Let’s return in time virtually 60 years, to 1964. Consider it or not, that is how way back that Lego launched its first space set. Again then, it was a simple three-color rocket (opens in new tab) that price lower than a greenback. Naturally, Lego space units have advanced quite a bit since then – so let’s take a look at a number of the finest Lego space units accessible, lets?
From big developments in Lego itself to spectacular partnerships with the likes of NASA, the Lego space units we see in the present day are nothing wanting unimaginable. In the previous few years we have had scale fashions of Apollo Saturn V, big replicas of the Discovery Shuttle, and detailed Apollo 11 Lunar Landers. They usually’re simply those aimed toward adults. There’s an entire different world of space-themed Lego units aimed toward youngsters.
Scroll down beneath, and you will find a round-up of all the very best Lego space units presently accessible. We have organized them into three useful classes. First are the bigger space units designed for adults; second are the Lego space units aimed toward youngsters; and final is a bit of Marvel and DC-themed units with a space-themed twist.
For sure then, in the event you’re considering of choosing up a Lego space set, you are in the best place. Right here you may discover all the mandatory details about the very best units on the market, together with hyperlinks via to our extra detailed evaluations the place relevant.Â
As soon as you recognize what Lego space units you are searching for, why not head on over to our Lego space deals web page? And if you would like the lowdown on several types of Lego units, we have you coated with our purchaser’s guides to the best Lego Star Wars sets and best Lego Marvel sets.
Finest Lego space units for adults
In case you’re a space fan, then there’s no denying that this Lego NASA House Shuttle Discovery is likely one of the finest Lego space units you may get your arms on proper now. It’s an genuine recreation of NASA’s actual Discovery shuttle, that includes sensible components resembling a gap payload bay, retractable touchdown gear, and 5 seats for the crew.Â
Sadly, you’ll have to make use of your creativeness there since this set doesn’t include minifigures, however it’s a small worth to pay for one thing that’s in any other case so detailed. As an added bonus, it additionally features a mannequin of the Hubble Telescope, which might be stowed away contained in the shuttle’s payload bay.Â
The Lego NASA Apollo Saturn V is an attention-grabbing set. It was first launched in 2017 as a part of the Lego Concepts vary, however after being discontinued on the finish of 2019, it was introduced again in 2020 – the very same product, however simply with a special mannequin quantity. Clearly, it was so fashionable that Lego determined it was price retaining on the cabinets for much longer than a set’s common shelf life. And it’s not exhausting to see why. This reproduction of Apollo Saturn V is extremely detailed, and epic in scale – in the event you stand it upright, it’s a meter tall!
For space followers, too, there’s an terrible lot of sensible element thrown in, resembling gasoline tanks, rocket fins, and engines – and there’s even a teeny-tiny microfigure included to provide you some sense of the dimensions of this factor. Inevitably, the construct is somewhat repetitive, however for one thing so magnificent, it’s price it.
For any space fan, this reproduction Apollo 11 Lunar Lander is immediately recognizable. Lego has spared virtually no element in bringing it to life, trying as near the actual factor as a set of plastic bricks may presumably permit. The consequence is a superb show piece, capturing the second that people stepped on the moon again in 1969 brilliantly. The lander itself is expertly crafted, though the intricacy of the mannequin means there are a number of fiddly components. It’s additionally somewhat disappointing that a number of the decorations – just like the golden paneling alongside the perimeters of the Lunar Lander – are stickers fairly than printed bricks.
It’s not fairly sufficient to cease this being the most effective Lego space units on the market, although. We notably love the included show base, designed to duplicate the floor of the moon – even full with little minifigure footprints!
When Lego first introduced the Worldwide House Station (ISS) – a fan-designed mannequin from the Lego Concepts vary – we have been somewhat involved. Why? Nicely, it appeared that each one of these solar panels may very well be stickers, fairly than printed bricks. No one likes stickers on a Lego mannequin, particularly not that many. Fortunately, Lego delivered greater than we hoped for, and there isn’t a single sticker to be seen on this mannequin.
What is to be seen, although, is a wonderful reproduction of the ISS, squeezing in additional particulars than we may have imagined. Actual-life options, such because the Built-in Truss Construction, habitation modules, and logistics carriers have been faithfully recreated. And there are even tiny variations of the NASA House Shuttle, SpaceX Dragon, and Boeing CST-100 Starliner to provide the Worldwide House Station a way of scale. Placing the solar panels collectively is repetitive although, and by their very nature they’re somewhat flimsy and simply knocked misplaced. However when it’s all constructed, it is a very spectacular mannequin.
That is the one designed-for-adults Lego space set that is not primarily based on a NASA property, however it’s one thing fairly particular. Notably for these of us who’ve beloved Lego since our childhood. You see, it is a recreation of certainly one of Lego’s earlier space units – the Galaxy Explorer from 1979. (In case you’re not sufficiently old, you may acknowledge it because the inspiration behind Benny’s Spaceship in The LEGO Film.)
