Considering how many of them there are these days, finding the best Lego sets can feel like looking for a brick in a haystack of bricks. More than a dozen ranges and countless models are available, so narrowing down that list isn't easy. Even browsing through the catalog can be intimidating.
That's why the GamesRadar+ team and I are here to point you in the right direction. Our master builders have rounded up their favorite kits below, and in our opinion, these are the very best Lego sets in terms of design, build experience, and display quality. Seeing as our writers have been hands-on with each and every entry in this guide, we can speak from personal experience about them.
Because this roundup includes everything from the wizarding world of Harry Potter to a galaxy far, far away, you should also be able to find something that appeals to you no matter your interests. (And if you're not sure what you want, don't miss our 'how to choose' guide.) We're always trying out new kits too as mentioned in our 'how we test' section further down the page, so pop back every now and then to see new additions our reviewers think should be on your radar.
Quick list
Although it looks good in pictures, this kit is jaw-dropping in person. Thanks to an abundance of hidden details and clever engineering choices, it's also a great conversation-starter that's worthy of being in pride of place.
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There isn't a more iconic ship in all the Star Wars galaxy, and this kit does the idea justice at a price most of us will actually be able to afford. It doesn't skimp on detail despite that smaller size, either.
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Many of the best Lego sets are conversation starters, but none more so than the Talking Sorting Hat. Besides looking fantastic, this thing will literally chat with you and sort all would-be wizards and witches into Hogwarts houses.
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It's surprisingly tough to find reasonably-priced Marvel sets that include every OG Avenger from the movies, so this one is already winning. However, it also recreates a downright iconic moment whilst being perfect for display or play.
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Premium kits like the Mighty Bowser are all good and well, but this Super Mario set will be a better fit for most people. Affordable yet deeply characterful, the Piranha Plant is the perfect desk or shelf buddy for any fan of the franchise.
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If you're a Lego fan of a certain age, you may remember putting the original castle together fondly… and this revised version lives up to those memories. The team's passion for its legacy is clear.
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Best Lego set overall
There's something breathtaking about this kit. Photos don't do it justice; they can't capture how sprawling, intricate, and well-considered Lego Rivendell is. It uses every trick in the company's playbook, and there's a sense of fierce creativity powering it.
Seriously, I can't get over how good this thing looks. Lord Elrond's home bears a fearsome price tag and takes up a good chunk of real estate, but my god is it beautiful. It feels as if the team poured their collective heart and soul into the design.
✅ You enjoy hidden details: Lego Rivendell is crammed with Easter eggs, and every inch hides a fun nod to the movies.
✅ You want one of the prettiest Lego sets: Lego has used every trick and workaround for this kit. More importantly, it's gorgeous - those pastel roof tiles are beautiful, and the numerous trees add an eye-catching splash of autumnal color.
❌ You don't have much space: This kit is a sprawling build that will happily take up most of a table or shelf.
❌ You aren't keen on long builds: Even though I've seen some people finish it in around 15 hours, making the set took us something like 25. Be wary if you're low on time.
Features: With more than 6,000 pieces and a width of 29 inches, this is a monstrously big kit that will steal the limelight in any space it occupies. Alongside three distinct dioramas that can be shown off separately or combined for a massive scene, it also comes with 15 minifigures (the Fellowship of the Ring alongside Bilbo Baggins, Elrond, Arwen, elves, and a visiting dwarf).
Build: Although it's not for the faint of heart due to its many pieces, 50 bags, and 20-hour build time, Lego Rivendell is all the more satisfying as a result. It's not necessarily difficult, either. Thanks to concise instructions that are incredibly clear, it avoids any kind of confusion as you put the set together section by section (the project is split into three manageable chunks).
You'll be kept amused by numerous facts and the daddest of dad jokes dotted throughout these books, too. Indeed, I'm disappointed that we don't see more of this in other kits.
Design: Sure, Lego Rivendell is an investment in terms of time and money. But good lord, the outlay is worthwhile. Few other sets are as intricate as this, and it's riddled with secrets that range from tiny maps of Middle-earth to Bilbo's red book.
