These Are The 17 Best LEGO Sets for Adults to Build Right Now

For the past 95 years, LEGO has practically served as the gold standard in toy making, and the resale market can attest to that. This past year, studies suggested that investing in some of the manufacturer’s builds is as lucrative as investing in gold, stock, bonds, and art. While this may be hard to believe, it’s clear that the demand for these branded bricks is as high as ever, and that applies to people of all ages – yes, it’s safe to admit that LEGO builds are not just for kids. And to prove that, we’re here to wheel out a sprawling guide to the best LEGO sets for adults to build.

Should Adults Build LEGOS?

In case the exorbitant price tags tacked on to some of their more extravagant builds haven’t convinced you yet, then we don’t know what will. Maybe it would take a 9,090-piece replica of the unmistakable Titanic or a model of the Atari 2600, the latter of which is safe to assume no child under 10 has ever even heard of. Nevertheless, we are not here to convince you that the world-famous toy brand’s sets are also for grown-ups, because that much has been made widely evident.

What to Look For

Pieces: You certainly get more build time and complexity in a larger build with more pieces, but there are a few other things to consider. Larger builds can be harder to display due to their size, and take more time than smaller builds (this doesn’t mean that builds with a lot of pieces are always big, however). Generally speaking, smaller sets will range from a couple of hundred pieces to around a thousand, and larger sets will get into the thousands (the largest one we’ve included has a whopping 9K pieces)

Challenge: More often than not, the more pieces the set has, the harder (or longer) the build will be. LEGO also puts an age recommendation on each of its sets, but we’re assuming that those reading are above 18 (which is the “hardest” age range for sets). But sets recommended for younger ages can be great, too, with plenty of pop culture and movie-inspired builds to choose from.

Theme: LEGO has a few offshoots like Technic (which is dedicated to vehicles and motors) and Icons (which captures landmarks and pop culture around the world) which create a specific style of build. If you’re looking for adult builds, both Icons and Technic sets are a great place to look, and compose the majority of our guide below.

Displayability: Sets from both of these lineups are also perfect for displaying, but make sure you have enough space and an idea of where you want the complete build (especially before assembling it).

LEGO adidas Superstar

When it comes to silhouettes that speak for themselves, the adidas Superstar sits among the Air Force 1 and Air Jordan 1, deeming it only fair to receive a unique model from LEGO. The authenticity trickles right down to the shoe’s inimitable shell-toe at the forefront and even arrives in shoebox-themed packaging that captures the feeling of picking up a new pair of kicks.

LEGO Ideas Jazz Quartet

You don’t even have to be a jazz fan to appreciate this plastic-crafted take on a traditional quartet. This fan-made model comes equipped with a pianist, bassist, trumpeter, and drummer, allowing you to channel your inner stage designer as you arrange the four musicians however you see fit.

LEGO Ideas Fender Stratocaster

From Hendrix to Harrison, the Fender Stratocaster is possibly the most recognizable silhouette in the history of guitars, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that a fan took it upon themself to design a 14-inch LEGO version of it with a classic ’65 Princeton amp to close it out. Guitarists rejoice, as this 1,074-brick build serves as unique a centerpiece as any and might even draw more attention than a standard Strat.

LEGO Ideas The Office

In case you’ve grown tired of streaming The Office all the time, here is your first chance to build it. From Jim and Pam to Dwight and Michael and everyone in between, this 1,164-piece build features all your favorite members of Dunder Mifflin’s Scranton branch. As you may have guessed, countless references to the show are sprinkled throughout the diorama, including Kevin’s spilled pot of chili and Michael’s pompous “World’s Best Boss” mug.

LEGO Ideas Seinfeld

This build is the first of LEGO’s fan-driven IDEAS sets that appear on this list, and it truly begs the question: what’s the deal? This diorama of Jerry Seinfeld’s living room from his iconic sitcom features several easter eggs that fans will recognize in a heartbeat. From Jerry’s eclectic cereal cupboard to George’s loaf of marble rye to Kramer’s coffee table book about coffee tables and Elaine’s dying fish, there’s simply no way any Seinfeld fan won’t appreciate this build – until Newman comes along.

LEGO Empire State Building

LEGO’s gorgeous Architecture line interpreted several of the world’s most impressive buildings and skylines in brick form, but none of the products were as memorable as the Empire State Building. The 360° build measures 21” high and features a quartet of accurately detailed facades, assuring that it features every element of the legitimate skyscraper — aside from size, obviously. For added authenticity, it is surrounded by mini roads fitted with yellow cabs.

