Transformers: Best Autobots, Ranked

Summary

• Transformers franchise spans decades with diverse media presence creating a strong global fanbase.
• Autobots, including legendary members like Optimus Prime and Grimlock, have diverse personalities and iconic status.
• Characters like Ironhide, Arcee, and Jazz bring unique qualities to the Autobots, contributing to the franchise’s enduring legacy.

The Transformers franchise has spanned nearly three decades. There have been numerous iterations in multiple mediums such as comics, animation, and live-action movies. With all of the available media, Transformers has one of the largest fan bases in pop culture.

The franchise’s “good guy” faction, called the Autobots, consists of multiple characters of various designs and personalities. Fans have their favorites of new and old generations over the years, but the list is more diverse than one might think. While many transformers, especially Autobots, see popularity, not all stand the test of time and remain on center stage. But from G1 to the current prime universe and everything in between (including the “hate it or love it” live-action universe), many Autobots have become legendary in the Transformers mythos.

Updated on January 3, 2025 by C.M. Edwards: The Transformers franchise continues to be a pillar of the world of entertainment. With a history that spans over forty years, Transformers have garnered a dedicated following thanks to their avenues in multiple media such as live-action films, video games, and even comic books. The decades-long war between Decepticons and Autobots has captivated thousands around the world and provided some of the best good-guy vs bad-guy stories currently. Having recently released their film Transformers One, the origin of some of the greatest Autobots in history, including Optimus Prime, was explored. There are endless soldiers when it comes to the mighty and righteous Autobots, but only a select few rise to the top. Here are more of the best Autobots in Transformers.

20

Grimlock

A Beast Among Mechs

• First Appearance: Transformers Generation 1

Grimlock’s history with the Autobots is one of the most convoluted, which easily lands him a place on the list. He’s been a genius, a Neanderthal, an arrogant hothead, and a seasoned leader.

One of four Dinobots remaining in continuity from G1 forward, Grimlock is a fan favorite and a prominent member of the Autobots. He is powerful, albeit something of a loose cannon that no one ever wants to see coming their way. He has even bumped heads with even Optimus Prime himself.

19

Inferno

Never Runs From A Battle, Win Or Lose

• First Appearance: Transformers Generation 1

Inferno is often talked about as a fearless fighter who doesn’t hesitate to aid his fellow Autobots and rush full speed into anger. Whether it be an actual blaze or a battle with Decepticons, Inferno wastes no time when danger lurks around the corner.

Appearing first in the G1 Transformers cartoon, Inferno was a fan favorite for his bright red fire truck design, where his hose switched to a mounted laser cannon that replaced his hand. Inferno is one of the most trusted and most dedicated Autobots in the franchise.

18

Grindcore

A Doer, Not A Thinker

• First Appearance: IDW Comic Series As An Autobot

Grindcore has appeared in multiple different mediums in the Transformers universe with multiple different stories but never in the Transformer films. While in the main Transformers continuity, such as the G1 cartoon, Grindcore is an unaligned transformer who usually ends up siding with the Decepticons.

However, in the IDW movie comics, Grindcore is a stand-up Autobot who loves to get his hands dirty. Taking the appearance of a tank with a barrel on each forearm, Grindcore is quick to rush in and cause a little chaos before thinking it through.

17

Longarm Prime

Loyal To A Fault And Invaluable To The Team

• First Appearance: 2007 Transformers Live Action Movie

Long arm is one of the most respected and highly decorated Autobots in history, having appeared multiple times throughout the franchise, most notably in Transformers Prime. Longarm rose through the ranks and now answers to the Ultra Magnus on Cybertron, leading their intelligence division.

All who have fought alongside Longarm are always welcome to his aid and his sunny disposition. Longarm takes the appearance of a silver and blue Autobot with a hulking size.

16

Ironhide

A Tough As Nails Classic Character

• First Appearance: Transformers Generation 1

Ironhide is one of the toughest and oldest Autobots that serves under Optimus Prime. He would describe himself as last year’s model but built to last. His humble nature may take a turn in live-action films, but he’s an iconic Autobot.

He’s grumpy and sarcastic, but will never leave a comrade behind; he’s also a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. Ironhide is usually the heavy gunner of the squad and serves as a weapons specialist. His first appearance was in G1 Transformers, but he even appeared in the live-action movie alongside his fellow Autobots.

