One of the great things about the new Star Wars films is that the consumer electronics industry is much more adept at building awesome tech than they were 35 years ago. The Sphero BB-8 is a fine example, nearly emulating the exact style and movement patterns of the new droid.

Star Wars Special Edition Notebook

Released by HP in time for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, this special edition laptop is bathed in the power of the Dark Side. The laptop includes special touches such as a blood red backlit keyboard, notification sounds including R2-D2 and lightsabers, special Star Wars fonts and over 1,100 images of concept art from Lucasfilm. It also offers a solid set of specs to play all those Star Wars video games. (MSRP: Stars at $699)

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Star Wars Light-Up Chop Sabers

Sushi will be no match for these lightsaber chopsticks. Lighting up via LED with included batteries, these chopsticks can be purchased in a number of different sabers; everything from Yoda to Vader. (MSRP: $15)

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R2-D2 Bluetooth Speakerphone

Pairing with a Bluetooth-enabled smartphone or via the included 3.5mm audio jack, the R2-D2 Bluetooth speakerphone plays movie clips when turned on and off as well as lights up around the bottom rim. The devices charges over USB, has a range of up to 32 feet and goes on sale in late October 2015. (MSRP: $50)

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Sphero BB-8 Droid

Emulating the appearance of the BB-8 droid in the first Star Wars: The Force Awakens trailer, the high-tech toy can be operated with your smartphone (either iOS or Android). Operating over a Bluetooth connection, the BB-8 has an operating range up to thirty meters and a battery life up to 60 minutes. According to reviews, it takes roughly three hours to charge on the inductive charging station. (MSRP: $150)

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Star Wars First Edition On-Ear Headphones

Developed by SMS Audio in the STREET by 50 collection, these Rebel Alliance or Galactic Empire headphones offer professionally tuned 40mm drivers as well as passive noise cancellation. Reviews praise the headphones for well-balanced sound quality as well as comfortable ear cups when worn. Two other designs include a Boba Fett version and Stormtrooper version. (MSRP: $200)

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Millennium Falcon Remote Control Quadcopter

Want to fly the Millennium Falcon around your home and pretend the cat is the Death Star? Operating via remote control up to 200 feet away, the device requires six AA batteries to operate. (MSRP: $110)

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R2-D2 USB Car Charger

This is the droid you are looking for! Outfitted with two USB charging ports, the R2-D2 USB charger can charge up to two tablets at once with the 2.1 Amp ports. The flexible arms allow you to position the charger in a cupholder. In addition, R2-D2 lights up and chirps when devices are plugged in. (MSRP: $40)

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Star Wars Admiral Ackbar Singing Bass

Finally, a gadget that shouts warnings at you! In order to activate the Admiral Ackbar Singing Bass, all you have to to is walk by it or press the button on it. Ackbar dances while the Cantina Song plays, then shouts out his best line  “IT’S A TRAP!” (MSRP: $40)

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Darth Vader Voice Changer Helmet

Who doesn’t want to pretend to be a Dark Lord of the Sith? The Darth Vader Voice Changer Helmet allows you to do just that, changing the voice of anyone who wears it to sound like Vader. There’s also a second button that includes voice clips from the Star Wars films. (MSRP: $30)

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Jedi Training Remote Alarm Clock

There’s one reason why this is one of the best alarm clocks in the entire world, much less as a Star Wars gift. In order to turn off the alarm, you pick it up and throw it against the wall using The Force. In other words, you can take out all your frustrations of getting up early on your alarm clock. (MSRP: $40)

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R2-D2 Approved: The 10 Best Star Wars Tech Gadgets

You may know someone like this. They can amazingly recite lines or remember character names from all seven movies with no less than a second of hesitation. They can talk to you at length about Who Shot First and how Lucas’s revisions of the original trilogy were an abomination. These gifts are for them, in the hopes that they don’t already have piles of branded toast.

