Best Sci-Fi Model Kits: Starships, Mechs, and Movie Icons
Updated How we research
Bandai Hobby Star Wars 1/72 X-Wing Star Fighter Building Kit (BAN191406)
Bandai's Star Wars 1/72 X-Wing Star Fighter kit, a snap-fit sci-fi build with standout Bandai precision.
Bandai Hobby Star Wars Y-Wing Starfighter 1/72 Model Kit
Bandai's Star Wars Y-Wing Starfighter 1/72 model kit, a detailed rebel bomber build with exposed mechanical parts.
Sci-fi model kits bring starships, mechs, and movie vehicles to the workbench, from Star Wars and Star Trek subjects to original mecha designs. They give scale modelers creative freedom that historical subjects do not, since there is no single correct paint scheme, and many builders add LED lighting to engines and windows. Kits range from simple snap-fit builds to complex studio-scale replicas. When choosing, look at panel detail and surface texture, whether the kit is engineered for lighting, the accuracy of the sculpt compared to the screen version, and the quality of decals or waterslides. This guide covers sci-fi kits that satisfy both casual fans and serious replica builders.
The short version
We compared 7 picks. Our scores range from 7.3 to 8.6 out of 10.
- Best overall:Bandai Hobby Star Wars 1/72 X-Wing Star Fighter Building Kit (BAN191406). Highest overall score in this guide at 8.6/10.
- Also great value:Bandai Hobby Star Wars Y-Wing Starfighter 1/72 Model Kit. Value score of 8/10, overall 8.6/10.
- Solid build:Bandai Hobby Star Wars Poe's X-Wing Fighter (Rise of Skywalker Ver.) 1/72 Plastic Model Kit. Build and materials score of 9/10, overall 8.0/10.
- Feature-rich:Polar Lights Star Trek USS Enterprise Refit 1:350 Scale Model Kit with Interior Docking Bay. Features score of 9/10, overall 8.4/10.
Scores are our editorial assessment, not customer ratings. How we score
- 1.Bandai Hobby Star Wars 1/72 X-Wing Star Fighter Building Kit (BAN191406)8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 2.Bandai Hobby Star Wars Y-Wing Starfighter 1/72 Model Kit8.6/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 3.Polar Lights Star Trek USS Enterprise Refit 1:350 Scale Model Kit with Interior Docking Bay8.4/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 4.Bandai Hobby Star Wars Poe's X-Wing Fighter (Rise of Skywalker Ver.) 1/72 Plastic Model Kit8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 5.Bandai Hobby Star Wars Resistance X-Wing Star Fighter The Force Awakens 1/72 (BAN202289)8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 6.Bandai Hobby Star Wars 1/72 X-Wing Red Squadron (Special Set)8.0/10See on AmazonCheck price
- 7.Revell 04991 Star Trek U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 (TOS) 1:600 Scale Model Kit7.3/10See on AmazonCheck price
#1Bandai's Star Wars 1/72 X-Wing Star Fighter kit, a snap-fit sci-fi build with standout Bandai precision.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Bandai snap fit is so precise that glue is optional
- + Iconic X-Wing shape looks great with light weathering and panel washes
- + Molded color parts look good even before any painting
- - Small scale makes the pilot and cockpit tough to detail neatly
- - Bandai Star Wars kits can be harder to find and pricier over time
#2Bandai's Star Wars Y-Wing Starfighter 1/72 model kit, a detailed rebel bomber build with exposed mechanical parts.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 8/10
- + Exposed engine and hull detail make the Y-Wing a painter's favorite
- + Pairs naturally with Bandai X-Wing kits for a rebel fleet
- + Snap fit keeps the complex frame easy to assemble cleanly
- - Worn Y-Wing look needs heavy weathering to match the films
- - Thin engine struts can snap if handled roughly
#3Polar Lights' Star Trek USS Enterprise Refit 1:350 kit with interior docking bay, a large showpiece for Trek fans.
