The 28 Best Star Wars Droids From Movies, TV, Books And Video Games
Any Star Wars fan knows the franchise is only as good as the droids that populate its galaxy. After all, what is Star Wars without C-3PO, R2-D2, and BB-8? And we thought what better way to celebrate Star Wars day (May 4th) than by looking back on the absolute coolest droids ever. After all, it's genuinely surprising how much heart this roster of robototic characters can bring to the franchise--in the movies, on TV shows, and even in theme parks. What may surprise you, though, is exactly how many droids fans have met throughout the films, TV shows, video games, books, and even theme park experiences. Beginning with Star Wars: Episode 4 - A New Hope back in 1977 and all the way through the Disney+ original series The Mandalorian, Star Wars has provided some of the best mechanical friends a space traveler could have. Which are the best droids, though? It's a tough question and one that takes some time to contemplate. Luckily, we love thinking about Star Wars and have done exactly that. Take a look below at the 28 coolest droids in a galaxy far, far away. Did your favorites make the list? Drop a note in the comments to shout out your favorite droid.
28. Aly San San
First appearance: Star Tours This spokesdroid appears only in the Star Tours ride at Disney attractions, but it lives in the hearts of many a sentimental park-goer. She not only pops up in advertisements within the ride's queue, but also gives public safety announcements to riders. Image: Lucasfilm
27. RA-7 (Death Star Droid)
First appearance: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope When introduced, the RA-7 units are seen on the Death Star and the Jawa Sandcrawler. With their insect-like heads, they stand out almost immediately. That's both a good and bad thing; sometimes it's hard to look away from those creepy bug eyes. Image: Lucasfilm
26. Viper Probe Droid
First appearance: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back This droid's crash into the surface of Hoth kicks off what becomes an action-packed movie. Plus, its arrival--and subsequent self-destruction--is an omen for the Empire's arrival. Image: Lucasfilm
25. Interrogation Droid
First appearance: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope While the interrogation droid doesn't get a ton of screentime in A New Hope, its presence still haunts our nightmares. After all, this is a droid whose entire purpose is getting information out of a helpless captive, even through torture. Image: Lucasfilm
24. 2-1B
First appearance: Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back It's not a major part of the Star Wars franchise, but this surgical droid plays a key role in Episode V. If not for 2-1B Luke Skywalker would still have only one hand. Image: Lucasfilm
23. AP-5
First appearance: Star Wars Rebels AP-5 is a very special RA-7 unit. Not satisfied with his life as an inventory droid, AP-5 befriends Chopper and joins the rebellion. This particular droid gets to show a lot of personality--even if it is a grumpy one. Image: Lucasfilm
22. TT-8L (Gatekeeper Droid)
First appearance: Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi The infamous eyeball-on-a-stick droid is one of the most bizarre in the Star Wars universe. When C-3PO and R2-D2 meet the security guard in Return of the Jedi, it's hard not to laugh. Image: Lucasfilm
21. R0-GR (Roger)
First appearance: LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures Like his fellow Battle Droids, he once served in an army, but Roger is not programmed to be Rowan Freemaker's best friend. There are many droid sidekicks throughout Star Wars, but Roger might be the only one considered a member of his master's family. Image: Lucasfilm
20. MSE-6 (Mouse Droid)
First appearance: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope It may not be weaponized, but it's hard to forget the mouse droid. The tiny, wheeled robot can often be seen scurrying along in the background, headed to fix anything in need of repair. Without them, most of the galaxy would probably fall to pieces. Image: Lucasfilm
19. Pistoeka sabotage droid
First appearance: Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith Their ability to attach to a ship in-flight and disassemble it makes them a powerful weapon. Our inability to pronounce their name, though, puts them at a disadvantage. Image: Lucasfilm
18. WAC-47
First appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars WAC-47, a pit droid piloting a ship, has a bit of an attitude, but it for good reason. It hates seeing other droids treated like property. #resist Image: Lucasfilm
17. EV-9D9
First appearance: Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi While 9D9 appears in only one movie, it certainly is a memorable moment. The supervisor droid is quick to put C-3PO and R2-D2 to work within Jabba the Hutt's palace, paying no attention to their antics. Image: Lucasfilm
16. AZI-3
First appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars This medical droid befriends ARC trooper Fives and ends up assisting in uncovering the Order 66 conspiracy. Image: Lucasfilm
15. Professor Huyang
First appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars At over 1,000 generations old, Huyang is a little-known iconic piece of Star Wars history. The Garrick Ollivander of the Star Wars universe, this droid teaches Jedi younglings how to assemble lightsabers. One of those younglings: Yoda, who went on to become a Jedi Grand Master. Image: Lucasfilm
14. D-O
First appearance: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker This little wheelie droid rolled its way into the hearts of many when it first appeared in the final chapter of the Skywalker Saga. We may wee D-O again--but then again we may not. If this is the little bots only entry in the franchise, it's cute enough to make an impact.
