LEGO Star Wars 75452 BB-8 downsizes and downgrades the sequel trilogy droid

LEGO Star Wars 75452 BB-8 is smaller and in line with the current droid range, but drops one of the previous set’s best play features.

A new LEGO Star Wars BB-8 build is rolling on to the scene in 2026, but it lacks one of the last set’s best features in what is the first of many differences between the two builds. It doesn’t get much better when you take a look at the price of 75452 BB-8, either.

BB-8 is back in the LEGO Star Wars portfolio as a brick-built figure early next year, following up on the 2017 set with an entirely new design that brings it closer to scale with the current range of LEGO Star Wars droid sets. It’s a smart move from the LEGO Group to get the popular droid into the fold again, without dwarfing some of the other droid models as the old BB-8 build does.

Unfortunately, the execution of this LEGO BB-8 leaves a lot to be desired. What 75452 BB-8 boasts in printed pieces across its head and body, it lacks in the overall shaping. The build is interesting enough, though inevitably repetitive, but the shape it depicts looks too disjointed and with too many visible gaps that were avoided in the 2017 BB-8 model. I can appreciate the team doing something different rather than retreading familiar territory, though this wasn’t the experience I expected nine years after that first attempt.

One area where LEGO Star Wars 75452 BB-8 has caught my eye is in its functionality, or at least one function in particular. The droid incorporated a wheel on the bottom so that you can roll it around, while the dishes on the side of the ball can spin. When that bottom wheel rolls, the head on top spins in a pattern that may seem random, but actually demonstrates great part usage to give the droid figure a hefty amount of personality.

The set’s other function concerns the thumbs-up torch seen in The Force Awakens, though it’s not quite as fluid as that of 75187 BB-8, as the 2026 release requires you to manually open the dish door and pull the torch out (while it could be activated in the original set simply by turning a dial).

As much as 75452 BB-8‘s primary rolling function is fantastic, it’s not enough to explain the set’s lofty price tag when you consider the size and overall quality of the model. There are too many visible gaps, only one great feature (and a second disappointing one), and only 569 pieces in total in the box.

The numerous printed elements that help to sell the overall look of the figure help to explain the price, but there’s no doubt that 75452 BB-8 is far too expensive at £79.99 / $89.99 / €89.99. Directly comparing it to the BB-8 build released in 2017 only complicates things further.

LEGO Star Wars buildable BB-8 comparison



When directly compared to 2017’s 75187 BB-8, the differences between the new 569-piece model and the retired 1,106-piece creation become clear. Not only is the 2026 set half the size of the 2017 model, but the prices aren’t close enough when adjusted for inflation. 75187 BB-8 today would cost £114.67 / $132.49 / €127.92, whereas 75452 BB-8 is £79.99 / $89.99 / €89.99 for half the pieces and at approximately half the overall size.

Consider that 75452 BB-8 lacks a play feature compared to the 2017 model, too. The original build features both a spinning and bobbing head, as well as a torch thumbs-up activated by a hidden crank. Nine years later, LEGO BB-8 is back, but with a manual thumbs-up torch that you need to physically pull out of the build. The additional wheel on the bottom helps make up for the absence of this play feature, but not completely.



While it makes sense to release a downscaled LEGO BB-8 for the current-scale droid figures, the price should reflect the major size difference as well as the lacking functionality, and 75452 BB-8 unfortunately has not received the memo.

At its RRP, 75452 BB-8 is an overpriced LEGO Star Wars experience. The chosen price point raises the expectations for this droid figure to unrealistic levels, given that the necessary downscaling means that certain functions can no longer work as they did in 2017. As much as the design team have worked to introduce a new, satisfying feature, the price ultimately lets down this 2026 set. Your money can simply go much further within LEGO Star Wars, and you should wait for a decent discount on this build.

Our honest opinion: 75452 BB-8 has a great main function, but the lacking second play feature and an expensive price tag severely let down this droid model.

This LEGO set was provided by the LEGO Group for review purposes.

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How long does it take to build LEGO Star Wars 75452 BB-8?

You’ll only need an hour to build everything in LEGO Star Wars 75452 BB-8, though it can be a repetitive process.

What play features does 75452 BB-8 include?

LEGO Star Wars 75452 BB-8 has two play features. The first is that the head spins in a random pattern as the figure is rolled around. The second is that you can perform BB-8’s torch thumbs-up by opening the front hatch and pulling the flame out physically.

How big is LEGO Star Wars 75452 BB-8?

LEGO Star Wars 75452 BB-8 measures 20cm tall, 12cm long and 12cm wide. It is to scale with the other recent LEGO Star Wars droid models, including 75379 R2-D2 and 75398 C-3PO.

How much does LEGO Star Wars 75452 BB-8 cost?

LEGO Star Wars 75452 BB-8 will launch on January 1, 2026 for £79.99 / $89.99 / €89.99.