Fit for the job 9/10 · Features and specs 9/10 · Build and materials 8/10 · Value 7/10
- + Interior docking bay adds a detail most starship kits leave out
- + Large scale Refit Enterprise has real display presence
- + Movie era design is a favorite among Star Trek collectors
- - Big model needs a sturdy stand and lots of display space
- - Aztec hull pattern is demanding to paint or decal neatly
#4Bandai's Star Wars Poe's X-Wing Fighter (Rise of Skywalker Ver.) 1/72 kit, a sequel trilogy build with Poe's markings.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Sequel era X-Wing design differs clearly from the classic version
- + Poe's colorful markings make a vivid display without complex painting
- + Bandai engineering keeps the wing mechanism tidy and robust
- - Specific movie version may appeal less to original trilogy fans
- - Stickers are less durable than water-slide decals
#5Bandai's Star Wars Resistance X-Wing from The Force Awakens in 1/72, a precise snap kit of the newer sequel era fighter.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Force Awakens design complements an original X-Wing on display
- + Precise snap engineering suits sci-fi fans new to scale models
- + Great base for practicing chipping and exhaust staining
- - Similar looking to Poe's kit, so collectors may not need both
- - Tiny parts in this scale are easy to lose on a busy desk
#6Bandai's Star Wars 1/72 X-Wing Red Squadron Special Set, a collector bundle for building multiple rebel fighters.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 8/10 · Build and materials 9/10 · Value 7/10
- + Special set focus lets you recreate a Red Squadron attack display
- + Shared Bandai quality means consistent fit across every fighter
- + Bundle is great for batch painting and weathering practice
- - Building the same ship repeatedly can feel repetitive
- - Check the exact set contents in the listing before ordering
#7Revell's 1:600 scale U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701 from the original Star Trek series, an unassembled plastic kit with detailed surfaces. A smaller, cheaper way to build the classic ship than a 1:350 kit.
Fit for the job 8/10 · Features and specs 6/10 · Build and materials 7/10 · Value 8/10
- + The original series Enterprise in 1:600, a far more shelf-friendly size than the large 1:350 kits
- + Listing notes detailed surfaces and an illustrated step-by-step instruction manual in several languages
- + From Revell, an established kit maker, which adds a second brand to the Star Trek picks in this guide
- - Listing is sparse: no parts count, finished length, decal or lighting details are stated
- - Traditional unassembled kit that needs glue and paint, and neither is mentioned as included
Before you buy: trade-offs we flagged
No pick is perfect. These are the main compromises we noted for the top products in this guide, so you can check they will not matter for you.
- Small scale makes the pilot and cockpit tough to detail neatly (Bandai Hobby Star Wars 1/72 X-Wing Star...)
- Worn Y-Wing look needs heavy weathering to match the films (Bandai Hobby Star Wars Y-Wing Starfighter...)
- Big model needs a sturdy stand and lots of display space (Polar Lights Star Trek USS Enterprise Refit...)
- Specific movie version may appeal less to original trilogy fans (Bandai Hobby Star Wars Poe's X-Wing Fighter...)
- Similar looking to Poe's kit, so collectors may not need both (Bandai Hobby Star Wars Resistance X-Wing Star...)
- Building the same ship repeatedly can feel repetitive (Bandai Hobby Star Wars 1/72 X-Wing Red...)
Frequently asked questions
›What is the best choice among sci-fi model kits: starships, mechs, and movie icons?
Bandai Hobby Star Wars 1/72 X-Wing Star Fighter Building Kit (BAN191406) is our top overall pick. Bandai's Star Wars 1/72 X-Wing Star Fighter kit, a snap-fit sci-fi build with standout Bandai precision. It earns our score of 8.6/10, based on fit for the job, features, build and value.
›What is a good budget option?
Bandai Hobby Star Wars Y-Wing Starfighter 1/72 Model Kit is the strongest low-cost pick in this guide. Bandai's Star Wars Y-Wing Starfighter 1/72 model kit, a detailed rebel bomber build with exposed mechanical parts.
›How much should I expect to spend?
Picks in this guide span See on Amazon price bands (roughly: $ = under $30, $$ = $30 to $100, $$$ = over $100). We never display exact prices because they change constantly, so the buttons above always show Amazon's current price.
›How were these products chosen?
We shortlist products that fit the job this guide solves and compare their published specifications, such as size, capacity, materials and what is included. Each pick gets an editorial score out of 10 for fit, features, build and value, and we write the pros and cons from those details. Our score is not an Amazon customer rating. We earn a commission if you buy through our links, which never affects the ranking.
Model Build Lab independently selects every product; we may earn a commission from links above.
Popular right now
- Best Magnifiers for Scale ModelingBuying guide
- Best Modeling Putty: Fill Seams and Gaps Like a ProBuying guide
- Best Airbrush Cleaners for ModelersBuying guide
- Best Hobby Lamps for Model BuildingBuying guide
- Best Brush Sets for Model Painting: Detail Brushes That Keep Their PointBuying guide
- Restoring Old Model KitsArticle
Based on the last 28 days of search and visitor data.