The LEGO brand of building blocks is appealing to many people of all ages for a variety of reasons. In recent years, however, several connecting block competitors have become easier than ever to acquire. Our list of the top five best LEGO alternatives showcases some well-reviewed brands of building blocks, many of which offer different licensing for famous franchises like Star Trek or boast a lower price point.
There are several excellent alternatives to LEGO bricks on the market that cater to diverse building preferences and interests. These alternatives often come in various shapes, sizes, and materials, offering unique construction experiences. Some alternatives use magnetic pieces, providing a different approach to building that can result in fascinating 3D structures. Wooden blocks and rods, reminiscent of traditional building toys, appeal to those who value nostalgia and simplicity.
Moreover, eco-conscious builders can opt for sets made from sustainable, plant-based materials, aligning with their environmental values. Certain alternatives prioritize themed playsets, combining construction with imaginative storytelling through the inclusion of detailed figures and accessories. Regardless of one’s interests or building style, these LEGO alternatives offer a range of creative possibilities and experiences beyond the iconic interlocking plastic bricks.
Ready to get building? Our list of the top five best LEGO alternatives contains some options that are attractive for a number of reasons. Lower cost, greater variety, and even LEGO compatibility are all reasons shoppers might be interested in these nifty block brands. Let us know your favorite construction block brands in the comments below!
The List: Best LEGO Alternatives, Per Toy Experts
1. Kre-O
Kre-O is a LEGO compatible product that notably offers franchise-branded building sets. Kre-O does not sell to buyers directly via a web store, but rather is available through retailers like Amazon and Wal-Mart as a Hasbro brand. Mom Brite comments, “The Kre-o brand is [a] LEGO -compatible alternative for kids. Among the other LEGO -compatible brands, Kre-o’s quality is almost identical to that of LEGO ’s. This product from Hasbro includes customized designs from popular franchises such as Star Trek, and the Transformers.”
Hasbro properties like G.I. Joe and Dungeons & Dragons are represented in the product line. How to Geek adds, “Kre-O’s builds are praised in the brick building community for their high quality compared to other knockoff brands, which makes sense considering it’s made by Hasbro, one of the largest toy manufacturers in the world.”
Finding specific build sets can be challenging because the sets rotate in and out of production frequently. “[Kre-O’s] original offerings are far more limited, with the only currently running original theme being Cityville Invasion which does offer some nice city-based sets that younger builders… [are] sure to love. Hopefully, we can expect more original builds from Kre-O in the future,” details ExtraBux.
2. Nanoblock
Nanoblock is non-compatible with LEGO, but it instead boasts interesting builds. Pikachu and a bonsai tree are just two examples. Tiny Workshops claims, “This is an excellent pick if you’re looking for something truly unique; Nanoblock features different collections, the most popular being its Character Collection Series, Collection Food Series, Pokémon Series, Sight to See Series, and Advanced Hobby Series.”
ExtraBux relates, “If you are looking for a great beginner LEGO type building set, Nano Blocks is a great cheap alternative to LEGO. The sets are creative and simple, perfect for the beginner builder. While Nanoblocks appear to be compatible with LEGO , they do NOT work with LEGO. The smaller bricks offer more detailed builds. Some of the architectural-inspired kits look amazing.”
JMBricklayer says, “Nanoblock is like LEGO on a small scale & is an excellent choice for teens, kids, & adults. Nanoblock consists of 11 diverse sorts of bricks. Blocks for Nanoblock contain world landmarks, musical instruments, space scenes, and birthday & wedding scenes. Nanoblock-themed sets contain Pokémon, Mega Man, and Hello Kitty. The biggest of the Nanoblock products is Neuschwanstein Castle, with 5,800 pieces.”
3. Cobi Bricks
Cobi is a Polish company that offers “Tanks, Battleships, Submarines and so much more,” according to the Cobi store web page. Part of the allure of these sets is that they offer military vehicle model kits that are not part of the LEGO brand. Brick Fact praises, “The Polish manufacturer of terminal blocks has mainly historical vehicles in its range. Recently, however, other vehicles have also been added. One of the best-known sets is the replica of the Titanic.”
Tiny Workshops raves, “Fundamentally, Cobi’s models are intended to both entertain and educate. The brand includes a variety of collections under its name, featuring models linked to NASA, the Titanic, the Concorde, WWII aircraft, and more. We believe these sets are more appropriate for adult collectors and history enthusiasts. Nevertheless, they can be great segues to learn as a family and introduce children to some of the most critical moments in history.”
“Cobi’s builds certainly stand apart from LEGO and other knockoffs. Its builds have a much smoother appearance as they use larger pieces of plastic for the exteriors of builds. This gives them a unique style, but it does limit how much you can repurpose the bricks from each set,” exclaims How to Geek.
4. Mega Bloks for Toddlers
Mega brands are a well-known alternative to LEGO. They offer many different building block lines for builders of all ages. Mega Bloks are the line that is specifically tailored for toddlers. ExtraBux says, “Mega Bloks is much more of a DUPLO alternative… it also allows [kids] to explore creative thinking in a safe and simple way. Due to the larger size of Mega Bloks, they cannot be used with regular-sized bricks. They can work with DUPLO , but it is limited. Mega Bloks can be attached to the top of DUPLO , but not the other way around.”
JMBricklayer describes, “Established in 1984, Mega Bloks for Toddlers is a popular LEGO alternative. It is a Canadian brand… they were the first brand to create [connecting] construction toys [specifically] for toddlers. Their licenses allow them to make a variety of pop culture brick-building sets.”
We Have Kids elaborates, “If you’re looking for the bigger type of LEGO blocks, I recommend the Mega Bloks brand. Both their big and small pieces are of good quality and have no issue locking together. What’s more is that pieces for Mega Bloks are considerably cheaper than LEGO ’s DUPLO set.”
5. Sluban
Product knock offs and copycats can be hit-or-miss, but according to our sources Sluban gets it right. As more of a legit alternative rather than a blatant copy, Sluban’s main draw is the lower price point. Clone Bricks explains of the brand that originates in Hong Kong, “Sluban [is] one of the few Chinese clone brands to officially sell its sets on western markets (UK, Germany, The Netherlands and others). [They’ve] Been around for quite a while… Their themes include Formula 1, Aviation, Army, and Girl’s Dream. Quality wise Sluban is OK, above average, but below [LEGO ] prices.”
Best Ali Products offers, “Sluban is a cheaper alternative to LEGO. The brand has a wide collection of kits for little ones and even older kids. However, some customers reported that some bricks are loose. Yet, if you are looking for sets or kits at an affordable price, Sluban is the best choice.”
F.O states, “[Sluban] offers a really unique set of products that are based on the brick construction toy paradigm. They’re clearly a passionate bunch and that can be seen at the Toy Fair in Nuremburg each year, where they take part in a showcase displaying all of their upcoming sets. It’s this love for the bricks that we relate to most.”
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Sources:
- Brick Fact
- Tiny Workshops
- How to Geek
- ExtraBux
- JMBricklayer
- We Have Kids
- Mom Brite
- Clone Bricks
- Best Ali Products
- Funwhole
Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations.