to do the same, the above guide should help you find a quality replica lightsaber for your cosplay or collection.