Ready to conquer the Settled Systems? Whether you’re a stealthy scout, a heavy cargo hauler, or a battle-hardened space warrior, Starfield offers a ship tailored to your playstyle. From the nimble Razorleaf to the fortress-like Stronghold, discover the best ships to elevate your journey across the stars-plus tips on how to unlock and customize them for ultimate domination in the galaxy.
It’s nigh impossible to get the single best ship in Starfield early on, thanks to prohibitively expensive sticker prices. Bear in mind, too, that to pilot ships higher than class A, you’ll need to invest points in the Piloting skill (which requires destroying enemy ships, which itself requires a better ship).
Still, in short order, you’ll get plenty of money and skill points in Starfield, which should soon open up your options. Without further ado, these are the best ships in Starfield, including the best class C ship, the best free ship, and the best ship to buy.
And if you want to modify them to make them even better, our guide on how to use the Ship Builder can help, and learn where to buy ship modules for even broader customization.
Best ship for beginners: Razorleaf
The Razorleaf is widely regarded as the best ship for beginners in Starfield due to its excellent balance of speed, maneuverability, and firepower right from the start. It is a Class A ship that players can acquire early in the game by completing the Mantis side mission, which, although challenging, rewards players with a powerful vessel that can easily handle lower-level enemies. The Razorleaf’s lightweight design allows for agile combat, making it perfect for new players learning space battles. Additionally, it comes with a shielded cargo hold, providing some versatility for smuggling or storage. Its base weaponry is strong enough to shred through foes, and the ship can be upgraded over time to enhance its combat capabilities further. Best of all, the Razorleaf is earned rather than purchased, making it a valuable free asset for newcomers venturing into the Frontier.
How to get it: Complete the “Mantis” side quest
Cost: Free
Fairly early into your playthrough, you will likely pick up a note titled “Secret Outpost!” from a dead Spacer. I found it during the mission “The Old Neighborhood,” while searching for the whereabouts of Vanguard Moara. Head to the Secret Outpost on Denebola I-b, and you’ll begin a quest titled “Mantis.”
Spoilers aside, as it is one of the best side quests in Starfield, you’re rewarded with some immensely powerful armor, along with the Razorleaf – one of the best class A ships in the game for anyone who is a fairly low level. It has a cargo hold with room for 420kg of stuff, so a slight downgrade on the 495 offered by the Frontier, but with almost triple the fuel and 100 higher hull protection, along with more powerful weapons, it’s a no-brainer. Especially since it has a shielded cargo hold with a capacity of 160, essential for smuggling contraband.
Best free ship: Kepler R
The Kepler R stands out as the best free ship in Starfield, offering players a top-tier Class C vessel without spending a single credit. Awarded for completing the “Overdesigned” side quest for Walter Stroud-if you make the right choices and succeed in a key persuasion check-this ship boasts impressive specs: 24 power slots, a powerful grav drive, robust shields, six crew slots, a jump range of up to 30 light years, and a massive cargo capacity exceeding 3,900 units. Its high fuel reserves and fast engines make it ideal for long-distance exploration and hauling, while its solid weaponry ensures you can hold your own in battle. The only catch is that you’ll need to max out your Piloting skill to fly it, but for players willing to invest, the Kepler R is unmatched among the game’s free ships.
How to get it: Complete the “Overdesigned” side quest
Cost: Free
After the “Starborn” main mission, linger around Constellation headquarters and talk to Walter. You’ll get the “Overdesigned” side quest, which sends you to the Stroud-Eklund offices to consult the company’s staffers on designing its new spaceship. Instinct would suggest you pick and choose ideas based on what you think would be best in a ship. Don’t do that. Instead, affirm literally everyone’s ideas. That will reward you with the best free ship in the game. (Consult our video walkthrough above for the detailed quest steps to “Overdesigned.”)
