The 10 Best LEGO Technic Sets

Sep 08, 2023

LEGO has endured for close to 100 years, largely by sticking to the interlocking bricks that made them famous. The company innovates, but always within 'The System' that maintains fidelity across all LEGO products, so that the bricks your grandparents bought in the 1950s are compatible with the ones that you bought in 2023.

And that's why LEGO Technic, despite moving away from brick-based construction, has been so wildly successful. Created in 1977, Technic uses interlocking rods, pins, and beams to create an underlying framework for complex builds. It incorporates motors and gears to create simple machines. And over the last 10 years, LEGO has blurred the distinction between a classic brick build and a Technic build. Most modern sets incorporate elements of both to create a sturdier, functional end result.

Listed from least to most expensive, here are the 10 best LEGO Technic builds.

This is a perfect build for beginners and first-time builders. It's 2 builds in 1; you can either build the traditional Motorcycle or the Adventure Bike. Both look great on display, even if you ultimately decide that LEGO isn't for you.

Gravedigger and its fellow Monster Jam tour buddies, like El Toro Loco and Megalodon, are lovingly recreated, right down to the former's signature red headlights. Each of these monster trucks comes with a 'pullback' function that allows it to race and jump ramps with the best of them.

The Bugatti Bolide has a visually arresting yellow-and-black color scheme and the extra bells and whistles we've come to expect from LEGO: a steering mechanism that turns the front wheels and a working W16 engine with pistons and cylinders.

This Jeep has "flex"—the axle articulation necessary for off-roading and rough terrain. It has a winch, rear seats that fold down, and a spare tire on its rear. It also has an impressive size and scale, considering its cost.

This race car comes equipped with two pullback motors, which can be manually triggered by a person's hand or foot. It also can also sync with an AR app on your mobile device, allowing you to roleplay as a Formula E driver.

With independent suspension on all four wheels and a V6 engine, the 2022 Ford GT is the newest car in the LEGO Technic line. It comes with a working spoiler wing and some beautiful details on its rear lights.

It's a massive build for a very fair price. This is the sort of set that LEGO is capable of when they're not tied down to a third party licensing deal. It has pneumatic functions that operate the extendable crane and retractable outriggers for added stability.

This motorcycle is bigger than it looks. In fact, it's the largest motorcycle set that LEGO has ever built, at 1:5 scale. Created in partnership with BMW, it comes with a 3-speed gearbox, chain transmission, and two different stands (display and racing) to properly show it off.

With its unique lime green color and golden rims, this is an expensive LEGO set that looks every bit of its cost. It has all the extras expected in a supercar, from the butterfly doors that open upwards and outwards, to the 8-speed transmission and movable gearshift, to the V12 engine.

This is the big one—the most expensive set in the LEGO Technic line. You can operate its functions using the Control+ app, which includes driving it, steering, and lifting/lowering the blade. It's also faithful to the real-life vehicle. From a review on Lego.com:

"I am an operator of a D11 and can say that the D11 Technic dozer is a very accurate representation of the real life thing. The ripper works, the blade moves up and down and also tilts. The use of a motor for each track gives it the ability to screw like a real dozer. My first Technic set and I loved it."

It's high praise—that the designers were able to build something that was not only accurate to form, but also accurate to function. And hopefully, LEGO will continue to evolve in that direction, of making things that look incredible, but also 'work'—that provide wonderful play for the aspiring engineer in each of us.

For more, check out the best LEGO car sets, as well as the best LEGO sets for kids. And if you're buying for someone older (including yourself!), take a look at the best LEGO sets for adults.