In the universe of Starfield, engines are the heart and soul of your spacecraft, which can affect your thrust, speed, and overall maneuverability. They do more than just propel you through the stars; they are essential for steering your ship during intense battles and navigating the vast expanse of space.
- Starfield offers a selection of 60+ engines, each with unique attributes and capabilities to enhance your spaceship’s performance.
- Engines are ranked based on factors like engine thrust, maneuvering thrust, and overall effectiveness.
- They significantly impact your spacecraft’s thrust, speed, and maneuverability, directly influencing your gameplay.
- While engines add a ton of versatility to your ship, most of them may not align with your gameplay style or ship design preferences.
- The Poseidon DT230 Engine’s balance of power and maneuverability impressed me, as did the cost-effective and versatile SAE-5220 Engine.
Related: Starfield Target Engines
Best Engines In Starfield Compared
Here is a table summarizing our picks for best engines in Starfield:
Engine | Brand | Class | Max Power | Engine Thrust | Maneuvering Thrust | Engine Health | Hull | Mass | Value | Required Starship Design Rank | Best For |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ares DT60 Engine | Panoptes | A | 2 | 14,000 | 2,600 | 83 | 5 | 85 | 17,764 | 3 | Best Engine For Saving Space. |
SA-4330 Engine | Slayton Aerospace | A | 2 | 15,240 | 3,220 | 88 | 5 | 85 | 23,422 | 4 | Best Thrust Power With Low Mass. |
SAE-5220 Engine | Slayton Aerospace | B | 3 | 15,270 | 4,590 | 95 | 5 | 139 | 10,735 | 2 | Best Value. |
Dunn-71 Engine | Amun Dunn | B | 3 | 26,580 | 5,250 | 133 | 5 | 144 | 39,140 | 4 | Best B Class Performance. |
Supernova 2200 Engine | Reladyne | C | 3 | 25,770 | 7,650 | 148 | 5 | 333 | 39,900 | 4 | Best Supernova Series Engine. |
Amun Dunn X-300 Engine | Amun Dunn | C | 3 | 25,890 | 8,400 | 156 | 5 | 336 | 42,845 | 4 | Best Engine For Balance. |
SAL-6330 Engine | Slayton Aerospace | C | 2 | 18,000 | 7,800 | 140 | 5 | 340 | 52,822 | 4 | Best Thrust With Multiple Engines. |
Poseidon DT230 Engine | Panoptes | C | 4 | 34,520 | 11,600 | 140 | 5 | 334 | 40,280 | 4 | Best Stats. |
1. Ares DT60 Engine
![Starfield Best Engines - Ares DT60 Engine](https://cdn.exputer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Ares-DT60-Engine.jpg)
- Why I Chose This: When I was just starting out in Starfield, this engine was a great option because it has few requirements and offers decent advantages.
- Only takes up 2 power slots.
- It’s a great early-game option.
- Does not have a lot of power.
2. SA-4330 Engine
![SA 4330 Engine](https://cdn.exputer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SA-4330-Engine.jpg)
- Why I Chose This: As I was getting further into Starfield and managed to reach level 45, this became the ideal choice for my engine. It offers amazing thrust power and isn’t hard to install.
- Exceptional thrust power.
- Low mass.
- Need to meet some requirements to obtain.
Also, consider checking out our guide on how to steal ships in Starfield.
3. SAE-5220 Engine
![SAE-5220 Engine](https://cdn.exputer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SAE-5220-Engine.jpg)
- Why I Chose This: When I was running out of credits but still wanted a good engine, SAE-5220 was the perfect choice. As long as your main purpose isn’t to optimize your ship’s speed, this will serve as a great value engine.
- Very cheap.
- One of the best SAE engines
- Lacks in speed.
4. Dunn-71 Engine
![Starfield Best Engines - Dunn-71 Engine](https://cdn.exputer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Dunn-71-Engine.jpg)
- Why I Chose This: This can be the perfect engine for you if you’ve progressed a bit further than level 57. It will give you the most optimal performance you need with its power.
- Offers top-notch performance.
- Not suitable for players starting at level 57.
5. Supernova 2200 Engine
![Starfield Supernova 2200 Engine](https://cdn.exputer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Supernova-2200-Engine.jpg)
- Why I Chose This: Despite its initial cost, this engine delivers great value, especially when you consider its impressive 27K+ thrust power.
- Respectable amount of engine and maneuvering thrust.
- Requires Starship design rank 4.
Also, check out eXputer’s guide on how to lock on ships in Starfield.
6. Amun Dunn X-300 Engine
![Amun Dunn X-300 Engine](https://cdn.exputer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Amun-Dunn-X-300-Engine.jpg)
- Why I Chose This: I had to save up for a while, but this engine was worth every credit. This kind of balance between Engine thrust and Maneuvering thrust is difficult to come across.
- Offers the most balanced stats.
- Very high Maneuvering thrust.
- Very expensive.
7. SAL-6330 Engine
![SAL-6330 Engine](https://cdn.exputer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SAL-6330-Engine.jpg)
- Why I Chose This: This is one of those rare engines that have a very specific purpose. If you specifically want to maximize your thrust as much as possible, there won’t be a better choice than multiple SAL-6330 engines.
- Enables the highest thrust with multiple engines.
- Rare to come across.
- Requires a C-class reactor for multiple engines.
Related: How To Dock Ships in Nova Galactic Staryard
8. Starfield Poseidon DT230 Engine
![Starfield Poseidon DT230 Engine](https://cdn.exputer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/Poseidon-DT230-Engine.jpg)
- Why I Chose This: This is my perfect choice for an engine. It will offer you the highest stats in virtually every category, including the thrusts.
- Incredible amount of Engine and Maneuvering thrust.
- Highest stats.
- Difficult to obtain due to the price.
Alternative Picks
Here are alternative choices worth considering when selecting the best Engine in Starfield.
- Hercules DT160 Engine: Considered a good option as it gives an outstanding balance of engine and maneuvering thrust.
- White Dwarf 3030 Engine: Boasts an impressive engine and maneuvering thrust but requires a large amount of credit.
- Nova 1050 Engine: Improves your speed and maneuverability but requires starship design rank of four.
My Take On The Best Engines
With a lot of hours in Starfield, I’ve found the Poseidon DT230 Engine to be the perfect balance of power and maneuverability. Its 25,890 engine thrust and 8,400 maneuverings thrust make it an ideal choice.
The SAE-5220 Engine also impressed me for its cost-effectiveness and versatility. Your choice of engine can truly make or break your galactic adventures, so choose wisely.
![starfield hours](https://cdn.exputer.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/starfield-1-e1698784081482.jpg)
In the vast universe of Starfield, choosing the right engine for your spacecraft is of utmost importance. These engines not only propel you through space but also play a vital role in steering your ship during battles and exploration. Selecting one of the best in-game engines is key to ensuring your vessel can outmaneuver adversaries and safely explore the galaxy.
For tips on assembling the ideal ship to match your engine choice, read the guide on the Best Fighter Ships In Starfield. Also, make sure to check out this comprehensive spreadsheet of Starfield’s Engines, detailing every major and minor stat you might want to learn about. Additionally, if you’re looking to optimize your cargo space for those long journeys, don’t forget to check out the guide on the Best Ship Cargo Holds In Starfield.
Next Up:
- Starfield Londinion: Hostile Intelligence Walkthrough
- Starfield: Star Eagle Starship
- Starfield Unpacking: How To Speed Up The Process
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As someone who\'s VERY conscious of reserving space, the DT60 is perfect for me lol
Images are my favourite part of this guide
I agree with this Poseidon DT230 Engine is the best engine