In fact, there are more than a few cubby-holes that serve as cute little dioramas; every time you look at it, there's something new to discover. It's like the ultimate doll's house, and my nerd heart is very happy every time I visit the last homely house in the west on its shelf.
Criteria | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build experience | Thanks to fun asides in the instruction booklets and hidden details that should delight fans, this is a joy to make. | 5/5 |
Accessibility | It'll take you a while to build Rivendell, so even though it isn't 'complicated,' be prepared for an endurance race. It takes up loads of space, too. | 3/5 |
Instruction quality | These are easily the best Lego instruction booklets I've ever seen. | 5/5 |
Extra features | Rivendell is drowning in Easter eggs and hidden details that Lord of the Rings fans should adore. | 5/5 |
"If you ask me, Rivendell is one of the best Lego sets. As in, ever. It's a magnificent design that demonstrates everything these kits can be." Read more: Lego Rivendell (10316) review
Best Lego sets: Star Wars
Of the many spaceships flying across a galaxy far, far away, none are more iconic than Han Solo's battered pile of junk. There have been plenty of Millennium Falcon Lego sets before now, but this version of the Corellian YT freighter is much more affordable and easier to display.
It still packs an impressive level of detail despite being smaller, though; there's no mistaking its distinctive silhouette, even at a distance.
✅ You want the most iconic Star Wars ship without breaking the bank: There are other Millennium Falcon sets out there, but this is the most reasonable in price. It doesn't compromise on quality, though.
✅ You don't have lots of display space: Because this is a smaller kit that won't need an entire table to itself, it'll fit beautifully into most setups.
❌ You want, or already have, the bigger ones: Even though this is a fantastic kit, the bigger versions obviously boast more detail and come with a host of minifigures to crew them. Want the best of the best? Go for those.
❌ You're looking for a playset: Any young padawans wanting a toy they can play with will be disappointed with this one – it doesn't come off the stand and is too fragile to be carried around.
Features: This is the smallest of Lego's Millennium Falcon kits at just 921 pieces, but I'd argue that it's the best for most people. For starters, it's not the mammoth undertaking the Lego UCS Millennium Falcon is, nor will it break the bank like that one does. In addition, you won't need a small warehouse to display this thing. It's a reasonable size and won't dominate the space it's in.
Build: In contrast to the other Falcon kits, this one isn't going to take you long to construct. You can be showing off your work within a couple of hours, and the process is pretty laid back on the whole. That doesn't mean it isn't satisfying, though. You'll spend a lot of time snapping panels together to make the ship's curves, for example, and the weighty 'click' as you connect them is oddly satisfying.
Is it perfect? No. Certain portions are fiddly, and the instructions could be a lot clearer – it's not always obvious where you're putting new pieces. But these are niggles in the grand scheme of things. Plus, it gets a lot right; there aren't any stickers in sight, for starters.
Design: Even though this is the dinkiest of the four Lego Millennium Falcon sets available at the moment, it's still crammed with detail. As a case in point, there are some welcome but unnecessary Easter eggs which leave an impression precisely because they aren't needed. More specifically, you'll place studs that depict memorable scenes (such as A New Hope's holo-chess game) during the early stages of this build, but they're quickly covered up and never seen again. In much the same way, clever use of 'greebles' lend the kit that recognizably battered look without overcrowding its hull. Lego could have cut corners here, yet it didn't.
There are compromises, of course; the set's modest footprint makes that inevitable. There's a weird gap in the cockpit neck, for instance, and it's a shame the cockpit itself doesn't feature plastic windows. You can't display it off the stand, either. But on the whole, this Millennium Falcon achieves a lot in spite of any limitations. It looks fantastic at a distance or up close, and won't dominate your living space like the Ultimate Collector Series or Rise of Skywalker alternatives.