LEGO Back to the Future Delorean

Others may debate it, but we declare Doc Brown’s DeLorean the most popular movie car of all time, which means it was bound to garner a pro-grade model made of bricks. Considering it received different makeovers throughout the series, it wouldn’t be right to acknowledge one example, which is why LEGO implemented references to each film, including Part II’s hoverboard and Part III’s high-powered, hood-mounted circuit board. Before you ask, yes, it does come with Minifigures of Doc and Marty — it simply wouldn’t be right without them.

LEGO Nasa Space Shuttle Discovery

LEGO has delivered on a handful of different space-themed builds, but few can hold a candle to its authenticated NASA Space Shuttle Discovery model. As part of the toy brand’s ICONS line, builders can assemble each element of this historic spacecraft right down to its movable solar panels and center engine. All in all, this 2,354-piece build is ideal for astrophiles.

LEGO Atari 2600

LEGO’s recent array of Nintendo builds has left collectible-loving gamers begging for more, but it successfully captivates old-school players with its brand-new replica of the classic Atari 2600. The unique addition to its ICONS line is constructed of 2,352 pieces, a percentage of which compose a mini diorama of an ‘80s-era bedroom decked out in vintage posters and wistful gadgets. Most impressively, you can construct 3D vignettes from the classic games that LEGO pays homage to Asteroids, Adventure, and Centipede.

LEGO BMW M 1000 RR

Motorcycle enthusiasts will be ecstatic to add this painstakingly detailed iteration of the BMW M 1000 RR to their living space. The gargantuan 1:5 scale model is LEGO’s largest TECHNIC motorcycle builwd, consisting of 1,920 pieces. If that’s not enough, each Bimmer-authenticated element placed throughout only makes it better. It features accurately-colored red, white, and blue branding, as well as a functional 4-piston engine, 3-speed (+ neutral) gearbox, and suspension.

LEGO NES

This is hands down one of the coolest LEGO builds that’s come out recently, and it features a ton of play features and references to the classic Nintendo Entertainment System. It comes with working buttons on the controller, and a crank on the side of the TV that moves the screen. It’s oozing with ’80s nostalgia and makes for a great display piece after you finish building it.

LEGO PAC-MAN Arcade

As one of the video game greats, it’s fitting that LEGO finally gave PAC-MAN a large dedicated build. And this one is a doozy, coming with a mechanical maze where you can simulate the game, and a ton of small details that reference one of the OG arcade cabinets. It also comes with a little mini set that depicts the cabinet in a smaller size for some Inception-like fun.

LEGO Technic Ferrari Daytona SP3

LEGO’s TECHNIC line serves as an excellent bridge into the world of robotics, and it helps bring several of its automotive models to life, too. The brand new Ferrari Daytona SP3 is one of the motorized collection’s biggest builds, composed of 3,778 pieces that keep every detail in mind, right to the red accents on the targa’s chrome-plated wheels. Functionally, it boasts a V12 engine with moving pistons for accuracy through and through.

LEGO Colosseum

While the sleek Empire State Building was part of the brand’s defunct Architecture line, its giant model of the Colosseum is a far more grandiose way to acknowledge the refined craftsmanship. The tribute to Rome’s iconic, man-made marvel is 9,036 pieces worth of genuine art crawling with stone-paved walkways and olive trees, practically turning wherever you choose to display it into an Italian getaway.

LEGO Titanic

One of the largest LEGO builds ever released is far from child’s play. While Jack and Rose don’t appear in this humongous, 1:200 scale model of the original Titanic, its size speaks for itself and sheds the need for any Minifigures. It features every interior element of the authentic ship, including the boiler room, grand staircase, and promenade deck. For functionality’s sake, you can even adjust the tension line between masts and turn the propellers.

LEGO AT-AT

Standing 25” high and 28” deep, the Ultimate Collector Series AT-AT is easily one of LEGO’s most impressive Star Wars builds. It comes equipped with accurate artillery, like rotating cannons and a bomb drop hatch, as well as a General Veers Minifigure to place at the helm of control in the model’s fully posable cockpit. However, it wouldn’t be right without a surfeit of Snowtroopers an additional figure of Luke Skywalker attached to the center of it via cable.

LEGO Millenium Falcon

We’re going with a quintessential pick to round out our guide to the best LEGO models for adults. The toymaker’s Millenium Falcon is arguably as iconic as the spaceship itself, having been heralded as a grail item for collectors since it was released in 2017. The 7,541-piece build features the original crew — Han Solo, Chewbacca, Princess Leia, and C-3PO — as well as Rey, Finn, BB8, and, yet again, Han Solo. So whether you want to keep things traditional or collide both sagas, you can configure the gang of characters however you like. Like the AT-AT, it features accurate weaponry, including a concealed blaster cannon and lower quad laser cannons, so you can defeat the Imperial Empire in full-on brick fashion.

The Best Gadgets for Men

If you’re looking for some toys that are a little more high-tech, our guide to the best gadgets has you covered.