GHv3 vs Proffie vs Xenopixel: Which Lightsaber Soundboard is Best?

When buying a custom lightsaber, one of the most important decisions is choosing the right soundboard. The soundboard controls your saber’s sound effects, blade colours, ignition styles, and special effects – essentially, it’s the brain of your lightsaber.

The three most popular boards today are:

• Golden Harvest V3 (GHv3)
• Proffieboard
• Xenopixel

Each has its strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice depends on your budget, experience, and how much you want to customise your saber.

What is the GHv3?

The Golden Harvest V3 is designed for enthusiasts who want powerful features without needing coding knowledge. It uses an SD card with menus for easy customisation.

Key Highlights:

• Beginner-friendly menu navigation
• Multiple sound fonts and blade effects
• Smooth Swing motion sounds
• Gesture ignition options
• Supports firmware updates via SD card

The GHv3 is a strong midpoint between simplicity and customisation.

What is a Proffieboard?

The Proffieboard is the most advanced and customisable lightsaber board. It’s open-source and requires connecting to a computer and editing configuration files, making it ideal for tinkerers who want complete control.

Key Highlights:

• Fully customisable blade profiles and effects
• Unlimited sound fonts (SD card size dependent)
• Huge range of gesture controls
• Open-source firmware, constantly updated
• Requires technical setup with Arduino IDE

The Proffie is best for experienced users and hobbyists who enjoy programming and experimenting.

What is Xenopixel?

The Xenopixel board is known for its plug-and-play simplicity. It comes preloaded with effects and is extremely user-friendly – no coding, no menus, just ready to use.

Key Highlights:

• Budget-friendly option

• Easy to use with pre-installed sound fonts and effects

• Smooth Swing support

• Colour and effect changes via button combinations

• Limited customisation compared to GHv3 and Proffie

The Xenopixel is great for beginners and casual collectors who want an affordable, fun lightsaber without technical setup.

Feature	GHv3	Proffie	Xenopixel
Ease of Use	Beginner-friendly with menus	Advanced, requires coding	Easiest, plug-and-play
Customisation	High – menu & SD card	Very High – code & firmware	Low – limited presets
Sound Fonts	Multiple, easily installed	Unlimited (SD card)	Preloaded, limited to updates
Blade Effects	Many presets (pulse, flicker, rainbow)	Fully programmable, unlimited	Preloaded standard effects
Colour Changing	In-hilt menu or gestures	Full control via config	Button combinations
Gestures	Twist, swing, push ignition	Extensive, fully programmable	Limited
Firmware Updates	Yes, via SD	Yes, open-source	Rare/limited
Community Support	Moderate	Very large, active	Smaller
Price Range	Mid	Higher	Budget
Best For	Casual + Enthusiasts	Advanced Hobbyists	Beginners + Casual Fans

 

Which Board Should You Choose?

Choose Xenopixel if…

• You’re a beginner or first-time buyer
• You want an affordable lightsaber that just works
• You’re happy with preloaded fonts and effects

Choose GHv3 if…

• You want more control without coding
• You like experimenting with menus and SD card files
• You want a balance of user-friendliness and customisation

Choose Proffie if…

• You want the most powerful and customisable board
• You don’t mind coding and tinkering
• You want access to an active community and unlimited effects

All three boards – Xenopixel, GHv3, and Proffie – deliver amazing lightsaber experiences, but they suit different types of users:

• Xenopixel → Perfect for beginners and casual fans who want simplicity and affordability.

• GHv3 → Best for enthusiasts who want advanced features without learning code.

• Proffie → The top choice for hardcore hobbyists and tech-savvy fans who want full control.

No matter which you choose, you’ll end up with a customisable, Smooth Swing lightsaber that feels like it came straight out of the galaxy far, far away.