Criteria | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build experience | There's something deeply satisfying about clicking the chassis into place and then covering it in greebles. | 4/5 |
Accessibility | It's not the hardest Lego set you'll build, nor is it the easiest. There are quite a lot of small and fiddly pieces to contend with, though. | 3.5/5 |
Instruction quality | The instructions have the thinnest of white lines around the pieces you have to add, so things could be a little clearer. | 3.5/5 |
Extra features | Like most of the best Lego sets, this kit has lots of hidden details inside (like stud versions of the New Hope crew around the holochess table) that won't ever be seen, so are purely there for the builder's satisfaction. | 4/5 |
"Unless you're willing to drop a lot of money and display space, this is comfortably the best Millennium Falcon kit and one of the best Lego Star Wars sets overall. It isn't perfect, but comes pretty damn close – she's got it where it counts." Read more: Lego Millennium Falcon (75375) review
Best Lego sets: Harry Potter
Most of the best Lego sets are conversation starters, but few take that as literally as the Talking Sorting Hat. Push down on the disguised lever to hear it bellow your Hogwarts House at you, with audio taken straight from the movie.
When combined with a classy little stand with plaques for Gryffindor, Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Hufflepuff, not to mention a minifigure of Harry and a teeny Sorting Hat, this kit is the perfect display piece.
✅ You want a display piece: If you'd rather something made for display instead of a playset, this is arguably the best Harry Potter kit.
✅ You want a conversation starter: It's impossible for this set not to impress your guests.
❌ You'd rather get Hogwarts: If you can only get one Harry Potter kit, and you'd feel glum if you didn't have Hogwarts castle itself, I'd avoid the Talking Sorting Hat.
❌ You want a playset: As previously mentioned, this is more of a display piece than a playset… even if it is fun to play with.
Features: The main selling point of this kit is right there in the name – it talks. More specifically, it barks out quotes taken directly from the Sorcerer's Stone movie (or Philosopher's Stone, if you're in the UK). It also yells which Hogwarts House you belong in.
While it can be displayed by itself, the Talking Sorting Hat comes with a stand from which to shout its decisions. This features a plaque for each house and a minifigure of Harry from his first year with a little Sorting Hat on his head.
Build: This is one of the more straightforward Lego kits I've cobbled together, and it'll only take you an hour or two to finish. Is it slightly tedious to slot in brown block after brown block? Sort of. But there's a thrill in seeing it all come together, and clever yet simple engineering underpins the whole thing.
Design: It's always amazing to see how a pile of plastic blocks can look so close to a set's inspiration, and it's no different here. This kit captures the movie version's wonky, battered, and slightly grumpy design perfectly. Even though a few stickers are used to represent patches and stitches, they're mercifully few in number and do a lot to elevate the overall build. The fact that the Talking Sorting Hat's mouth and eyebrows move when you press the top is icing on the cake.
The stand is a handsome thing that doesn't overshadow the rest of the set, either; it's a black and gold number with space for each Hogwarts House crest which, thankfully, are printed rather than stickered. When you throw in the Harry minifig (with the adorable little legs!) with his tiny Sorting Hat, this will certainly please fans.
Criteria | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build experience | Because it isn't a massive nor overly complicated kit, you'll have a pretty pleasant time with this one. | 4/5 |
Accessibility | This is a straightforward build for the most part, but there are some tricky bits when you start working on the inner mechanisms. | 3.5/5 |
Instruction quality | There are clear red lines surrounding the pieces you have to add, so you won't feel lost. | 4/5 |
Extra features | You won't find hidden Easter eggs here, but the fact this kit can talk makes it a winner. | 5/5 |
"I'd always thought that the Hogwarts kit would be my go-to Harry Potter set, but this is just delightful. It sits in pride of place on my desk."
Best Lego sets: Marvel
There are plenty of Avengers-themed kits gracing shelves right now, but few assemble the original six like this. More importantly, it recreates one of the franchise's most iconic shots to display on your shelf or jazz up your kid's toybox.
That's because this kit is multitasking. Along with being an interactive set sporting plenty for children to play with (like blasters that fire studs or a bunker Hulk can bust), it's just as good at being a display piece. Transparent pieces hold the Avengers aloft in their iconic poses as they race through the Sokovian forest, giving it kinetic energy despite the minifigures being stock still.
✅ You want something to display, or for your kids: This set strikes the perfect balance of being a cool display piece whilst also being ideal for kids to play with.
