1Dune by Frank Herbert
Dune is the science fiction epic that everything else is measured against. Frank Herbert's story of desert planets, giant sandworms and a young heir caught in a war over the universe's most precious resource won the first Nebula Award and shared the Hugo. The recent films brought it a whole new audience.
Pros
- The great sci-fi epic.
- Won the first Nebula Award.
- Perfect after the films.
Cons
- Slow start before the story takes off.
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Ace product page ↗
2Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
From the author of The Martian, Project Hail Mary follows a science teacher who wakes up alone on a spaceship with no memory and has to save Earth. It's funny, clever and full of real science, and it was a Hugo Award finalist.
Pros
- Funny and full of real science.
- Impossible to put down.
- From the author of The Martian.
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Ballantine product page ↗
3The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams
Arthur Dent's very bad day begins when Earth is demolished to make way for a space bypass. Douglas Adams' comic classic is one of the funniest books ever written, and fans quote it constantly. Every sci-fi lover should own a copy, and a spare towel.
Pros
- Genuinely laugh-out-loud funny.
- A true classic.
- Quick to read.
Cons
- They may already own a well-thumbed copy.
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Del Rey product page ↗
4Fisher Bullet Space Pen, chrome
The Fisher Space Pen is the pen that went to space. Its pressurised cartridge writes upside down, in zero gravity, underwater and in extreme cold, and it's been used by astronauts since the Apollo era. The Bullet model is small enough for a pocket and becomes full length when the cap goes on the end.
Pros
- Writes upside down and in extreme temperatures.
- Pocket-sized.
- Comes in a gift box.
Cons
- Small to hold when closed.
- Refills cost more than ordinary ones.
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Fisher Space Pen product page ↗
5Star Wars Black Series Luke Skywalker Force FX Elite lightsaber
Every sci-fi fan should own one lightsaber, and this is a proper one rather than a toy. Hasbro's Black Series Force FX Elite version of Luke Skywalker's saber has a metal-look hilt, film sound effects and LED lighting that ignites up the blade and flickers when it clashes. The blade comes off, so the hilt can sit on its stand between duels.
Pros
- Film-accurate sounds and lights.
- Removable blade.
- Display stand included.
Cons
- Expensive, so it's a big-occasion gift.
View on Amazon UK↗UK listing only in this guide.Amazon price at the time shown. Prices and availability can change; the price on Amazon at purchase applies. Product sources
Hasbro product page ↗
What to buy someone who loves science fiction
Sci-fi fans often own the big titles already, so ask what's on their shelf or pick a lovely edition of a classic. The best gifts for sci-fi fans mix famous novels with a bit of space-age kit. Project Hail Mary suits anyone who enjoyed The Martian. Hitchhiker's suits anyone who likes a laugh.
How we picked these gifts for sci-fi fans
We picked each product for what sci-fi fans enjoy and because it makes sense as a present. The order is our own choice. The pros and cons come from published product details, not customer reviews.
Amazon shows the current price and delivery. Where we've checked that the US listing is the same product, the US link goes there. Otherwise you'll get the UK listing, labelled as such. More about our research.
