The best LEGO sets: Adult, kid and vehicle sets

LEGO is no longer just a bunch of toy bricks that kiddies can use to build rudimentary houses – it’s an empire, with video games, movies, TV shows, and more besides. But despite its international mega-success, the best thing about LEGO is that it remains one of the best toys - the charm remains in its bricks, its sets, and the act of building.

This is true no matter your age. Adult LEGO is a growing area of interest the world over. This is because, not only is it fun, but playing with LEGO is a great act of mindfulness and stress relief and serves as a method of inspiring creative thinking and a solution-driven mindset. Learning through play doesn’t stop when you leave school.

On top of all the benefits for LEGO builders young and mature, it’s no small appeal that LEGO has teamed up with many, many franchises, and brands over the years. The result of these collaborations is a catalogue of LEGO sets that is endlessly impressive and exciting; some of the most notable include Star Wars, Lord Of The Rings, Marvel’s Avengers and Harry Potter. However, there are more besides, from sitcoms to supercars.

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Adding to the diversity of LEGO is the advent of Technic sets, which replace the traditional studded LEGO brick with alternate pieces, such as notched axles, gears and pins. This alternative tool kit allows you to construct dense and complex builds, from operational cranes to accurate replicas of Ferraris, Ducati motorbikes and Ford pick-ups.

Not satisfied with having franchises galore and Technic spectacle, LEGO has added another string to its bow – LEGO Ideas. This series looks to epic fan builds, picks the best, and develops them into readily available sets. Here’s where you will find excellent one-off items unlike those, you’ll find anywhere else in LEGO – think everything from Reebok trainers to Bonsai trees.

The above-mentioned categorisation of LEGO only scrapes the surface – we haven’t touched on LEGO Architecture, City, Art, Icons, Classic, NINJAGO, Creator (3-in-1 and Expert) or Disney. And that isn’t even all of them.

Whatever your age and reason for choosing to get to grips with the bricks, when you’re purchasing a new LEGO set, you want it to deliver the goods. Well, look no further than this list. Here, we rank the best LEGO sets. Read on the see more.

Adult sets

We’ve categorised these sets as ‘adult’ due to their complexity, price or subject matter. However, as with all things LEGO, they are great fun for all ages.

Overview:

When we reviewed the LEGO Razor Crest, we knew we were in for a treat, but we didn’t anticipate just how excellent the build and resulting model would be. Star Wars fans will no doubt agree that this UCS is one of the best to enter canon in recent years, and this set does it total justice. The modular assembly impressed us, as did the overall attention to detail show inside and out, while its presence on our shelf is no less than breath-taking. Expensive, but worth every penny.

Pieces: 6,187

Minifigures: Five

Overview:

Part of the LEGO Botanical Collection, this beautiful brick construction is a highlight. Unique part usage runs abound, with frogs and elephant trunks being applied ingeniously. Not just a one-and-done build, the Bonsai Tree can have its leaves changed from pink to green as you please, reflecting the changing seasons. A fun adult build, blossoming with style.

Pieces: 878

Overview:

In addition to being great for play, LEGO has the immense ability to create charming, display-worthy dioramas. The Bookshop is no exception, detailing a small segment of a fictional street that nonetheless tells a complete story and suggests a wider, equally charming world (which you can make, if you couple this with other Creator Expert builds).

Pieces: 2,504

Minifigures: Five

Overview:

This set comes as part of the botanical LEGO collection. The LEGO creator expert flower bouquet 10280 is a charming and popular build in equal measure. Construct your own bouquet of artificial roses, snapdragons, poppies, asters and daisies to your heart's content. Not to mention, there are other design variations to collect and experiment with. A great idea for gifting or, equally, displaying in your home.

Pieces: 756

Overview:

Yet another set that is worthy of displaying pride of place, the LEGO Typewriter has quickly gained notoriety as an excellent and hugely desirable set. Not only good to look at, but the engineering is also a delight, with the Typewriter boasting moving parts and can even feed real paper.

Pieces: 2,079

Overview:

An icon of coastlines the world over, the humble lighthouse is treated to its own model here, complete with a completely unique component – the Fresnel light lens. More than that, the LEGO Lighthouse houses several small nooks, each capturing the spirit of lighthouse keeper life.