If you do it right, you’ll get the Kepler R – a class C ship with truly bonkers stats: six crew, 28 LY jump range, 805 shield power, 3,500 cargo capacity, and some pretty solid weapons to boot. Yes, the Kepler R is ridiculous-looking and, no, it would never in a million years sell on a legitimate spaceship market. But with stats like these and a price point of 0 credits, who cares about aesthetics?
Best class A ship: Wanderwell
The Wanderwell is considered one of the best Class A ships in Starfield, especially for early-game players. It is a unique ship obtained by selecting the Kid Stuff trait at the start of the game and progressing through the main quest to receive it from your in-game father. Despite being free, the Wanderwell offers solid stats including a hull of 502, shield strength of 455, a gravity jump range of 27 lightyears, and a cargo capacity of 800, making it a versatile and reliable choice for exploration and cargo hauling. It has 20 energy bars to allocate across its systems and supports two crew members. While it lacks built-in laser or missile weapons, it comes equipped with ballistic and electromagnetic weapons, and can be upgraded at spaceyards. Its accessibility and balanced capabilities make it a top pick for players seeking a dependable Class A ship early on in their Starfield journey.
How to get it: Select the Kid Stuff trait
Cost: Free
If you chose the Kid Stuff trait, your parents will be alive in the game and you can visit them, in exchange for 2% of your credits every week to support them (though that is capped at 500 each time). Give it enough time and, eventually, your dad will gift you the class A Wanderwell ship that he won while. gambling. Guess that’s what the cash you send home to help the family is going toward!
On the plus side, while it doesn’t have any Shielded Cargo like the Razorleaf, the Wanderwell does have a cargo capacity of 880, making it perfect for carrying all the resources you need to complete side missions. It only comes with two weapons by default rather than the standard three, so you’ll need to fork out a little to get it fully equipped, but with a jump range of 27 LY, it’s the next best upgrade after the Razorleaf.
Best class B ship: Shieldbreaker
The Shieldbreaker stands out as the best Class B ship in Starfield thanks to its exceptional balance of combat power, defense, and utility. With 610 shields, a robust hull, and solid weapon systems, it excels in space battles while remaining accessible for pilots with rank 3 in Piloting. Its 2,300 cargo capacity and five crew slots make it versatile for both trading and exploration, and the 25 light-year jump range ensures you can traverse the galaxy efficiently. Available for around 240,000 Credits at New Atlantis, the Shieldbreaker is affordable compared to other advanced ships and comes fully equipped, making it an ideal choice for players seeking a well-rounded, reliable Class B vessel.
How to get it: Buy from New Atlantis Ship Services Technician
Cost: 265,443 credits
This class B bad boy costs a fair whack, but if you’ve prioritized both main story and faction affiliation missions (both of which pay more than most side quests) and sold literally everything you’ve seen, you probably have enough credits in the bank for the Shieldbreaker. Once you turn your attention to side activities, such as destroying the Crimson Fleet and hauling thousands of resources across the galaxy, this ship can do it all.
With a crew size of five and a cargo capacity of 2,280 (none of it shielded though, unfortunately), there’s a lot of room here. Living up to its name, it also has relatively powerful weapons, and comes with laser that automatically target enemy ships.
Best class C ship: Silent Runner
The Silent Runner stands out as the best Class C ship in Starfield for players who prioritize cargo capacity and survivability over raw firepower. With a massive 6,060 cargo hold-the largest among prebuilt ships-it’s perfect for explorers, traders, and crafters who need to haul vast amounts of goods across the galaxy. Its robust defensive stats include a hull strength of 1,164 and shields rated at 975, while a powerful grav drive allows for swift escapes and a jump range of 30 lightyears. The Silent Runner isn’t built for heavy combat, but its combination of durability and utility makes it the ultimate workhorse for players willing to invest in maxing out their Piloting skill to fly this Class C behemoth.
