Short answer: if you want a saber that works beautifully the moment you open the box, choose SNV4. If you want to program it yourself, choose Proffie. If you plan to duel hard and often, choose S-RGB. Almost everyone should start with SNV4.
That is the whole decision in three lines. The rest of this page explains why, so you can be confident rather than just compliant.
The three boards, side by side
| S-RGB (baselit) | SNV4 Pixel | Proffie Pixel | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How the blade lights | One high-output LED in the hilt, shining up a diffused blade | LED strip running the full length of the blade | LED strip running the full length of the blade |
| Ignition | Blade lights all at once | Light travels from the emitter to the tip | Light travels from the emitter to the tip |
| Flash on clash | Whole blade flashes | Flashes at the point of impact | Flashes at the point of impact |
| Brightness | Bright, slightly brighter at the base | Very bright, even from base to tip | Very bright, even from base to tip |
| Blade effects | Solid colour, colour change | Unstable, scorched, colour-shifting | All of the above, plus anything you write yourself |
| Setup required | None | None | Some. There is a real learning curve |
| Customisation | Colour and sound presets | Large font library, colour control, app control | Effectively unlimited. Custom fonts, custom blade styles, editable config files |
| Durability under heavy contact | Best | Good | Good |
| Smooth swing | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Typical price on the A01 | $100 | $175 | $239 |
What is the difference between baselit and pixel?
Baselit puts one powerful LED inside the hilt and shines it up a blade designed to diffuse that light evenly. Pixel puts a strip of individually controlled LEDs inside the blade itself. That single structural difference is where every other difference comes from.
Because a pixel blade can light each section independently, it can do things a baselit blade physically cannot: ignition that travels up the blade instead of appearing all at once, a flash that happens exactly where two blades meet, and unstable or scorched blade styles that ripple along the length.
Because a baselit blade is a hollow polycarbonate tube with nothing inside it, there is less to damage. That is the trade. Pixel looks dramatically better. Baselit takes more punishment.
Is SNV4 Pro a neopixel board?
Yes. SNV4 drives a full-length pixel blade, which is what "neopixel" describes. The term refers to the LED strip inside the blade, not to any one manufacturer's board. Proffie and SNV4 both run pixel blades. S-RGB does not.
This trips people up because "neopixel" gets used as though it were a brand. It isn't. It is a blade technology, and several different boards can drive it.
Are Proffie sabers worth it?
Worth it for the right person, and genuinely not worth it for everyone else. Proffie's advantage is not that it looks better than SNV4 — on the same blade, the two look very similar. Its advantage is that it is open and programmable.
With Proffie you can install any sound font you like, write your own blade styles, set up gesture controls exactly how you want them, and edit the configuration files directly. There is an active community sharing fonts and styles.
The cost is time. Proffie has a real learning curve, and if you never intend to open a config file, you are paying for capability you will not use. On our A01 that premium is $64. There is no shame in choosing SNV4 first and moving to Proffie later once you know what you actually want. Plenty of people do exactly that.
Can you duel with a pixel saber?
Yes, and this is where a lot of the industry is vague, so here is our straight answer.
Our pixel blades are combat-grade polycarbonate and rated for contact. You can absolutely duel with them. But a pixel blade carries an LED strip inside it and a baselit blade does not, so under heavy, repeated, full-contact use there is simply more in there to damage.
So the honest guidance is:
- Sparring regularly, with real contact? Choose S-RGB. It is the most resilient configuration we sell, and it still has smooth swing. The A01 is $100 in that configuration.
- Dueling occasionally, and wanting it to look extraordinary the rest of the time? Choose a pixel board. That is most people — the Starbreaker (Black) at $359 is our usual recommendation.
- Display, cosplay and choreography? Pixel, without hesitation.
You can see everything offered in the resilient configuration on our Duel-Ready Sabers page, and everything available with a pixel blade on Neopixel Sabers. The full buying argument is in best saber for dueling.
One more thing worth knowing: our premium collector pieces are built for display and controlled handling rather than heavy contact, and each of those listings says so on the page. We would rather tell you than take the order.
What blade length should you order?
32 inch is the standard adult dueling length and the right default. If you are unsure, order 32.
- 26 inch — shorter wielders, indoor sparring, tight choreography, and anyone who spins. It is noticeably faster in the hand.
- 32 inch — the standard. Balanced for most adults and most uses.
- 36 inch — maximum reach and the most presence on a display stand. Takes more control to swing well.
Length never changes the price. Full detail in which blade length to order.
And blade diameter?
Some of our hilts take a 1 inch blade and some take 7/8 inch. A 1 inch blade has a thicker wall and throws more light. A 7/8 inch blade is lighter and faster. They are not interchangeable between hilts, so if you already own blades, order to match what you have.
So which one should you buy?
If you have read this far and still want it decided for you, here it is.
- First saber, no strong opinions? SNV4. It looks superb, needs nothing from you, and you will learn what you actually care about by owning it. Start at $175 on the A01, or $359 for the Starbreaker (Black) if you want to buy once.
- You want to duel properly? S-RGB. Buy the tough one, then buy a pixel saber later for the shelf.
- You already know you want to tinker? Proffie. You will not be satisfied with anything else.
Every saber we build is offered in more than one configuration, and the choice is made at checkout. If you are still stuck, the configuration guidance is written into every individual product page for that specific hilt, because the right answer changes depending on the saber.
Common questions
Is Proffie better than SNV4?
Not for looks. On the same blade they are very close to identical. Proffie is better only if you intend to write config files, install your own sound fonts or build custom blade styles. If you will not do those things, SNV4 is the better buy.
Can you upgrade a saber from SNV4 to Proffie later?
The board is chosen at purchase and is not a swap we offer as an upgrade. If you think you will want Proffie eventually, it is cheaper to buy it now than to buy twice.
Is S-RGB the same as baselit?
Yes. S-RGB is our baselit configuration — one high-output LED in the hilt lighting a diffused blade. It is not a neopixel saber.
Does S-RGB have smooth swing?
Yes. Smooth swing comes from the soundboard and motion sensor, not from the blade type. All three of our boards have it.
Which board is brightest?
The two pixel boards, and they are even from emitter to tip. A baselit blade is bright but slightly hotter at the base.
Do all three boards change colour?
Yes, on every saber we sell.
Which board should I buy for my first saber?
SNV4. See the beginner's guide for the rest of the decisions.
What happens after you order
Orders ship within 14–21 business days. Once shipped, delivery takes a further 7–10 days, in the US and internationally. Shipping within the US is free.
Returns are free for 30 days. If it is not right, you will not pay to send it back to us. The saber needs to come back unused and undamaged in its original packaging, and you email us first so we can send you instructions. Every saber carries a one-year warranty against manufacturing defects.
We build to order, which is why the timeline is what it is. We would rather give you a real number and hit it than quote you something short and miss.