13. Battle Droids
First appearance: Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace These droids might be the most memorable thing about the first Star Wars prequel, thanks to their attack on Naboo. Equal parts silly and brazen, these droids are the perfect easily disposable foils in the movie. Image: Lucasfilm
12. R2-KT
First appearance: Star Wars: The Clone Wars The story behind R2-KT is what makes this pink droid do special. It first debuted in the real world, built for a young Star Wars fan suffering from brain cancer. After the droid made a cameo appearance in the Clone Wars movie, it went on to also appear in The Force Awakens. Image: Lucasfilm
11. Droideka
First appearance: Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace The battle droids are easily disposable in The Phantom Menace, but these destroyers are a different story. These vicious droids were heavily armed and come with forcefields that make them equal parts very cool and very deadly. Image: Lucasfilm
10. T3-M4
First appearance: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic It's hard to imagine KOTOR without this droid, which essentially functions as your closest ally. Clearly derived from R2-D2, T3-M4 has a quirky personality and is useful throughout the game. Image: Lucasfilm
9. HK-47
First appearance: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic This assassin droid is more blunt than T3-M4 but makes for a much better ally in Knights of the Old Republic. It calls humans "meatbags" and is ready to kill anything that crosses it, but HK-47 is a fun and funny companion to have, regardless of what side of the Force you're on. Image: Lucasfilm
8. BD-1
First appearance: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Cal's sidekick in the Fallen Order video game is one of the best droids a guy can ask for. BD-1 is an exploration droid and Cal's mission in Fallen Order would have been impossible without him there to help along the way. Like most of the best droids, he has a unique and intriguing design that immediately makes you want to be his friend.
7. K-2SO
First appearance: Star Wars: Rogue One Perhaps the funniest droid in all of Star Wars, K-2SO may also be the heart of Rogue One. The companion of Cassian Andor, K-2 is willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save the galaxy. Image: Lucasfilm
6. C1-10P (Chopper)
First appearance: Star Wars Rebels chapter books What R2-D2 is to the original Star Wars saga, Chopper is to Rebels. While it may come across as a grump at first, Chopper is loyal to the end when it comes to protecting the crew of the starship Ghost. Image: Lucasfilm
5. R-3X (DJ Rex)
First appearance: Star Tours This pilot droid may have originated as part of the Star Tours ride, but thanks to Star Wars Rebels, it is now a canonical character. What's more, after his tenure on Star Tours, Rex is now the DJ at Oga's Cantina at Disney's Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge theme park land. Actor Paul Reubens voices all versions of the droid.
4. IG-11
First appearance: The Mandalorian While it wasn't long for this work, the bounty hunter droid voiced by Taika Waititi was the perfect dose of comedy in the first season of The Mandalorian. What's more, thanks to its reprogramming, it was the best protector Baby Yoda could have possibly asked for, ultimately sacrificing its existence to keep the little green fuzzball safe.
3. BB-8
First appearance: Star Wars: The Force Awakens What to say about this ball-like breakout hit of The Force Awakens? With a personality that's equal parts childlike and sarcastic, BB-8 has quickly become one of the most personality-packed droids in all of Star Wars. Image: Lucasfilm
2. C-3PO
First appearance: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope One half of the droid team that started it all, C-3PO is essentially R2-D2's straight man. Having appeared in every saga movie thus far, 3PO provides a major throughline for the Star Wars universe; his importance can't be overstated. Image: Lucasfilm
1. R2-D2
First appearance: Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Who else would rank as the best droid in Star Wars? R2-D2 captures everything that is fun about this franchise. Its happy-go-lucky, brave, selfless attitude as it goes on wide-ranging adventures are exactly what you'd hope for in Luke Skywalker's companion. Image: Lucasfilm
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