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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 building blocks box: inexpensive alternatives to the market leader
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 past 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.
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In order to increase the supply of basic colors, we recommend a stone box, such as the Q-Bricks 750 parts box *, in which there are enough of each of the 6 classic basic colors.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy the building block box from Q-Brix online now
Order from Amazon
If you would like to have a few extra colors, the building blocks box from WYSWYG * is recommended.
The Amazon's Choice product includes 1000 stones in 10 different colors.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy the building block box from WYSWYG online now
Order from Amazon
The range offered by MY should not be underestimated either.
Because compared to Lego, the company offers an amazing price / performance ratio: The 1000 building block box * from MY costs less than the medium-sized building block box from the Danish company, and it contains more than twice the number of stones.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy the building block box from MY online now
Order from Amazon
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In order to be able to do something with the terminal blocks, however, base plates are often required to attach the imaginary structures.
The building block and base plate set * from the Katara brand meets this requirement.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy the building block box and plate set online now
Order from Amazon
However, if you prefer to buy building panels and the building block box separately, the 4-panel set from NextX * or the 6-panel set from Lekebaby * are highly recommended.
These packages also serve as an excellent extension if extra base plates in other colors are required.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy NextX building boards online now
Order from Amazon
Lego accessories: These alternatives are particularly innovative
In order to spice up your own building block creations, there are not only building blocks and base plates, but also certain "add-ons".
For example the STAX System Builder Set * that enables you to enchant every terminal block backdrop with light.
Be it a house that lacks interior lighting or a vehicle that needs headlights and blue lights - thanks to the six different lighting functions, you can let your imagination run wild.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy STAX System Builder online now
Order at Amazon Compare prices at Idealo
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What should of course not be missing in any piece of stone work of art: Trees.
Regardless of whether you want to build a forest, a farm or a town, the moment you plant a few plants, the scene is complete.
We recommend the City Trees from Feleph *.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy Feleph City trees online now
Order from Amazon
The clamping and plug-in fun can also take place outside of the building block world.
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 adhesive 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
Building sets: These manufacturers compete with Lego
Apart from the individual terminal blocks, the heart of Lego is without a doubt its large selection of creative and detailed building sets.
Companies such as Modbrix, Wange and Macium prove that other manufacturers can also build handsome "Creator" models.
Popular original kits from Lego:
The “City” fire brigade * with a fire engine, crane, helicopter, motorcycle and minifigures
The Statue of Liberty * and the Brandenburg Gate * from the “Architecture” collection
The Land Rover Defender SUV *
Alternative construction sets:
The Modbrix fire station * with handcart, command vehicle and fire service helicopter
The models of the Statue of Liberty * and the Brandenburg Gate * von Wange
The Jeep Wrangler Rubicon off-road vehicle * from Macium
Anyone who likes to build with Lego bricks will find that the products of the Danish company and its competitors are very similar in many respects.
One advantage that alternative traders have over the market leader, however, is caused by the latter itself.
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.
However, these factors have not stopped CIRO from developing a programmable robot * that can be controlled both by remote control and by app.
The building block robot is easy to assemble and comes with a USB charging cable.
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LEGO alternatives
Buy CIRO remote controlled robot online now
Order from Amazon
Lego alternatives: what you have to consider when buying
Part quality
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Alternative products are usually cheaper than the Lego original.
Significantly more components are used for sets at a relatively lower price.
So if you can do without Lego lettering adorning the bricks, you will definitely be rewarded with innovation.
In principle, the following applies: the more up-to-date the model, the more likely it will be of comparable quality with the original.
If there was initially a need for improvement in the accuracy of fit and color accuracy of a product, 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 security of the stones.
Model quality
In general, the models are solidly designed.
Anyone who has ever dealt with Lego instructions will find that the construction steps are less small than usual, but are understandable.
The way in which parts are to be installed can also deviate 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.
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In contrast to the terminal block, Lego has retained trademark protection on its figures.
If you buy a set that includes figures, you have to expect that they will look a little different than usual.
Lego alternatives: conclusion
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 do not have to worry.
Lego is also working to better meet customer requirements.
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Anyone 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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