Not every LEGO set has to be a thousand-piece marvel — sometimes a pocket-sized build can be just as rewarding to put together, whether it’s from Star Wars, Harry Potter, Creator, NINJAGO or City.
It’s no secret that collecting LEGO sets is an expensive hobby. Every year, the LEGO Group pumps out dozens upon dozens of big-ticket sets with thousands of pieces and elaborate designs with prices in the triple digits. The sheer quantity of large sets available today is a blessing and a curse — there are tons of beautiful sets to choose from, but it can be difficult for wallets to keep up with the demand.
So it can be worth turning your attention to some of the smaller sets on shelves. The builds are less complex or physically imposing than their larger counterparts, but they still pack plenty of punch. And they won’t break the bank. A smaller set may not make for an awe-inspiring living room centrepiece, but it will fit nicely on a desk and bring a splash of colour. Blocks, the monthly LEGO magazine, picks out five affordable LEGO sets from a variety of themes perfect for your collection.
75391 Captain Rex Y-Wing Microfighter
When the Microfighters line launched in 2014, fans expected it to last a year or two before quietly retiring, much like the Planets sets did in 2013. But a decade later in 2024, the subtheme is still going strong, with its most recent release being 75391 Captain Rex Y-Wing Microfighter. Just 99 pieces go into the little starfighter, recreating the blue Y-Wing from The Clone Wars Season 7. The minifigure is the real highlight here — Captain Rex, first released in 2023’s 75367 Venator-Class Republic Attack Cruiser, is included to pilot the ship and will be right at home leading your LEGO Clone Army.
76425 Hedwig at 4 Privet Drive
76425 Hedwig at 4 Privet Drive contains more than 300 pieces, putting them to use building an adorable little Hedwig model, along with a few side builds to complete the scene. Hedwig is much smaller than the larger version from 76391 Hogwarts Icons – Collector’s Edition, but still captures the look of the iconic owl perfectly. He gets a sign for Privet Drive as his perch, along with a chest filled with all sorts of Easter eggs for fans of the series to spot, including A History of Magic and a certain family photo…
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71807 Sora’s Elemental Tech Mech
Fans of LEGO NINJAGO’s early days will be forgiven for not recognising the titular character of 71807 Sora’s Elemental Tech Mech. The theme has continued to surpass all expectations that first wave of sets had back in 2011, growing its scope and cast of characters well beyond the original run. There is one thing the theme hasn’t outgrown — its love of mechs. 71807 is one of the best available at a cheap price, putting 209 pieces into an incredibly posable and surprisingly good-looking mech; the base white is complimented nicely by highlights of gold and purple. Two figures and a small tree round out the set, making for a great value not just for hardcore NINJAGO fans, but for first-time buyers as well.
60283 Holiday Camper Van
LEGO City and camping vehicles are almost as inseparable as LEGO NINJAGO and mechs. The latest set to be added to the camper van collection is 60283 Holiday Camper Van. The set features a family of three — including the super cute baby figure — ready for a camping adventure. The van itself is a simple build, using just under 200 pieces, but looks great for what it’s trying to be. A removable roof allows you to reach the inside and one side swings open for easier access to the rear section. The front of the roof can pop off as well to reveal a small bed. But it is only big enough for one figure to fit comfortably at a time — looks like the campers will be sleeping in shifts.
31058 Mighty Dinosaurs
LEGO sets retire after about two years — that’s the standard practice, with very few sets breaking this pattern. 31058 Mighty Dinosaurs has not only exceeded the typical lifespan of a set, but utterly obliterated it. The dinos have been stomping around on shelves since 2017. A seven-plus year run is unheard of for a set of this size. It’s longevity and popularity are not unwarranted, however. A low price and masterful use of its 174 pieces make 31058 a wonderful little set. The main model, a green T-Rex, is pretty much perfect, and the alternate builds, a pterodactyl and triceratops, are great, too. 31058 is truly a perfect set for any LEGO collection.
Are there any other low price sets you think belong in every LEGO collection? Let Blocks know on any of our social media channels.