• More More

Search

My Account Logout
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • twitter
  • other
  • NEWS + FEATURES
  • VIDEO
  • FILMS
  • SERIES
  • INTERACTIVE
  • COMMUNITY
  • DATABANK
  • DISNEY+
  • More More
My Account Logout
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
  • twitter
  • other

ALL OF YOUR STAR WARS FAVORITES NOW STREAMING ON DISNEY+

All

  • Andor
  • Behind the Scenes
  • Books + Comics
  • Characters + Histories
  • Collecting
  • Creativity
  • Disney Parks
  • Disney+
  • Events
  • Fans + Community
  • Films
  • Force For Change
  • Forces of Destiny
  • Galaxy of Adventures
  • Games + Apps
  • ILMxLAB
  • In Pop Culture
  • Interviews
  • LEGO Star Wars
  • Lucasfilm
  • Merchandise
  • Obi-Wan Kenobi
  • Opinions
  • Quizzes + Polls
  • Recipes
  • Rogue One
  • Solo
  • Star Wars Celebration
  • Star Wars Day
  • Star Wars Rebels
  • Star Wars Resistance
  • Television
  • The Bad Batch
  • The Book of Boba Fett
  • The Clone Wars
  • The Force Awakens
  • The High Republic
  • The Last Jedi
  • The Mandalorian
  • The Rise of Skywalker
  • The Star Wars Show
  • Visions
{:title=>"Films", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/films"}

The StarWars.com 10: Best Droids

August 1, 2014
August 1, 2014
StarWars.com Team

The StarWars.com team counts down the galaxy's top mechanical pals and menaces!

Welcome to The StarWars.com 10, a feature where StarWars.com’s editorial staff huddles to discuss -- in committee -- various topics relating to a galaxy far, far away. Today we're looking at the galaxy's top mechanical pals and terrors.


Droids are an essential part of Star Wars. From overweight globs of grease to clankers, they're omnipresent throughout the galaxy and impact events big and small. Their designs are varied -- sometimes weird, sometimes cool, always interesting -- and as characters, they're as important to the story as any Jedi, Rebel, or Sith. Put simply, if you take droids out of Star Wars, it's not Star Wars anymore. For this list, we focused on droids from the Star Wars films and Star Wars: The Clone Wars (sorry, Chopper), ranking them on overall impact on the saga, personality (where appropriate), and cool factor.

10. AZI-3, The Clone Wars

AZI-3

AZI-3 was the unlikely breakout star of the Lost Missions' Order 66 arc, evolving from a by-the-books medical droid to a risk-taking sidekick. Assigned to the case of clone trooper Tup's mysterious murder of a Jedi, AZI-3 uncovers a terrible secret -- that all clones have a hidden artificial brain tumor. According to the cloners, the tumors are meant to keep troopers docile if need be; in reality, they're triggers that will force them to slaughter Jedi. AZI-3 risks all to help another clone, Fives, on his search for the truth. First he's reluctant and nervous, later brave and daring, helping Fives evade detention and performing an unauthorized surgery to remove the clone's tumor. As if that's not enough, he transforms into a very-cool speeder-bike-like mode that hovers over water. AZI-3 is the perfect example of a droid having personality and courage that extend beyond its programming.

9. 2-1B Surgical Droid, the Star Wars films and The Clone Wars

2-1B surgical droid

The 2-1B surgical droid is one of Star Wars' most well-known service droids, and seems to specialize in Skywalker repair. It treats Luke in the bacta tank on Hoth, provides the young Jedi's cybernetic hand, and also performs the surgery to save Anakin after his duel with Obi-Wan Kenobi. The model is also present in The Clone Wars, assisting injured clones and Jedi, and its immediately recognizable face is one of the more unique droid designs.

8. Buzz Droid, Revenge of the Sith and The Clone Wars

Buzz Droid

Maybe the creepiest droids in Star Wars, buzz droids latch onto vehicles, shut them down, and/or tear them apart, while chattering and swarming like insects. As seen in Revenge of the Sith's thrilling opening sequence, the mechanical menaces attack Obi-Wan's starfighter, ripping the dome off R4-P17 and damaging the Jedi's ship. While they have a weak spot, buzz droids are an inventive form of weaponry -- and incredibly effective.

7. IG-88, The Empire Strikes Back

IG-88

One of the select bounty hunters chosen by Darth Vader to find the Millennium Falcon, IG-88 is among of the galaxy's deadliest droids. Despite his limited screen time in The Empire Strikes Back, IG-88 made a big impact. With frightening red eyes and a disturbingly quiet demeanor, IG-88 was one of Star Wars' first villainous droids and showed that not all robotic beings serve a human master.

6. Battle Droid, the Star Wars films and The Clone Wars

Battle droid

They're goofy, inept, and lightsabers slice through them with ease. But battle droids play a huge role in Star Wars. The primary military force of the Separatists, they're a symbol of aggression and corruption that foreshadows the clone troopers and by extension, stormtroopers. While battle droids are often used as comic relief, they still make for a genuine threat as a legion of mass-produced, heartless war machines.