15

Jetfire

A Hot-Headed Ally

• First Appearance: Transformers Generation 1

Jetfire is an Autobot with a unique backstory, and one of the few modeled after an interstellar vehicle. He is an intelligent and advanced Autobot, but he is also the least trusted, which is why he doesn’t rank as high as other Autobots.

Jetfire defected from the Decepticon faction because of its chaotic and destructive intent. He then joined Optimus Prime and has become one of his strongest warriors. He and Optimus Prime have even merged to create a new and near-unstoppable form of Optimus Prime, Jetpower.

14

Wheeljack

Never Afraid To Get Down And Dirty

• First Appearance: Transformers Generation 1

Wheeljack is a curious case. He has had various personality traits throughout the franchise and his appearances in multiple mediums. In G1, he was a tinkerer, building magnificent creations one second and catastrophic failures the next. In Transformers Prime, he is a seasoned warrior and former member of an Autobot battle unit called “wreckers.”

His design has also changed across types of media, being the most different in live-action films. But in every appearance, Wheeljack is a loyal and dedicated Autobot, making him one of the best.

13

Omega Supreme

A Mechanical Force Of Nature

• First Appearance: Transformers Generation 1

Omegas Supreme is a legendary Autobot; he is the largest Autobot and their last line of defense to protect Cybertron. He doesn’t talk much, but it’s not hard to notice when he’s on the move. Omega Supreme is a force to be reckoned with, being matched by only the likes of Devastator, a Decepticon war machine.

However, not many can tend with Omega Supreme, as he is one of Cybertron’s Guardian robots — colossal machines designed to protect the planet from interstellar disasters, and even the most powerful Decepticon villains. His power and presence place easily rank him among the best Autobots.

12

Arcee

The Originator Of Skill And Style

• First Appearance: Transformers Generation 1

Arcee is one of the few female Autobots and the best-known among them. She is a fierce warrior and fights against anything that stands in her way. An expert in hand-to-hand combat and a brilliant tactician, Arcee has been a long-time member of the Autobots, first appearing in G1.

Her design has changed over the years, and her most recent appearance was in Transformers Prime, where she was a prominent member of the cast. Her accomplishments on the battlefield and the Autobots’ respect for her make her an important team member.

11

Bumblebee

The Most Loyal Autobot In History

• First Appearance: 2007 Transformers Live Action Movie

The best-known Autobot aside from Optimus Prime, Bumblebee is the prime example of what Autobots strive to be. His loyalty is unflinching, his skill in battle is unmatched, and his honor is solid through and through.

Meeting the bulk of his fame by appearing in the live-action movie as the voiceless Autobot, this spawned Bumblebee his solo film, and a more prominent role in future Transformer animations and comics. His major role in the franchise and his true Autobot nature have earned Bumblebee his spot as one of the best Autobots.

10

Hotrod

The Life Of The Party And Star Of The Show

• First Appearance: Transformers Generation 1

Hotrod makes it to the number two spot as one of the most significant original series members. His appearance doubles as a sometimes young and reckless Autobot and other instances as a seasoned veteran and confident leader. Originally, Hotrod was the successor to Optimus Prime, becoming a prime using the Matrix of Leadership.

While his popularity faltered due to the circumstances of Optimus Prime being mortally wounded by Megatron, Hotrod led the Autobots for quite some time. He accomplished a significant amount during his era of leadership.

9

Optimus Prime

The Legendary Leader Of The Autobots

• First Appearance: Transformers Generation 1

There is no question that the Autobot that has stood the test of time makes it to the number one spot on the list. Optimus Prime has given everything to the Autobot cause more than once and has come back to aid his comrades in almost every form of Transformers media.

Optimus has faced the like of Megatron, Starscream, and Unicron with unflinching bravery. Highly considered the prime of primes, Optimus is the most loved and celebrated member of the Autobots and stands at the top of the Transformers legacy.

8

Jolt

Stylish New Kid-On-The-Block

• First Appearance: Transformers Revenge Of The Fallen

Jolt is a fairly new addition to the Autobot family, and he first appeared in the second live-action film, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Jolt garnered a decent amount of popularity in the film which prompted his appearance in a string of comics published by IDW Publishing.

Jolt became the “class clown” archetype in the book’s run and was a mainstay character throughout. In the IDW comic run that followed the movies, Jolt is a member of a special team that is set off to round up Decepticons after the defeat of The Fallen. Originally, Jolt was not scheduled to be in the Revenge of the Fallen movie but was added last second by director Michael Bay.