✅ You're lacking display space: Although bigger and arguably better Marvel kits are out there, they take up a lot of real estate. This is much more manageable.
❌ You'd prefer the OG Avengers moment: I'm sure we'll eventually get a recreation of that shot in the original Avengers where the team forms a circle to face off against aliens.
❌ You want a showstopper: This is on the more modest side when it comes to Marvel sets, especially when you take the Sanctum Sanctorum, Avengers Tower, or Daily Bugle into account.
Features: This kit brings us back to a simpler time where the team only has to worry about trickster gods and megalomaniacal robots. Recreating Age of Ultron's opening battle against Hydra, it includes minifigures for all six OG Avengers alongside semi-transparent stands so you can pose them mid-leap.
It's not a static piece, though. The blasters held by those Hydra soldiers actually fire, and you can "Hulk smash" a plank that hurls the diorama's bunker away.
Build: Seeing as it'll only take you two hours or so to build, this is a pretty accessible kit. Although the experience could have been monotonous thanks to the many white and gunmetal pieces, the designers keep switching it up to maintain your interest. I just wish the instructions were clearer.
Beyond the fiddliness of putting your minifigs on their translucent stands, this is my one complaint.
Design: I've got to hand it to team Lego here – this set truly does provide something for everyone. On the one hand, kids will love playing with the core Avengers in their fight against evil thanks to interactive elements. On the other, adults are getting a handsome, dynamic display piece that's instantly recognizable.
It's cleverly constructed, too; minifigures are attached to the environment in smart enough ways that you barely notice the stands, and no model obscures another. There's absolutely no wasted space here.
Criteria | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build experience | Putting the minifigures onto the translucent stands can be fiddly, but the build is a satisfying one on the whole. | 4/5 |
Accessibility | This kit manages to find a balance between complexity and simplicity, but it does provide a challenge here and there. | 4/5 |
Instruction quality | Unfortunately, most pieces aren't outlined or highlighted in the instruction booklet. This leaves you to play spot-the-difference. | 2/5 |
Extra features | While you aren't going to find hidden secrets, the Hydra soldiers' blasters fire studs and the bunker can be blown up using Hulk. | 3/5 |
"There might be bigger and more impressive sets out there, but this one is arguably the best Marvel kit for most people thanks to how well it balances price with value… and interactivity." Read more: Lego The Avengers Assemble: Age of Ultron (76291) review
Best Lego sets: Super Mario
I've got a lot of time for showstopper kits like The Mighty Bowser, but sometimes all you need is a plucky little Piranha Plant like this. Mario's iconic foe looks perfect in brick form, and it's oozing character despite being just nine inches high.
While it won't do much good as a toy for kids, grown up fans should look no further than this display piece. It says a lot that numerous members of the GamesRadar+ team snapped it up right away.
✅ You want an affordable Mario set for adults: The Piranha Plant's middle-of-the-road pricing is greatly appreciated after expensive kits. It's designed as a display piece too, not a playset.
✅ You want a small but eye-catching display piece: This will look fantastic on a shelf or desk.
❌ You're looking for a kids' playset: Your Piranha Plant is liable to break if played with, so it's not a good fit for children.
❌ You want a centerpiece: Got your eye on Mighty Bowser or the Mario and Kart set? This won't impress as much as those would.
Features: This kit is a bit like Lego The Child in that it's an interactive character designed to go on a desk or your shelf. The Piranha Plant's head, mouth, and leaves can be posed as well, providing a touch more ownership over how it looks.
Aside from that, there are also some hidden Mario coins that can be put into a secret compartment, piggy bank-style. It's a cool touch that wasn't necessary, but is appreciated nonetheless.
Build: As a small-scale project without too much in the way of technical parts, the Lego Piranha Plant isn't going to tax you. In other words, it's ideal for anyone coming back to – or getting into – Lego as an adult.
The instructions aren't too bad either thanks to yellow lines surrounding pieces, and I enjoy the timeline that shows off this memorable enemy through the ages.
Design: I adore this cheeky chappy. Even though the set isn't very big, it's full of charm and personality. Just tilting the head to one side can imbue it with character.
