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The colorful building blocks from Lego have been an indispensable part of children's rooms for decades.
The shapes of the stones and the creative freedom with which children playfully learn motor skills and spatial imagination are innumerable.
Many parents see the sets as an opportunity to promote their children's fine motor skills and imagination.
But adults also enjoy the building blocks as a relaxing contrast to the digital world.
In 2010, the group lost its trademark protection on the terminal block, which is why other companies have since been allowed to offer Lego-compatible products with the same block sizes.
The fact that other manufacturers have also penetrated the market shows that the possibilities are far from exhausted, even aside from Lego's core topics.
Lego alternatives: Cheaper products also from Germany
Alternative products are usually cheaper than the Lego original.
Significantly more components are used for sets at a relatively lower price.
This may be because Chinese manufacturers like Xingbao can produce their stones more cheaply.
But the competition doesn't just come from China.
German companies such as Abanico or Märklin have long since jumped on the Lego bandwagon, especially where key issues are served that the Danish market leader has difficulties with or reacts too slowly to demand.
Those who can do without a Lego lettering adorn the bricks will definitely be rewarded with innovation.
Alternatives to Lego: What you need to consider when buying
Part quality
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Basically, the more up-to-date the model, the more likely it will be of a quality comparable to the original.
Initially there was still a need for improvement in the accuracy of fit and color fidelity of Chinese products, but these start-up difficulties have been a thing of the past for years.
With some suppliers, however, the sprue points on current products are a bit clearer than with Lego.
This purely visual conspicuousness has no influence on the clamping safety of the stone.
Model quality
In general, the models are solidly designed.
Anyone who has ever dealt with Lego instructions will find that the building steps are less small than usual, but are understandable.
The way in which parts are to be installed can also differ from known patterns, but usually remains within the usual framework.
Many constructions are astonishingly stable due to the amount of stones used.
If parts are missing, the big manufacturers are very accommodating, according to reviews.
If parts are lost, they can be bought individually on the Bricklink stone market, for example.
characters
In contrast to the terminal block, Lego has retained trademark protection on its figures.
If you buy a set that includes figures, you must expect that they will look a little different than usual.
Delivery times
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Depending on the company and item location, the delivery times are very different.
Before ordering from new providers, it is advisable to consider the delivery time.
These Lego alternatives are particularly innovative
Light up your world of blocks!
With the glowing stones from Lightstax * you bring life to any backdrop.
The built-in LEDs of the stones are connected via an optionally battery-operated or USB-operated base plate and create a cozy atmosphere for every building.
When buying, look for the size “S” for Lego or “M” for Duplo.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy Lightstax from Abanico online now
Order at Amazon Compare prices at Idealo
The Märklin building block train provides even more liveliness.
The well-known manufacturer of model railways supplies a locomotive with light and sound, a tank car and a freight car in its starter set.
The train is built on a wheel axle plate with knobs, which forms the transition to Märklin's C-track track system.
With the enclosed remote control, up to four trains can be controlled.
There are many extensions for the rail system as well as for other modular trains and wagons.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy building block train set from Märklin online now
Order at Amazon Compare prices at Idealo
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With ZURUS “Mayka” adhesive tape * you can transform any surface into a knobbed landscape.
Whether on the desk, on the shelf or on the wall - with the adhesive back and the nubby front you can turn the world upside down.
The tape is available in a 2-stud or 4-stud width.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy Mayka dimple tape from Zuru online now
Order at Amazon Compare prices at Idealo
These products complement any Lego collection
Lego is not only available in many shapes, but also in many colors.
The fact that the market leader has introduced many more color gradations in addition to the basic colors over the last decade makes the models look more coherent, but also makes it difficult to build something new from them that doesn't look like a motley rag rug.
In order to increase the supply of basic colors, we recommend a stone box such as the 750 parts box from Q-Bricks *, in which there are enough of each of the 6 classic basic colors.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy the building blocks box from Q-Brix online now
Order from Amazon
Those who like to build in Lego's Technic world can fall back on a wealth of providers who offer motorized model vehicles.
The advantage that alternative traders have over the market leader is caused by the market leader himself.
Because not every customer likes the current development that Lego no longer includes a remote control with its Technic sets.
If it were up to the group, in the future cars, excavators, cranes and the like should only be controlled via smartphone app.
However, this is programmed to be technically unstable and its usability is limited to the built model.
If you would like to convert your crane into a ski lift, for example, the control no longer corresponds to the app specifications.
Providers such as YxFlower * or QIHUI, who supply a classic remote control for their built-in motors, provide a remedy.
Adults who like to set up sets could also be pleased that competitors refrain from installing blue connectors in their Technic models.
This helps to create a more uniform color scheme.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy the YxFlower G65 off-road vehicle online now
Order from Amazon
These manufacturers compete with Lego
Houses and streets are part of every Lego world.
With the “China Town” series, Xingbao * proves that other manufacturers can also build handsome “Creator” models.
From the “silk shop”, the Chinese “martial arts school”, an entire Chinese district can be recreated in the traditional look - parents should, however, think twice about whether they want to give their children the “joy house”.
The number of parts in the building is so high that the sets have an amazing price / performance ratio.
However, be careful with older sets.
Since the quality of the stones has only improved over the years, it is advisable to read through reviews before buying.
Judging by reviews, Xinbao is very accommodating when it comes to missing or faulty stones.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy China Town Street from Xingbao online now
Order at Amazon Compare prices at Idealo
Many manufacturers also have military “toys”.
Cobi, a Polish stone manufacturer, is particularly committed to the reproduction of historical war equipment.
But in between there are also licensed models of Boeing passenger planes, a pirate play ship and a particularly popular model: a replica of the Titanic *.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy RMS Titanic from Cobi online now
Order at Amazon Compare prices at idealo
The American game company Mattel proves that not only Lego can buy strong licenses.
Under the name “Mega Construx” it sells Lego-compatible models from “Game of Thrones”, “Assassin's Creed”, “Star Trek” or Castle Grayskull * from “He-Man”.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy Grayskull from Mega Construx online now
Order at Amazon Compare prices at Idealo
Lego alternatives: conclusion
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There are now alternative providers of the popular terminal blocks in every product segment.
Often these come up with new ideas, improvements or an attractive price / performance ratio.
In order to get a real bargain, you should always pay attention to previous buyer reviews to see whether the quality is right for the individual sets.
Exclusive fans of the Danish group don't have to worry.
Lego is also working on better fulfilling its customer requirements.
Those who would like to get involved in product policy should take a look at Lego's “Ideas” website, where hobbyists can contribute and evaluate their ideas, with a chance that Lego will mass-produce them.
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This article was first published on February 11, 2020.