‘Must-have’ LEGO units well worth the cash in keeping with tech skilled who’s seen all of them
There’s something for everyone when it comes to LEGO, but the ever-popular building bricks frequently come with a hefty price tag
Evergreen and ever-expanding, LEGO sets are constantly in high demand.
Special sets come and go, meaning superfans have to act fast to get their hands on one before it’s too late. Having been around since the 1930s, LEGO continues to grab the imagination of the child inside us all.
Tech writer Joshua Boyles reckons the LEGO line-up available right now is “arguably bigger and better than it’s ever been before.” Whether you’re into Minecraft, Super Mario, Formula 1, Star Wars, or fancy something from the Original Ideas collection, there’s something for everyone.
Boyles popped down to his local LEGO megastore to suss out the latest offerings, giving his two cents on each. But with prices ranging from a wallet-friendly £13.49 to a bank-breaking £189.99, which sets offer the best bang for your buck?
LEGO Tiny Plants – £44.99
This could be just the ticket for those who don’t fancy getting their hands dirty outside. Despite being called ‘Tiny’, Boyles noted they were bigger than expected but still a steal with 758 pieces working out at just 6p a pop, reports the Manchester Evening News.
LEGO McLaren Formula E Race Car – £46.99
For the speed demons, this is a more affordable alternative to the large replica model of McLaren’s F1 car. “Featuring the same papaya orange colour scheme as its Formula 1 counterpart, it proudly displays its NEOM sponsor livery on the side to create an incredibly accurate replica for its size,” Boyles said.
“The tyres spin too, so it’s ideal for younger children that might want to use it as a toy instead of a shelf ornament.”
LEGO Grogu with Hover Pram – £89.99
In his Hover Pram, this replica of Grogu – or Baby Yoda, as he is known more widely – “perfectly recreates his adorably massive eyes while sitting in his egg-like hover chair”. This set has 1,048 pieces and comes with a tiny replica minifigure of Grogu.
Boyles explained: “The included name plinth makes this an ideal pickup for Star Wars fans looking for their next display item.”
LEGO F1 Garage and Mercedes-AMG and Alpine Cars – £69.99
Another F1 themed set, this replicates a pit garage and a couple of racing cars in miniature, which come with official Mercedes and Alpine liveries. The included minifigures don’t bear any likeness to the drivers of the respective teams, however.
On the other hand, “that at least future-proofs the set as drivers swap in and out of the teams in the future,” according to Boyles. Small details include data screens at the back of the garage and replacement tyres scattered around the floor.
LEGO Minecraft Crafting Table – £79.99
The latest addition to the LEGO world is a Minecraft lover’s dream, looking like it’s been plucked straight from the game. “With two of the cube’s sides missing, you can see inside to reveal an entire diorama of a Minecraft village and biome inside,” Boyles said.
“Complete with snow-capped mountain peaks right down to pigs and sheep roaming the plains below, it’s a gorgeous set design that’s an absolute must have for any gaming or LEGO fan.”
LEGO Polaroid OneStep SX-70 – £69.99
For those who get misty-eyed over vintage tech, this nostalgic throwback comes with its own buildable film pack emblazoned with the iconic Polaroid logo, plus three custom LEGO Polaroid snaps. Boyles calls this gem “a truly timeless piece.”
LEGO Leonardo da Vinci Flying Machine – £54.99
“A set that I wasn’t expecting to love as much as I did was the Leonardo da Vinci Flying Machine,” says Boyles. “But as soon as I saw it built in person, I felt a need to add it to my collection.”
It’s a showstopper that would make any collector’s shelf look “incredible”.
LEGO Millennium Falcon – £74.99
Star Wars aficionados will love this one. This compact version of the epic Ultimate Collectors Series Millennium Falcon, which will set you back a hefty £734.00, is available at a much lower price.
This smaller sibling still boasts nearly 1,000 pieces and packs in “all the detail you could want” without demanding a massive display space.
LEGO Japan Postcard – £13.49
On sale, this set is a real bargain. With 262 pieces, it “captures a gorgeous cherry blossom scene in the form of a postcard” for a more wallet-friendly price, Boyles remarked.
LEGO Insect Collection – £69.99
“I’m a huge fan of LEGO’s Botanical collection,” Boyles said, “And while not part of the same series, the Insect Collection certainly gives off similar vibes.
“You’re getting three models in one set here, which is ideal if you want to build one a day over the course of the week to split up your building time.”
LEGO Fortnite Battle Bus – £89.99
Boyles calls the Fortnite Battle Bus a “must-buy” for video game enthusiasts. Packed with nine mini-figures, including fan-favourites Peely the Banana and Captain Jonesy, it is recognisable straightaway to gamers.
The “meticulously created” replica of the iconic Battle Bus isn’t the last videogame-themed set on this list, however.
LEGO Super Mario Piranha Plant – £57.99
Perfect as an “excellent ornament for a gaming setup”, according to Boyles, this set replicates the iconic enemy to Mario and is ideal for Nintendo fans.
LEGO Technic NASA Apollo Lunar Roving Vehicle – £189.99
A tribute to the legendary space explorations, this LEGO Technic model boasts nearly 2,000 pieces. It is a detailed recreation of the Lunar Rover from the iconic Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969.
It’s kitted out with all the intricate suspension and steering components to make this mini beast handle just like the real deal. Boyles commented: “It’s an expensive model to get out and use regularly, but it would equally look stunning on a shelf as part of a larger LEGO collection – mine, ideally.”
