Star Wars Droids By Sphero Investigation

These Authentic Star Wars Droids Will Always Have a Special Place in Our Lab

**Sphero’s BB-8, R2-D2, and BB-9E Star Wars Droid Robots**

If you’re thinking of purchasing one of Sphero’s Star Wars droid robots, but you’re not sure if a legacy robot is worth the cost, you’ve come to the right place. Since we last used the Star Wars droids in our lab, these little bots with both attitude and personality have been discontinued, along with the original Droids by Sphero remote control app. We’re lucky enough to own three of these droids (we’re missing the limited-edition R2-Q5), as well as the Droids by Sphero app, so we’re confident the results of our latest investigation are accurate and will help you with your decision.

Star Wars Droids by Sphero History

Sphero’s partnership with Disney in 2015 was the beginning of a three-year journey together. Sphero’s first Star Wars droid, BB-8, was released in 2015 to coincide with BB-8’s debut in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. In August 2017, Sphero followed up their BB-8 success with the release of R2-D2 and BB-9E. Shortly after, in October 2017, Sphero announced its limited-edition release of R2-Q5.

Unfortunately, Sphero discontinued its line of licensed robots in 2018, followed by the removal of its Droids by Sphero app from app stores in 2021. Sphero’s focus is now on STEM education within the classroom and its new line of educational robots like BOLT, and its customizable, hackable Sphero RVR robot.

Star Wars Droids by Sphero Investigation Results

We dusted off our droids, plugged them into their chargers, and put them through a series of tests. As of right now, we advise you to think twice before making a purchase.

Droids by Sphero vs Sphero Edu

With the discontinuation of Sphero’s licensed robots and the Droids by Sphero app, the only way of controlling any of these droids is with the Sphero Edu app. We compared the features of the Sphero Edu app with everything the Droids by Sphero app offered. Sphero EDU doesn’t come close. Other than a few additional droid-specific blocks added to Sphero Edu, its functionality is the same whether we were controlling a droid or Bolt. In short, all Star Wars-specific features that made the Sphero droids authentic, such as the Watch with Me mode and the Augmented Reality mode, are no longer available.

Battery Life

If you’re looking for a Sphero robot for your kids to enjoy, and they’re not die-hard Star Wars fans, you’re better off with the Bolt or RVR robot. A reliable battery is a must, and the odds are not in your favor of finding a droid with a reliable battery. After fully charging our droids, we were not surprised that our BB-8 couldn’t hold a charge because he inadvertently rolled down the stairs of our lab when we last used him. What did surprise us was that our mint condition BB-9E couldn’t connect to our device because he couldn’t hold a charge either. Plus, even though our R2-D2 still works, his movements seem slower, as if his battery isn’t able to hold a full charge anymore.

On the other hand, if you’re thinking of purchasing a Sphero droid for yourself and you love all things Star Wars, then you should look at our more in-depth information below to see which droid is best for you. Of course, for the right price, we’d purchase a Sphero droid just to hack or turn into bookends.

Note: As specified on Sphero’s website, any purchases from third-party retailers are not covered by their warranty. We haven’t researched all third-party retailers, but we did notice that some renewed Sphero droids sold on Amazon came with a 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee. This option would give you a chance to at least test out the battery. But read the guarantee carefully because it states that “products with batteries will exceed 80% capacity relative to new”.

If you’re still having trouble finding a robot that checks all of the boxes for you and your kids, check out our Meet the Robots in Our Lab page and our Buying the Perfect Robot page. Most importantly, don’t give up. There’s a robot out there somewhere for everyone.

BB-8
R2-D2
BB-9E

BB-8

The Sphero BB-8 app-enabled droid robot was a pre-assembled robot for ages 8+ that brought young Star Wars fans hours of fun. Sphero sold over one million BB-8 robots over its 3 years of production, and these rolling bots can still be found by third-party retailers today. But is BB-8 the right choice for you? Our tables below should help you make that decision.

BB-8 Stats

Skill Level	Controller	Power Source	Package Contents
8+	Compatible iOS/Android Device	Lithium Polymer battery and induction charging base with a micro USB charging cable (included)	Original BB-8: BB-8, induction charging base, and micro USB charging cord. BB-8 with Trainer: BB-8, induction charging base, micro USB charging cord, and trainer platform. Battle-Worn BB-8: Battle-worn BB-8, battle-worn charging base, force band, two micro USB cables, and collector’s tin. Note: The Sphero force band is also sold separately.

Setup

1. Download the Sphero Edu app.

2. If you’re using an Android device, you may be able to find the Droids by Sphero APK file and install it yourself. This is now the only way to access BB-8’s Star Wars-specific features.

2. Charge your new/used droid.

Note: A full charge on a new BB-8 used to give you an hour of fun interacting with this charming, easy-going droid.

Pros

1. If you can get the Droids by Sphero app on your device, your BB-8 will have access to all of its original Star Wars-themed features.

2. The Sphero Edu App will allow you to program BB-8 with Scratch-style blocks and JavaScript.

Note: Programming your own version of an autonomous mode for BB-8 could be a fun project for you to try coding through the Sphero Edu app.

Cons

1. BB-8’s sound and holographic images are located on your iOS/Android device only. These features are not on the actual robot.

2. Unless you own an Android device, as of October 2021, Sphero Edu will be the only compatible app available to use with BB-8. If you own an Android device, you may be able to download the Droids by Sphero APK file and install it on your device yourself.

Conclusion

If you don’t mind taking a risk on a discontinued robot, and you’re hoping to do a bit of coding, BB-8 may be just what you’re looking for. If you will be relying on the Sphero Edu app only, you may get more for your money with Bolt, another rolling robot by Sphero.