5. Probe Droid, The Empire Strikes Back

Probe droid

With its spider-like legs, retractable antennae, and large "eyes," the probe droid is a perfect representation of Imperial tyranny. First seen in The Empire Strikes Back, it's easily dispatched throughout the galaxy, giving the Empire eyes and ears in every star system. The fact that a probe droid self destructs upon enemy engagement only adds to its intrinsic dread: if it blows up, you know you've been spotted.

4. Droideka, the Star Wars films and The Clone Wars

Droideka

Jedi can handle battle droids without breaking a sweat; droidekas, not so much. With a frightening insect-like form, they generate their own impenetrable shields, fire heavy twin blasters, and march fearlessly toward their targets. While their lack of agility can be exploited with a well-placed droid popper, droidekas are designed to destroy -- and they're very good at what they do.

3. Huyang, The Clone Wars

Introduced in Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Huyang has become one of the saga's most popular -- and significant -- droids. Ancient and wise, Huyang has assisted Jedi in the construction of their first lightsabers for centuries. Toiling away in the training vessel Crucible, he maintains countless parts needed to build Jedi weapons and helps younglings design hilts that are right for them -- see his suggestion that Gungi, a Wookiee, incorporate wood into his lightsaber.

2. C-3PO, the Star Wars films and The Clone Wars

C-3PO

He's been called a "mindless philosopher," "golden rod," and (sarcastically) "the professor." Yet C-3PO has one of the greatest legacies of not just any droid, but any character in Star Wars. He has a real inner strength and heart, which proves to be integral to some of the galaxy's most important events, from delivering Leia's secret message to Obi-Wan Kenobi to rescuing Han Solo. Threepio volunteered to give his own parts to a severely damaged Artoo, created diversions on the Death Star and on Endor to help his friends, and his first thought upon seeing a stormtrooper in Cloud City was to warn his companions. Not bad for a droid that's programmed only for etiquette and protocol. Plus, he gets bonus points for being an Ewok god.

1. R2-D2, the Star Wars films and The Clone Wars

R2-D2

R2-D2 is like no other droid: he's simultaneously a sidekick, a leader, and a hero. Check out just a few of the bullet points from his amazing resume: saving the Naboo Royal Starship where every other astromech fails; destroying two super battle droids; taking stolen Death Star plans to Tatooine; and doing the ultimate under-cover act in Jabba's Palace. Artoo is filled with hidden compartments and fun gadgets, adding a bit of mystery to him, and his overall design still feels original and iconic. In addition, Artoo is the most human of all droids. He gets excited, he gets sad, he can be frightened, and he can be brave. But no matter what he's feeling, Artoo is always loyal, utterly selfless, and willing to take charge when he has to. Would we want anyone else in the back of our X-wing? Not on your life.

That’s it. What do you think? Did we nail it? Are we out of our minds? Did we overlook something? Let us know in the comments -- and check out the video version of this list -- below!

starwars.com 10 best star wars droids

Related Stories

{:title=>"Films", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/films"} {:title=>"Characters + Histories", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/characters-+-histories"}

Clones at 20 | Concept Artist Roel Robles on the Design Origins of Count Dooku’s Unique Lightsaber Hilt

May 13, 2022

May 13, 2022

May 13

{:title=>"Films", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/films"} {:title=>"Behind the Scenes", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/behind-the-scenes"}

Clones at 20 | 4 Ways Star Wars: Attack of the Clones Helped Change Filmmaking

May 10, 2022

May 10, 2022

May 10

{:title=>"Films", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/films"} {:title=>"Solo", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/solo"}

Official Synopsis for Solo: A Star Wars Story Revealed

January 16, 2018

January 16, 2018

Jan 16

{:title=>"Films", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/films"} {:title=>"The Rise of Skywalker", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/the-rise-of-skywalker"}

A Statement Regarding Star Wars: Episode IX

September 5, 2017

September 5, 2017

Sep 5

{:title=>"Films", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/films"}

John Powell to Score Untitled Han Solo Movie

July 26, 2017

July 26, 2017

Jul 26

{:title=>"Films", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/films"}

Ron Howard to Assume Directorial Duties on the Untitled Han Solo Film

June 22, 2017

June 22, 2017

Jun 22

{:title=>"Films", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/films"}

A Message from Lucasfilm Regarding the Untitled Han Solo Film

June 20, 2017

June 20, 2017

Jun 20

{:title=>"Films", :url=>"https://www.starwars.com/news/category/films"}

25 Great Star Wars: A New Hope Quotes

June 6, 2017

June 6, 2017

Jun 6

More From Star Wars:
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • SWKids
  • Terms of Use
  • Additional Content Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Children's Online Privacy Policy
  • Your California Privacy Rights
  • Star Wars at shopDisney
  • Star Wars Helpdesk
  • Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

TM & © Lucasfilm Ltd. All Rights Reserved