Anyone who calls IKEA "adult Legos" hasn't checked out the Lego catalog lately.
While many of us had our Lego introductions as kids, the coolest Lego sets these days range from architectural marvels to genuine works of art that anyone, kid or adult, can enjoy. In other words, "Legos for adults" are just Legos.
As someone who enjoys a good Lego build and is surrounded by friends, family, and Mashable coworkers who do too, I decided to poll the people around me about the best sets they've built, as well as those they're still coveting. Altogether, I rounded up 15 sets, with picks from under $20 all the way up to $850. (Shoutout to my brother for suggesting the three most expensive sets on this list. His Lego expertise is well earned — he owns so many sets my mom texted me ahead of his last birthday, "[He] does not need any more Legos until he has his own garage to store them in.")
Check out our favorite Lego sets for adults, kids, and everyone in between:
Lego Mario Kart
It doesn't get better than IRL shell shooting.
Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Mario Kart is one of the most iconic IPs out there, and no game of it is complete without absolutely crushing your opponents' hopes and dreams by hitting them with a well-timed shell. So, of course, Lego made sure that these karts could actually shoot from Yoshi's bike (or Donkey Kong, if you buy the additional building kit). In our Pocketworthy series, Mashable's tech editor Timothy Beck Werth said he was just as excited as his niece and nephew when he saw this set's shell shooting abilities.
$12.99
at Amazon
$14.99
Save $2
Lego Star Wars BrickHeadz
Wouldn't want to meet these guys in a dark alley.
Credit: Nick Villescas / Mashable
For any Star Wars fans who don't have $850 to drop on the Millennium Falcon (more on that below), the BrickHeadz line lets you show your love for the space opera at a much more accessible price point. My best friend's husband, Nick, exclusively owns Star Wars Lego, and has curated this collection of BrickHeadz over time. A set of two will run you $19.99, which is an excellent price for decorating your office space (as Nick so expertly demonstrates). In general, Nick appreciates that Lego's catalog is extensive enough that even if you stick to one type or IP from the brand, you still get plenty of options to choose from (and yes, this does guarantee I'll be bugging him for more Star Wars faves in the future).
Lego Botanicals Happy Plants
I want to befriend these planters — that's normal, right?
Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
These happy plants are part of the popular Lego Botanicals series, a clear favorite of Mashable editors and readers alike, and in this case, another favorite pick from Werth. This Happy Plants set isn't one he owns just yet, but it is one that he's definitely keeping an eye on after spotting them in a Mashable cubicle and at a Lego booth during a toy expo. The mini dracaena and pilea plants are great for Lego beginners (or kids), or anyone else who might not have the bandwidth to put together 500+ pieces (if you fall into that category, beware of the last few picks on this list).
Lego Botanicals Petite Sunny Bouquet Flower Set
Who doesn't love a Lego Botanicals centerpiece?
Credit: Lego
Mashable contributor Lauren Allain bought this small but adorable Botanicals set for her partner's mom — someone who'd never built a set in her life. The verdict? "She loved it," Allain told me. At 373 pieces, it's intricate enough to result in a design that could genuinely work as house decor, while still being beginner-friendly. Plus, it's a nice next step from the Happy Plants if you still want to keep things simple and affordable.
$23.87
at Walmart
$29
Save $5.13
Lego Botanicals Orchid
The Lego Botanicals Orchid is a classic for a reason.
Credit: Haley Henschel / Mashable
The Lego Orchid was one of the first from the Botanicals line to go properly viral, and it's no surprise as to why — it's gorgeous. Mashable's Haley Henschel uses it as a design piece in her home. It's as at home on a mantle as it is on a bookshelf or even a dining table. And it gets extra points for being an unkillable orchid.
$39.98
at Walmart
$49.99
Save $10.01
Lego Icons Retro Radio
A Lego radio that can actually play sound? I'm listening (literally).
Credit: Lego
I knew I had to ask my friend Danica for her all-time favorites, as she is the proud owner of the first Lego set that made me audibly gasp: the Typewriter (you can actually use the keys — I know). While that set is sadly discontinued, she pointed to this Retro Radio as being another favorite, partially because she likes the vibe, partially because it can actually play audio. The sound brick in the build plays a selection of short audio settings, which is a nifty enough feature on its own for a $100 set. After completing the set, you can also open up the back and put your phone in the radio and play music off your own device — the Lego isn't technically playing it, but it's a cool feature if you want to pretend it is.
Lego Ideas The Insect Collection
Who wouldn't love these bugs?
Credit: Lego
When I asked my Mashable colleagues for their favorite sets, Social Good Reporter Chase DiBenedetto responded with a link to this one and a simple message: "I love my bugs." Looking at the color, detail, and poses here, I can see why. With this set, you'll build a blue morpho butterfly, a Hercules beetle, and a Chinese mantis.
$63.99
at Walmart
$79.99
Save $16.00
Lego Ideas A-Frame Cabin
This cabin belongs in a cozy bookshelf display.
