Which LEGO Technic set: pull-back, app control or display model?

The age on the box as a level

LEGO prints an age on every box, such as 7+, 10+ or 18+. For Technic it is a handy guide to difficulty. The small pull-back sets are meant for younger builders. The higher the number, the more parts, gears and functions you usually get. LEGO uses 18+ for sets designed for adults, such as many of the large cars and machines.

Buying for a child? Pick a set whose age suits the child rather than a bigger set to grow into. A Technic model with lots of gears takes patience: an axle one hole out of place often only shows up much later, when you test the function.

Pull-back sets

Sets with "pull-back" in the name have a pull-back motor: pull the vehicle backwards, let go and it drives forward. No batteries needed. You will find them mostly under Monster Jam, such as the Monster Jam DIGatron, the Monster Jam ThunderROARus and the Monster Jam Sparkle Smash, and in the Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Pull-Back.

These are compact sets that are finished quickly. They make a good first meeting with Technic parts, without an app and without long evenings of building.

App control: CONTROL+

Some Technic sets are steered from a phone or tablet. For many of these sets LEGO uses the Technic Hub: according to LEGO it connects over Bluetooth to the LEGO Technic CONTROL+ app and also works with the Powered Up app. The hub runs on six AA batteries, which LEGO says are not included.

Examples in our catalogue are the App-Controlled Cat D11 Bulldozer, which has the control method in its name, and the Porsche GT4 e-Performance Race Car. For that Porsche LEGO says you steer, work the lights and see live driving data in the CONTROL+ app; the box says 10+. According to LEGO that Porsche has its own rechargeable battery; the USB-C cable to charge it is not included.

With a set like this, check three things: a device that runs the app, batteries or a charging cable at home, and room to drive. If the box says nothing about CONTROL+ or an app, the set has no motor and you work its functions by hand.

Models for the shelf

A large part of Technic is models of real cars, motorbikes and F1 cars. You build them mainly to display, with details such as a working gearbox, steering or suspension. LEGO marks many of these models 18+, the McLaren P1 among them.

Among the supercars are the Lamborghini Revuelto, the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport and the 1966 Ford GT40 MKII. The F1 cars include the Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance, the Ferrari SF-24 F1 Car and the McLaren MCL39 F1 Car. For motorbikes there are the Ducati Panigale V4 S and the Kawasaki Ninja H2R.

Measure the shelf first: big car models take up more room than the box suggests. LEGO lists the dimensions in its product description.

Machines, off-roaders and space

If you want to see how something works, a machine is often the pick. In Technic these are excavators, cranes and trucks, such as the Volvo EC500 Hybrid Excavator, the Volvo FMX Truck and EC230 Electric Excavator and the Mercedes-Benz Unimog U 5023 with Crane. The off-roaders include the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the Ford Bronco SUV and the Mercedes-Benz G 500 PROFESSIONAL Line.

For space there are the NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket, the NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle and the Lunar Outpost Moon Rover. Which functions a machine has (a turning upper body, a crane arm, a tipper) is in LEGO's description. Without a motor you work the functions by hand, often with a small wheel or lever.

Comparing by set number

Every Technic set has its own set number; for current sets that is five digits starting with 42. BricksDeal compares by set number, so you see prices for exactly the same set. Older sets that LEGO no longer makes are listed too; they are often sold by only a few shops. All sets with their prices are under Technic, the models of real brands under Licensed.