Buying a Gundam Model Kit: Which Gunpla Should You Start With?
Which Gundam model kit should you buy first? We compare SD, Entry Grade, HG, RG and MG and pick one kit per grade from our own stock.
Want to buy a Gundam model kit but not sure where to start? Bandai's Gunpla come in grades, and the grade tells you the size, the detail and how long the build takes. This guide compares the grades and picks one kit per grade from our own shelves, so every kit below is one we actually stock.
Gunpla grades at a glance
| Grade | Scale | Good for | At Toy Haven |
|---|---|---|---|
| SD (EX-Standard, Cross Silhouette) | non-scale, about 8 cm | a quick first build | from €14.95 |
| Entry Grade (EG) | 1/144 | absolute beginners | from €11.95 |
| High Grade (HG) | 1/144 | the classic choice | from €14.95 |
| Real Grade (RG) | 1/144 | detail at a small size | €34.95 |
| Master Grade (MG) and MGSD | 1/100 / non-scale | longer builds with inner frame | from €44.95 |
Our pick per grade
Quickest start: SD
The SD Gundam Cross Silhouette RX-78-2 (€14.95, about 8 cm) is the original Gundam in a compact, cute build. Prefer something newer? The SD EX-Standard Nu Gundam is the same price.
Easiest real kit: Entry Grade
The Entry Grade Wing Gundam (€14.95) is made for beginners: parts press out of the runner by hand and you need no stickers for the main colours.
The classic: High Grade
HG is where most builders end up. The HGCE Rising Freedom (€29.95) from the SEED FREEDOM film is a modern, well-engineered kit; the HGUC Gouf Custom (€24.95) is a great Zeon alternative, and the HGUC Sazabi (€34.95) is a big, impressive HG.
More detail: Real Grade
The RG Wing Zero EW (€34.95, about 13 cm) packs a lot of detail into 1/144, and the RG Aile Strike is the same price. RG is rated 15+ and suits builders who already finished an HG.
The big build: Master Grade and MGSD
The MG Force Impulse (€59.95, 1/100, 15+) has an inner frame and includes the Core Splendor. Want MG detail in a smaller figure? The MGSD Freedom (€44.95, about 11.5 cm) combines SD proportions with Master Grade engineering.
What else do you need?
No glue and no paint: Gunpla parts are colour-moulded and snap together. A pair of model nippers to cut parts from the runner is recommended for every grade except Entry Grade. A hobby knife or sanding stick helps to clean up small marks, but is optional.
Frequently asked questions
Which Gundam is best for a beginner?
An Entry Grade or SD kit for a first evening build, or a High Grade if you want a slightly bigger challenge.
What is the difference between HG and RG?
Both are 1/144, but RG has many more parts and finer detail, so it takes longer and is fiddlier to build.
Stock changes quickly, so check the product page for availability. See every kit in our Gundam & Bandai collection, read What is Gunpla? for the full grade guide, or browse all Model Kits.