How to get it: Buy from HopeTech HQ
Cost: 390,150 credits
Want to become a full time hauler? Look no further than the Silent Runner, a class C ship that’s essentially the Shieldbreaker’s older brother. While the Shieldbreaker is pretty good in combat, the Silent Runner is all about the cargo, with a whopping 6,060 cargo space. You can upgrade it further with weaponry of course, but this is the one to go for if you want to become a space trucker.
On top of the cargo space, it can grav jump up to 29 LY and has 1,164 hull, which is more than enough to hold off any Crimson Fleet or House Va’ruun members that come a-knocking. It’s also got 300 fuel capacity, which will get you almost anywhere in the charted galaxy.
Best ship for carrying cargo: Vanquisher
The Vanquisher stands out as the best ship for carrying cargo in Starfield, boasting a massive cargo hold of over 4,000 units, rivaling heavy freighters in capacity. Its Class C reactor provides ample energy, and while it is not the most agile or combat-focused ship, it features decent hull and shield strength to survive encounters when necessary. Equipped with laser weapons and missiles, the Vanquisher is more about efficient transport and storage than fighting, making it ideal for players who prioritize hauling large quantities of materials across the Settled Systems. Its strong engines and grav drive also ensure it can quickly escape dangerous situations, making it a versatile and reliable choice for cargo transport.
How to get it: Buy from Stroud-Eklund Showroom in Neon
Cost: 335,655 credits
The Vanquisher is a solid class C all-rounder, with 4,120 cargo capacity, 1,100 fuel, and 908 hull. Where it especially shines is its missiles, which do 149 damage, along with its 730 shield. It leaves room to be desired (read: upgraded) in the other weapon categories, but when your missiles are dealing that much damage, it doesn’t matter too much. It also may not be the most aesthetically pleasing ship, but at the end of the day, you’ll mainly be looking at the interior anyway.
Best ship for combat: Abyss Trekker
For players seeking the ultimate combat vessel in Starfield, the Abyss Trekker stands out as the best ship for battle-focused gameplay. This Class C powerhouse boasts a formidable hull (1031) and robust shields (850), making it exceptionally resilient in firefights. Its weaponry is unmatched, featuring high ballistic (162), missile (96), and particle cannon (38) ratings, all powered by a 27-level reactor that ensures you can unleash the ship’s full arsenal without compromise. While its cargo space is limited and the price tag steep-over 328,000 credits-the Abyss Trekker’s raw firepower and defensive capabilities make it nearly unstoppable against even the toughest enemies like the Crimson Fleet or Ecliptic. With room for six crew members and a balanced system for speed, jump range, and fuel, the Abyss Trekker is the definitive choice for players who want to dominate every space battle in the Settled Systems.
How to get it: Buy from Ship Services Technician in Paradiso
Cost: 347,230 credits
The Abyss Trekker is another class C ship that is by far your best bet if you plan on getting into plenty of dogfights in space. You won’t be carrying much loot with this as it only has 340 cargo capacity, but you will be able to take down any opponents you encounter thanks to the 100 missiles and 170 ballistics stats.
With a shield of 850 and hull of 1,031, it’ll take a lot to get this cyan-white ship out of the skies, but if you do need to get away, it has 950 fuel and can grav jump up to 25 LY.
Best ship to buy: Narwhal
The Narwhal stands out as the best ship to buy in Starfield for players seeking top-tier performance across combat, defense, and utility. As a Class C vessel, the Narwhal boasts exceptional stats: a massive hull strength of 2,118, robust shields at 995, and a generous cargo capacity of 1,760, making it a formidable choice for both intense battles and long-haul exploration. Its powerful weapon systems and capacity for up to seven crew members ensure you’re well-equipped for any challenge the galaxy throws your way. While the price tag is steep-typically over 450,000 credits-it’s a worthy investment for those who want a ship that can handle the toughest encounters with ease. You can purchase the Narwhal from Veronica at Taiyo Astroneering in Neon, provided you have Rank 4 in the Piloting skill. If you want the ultimate all-rounder ship in Starfield, the Narwhal is the clear choice.