I'm impressed with how well a monster built largely of curves translates into Lego, too. This doesn't feel like a rough, best-effort approximation of a Piranha Plant; it's a faithful recreation even non-Lego fans will be happy to have on display at home.
Criteria | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build experience | This is an easy-going process that won't take you all that long. | 5/5 |
Accessibility | If you're returning to Lego after years away or are new to the for-adults range, this is the perfect entry-point. | 5/5 |
Instruction quality | The instructions here are pretty easy to follow and feature a fun look back at the Piranha Plant's history. | 4/5 |
Extra features | Being able to pose your Piranha Plant, along with the secret compartment, adds to the overall experience. | 4/5 |
"The Lego Piranha Plant is a relatively simple build, but one that snaps with personality once it all comes together. Those 500 pieces all work particularly hard in both value and impact on the overall figure, with each stud contributing to the finished product. Surprisingly large for its price, and with its own hidden secrets, this is a must-have for Mario fans."
Best Lego sets: Retro
If there's a Lego set that deserves a hero's welcome with herald's trumpets and pageantry, it's this one. The Lion Knights' Castle is a throwback to classic kits from decades past, and it combines that nostalgia with modern advancements for the ultimate project… no matter whether you're new to Lego or a veteran of countless brick-based builds.
There's no denying that it's expensive. However, you're getting a lot of Lego goodness for your money here (including more minifigures than most sets combined). It is, in a word, magnificent.
✅ You had the original: For those of you that owned the original Lego castles, it'll be nostalgia in brick form. This stronghold more than honors the sets that inspired it.
✅ You're a Middle-Ages aficionado: Love visiting castles? Enjoy binging Lord of the Rings, D&D, or Game of Thrones? This is catnip for medieval / fantasy fans.
❌ You still have one of the original Lego castles: If you've got an OG Lego castle at home, this will obviously feel a bit redundant. It makes quality-of-life changes and features new minifigures, of course, but is an ode to those sets of old nonetheless.
❌ You're short of space: Like many of the best Lego sets, this one is suitably enormous. It can be a bit of a struggle to display, so bear that in mind before you hit the checkout.
Features: Think of this set like a revival rather than a reboot. It shares a lot of DNA with the 1984 King's Castle, but builds upon it with modern advances. There's an army of 22 minifigures included within the box as well.
Build: This set is sizeable, but don't worry - it's not difficult to construct (aside from a drawbridge that may take a few goes to position correctly, anyway). Just because it's simple to put together doesn't mean it isn't clever, though. As per Rivendell, there are cunningly recycled elements used throughout the build.
Design: Crammed with hidden nooks and charming details (including a fun Easter egg for the 1978 'Yellow' Castle), this is the sort of project that's just as much fun to look at after it's finished as it is to build. The fact it can be displayed as a sprawling facade - allowing you to peek inside its many rooms and cubby-holes - or as a 'complete' building is another feather in its medieval cap.
In addition, there's a charming sense of narrative laced through every brick. Whether it's the varied army of minifigs or lived-in details for each room (including a medieval toilet, complete with a sponge on a stick…), there's very clearly a story being told here. Discovering it as you build or after the castle is finished will delight all but the most cold-hearted soul.
Criteria | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build experience | The wealth of Easter eggs and clever design choices make construction a joy. | 5/5 |
Accessibility | This is a mighty task even for experienced builders. | 3.5/5 |
Instruction quality | Thanks to clear examples and plenty of history to make fans feel misty-eyed, the instructions for Lion Knights' Castle strike a chord. | 4.5/5 |
Extra features | There are more references, hidden details, and secret nooks than I've got time to discuss here. | 5/5 |
"The Lego Lion Knight’s Castle is one of my favorite Lego sets to date. It’s a glorious ode to the Lego castles of the '70s and '80s, and I can hardly think of a better way to celebrate Lego’s 90th anniversary. It’s a huge, gorgeous set, with a veritable army of classic-looking minifigs and a sublime interior, complete with a tiny cameo of the 1978 ‘Yellow’ Castle (375) that started it all. When I played with smaller Lego castles as a child, this impregnable Norman keep was the structure in my mind’s eye. But even putting nostalgia to one side, it should be near the top of every Lego fan’s wishlist." Read more: Lego Lion Knights' Castle review
How to choose Lego
There are more kits these days than anyone could know what to do with, and shopping for the best Lego sets is overwhelming as a result. Not sure where to start, or put off by the countless options? Don't worry, the GamesRadar+ team can help. We've covered sets for years now and have been Lego fans since childhood, so know a thing or two about choosing the right one for you.