R2-D2 / Darth Vader Shower heads

Let’s be honest here, who wouldn’t want to bath in the tears of the Dark Lord of the Sith? Also available in a water-spewing R2-D2 model, this shower head includes three powerful spray settings, a rubber grip designed to reduce slipping and a lever to adjust water pressure. The R2-D2 model sells for $25 and Darth is priced at a $30 MSRP, exclusively at Bed, Bath & Beyond.

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Han Solo in Carbonite Fridge

What better way to keep your drinks cold than the freezing cold stasis of carbonite? Complete with red LED lighting to highlight poor Han, the mini-fridge includes two removable shelves with a total capacity of up to 18 soft drinks. Other features include a handle at the top for easy transport and a locking mechanism on the door to prevent drinks or snarky smugglers from spilling out. (MSRP: $150)

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Imperial Automotive Floor Mats

Ideal for decking out your car in favor of the Imperials, these car mats are available in Stormtrooper white and Darth Vader black. Made out of a PVC vinyl material, the mats are easy to keep clean with just soap and water from time to time. (MSRP: $40 a set)

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X-Wing Knife Block

Apply a little Force to this set of knives and you will be chopping lamb for Yoda’s Rootleaf Stew in no time as all. Designed to look like Luke’s X-Wing fighter, this set includes five knives (Cook’s, Break, Carving, Utility & Paring). The base has been weighted to prevent tipping when the knifes are on display. (MSRP: $99)

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Darth Vader Toaster

Molded in black plastic in the shape of Vader’s helmet, this toaster will delight Star Wars fans and likely horrify visiting in-laws. On each slice of bread, the toaster imprints the phrase “Star Wars” on one side. It comes with a removable crumb tray, reheat, defrost, and quick stop functions as well as an adjustable thermostat. It will also laugh in the face of your gluten allergy. (MSRP: $50)

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Glowing Lightsaber Umbrella

Available in red, blue, green, purple, sky blue, yellow and white, the glowing lightsaber umbrella both protects your head from the rain as well as provides lighting at night. While you can find less expensive versions of this design either sans the lightsaber handle or sans the glowing light, this is the only model that includes both. (MSRP: $55)

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Death Star Beanbag

Measuring 31-inches across, the Death Star beanbag is large enough for either kids or adults who want to plop down in front of the TV to watch the original trilogy. The outer slip cover is removable for easy washing, but the evil price tag is probably what the Emperor would charge Stormtroopers who wanted one for their barracks. Still, it could make for a killer decoration in a DIY Star Wars home theater. (MSRP: $150)

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TIE Fighter Nutcracker

Demolish the pathetic nut rebellion with your TIE Fighter nutcracker. Crafted out of steel, the shelling power of this nutcracker may be even more forceful than Vader’s death grip. (MSRP: $70)

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Yoda Candy Holder

Eat Snickers, we must! Outfitted with a removable plastic bowl, our favorite green Jedi Master will hold up a bowl of candy for your guests at your next party. Yoda stands roughly a foot and a half tall and is ideal for kitchen counters. (MSRP: $35)

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 Tauntaun Sleeping Bag

Seriously, who hasn’t wanted to pretend they were Luke Skywalker comfortably wrapped in the intestines of a Tauntaun? Enter the Tauntaun sleeping bag, complete with details such as saddle, simulated Tauntaun fur and a lightsaber zipper to open up the sleeping bag. It also includes an embroidered Tauntaun head pillow for sweet dreams about freezing planets and angry Wampas. (MSRP: $150)

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Death Star Ice Cube Maker

Quite possibly the fastest way to destroy the Death Star, this ice cube mold recreates the iconic Death Star design in the form of a giant ice cube. Besides ice, reviews indicate that the mold can be used for other molds, such as a butter mold for a family meal. (MSRP: $10)

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11 Unique Star Wars Gifts for the Fan Who has Everything

Making for some seriously awesome shelf decorations for any Star Wars fan, these LEGO sets are awesome to look at as well as build. It’s likely that we will have to wait until after The Force Awakens comes out to get even more new builds.