Credit: Danica Villescas / Mashable
Not all Lego builds are created equally — intricate ones with more pieces on the wrong day can feel more frustrating than relaxing. Yet my friend Danica had to recommend this cabin set in addition to the Retro Radio because not only is it extremely charming (look how precious it is on her shelf), she found the build itself fun, despite being an over 2,000-piece set.
Lego Icons The Lord of the Rings: Balrog Book Nook Kit
I'm sorry but all other book nooks have to pack it up, this one wins.
Credit: Lego
"If I had 100 bucks to drop on this heavy metal Balrog book nook, I would," is what Mashable UK Editor Shannon Connellan told me in my call for favorite sets (the set goes for £100 in the UK, $129.99 in the US). Opening the link to this set was an experience — taking in the massive Balrog, the tiny Gandalf, the "you shall not pass!", and the staging of this book nook between books now has me thinking if I had $129.99 to drop on this book nook, I would, too.
Lego Ideas Twilight The Cullen House
If you ask me, this set should be part of the Lego Icons line.
Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable
Sometimes, recreating scenes from a beloved IP is just what the soul needs. Animal Crossing fans may appreciate being able to painstakingly work their way to K.K. Slider's concert in the plaza all over again, LotR fans may need an incredibly epic bookend (as seen above), and Twilight fans may need to see in Lego form where Edward Cullen told Bella, "You better hold on tight, spider monkey."
For former Mashable reporter Dylan Haas, spending time with his wife building this 2,000-plus-piece set reminded him of the importance of taking time to connect with your loved ones. He wrote, "I’m not saying that you should bury your head and ignore what’s going on in the world — actually, I advise heavily against that. But if the state of it all is getting to be overwhelming, maybe I am saying that you should pick up a Lego set and just see what happens."
Lego Icons The Lord of The Rings: The Shire Building Set
All your Middle Earth friends are here.
Credit: Timothy Beck Werth / Mashable
Werth also spotted this set at a recent toy expo, and he says he's been obsessed ever since. At $269.99, this is a Lord of the Rings set priced for more diehard fans (though come to think of it, I'm not sure I've ever met a casual LotR fan). Whether you need another set to tide you over your post Balrog-book-nook-completion blues or simply love the Hobbitses and their home, this 2,017-piece set is sure to do the trick.
Lego Super Mario The Mighty Bowser
Who knew Bowser would be the perfect accent piece for a windowsill?
Credit: Lego
Lego wasn't playing when it named this set the Mighty Bowser. For one, look at him. For two, it's 2,807 pieces, meaning it's built (or rather ready-to-be-built) for the fans who spent a good chunk of their childhood grinding Mario on the N64. Unsurprisingly, I sourced this selection from my friend Mitch, who is 100 percent one of those fans. When I asked him why this set stood out, he cited nostalgia, and to me, there is something beautiful about nostalgia taking the form of a giant, Lego Koopa king.
Lego Ideas The Globe
Three-month old kitten for scale.
Credit: Bethany Allard / Mashable
This retired Ideas set has a "hard to find" tag on the Lego website, so naturally, it's in my family's dining room (thanks to my brother). Like an actual globe, it spins (and surprisingly doesn't feel like it's ultra-fragile, despite being made entirely of Lego). The major catch here, besides the price, is that it's currently only available from third-party sellers at Walmart and Amazon.
Lego Technic McLaren P1
The Lego Technic line is the perfect intersection for car enthusiasts and people who want to try out non-traditional Lego bricks.
Credit: Lego
Speaking of splurges, it's time to get into my brother's two picks. He first suggested the larger-scale items from Technic's line, saying they are "pretty cool because [they] step away from the traditional brick." He built the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, which is unfortunately now a retired product (though you can hunt around on resale sites if you're so inclined). If you're not too picky about make and model, this McLaren P1 is a worthy alternative still in stock.
Lego 'Star Wars' Millennium Falcon
My family did in fact eat meals around this.
Credit: Thomas Allard / Mashable
An $850 Lego set is not for the casual Lego fan, which is exactly why it's my brother's pride and joy (to be fair, he bought it at its original price of $799 — a real bargain). I'm 99 percent sure I've never seen my brother happier than when he was building this behemoth. For a long time, it lived near the entrance to my family's home (shortly after its initial residence on the kitchen table), and it was the conversation piece of every single person who visited. I've watched many a grown man drop his jaw at its presence. And they better — it is not only by far the most expensive set on this list, but one of the most expensive sets Lego has ever produced.
The interior of the ship is actually insane.
Credit: Thomas Allard / Mashable
When I asked my brother if he thinks this set is worth $850, he texted back, "F-ck no! But it does look cool." Would he buy it all over again? "Yeah probably." And honestly, I get it. This set is beyond intricate, with its whopping 7,541 pieces allowing you not just to build the exterior structure of the iconic ship, but also some interior rooms, populated with characters from the original trilogy and recent sequels.
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