Here's what we'd recommend when hunting down Lego:
How we test Lego
It's our honor and privilege to test Lego and let you know which sets are worth buying, so we take the matter very seriously.
To start with, the GamesRadar+ experts (who have years of experience between them) won't ever recommend a product that they wouldn't be happy buying themselves with their own money. The cost of living is tightening purse-strings everywhere, after all, so knowing what is worth the cash comes in very handy.
We approach each listing on this page with distinct sections to help you understand what a kit is like quickly and easily. This includes:
- Introduction: Our writers give you the basics here alongside 'buy if/don't buy if' boxouts for a TLDR cheatsheet.
- Features: We discuss the set's elevator pitch here.
- Design: You'll find our thoughts about the look of the finished model here.
Once that's out of the way, we use a ratings table to break the set's individual elements down. Here's an example of what that looks like.
Criteria | Notes | Score |
|---|---|---|
Build experience | How fun is it to put the kit together? | ?/5 |
Accessibility | Is it easy to make? | ?/5 |
Instruction quality | Are the instructions good, bad, or somewhere in the middle? | ?/5 |
Extra features | What extras are hiding away in there? | ?/5 |
Want to know more? Check out the full GamesRadar+ review policy.
Best Lego sets: FAQ
What is the best Lego set of all time?
If we had to crown just one kit, it would either be Lego Rivendell - which has the top spot on our list of the best Lego sets overall - or the Ultimate Collector Series Millennium Falcon. The former looks beautiful, but hits the spot because it combines very clever engineering with a smart repurposing of pieces to serve different functions (those chair arms are hot dogs from old kits, for instance). It's also crammed with hidden secrets and cute little scenes, wrapped up in fan service strewn throughout the instructions. As for the Falcon, it's a similar story - it's phenomenally well-made and brings to life one of cinema's most iconic ships in painstaking detail.
Which Lego sets are good for adults?
For those of us that are eager to get into grown-up Lego but don't know where to start, you can always check out the company's dedicated page. It features a wealth of options that will challenge and entertain you in equal measure. The Technic and Ultimate Collector ranges are great examples.
We'd recommend starting small, though. Namely, it's worth checking out builds from the 'helmets' line like The Mandalorian or Luke Skywalker's Red Five helm. They're relatively simple yet awesome display pieces that aren't too overwhelming.
What is the best Lego set to start with?
If you're looking to kick off your Lego journey, there are a couple of kits we'd point you toward. First, though, we've got to work out what you need. Are you buying for a child? If so, it'll depend on how old they are - and their interests. Young tots would do well with either the Classic range for example (which is essentially a box of bricks for them to do whatever they want with), while kids that love to dress up as Elsa should look at the Frozen range. As for adults, we'd usually recommend the Star Wars helmets or the Architecture pieces if they love to travel. These are relatively simple but are impressive when finished.
What is Lego's best-selling set?
Even though it's hard to say exactly what the best-selling Lego set is without breaking into the company's accounts, we wouldn't be surprised to find that the winner is from a major franchise. More specifically, Star Wars and Harry Potter kits dominate Lego's own bestsellers page. These fan-favorites create a lot of buzz... and understandably so.
However, it's not all about pop-culture. Recreations of world monuments are always popular too, and vehicles (including those in the Technic range) have an enormous following. In fact, cars and ships make up more than a dozen entries on the bestsellers list we mentioned above.
It's entirely possible that something simple like the Classics Bricks and Animals pack beats the competition, though. This tried-and-tested option offers a wealth of building materials for your own designs, so it's perfect no matter whether the customer is a child or master builder.
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