Note: As we mentioned earlier, a renewed (refurbished) Sphero BB-8 on Amazon could come with Amazon’s 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee. At least that way, you’ll be confident in knowing that any battery issues (less than 80% capacity) can be resolved.

R2-D2

The Sphero R2-D2 app-enabled droid robot was a pre-built robot for ages 8+. This authentic-sounding R2-D2 was released in 2017, and R2-D2 became a STEM Detective Lab favorite due to its authenticity. But is Sphero’s R2-D2 the right option for you?

If you’re a Star Wars fan, and you’re able to find one of these lifelike droids, your next step will be to determine whether this R2-D2 is worth the investment now that it’s been discontinued. We hope our review will help in some small way.

Sphero R2-D2 Stats

Skill Level	Controller	Power Source	Package Contents
8+	Compatible iOS/Android Device	Lithium Polymer battery and micro USB charging cable (included)	R2-D2 and a micro USB charging cord

Setup

1. Download the Sphero Edu app.

2. If you’re using an Android device, you may be able to find the Droids by Sphero APK file and install it yourself. This is now the only way to access R2-D2’s Star Wars-specific features.

3. Charge your new/used R2-D2.

Note: A full charge on a new R2-D2 used to give you an hour of fun with R2-D2 and all his quirkiness.

Pros

1. R2-D2 has fully functional LED lights.

2. Unlike the Sphero BB-8 model, R2-D2’s signature sounds come from his internal speakers, not your iOS/Android device.

3. R2-D2’s spinning head and classic bipod/tripod stances help with authenticity.

4. If you can get the Droids by Sphero app on your device, your R2-D2 will have access to all of its original Star Wars-themed features.

5. The Sphero Edu app allows you to program R2-D2 with Scratch-style blocks or JavaScript.

6. Thanks to a partnership between Sphero and Apple, you can also program R2-D2 in Apple’s Swift Playground, using either the Sphero Template Subscription or the R2-D2 by Sphero Subscription which is specialized just for R2-D2’s features.

Note: Programming your own version of an autonomous mode for R2-D2 could be a fun project for you to try coding through the Sphero Edu app.

Cons

1. Sphero no longer supports their Droids by Sphero app and it’s no longer available for download. Their Sphero Edu app is the only option currently available.

2. R2-D2 works great on hard flooring, but he can only move on a carpet if it’s very thin. Plus, R2-D2 tips frequently when switching to his bipod stance while on a carpet.

3. R2-D2 can only travel over a slight change in height if he’s going downward, not upward (i.e., transitioning from a carpet to a wood floor).

Conclusion

If you’re using an Android device, you could control R2-D2’s authentic movements, his realistic LEDs, and his signature sounds, but only if you get access to the Droids by Sphero app’s APK file.

Before you take a risk on buying a Sphero R2-D2, you have to remember that there’s a battery risk. Are you prepared to have your own authentic R2-D2 if it’s not functional?

Note: If you’re able to find a renewed (refurbished) Sphero BB-8 on Amazon, make sure it’s one that comes with a 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee. At least that way, you’ll be confident in knowing that any battery issues (less than 80% capacity) can be resolved.

BB-9E

The Sphero BB-9E robot was another pre-assembled Sphero robot for ages 8+. Known to have a dark side, BB-9E was a new character from Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi. BB-9E came equipped with a more menacing series of sounds than BB-8 and Sphero was able to design BB-9E’s head with functional LED lights. Another improvement over BB-8 was BB-9E’s augmented reality droid trainer. This treadmill-like trainer allowed users to have the First Order’s new menacing droid explore along with them while in AR mode.

Do the upgrades to BB-9E tempt you into purchasing one of Sphero’s legacy droids? If so, we hope the following observations help you make your final decision.

BB-9E Stats

Skill Level	Controller	Power Source	Package Contents
8+	Compatible iOS/Android Device	Lithium Polymer battery and induction charging base with a micro USB charging cable (included)	BB-9E, augmented reality droid trainer, induction charging base, and micro USB charging cord.

Setup

1. Download the Sphero Edu app.

2. If you’re using an Android device, you should be able to find the Droids by Sphero APK file and install it yourself. Again, this is the only way to access a Sphero droid’s Star Wars-specific features.

2. Charge your new/used droid.

Note: A full charge used to give you an hour of fun interacting with the First Order’s new menacing droid.

Pros

1. If you can get the Droids by Sphero app on your device, your BB-9E will have access to all of its original Star Wars-themed features.

2. Sphero was able to add LED lights on BB-9E’s head, powering them via induction.

2. The Sphero Edu App will allow you to program BB-9E with Scratch-style blocks and JavaScript.

Note: Programming your own version of an autonomous mode for BB-9E could be a fun project for you to try coding through the Sphero Edu app.

Cons

1. BB-9E’s sound and holographic images are located on your iOS/Android device only. These features are not on the actual robot.

2. Unless you own an Android device, as of October 2021, Sphero Edu will be the only compatible app available to use with BB-9E.

Conclusion

If you don’t mind taking a risk on a discontinued robot, and you’re hoping to do a bit of coding, BB-9E could be a fun robot for you. If you will be relying on the Sphero Edu app only, you may get more for your money with Bolt, another rolling robot by Sphero.

Note: If you’re able to find a renewed (refurbished) Sphero BB-9E on Amazon, make sure it’s one that comes with a 90-day Amazon Renewed Guarantee. At least that way, you’ll be confident in knowing that any battery issues (less than 80% capacity) can be resolved.