LEGO Star Wars Darth Vader

Often selling out due to the popularity of the Sith Lord, this Darth Vader build includes fully posable limbs, black armored suit, fabric cape and a buildable red lightsaber. Similar to General Grievous, it’s a simpler build. (MSRP: $30)

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LEGO Poe Dameron’s X-Wing Fighter

One of the new characters in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Poe Dameron has been recreated in LEGO form along with his jet black X-Wing fighter. Features in this set include 4 spring-loaded shooters, 2 stud shooters, retractable landing gear, opening wings, opening cockpit with space for one of the minifigures (Poe Dameron, a Resistance ground crew member and a Resistance X-Wing Pilot) as well as space for the included BB-8 Astromech Droid. (MSRP: $80)

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LEGO Millennium Falcon

“Chewie, we’re home.” “Rrrrrrr-ghghghghgh!” Replacing the 2014 build of the Millennium Falcon, this slightly more complex set comes with detachable cockpit with space for 2 minifigures, rotating top and bottom laser turrets with hatch and space for a minifigure, dual spring-loaded shooters, sensor dish, ramp, entrance hatch and opening hull plates.

There are seven included mini-figures:  Han Solo, Chewbacca, Rey, Finn, Tasu Leech and a Kanjiklub Gang Member as well as a BB-8 Astromech Droid. (MSRP: $150)

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LEGO General Grievous

“You fool. I have been trained in your Jedi Arts… by Count Dooku.” Arguably a Star Wars villain that doesn’t get enough credit for being a badass, this General Grievous build includes posable limbs, 2-into-4 separating arms and 4 buildable lightsabers. It’s a much easier build than larger sets, and thus could be ideal for younger builders. (MSRP: $35)

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LEGO Ewok Village

Ideal for anyone who’s really into Return of the Jedi, the LEGO Ewok village is an impressive set with 17 minifigures: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2, two Rebel soldiers, five Ewoks, two Scout Troopers and two Stormtroopers.

Features include a tree-trunk hideout and secret lightsaber stash, spider web and net traps, slide, catapults, elevating throne, speeder rammer function, kitchen, food storage area, bedroom and a planning room. (MSRP: $250)

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LEGO Imperial Star Destroyer

Who is ready to experience the power of the Imperial fleet?  This set features a lifting handle, removable top and fold-down sides for easy play, 8 synchronized turning cannons, 2 spring-loaded shooters, storage compartment for 2 spare missiles, 7 powerful blue engines, and a detailed interior including rotating Emperor Palpatine hologram, rotating chairs, turning weapon rack, bridge, blue screen and a control panel.

Minifigures include Darth Vader, Imperial Officer, two Stormtroopers, Imperial Crew and Imperial Navy Trooper. (MSRP: $130)

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LEGO Mos Eisley Cantina

Just make sure you have the cantina song playing on a loop when you build this. This set features a dome roof, entrance with sliding door and droid scanner, opening roof, slide-out floors to the middle rooms, bar with shelves, money and bottles, stage for the Bith band, seats, table and windows. Minifigures included are Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Obi-Wan Kenobi, Greedo, a Sandtrooper  (on a Dewback, no less!) and 3 Bith Musicians. (MSRP: $70)

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 LEGO Death Star Final Duel

While the actual LEGO Death Star is difficult to find (and expensive to buy at $400), this set allows you to recreate the moment when Luke triumphed over the Emperor in Return of the Jedi. Features include swing-out side sections, opening entrance doors, Force Jump function, collapsing stairs and bridge, reactor shaft, and detachable throne section with rotating throne and hidden Lightsaber pop-up function.

It also comes with five mini-figures: Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine and two Royal Guards. (MSRP: $80)

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LEGO Imperial AT-AT

Who’s ready to blast away at some Rebel scum? This metal beast is unstoppable (unless it’s tripped)! This set features a moving head with a cockpit for 2 minifigures and 2 spring-loaded shooters, posable legs and an opening body with switch-operated trap door. It comes with five minifigures: an AT-AT Driver, General Veers, Snowtrooper Commander and 2 Snowtroopers. (MSRP: $110)

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LEGO Star Wars Slave I Ship

Perfect for hunting down pesky smugglers who travel with Wookiees, Boba Fett’s Slave I features a rotating cockpit and wings, opening side hatches with hidden guns and missiles, 2 rotating dual shooters, cargo hold and a display stand with data sheet. It comes with four minifigures: Boba Fett, Bespin Guard, Stormtrooper and Han Solo encased in carbonite. (MSRP: $200)

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Build It, You Must: The 10 Best Star Wars LEGO Sets

Whenever we post LEGO deals on Ben’s Bargains, they’re usually quite popular because regular-price LEGO sets just seem outrageously expensive for children’s toys. The 3,803-piece LEGO Death Star (10188) is frequently cited as an example, retailing for $400.

