LEGO is very fun. But as anyone who's wandered into the LEGO aisle can attest, that fun comes with a hefty price tag.
Many of the best LEGO sets for adults that trend on social media will run you about $150-$200 on the low end, and a massive set with third-party branding can run even higher. The 7541-piece LEGO Star Wars Millennium Falcon, long considered to be the gold standard of LEGO builds, costs $849.99. That's approximately what the average American, in an entry-level position, makes in a week.
But LEGO has sets for every budget, and it pays to be a smart, frugal shopper. Here are the best cheap LEGO sets that you can buy in 2024 for under $25.
EVE & WALL-E
- Set: #40619
- Age Range: 10+
- Piece Count: 155
- Dimensions: 3 in. (8 cm) high, 1.5 in. (5 cm) high
- Price: $14.99
A great example of LEGO at its minimalist best, these models of EVE and WALL-E make perfect desk displays, and each comes with a black base plate stand for that purpose. See our picks for the best LEGO Disney sets for pricier options.
2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
- Set: #76917
- Age Range: 9+
- Piece Count: 319
- Dimensions: 2 in. (5 cm) high, 6.5 in. (16 cm) long, 2.5 in. (7 cm) wide
- Price: $24.99
A 300+ piece count set for $25 is a pretty good bargain. The car itself is cool-looking and detailed, and it even comes with a Paul Walker-inspired LEGO Minifigure.
Potted Groot
- Set: #40671
- Age Range: 10+
- Piece Count: 113
- Dimensions: 3.5 in. (9 cm) tall
- Price: $9.99
This is Groot as you see him at the end of the first Guardians of the Galaxy movie—potted and grooving to the Jackson Five. This is a model in LEGO's collectible Brickheadz line, and you might want to check out all of them, since they're each $10.
Carousel Ride
- Set: #40714
- Age Range: 8+
- Piece Count: 232
- Dimensions: 5 in. (13 cm) high, 5.5 in. (14 cm) wide, 5 in. (13 cm) deep
- Price: $24.95
LEGO's most underrated brand is its Fairground line. And although it's been a couple of years since the Loop Coaster (their last major set), LEGO has released several smaller rides in this interim. This menagerie Carousel Ride turns, thanks to the gears and LEGO Technic hidden in the model's base.
Japan Postcard
- Set: #40713
- Age Range: 9+
- Piece Count: 262
- Dimensions: 4 in. (10 cm) high
- Price: $14.99
LEGO has numerous postcard builds, each from a major city around the world. This one of Japan includes Mount Fuji, a cherry blossom tree, and a recreation of Himeji Castle.
Spider-Man Venom Mech Armor vs. Miles Morales
- Set: #76276
- Age Range: 6+
- Piece Count: 134
- Dimensions: 5 in. (13 cm) tall
- Price: $14.99
There are LEGO mech builds in both the Marvel LEGO and LEGO Ninjago lines, and they are typically a great bargain. You get a fully articulable, large model for $15 on average. This particular set contains a Symbiote-laced mech and two Minifigures: one of Miles Morales, and another of Venom, who also fits in the mech's cockpit. These mech builds also make great LEGO sets for kids.
Supersonic Jet
- Set: #31126
- Age Range: 7+
- Piece Count: 215
- Dimensions: 3 in. (8 cm) high, 10.5 in. (27 cm) long, 6 in. (16 cm) wide
- Price: $19.99
Make three different vehicles out of this single set of bricks. You can build a power boat or a helicopter, but you'll likely opt for the sleek Supersonic Jet, which comes with retractable wheels.
Cherry Blossoms
- Set: #40725
- Age Range: 8+
- Piece Count: 430
- Dimensions: 14 in. (35 cm) long
- Price: $14.99
An entry in LEGO's Botanical line, these cherry blossoms are pink-on-pink and pink-on-white. There are even some buds mixed in with the blossoms, which really sells the illusion and makes it look real from a distance.
Technic Heavy Duty Bulldozer
- Set: #42163
- Age Range: 7+
- Piece Count: 195
- Dimensions: over 3 in. (8 cm) high, 4 in. (10 cm) long and 3 in. (8 cm) wide
- Price: $12.99
LEGO Technic sets are often inspired by real-like automobiles, and tend to be on the expensive side. But this bulldozer set is a perfect, affordable introduction to Technic. It rolls on treads, and its shovel blade moves up and down.
Retro Camera
- Set: #31147
- Age Range: 8+
- Piece Count: 261
- Dimensions: 2.5 in. (7 cm) high, 5 in. (13 cm) wide and 3 in. (8 cm) deep
- Price: $19.99
This 1980's styled camera has a lot of fun features and accessories, including a multi-colored strap, film that loads into the back of the camera, and a rotating lens. You can also take it apart and rebuild it into a retro TV or a retro camcorder.
The big sets get the press, but there are plenty of cheaper sets that give you a great building experience and an attractive end result. They're perfect to give as a small gift, either to a friend or to yourself, or as a stopgap measure, while you're saving up for the expensive set that you've had your eyes on.
For more cheaper-than-usual sets, take a look at our always updated best LEGO deals. And for more great set ideas, check out our picks for the best Harry Potter LEGO sets as well as the best Star Wars LEGO sets.
Kevin Wong is a contributing freelancer for IGN, specializing in LEGO. He's also been published in Complex, Engadget, Gamespot, Kotaku, and more. Follow him on Twitter at @kevinjameswong.