Pieces: 2,065

Minifigures: Two

Overview:

Making lifelike models from LEGO pieces is incredibly tough – just watching a few episodes of LEGO Masters Australia will tell you that. Thus, it’s no small feat that LEGO has crafted a model so good you can practically hear the hot jazz bouncing around the room. The display is customisable too, allowing you to configure the band however best suits your taste.

Pieces: 1,606

Hot on the tail of the success of Super Mario’s LEGO debut, this reimagining of the iconic Sonic opening stage has delivered the goods once again. The level is recreated, complete with loop, rings and bad guys, while there’s also a brick incarnation of Dr Eggman and his Eggmobile. Completing the set is a minifig Sonic, and a display bar featuring the seven Chaos Emeralds.

Pieces: 1,125

Minifigures: One

Vehicle sets

Overview:

For petrolheads and LEGO admirers alike, the LEGO Ferrari Daytona SP3 is one monster of a set worth getting your hands on.

Under the hood is a mind-boggling recreation of a V12 engine, alongside an eight-speed sequential gearbox with genuine steering all for you to assemble yourself.

Needless to say, this build isn't for the faint of heart - it'll test your dexterity, your resolve and your instruction-following skills, but the end result speaks for itself - it's a one-of-a-kind set that begs to be sat in the centre of your sports car shrine for all to behold, it's just that good.

For a more in-depth insight into the whole building process and the final result - check out our review.

Pieces: 3,778

Overview:

The 2003 sequel to The Fast and The Furious may be objectively the weakest in the series but is worth watching for Brian’s Nissan Skyline alone. Faithfully replicated in grey brick this stunning LEGO reproduction is rich in detail, from the NOS bottles on the passenger seat to the somewhat fiddly intercooler stickers. A must for any F&F fans.

Pieces: 319

Minifigures: One (Brian!)

Overview:

One thing LEGO often struggle to deal with is curves, a problem for modern cars. That being said, LEGO's take on the Toyota Supra Mk V is nothing short of spectacular, especially considering the scale. Finished in Lightning Yellow, this Supra manages to look sleek and sporty without being an utter chore to build. For any JDM fan, this is an amazing gift idea.

Pieces: 299

Minifigures: One

Supercars are meant to be outrageous and ostentatious to a degree that's almost unpalatable. The Lamborghini Countach is the perfect embodiment of a supercar, and its wedge-like design is perfect for LEGO. It's an impressively accurate replica complete with a massive wing and a striking red interior. Bellissimo!

Pieces: 262

Minifigures: One

Few cars can stir excitement like a howling V12 Ferrari sports prototype, but no car does it like the 512M. Immortalised on screen as the adversary to Steve McQueen’s heroic Porsche 917, the now half-century-old Italian sports racing car still turns heads whenever it sees the sunshine. The looks, the speed, and that soundtrack – an iconic moment in racing and now available as a LEGO Speed Champion.

Pieces: 291

Minifigures: One

It’s Dennis Skinner with a rear spoiler; it’s Bruce Springsteen in a pair of racing stripes. From the cinema to the drag strip, the Ford Mustang has always represented working-class heroism. Now in its sixth going-on-seventh generation, none of the charisma or allure has been lost – it’s still the epitome of automotive muscle.

Pieces: 544

Kids sets

Overview:

Where better to start with LEGO than with the basics? This 270-piece set will let the kiddies get creative with bricks that are perfect for building houses. However, as with all LEGO, the real delight lies in combining the bricks in new and exciting ways to construct new buildings and homes.

Pieces: 270

Overview:

The Creator 3-in-1 range is the perfect platform for introducing LEGO’s powers of versatility. This kit will have kids building a shark, squid or angler fish from the same set of LEGO bricks, meaning that the set can be revisited constantly. Plus, there’s a small treasure trove and cute crab.

Pieces: 230

Overview:

LEGO City is a huge and sprawling range that, much like an actual city, has dozens of infrastructure sets, vehicles and trains to get hold of. One of our favourites is the LEGO City Hospital – not only does it open lots of play opportunities, but it adds 12 Minifigures to a collection, and two vehicles – a helicopter and an ambulance.

Pieces: 816

Minifigures: 12

Overview:

Minecraft is pretty much the video game LEGO, so the success of the real-life collaboration should come as no surprise. Giving kids chance to enjoy Minecraft away from a screen, this set features an Ice Castle, and several Minifigures, including skeletons and zombies.

Pieces: 499

Minifigures: Five

William Lobley is a Deputy Editor and reviewer for What's The Best, specialising in technology and outdoors. He also writes for Empire Online.

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