Yet, we love LEGO anyway and continue to fork over our hard-earned cash for these fantastically well-crafted pieces of (ABS) plastic. The LEGO Death Star has been in production for 5 years (!) and is frequently seen on eBay for significantly more than the MSRP during peak buying periods, as are many other popular and/or rare LEGO sets.

Among LEGO buyers, it’s known that the price per brick hovers around 10 to 13 cents. According to Andrew Sielen’s excellent analysis What Happened with LEGO, the price of a brick has been relatively static for the past 8 or 9 years and was even significantly higher two or three decades ago — you know, back when most adults today were playing with LEGOs. And this price stability has occurred in the same time period as the advent of LEGO’s licensed sets (Star Wars, Harry Potter) which actually carry very little to no price markup compared to the non-licensed sets.

Expensive, Just Not Crazy Expensive

LEGO toys aren’t always tremendously more expensive than its closest competitors (knockoffs) MegaBloks and KRE-O, which have increased in popularity in recent years with its own licensing deals like Halo (MegaBloks) and Star Trek and Transformers (KRE-O). For example, while the 413-piece LEGO Tie Fighter (9492) can be found for around $45 to $50 and the 443-piece MegaBloks Halo UNSC Mantis is a comparative value at $32,  the 432-piece KRE-O U.S.S. Enterprise is the most expensive at $50.

LEGO USS Enterprise? Nope, this is the KRE-O USS Enterprise!

Even a comparison of plain bricks is a close call. A 450-piece MegaBlocks Ultimate Building Tub is $25 (5.5 cents/brick), while the 405-piece LEGO Ultimate Building Set (6166) is around $30 (7.5 cents/brick). So, yes, LEGO toys are generally pricier, but not by a huge margin.

Resale Value, Quality and Size

The thing is, LEGO sets hold their value and then some. Sealed and mint brand-new sets from popular lines like Star Wars have been known to go for twice as much as the original price, and sometimes even used sets can fetch higher-than-sticker prices. The LEGO Star Wars Slave I (8097) sold for $80 three years ago and can now be found on eBay for as much as $100 new and $75 for used.

LEGO is famous for its crazy attention to detail and precision engineering of the billions of pieces they’ve produced over the decades (over 400 billion since 1958, according to the company).

Not only do pieces from different decades fit together with consistent clutch power—which is not always the case for its competitors’ offerings (i.e. MegaBloks) from the same set!— but its high-priced molds are ridiculously accurate with tolerances as minute as 0.0005″. You’re not gonna be pumping out LEGO-quality bricks with a 3D printer anytime soon. You’re also not gonna find this special sauce in MegaBloks bricks, either.

Besides quality, the size of sets is a major factor in the perceived expense of LEGO toys. The aforementioned Death Star is one of the top-five largest LEGO sets with over 3,800 pieces. The more advanced Architecture series LEGO sets often have over 500 pieces with a few over 1,000 pieces. By contrast, the top-of-the-line LEGO set in 1980, the Inter-City Passenger Train Set (7740), had  786 pieces and the classic LEGO Main Street (6390) had 591 pieces—these sizes are now commonplace.

LEGOLAND Main Street — a classic of its time…

Higher quality production, the ever-increasing size and complexity of high-end sets and the impressive resale value of LEGO all contribute to its high price tag. But the number one reason is, of course, demand. We’re still willing to fork over more cash for LEGO sets, and that’s that.

Revealed!! Why LEGO Toys Are So Expensive