How to get it: Buy from Taiyo Astroneering in Neon
Cost: 432,620 credits
The Narwhal is arguably the best – and certainly one of the most expensive – ship in the entire game. Setting you back more than 400,000 credits, this class C blue beast is incredibly well-rounded and can jump up to 30 LY, so you can go wherever you like. It can have up to seven crew members aboard, has 560 fuel, 2,118 hull, and 1,760 cargo capacity.
As a result, it does the job for hauling lots of materials (though isn’t the best for that), but if you want one ship to do as much as possible rather than switching between ships depending on what the current task is, the Narwhal is for you. Special shout out to its 114 ballistics and 82 missiles too, as they pack a serious punch.
[Ed. note: Spoilers follow for the ending of Starfield.]
Best New Game Plus ship: Starborn Guardian
The Starborn Guardian stands out as the definitive best ship for New Game Plus in Starfield. Unlocked automatically when you begin your first NG+ run after completing the main story, this sleek Class A starfighter is both powerful and unique, equipped with exclusive Solar Flare Beam and Gravity Torpedo weapons that set it apart from every other ship in the game. While its cargo capacity and onboard amenities are limited, and it can’t be customized or upgraded through traditional ship mechanics, the Starborn Guardian compensates with a high jump range (30 lightyears), built-in shielded cargo, and a visually striking design. Each time you start a new NG+ cycle, the ship’s stats-hull, shields, and weapon power-are automatically upgraded, reaching their peak after six cycles with the Starborn Guardian VI variant. Though it isn’t as versatile as some late-game custom ships, the Starborn Guardian’s free availability, escalating power, and exclusive features make it the top pick for any player embarking on a New Game Plus adventure.
How to get it: Start New Game Plus
Cost: Free
Minor spoiler warning for New Game Plus here, so if you want to go in without any knowledge at all, you’re safe to stop reading and go for one of the other ships in this guide. However, once you do finish the game, New Game Plus will reward you with the Starborn Guardian, a class A ship that cannot be bought or stolen during your first playthrough.
The Starborn Guardian is one of the fastest pre-made ships in the game, can grav jump up to 30 LY away, and has two unique weapons in the Solar Flare Beam and Gravity Torpedo. With a cargo capacity of 950 and a hull of 649, it’s one of the best ships in the entire game, especially since you earn an upgraded one each time you start new game plus again. Plus it looks incredible – you can’t create anything like this in the ship builder.
Which ship offers the best balance of cargo, combat, and cost in Starfield
The Star Eagle offers the best balance of cargo capacity, combat capability, and cost in Starfield. It is a Class A ship rewarded upon completing the Freestar Ranger questline, available in Akila City, with a cargo capacity of 2,508, solid hull and shield stats, and a respectable jump range of 16 lightyears. Its well-rounded design makes it an excellent middle-game ship for regular use, combining decent firepower with good cargo space and no purchase cost beyond the quest requirement.
Which ship provides the best cargo, combat, and affordability balance in Starfield
The best ship in Starfield that balances cargo capacity, combat effectiveness, and affordability is the Star Eagle. It is a Class A ship awarded for completing the Freestar Ranger questline, available for free in Akila City. The Star Eagle offers a solid cargo capacity of 2,508 units, respectable hull and shield strength, and decent combat capabilities with missiles and lasers, making it a versatile choice for many players. Its jump range of 16 lightyears supports good mobility without sacrificing other attributes, and since it is a reward ship, it comes at no direct cost, making it highly cost-effective for its overall performance.
While other ships like the Silent Runner boast massive cargo space (6,060 units) and Stronghold offers strong defenses, they come at a high price, often exceeding 300,000 credits. The Star Eagle’s combination of balanced stats and zero purchase cost makes it the best all-around option for players seeking a practical, well-rounded ship without breaking the bank.