7

Drift

Cool, Calm, A Well Put Together

• First Appearance: Transformers IDW Comic Series

Drift is a dedicated and loyal warrior of the Autobot cause; He has had many years in battle and is nigh unstoppable on the battlefield with expert hand-to-hand and sword combat techniques. However, Drift, in a past life, was a Decepticon that prided himself on the amount of Autobots that he’d dismantled. It wasn’t until he saw the Autobot war for what it truly was that he defected from the Decepticons and changed his name and joined the rival faction serving under Optimus Prime.

The dark and twisted cause of the Decepticons set Drift railing against himself, and what he had done, while previously an energetic battle junkie, he now presents a more reserved personality trying to atone for his past sins. Drift shines particularly bright in the comics, where he even got his miniseries.

6

Prowl

The Number One Second In Command

• First Appearance: Transformers Marvel Comic Series 1984

If there was an Autobot that demands as much respect as Optimus Prime it would be Prowl. Prowl serves as a strategist for the Autobots and Optimus Prime’s second-in-command on numerous occasions.

A quiet and stoic Autobot amongst many more energetic types, prowl is a machine of patience. Prowl appeared for the first time in the Generation 1 Transformers cartoon and has made additional appearances in other series and comics over the years; he held a popular role in the crossovers Transformers Vs. G.I Joe and Transformers Vs. The Terminator.

5

Smokescreen

Best Soldier To Operate Behind Enemy Lines

• First Appearance: Transformers Generation 1

Smokescreen is a jack of all trades and a master of none; for the Autobots, his job is to ensure enemy failure and mislead the Decepticons to keep the Autobot missions a mystery. Smokescreen excels in his job, doing everything he can, including outright lying and spying to keep the Decepticons oblivious to the true motives of his team.

Smokescreen originally appeared in the Generation 1 Transformers cartoon and has appeared on and off ever since. As of late, Smokescreen has had a main role in the recent Transformers series Transformers: Prime and is among the most discussed characters of the show.

4

Ultra Magnus

The Perfect Soldier

• First Appearance: Transformers 1986 Film

Cybertron’s Perfect Soldier, Ultra Magnus, is the ideal when it comes to the Autobot standard. Brilliant, dedicated, selfless, and reliable, Ultra Magnus sets the bear for what most Autobots strive to be. Having seen countless battles and gotten his allies out of numerous perilous situations, Ultra Magnus is not only physically capable but mentally adept as well.

While a perfect candidate for a leadership role, Ultra Magnus is not the leading type. Preferring to take orders instead of giving them, Ultra Magnus is more comfortable on a team. With a bit more self-confidence, Ultra Magnus would rise through the ranks like wildfire.

3

Sideswipe

A Daredevil With A Cause

• First Appearance: Transformers Generation 1

Sideswipe is a character that is never afraid to put it all on the line. Carrying an ask for forgiveness instead of a permission attitude, he takes certain unfavorable qualities from his brother Sunstreaker but makes up for it by never risking the safety of his fellow Autobots. With a hot streak of pushing the limits of his capabilities, Sideswipe prefers to go all in to prove himself the victor fully. While Sideswipe can be a bit full of himself, there has never been a moment where he has not prioritized protecting the innocent and defending the greater good.

2

Jazz

The Heart Of The Autobots

• First Appearance: Transformers 1984 Marvel Comic

Jazz is arguably the most popular Autobot, even among some Decepticons. He serves as Optimus Prime’s second in command on numerous occasions and shows why as can adapt to any situation on the fly. Skilled in on-the-ground maneuvers, Jazz excels in having the right tool, idea, or tactic for the job at the moment.

With an easygoing attitude, Jazz is also very open-minded and loves to learn about his surroundings as much as possible, absorbing much of Earth’s culture, including its music. Some would say Jazz is the most human Autobot out of the entire force, as he adapts their lingo, fads, and style to his personality.

1

Sentinel Prime

The Most Dedicated Autobot

• First Appearance: Transformers 1990 Marvel Comic

Like Optimus, Sentinel Prime is a former leader of the Autobots and one of the strongest Autobots; he is quite often depicted as an “elder” or generational Autobot that is past his prime. While a mighty leader and indispensable warrior on the battlefield in his time, sentinel prime is a shadow of his former self as many times over he is bested when he appears in a Transformers series.

Regardless of Sentinel Prime’s shortcomings, his undying loyalty and dedication to the Autobot cause set a strong example that all Autobots, including Optimus, strive to resemble. Sentinel Prime has a somewhat different presence in the IDW comics, as he is a revitalized and vital member of the team.