Greater and extra detailed than the unique, Lego Icons Galaxy Explorer is undoubtedly vital for any LEGO collector and Lego space fan. It has been created to rejoice Lego’s ninetieth anniversary, and so we have now a sense it will not be round without end. It is one we’re actually proud to have in our personal collections, that is for positive.
Finest Lego space units for teenagers
Lego’s Lunar Analysis Base is one other of its new units, primarily based on an official NASA idea for its Artemis Base Camp. It is a improbable playset thanks to only how a lot stuff is included. There are many shifting components and a full go well with of minifigures, making this the proper playset for younger space adventurers. The draw back is that it is fairly massive, so it wants plenty of space to show or retailer.
 Its worth offers us pause nevertheless, as $120/£90 for a 786 piece playset simply feels too costly. Seize it each time it is on supply, nevertheless, and it is a set that may actually delight any younger Lego space fan.
This set, together with the three to comply with, is model new and so we haven’t had an opportunity to get hands-on with it but. It’s a substitute to Deep Space Rocket and Launch Control (60228) (opens in new tab) which lately retired – besides it’s larger and costlier. Somewhat too costly in reality: $150/£125 for a playset looks like some huge cash.
Nonetheless, you do get lots included for that worth, together with a sensible rocket impressed by Artemis, NASA’s return to the moon. There’s additionally a pleasant choice of minifigures: six in total, together with astronauts, scientists, and workmen. There’s mainly all the things right here a child must stage their very own rocket launch.
This Lunar Roving Car, full with its 12 wheels – rely them! – is a fantastic-looking space toy. It’s one other set primarily based on an Artemis idea, this time for NASA’s Lunar Rover. It opens up on the again, offering space for a minifigure astronaut to sit down, and there’s additionally room for one within the driver’s place.Â
Higher but, that enormous, spherical panel opens up, permitting the car to connect to the Lunar Analysis Base, which we’ve written about above. After all, it means you’ll have to shell out $120/£90 to make good use of that operate, which is somewhat annoying.
Right here’s the final of Lego’s latest space units. This Lunar House Station relies on NASA’s Artemis Lunar Gateway, which supplies some academic worth to its play. And certainly, there’s lots to love right here, together with the sensible docking capsule, the science and botany labs, and the separate sleeping quarters. You may virtually think about it floating via space.Â
Our solely concern is that it’s solely $10/£5 cheaper than the ultra-realistic Worldwide House Station mannequin, and we all know which one we’d fairly have on our cabinets. Nonetheless, this one is minifigure-scale, so for youthful Lego space followers it has far more playability.
In case you don’t have the funds to splash out on Lego’s $200/£160 NASA House Shuttle Discovery, this 3-in-1 Creator set is a superb various and the most effective Lego space units on the market aimed toward youngsters. Though it’s missing the NASA branding and a number of the finer sensible element, it’s nonetheless very clear what it’s imagined to be. And it even options opening payload doorways, with a satellite stowed away inside.
The opposite two fashions on supply within the set – a rocket and lunar lander – look very efficient too, every of them basically being a smaller model of certainly one of Lego’s costlier units. You may’t construct all three of them without delay, although; you’ll want to purchase three copies of the set if you wish to try this.
Lego’s personal Monkie Child sequence, a variety primarily based on Chinese language mythology, won’t seem to be the perfect option to make space-themed Lego units, however right here we’re. In case you’re searching for a sensible Lego space set, this clearly isn’t it, however so far as youngsters’ playsets go, they don’t get far more funky and interesting-looking than this.
The rocket itself is fairly big – 16.5 inches (41 cm) tall, in reality, and has plenty of attention-grabbing inside particulars, good for roleplay. The cockpit and cabin home windows raise off, offering entry to the within, the place you’ll discover 5 seats for the crew to sit down. The completed construct does function various stickers, nevertheless, which is barely disappointing.
This House Mining Mech actually isn’t NASA-approved, however we expect it’s the most effective Lego space units on the market for teenagers who like to have enjoyable. It’s a funds set which might be constructed certainly one of 3 ways. The first construct is a space-faring mech, full with a rotary blade on one arm and a hand that may really seize issues with the opposite. He’s additionally obtained shifting legs and arms, good for posing and having enjoyable with.
The opposite two builds on supply, nevertheless, aren’t fairly nearly as good. There’s a two-legged robotic, and a 4-legged cargo provider, but when we’d not learn the outline on Lego’s web site we’re unsure we’d have guessed what they have been imagined to be.
We don’t assume that Lego must make a space set that’s tailor-made in the direction of women, however there’s no denying that it is a pretty set. It’s NASA-branded, like the latest wave of Lego Metropolis units, and whereas NASA doesn’t usually put pink edging on its shuttles, it’s nonetheless recognizable and packs in loads of sensible element. There’s a Canadarm, as an illustration, which comes out of opening payload doorways.
Alongside the shuttle, there’s a ‘House Academy’ constructing, together with a telescope and a multi-axis coach. It makes for a fantastic playset. The one actual draw back is that the shuttle itself is similar to the Creator 3-in-1 House Shuttle Journey, so there’s little have to have each units. We would often advocate that set, but when your baby loves the colour pink, then Olivia’s House Academy is a superb alternative for any baby.
This Disney-branded space rocket is one for Lego’s youngest followers. This set falls into the corporate’s 4+ vary, which means it’s a fundamental construct for small arms. Older Lego followers will undoubtedly discover it somewhat too easy to maintain them occupied – with solely 88 items, you’ll probably have it collectively in a matter of minutes.Â
The rocket itself is especially easy, made of enormous, molded shapes. However it hardly issues – it is a lovely-looking set for kids. And people Minnie and Mickey minifigures, donned of their space fits, are simply great.
Right here’s one other set from Lego’s Monkie Child vary. This isn’t your common Lego space set, however it does seize the sensation of being on the moon fairly properly – regardless of being zany in design! What is especially neat is the best way it blends Chinese language folklore (a theme the Monkie Child vary is constructed round) into sci-fi storytelling; it’s really named after Chang’e, the Chinese language goddess of the moon. She options right here in minifigure type, alongside together with her acquaintance, the Jade Rabbit. The also-included blue punk-rock cat is maybe not primarily based on folklore, however may be very a lot appreciated all the identical (simply have a look at that mohawk).
The person components of Chang’e Moon Cake Manufacturing unit are neat, notably the bunny mech, with its big domed window. It’s only a disgrace the set is made up of a number of small components, fairly than one bigger mannequin.
Finest Marvel & DC space units
We’ve now moved on to the realm of not-so-realistic space units. And is there a greater approach to kick it off than the wonderful Guardians’ Ship? It won’t be NASA-approved, however that is nonetheless the most effective Lego space units on the market, in our opinion. It’s a improbable recreation of the Benatar – the ship the Guardians of the Galaxy changed the Milano with after it was broken. The extent of accuracy is improbable, and it’s immediately recognizable to any Marvel fan.
Unusually, it doesn’t include a Drax or Nebula minifigure, which is a bit disappointing for these hoping for a full Guardians set. We’re additionally unsure if it’s imagined to be a play set or a show piece, and we don’t assume Lego can resolve both. The included stand (which we love!) suggests the latter, however the reality it’s a 14+ set fairly than 18+, and the play components contained in the ship, suggests the previous. That’s not essentially a nasty factor, however simply one thing to bear in mind.
The Eternals’ spaceship won’t be fairly as recognizable as The Guardians’, however there’s no denying the triangular Domo is eye-catching. There’s a fantastic design on the outside, and opening it up will reveal a full inside full with cockpit, weapons room, and laboratory. There’s a pleasant set of minifigures included, too: Makkari, Ikaris, Thena, Sersi, Druig, and Phastos… if these names imply something to you.
We’re not so positive in regards to the Deviant builds that include the set, nevertheless. They give the impression of being fairly cool, however they’re undoubtedly including fairly a piece to the asking worth. We’d have most popular the main focus to be solely on the ship.
We’re stunned by how massive the Sanctuary II is, going by its worth. For $40/£35, a wingspan of 14 in/36 cm is fairly spectacular, and so this makes for fairly the formidable toy. There’s a pleasant choice of minifigures too: Iron Man, Thanos, and Captain Marvel. You may pop certainly one of them contained in the cockpit, and there’s one other opening space on the rear of the ship to retailer cargo.
It’s only a disgrace that a number of the particulars of the actual factor are missing, however that’s to be anticipated for the value. There’s additionally a lot of stickers right here, and it’d have been good to see extra printed components.
Sure, we’re taking some liberties with the ultimate entry on our greatest Lego space units listing. We’re properly conscious that the Batwing isn’t technically a spacecraft. However it’s shut sufficient, and we’re pretty positive that Batman may go to space if he wished to. (Enjoyable reality: there’s a now-retired Bat-Space Shuttle (opens in new tab) from the Lego Batman Film vary, proving that Batman has, certainly, been to space.)
Technicalities apart, it is a fantastic-looking craft, and a beautiful reproduction of Batman’s 1989 Batwing. What we notably love is that it comes with two show choices: a buildable stand, for tabletop displaying, or a wall-mounted possibility. The one tiny nit-pick we will discover is that the included Batman minifigure isn’t unique to the set (however The Joker and his Goon are).
