Over the years, we’ve seen some stunning builds from the best LEGO Icons sets. The theme compiles sentimental pop culture references with recognisable landmarks, vehicles and nostalgia-inducing fondness.
The LEGO Icons theme is limited to those 18+ and above, which means they’re going to be a great gift for a loved one who just so happens to have a passion for LEGO. They’re generally quite complex too, though this level varies across different sets. We’ve seen entries such as the LEGO Titanic, a PAC-MAN Arcade, the Delorean (labelled the Back to the Future Time Machine) and there’s even a Dune Atreides Royal Ornithopter on the way soon too. That’s the one I’m most excited for.
These are the best LEGO Icons sets
Here are our top picks from LEGO Icons. Our absolute top choice has to be the 10315 LEGO Icons Tranquil Garden, others such as the 10274 LEGO Icons Ghostbusters set are hot on its heels. While we know that Icons is one of the most expensive themes out there, you might instead consider the best LEGO alternatives instead.
10315 LEGO Icons Tranquil Garden
The set features 1,363 pieces, and has quite a high level of modularity. You’re going to be able to configure it in a range of displays, which makes it the perfect decorative instalment to bring some colour and serenity to your office.
The set recreates a Japanese botanical garden in the form of LEGO bricks, and despite the contrasting modes, they seem to fit together perfectly. There’s a wooden shack that grounds the piece. It’s elevated slightly over a pond, of which the iconic LEGO Frog looks over, while there’s foliage surrounding it. Then, the most beautiful aspect of the set, is the custom Sakura trees which inject vibrancy and excitement into the set.
The pond water is made out of translucent blue bricks, giving it that glossy sheen, while lotus flowers and rocks bring in natural elements too. There’s also a red bridge connecting the two plots of land. This is the perfect place to pose a minifigure or two.
You’re going to be able to find the 10315 LEGO Icons Tranquil Garden on Amazon for £74.99, though it’s frequently discounted.
10274 LEGO Icons Ghostbusters ECTO-1
The LEGO 10274 LEGO Icons Ghostbusters ECTO-1 is another Icons kit that this list would be incomplete without. The set is by far one of the most detailed sets I’ve ever seen, especially in such a compact form factor.
It was released in February 2021 and has yet to be retired by The LEGO Group, proving its popularity. It followed on from a reboot of the film franchise, which saw interest rising in collectables – especially the 10274 LEGO Icons Ghostbusters ECTO-1.
The Ectomobile is a recurring vehicle in the franchise, and this LEGO set captures its iconography perfectly. It makes use of 2,352 pieces with a certain ingenuity. There’s so many moving parts that build on the foundations of LEGO Technic, while also looking incredibly classy in any environment.
I’ve actually been slightly gob-smacked any time that I’ve seen the LEGO Ghostbusters Ecto-1. From a distance, it’s actually difficult to tell that it’s a LEGO set due to the complex detailing and how seamlessly each piece fits together.
Articulation in the set is expert level, and it’s almost a surprise considering how affordably it’s priced on Amazon.
10304 LEGO Icons Chevrolet Camaro Z28
Many of the best LEGO Icons sets feature cars, and the 10304 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 is no exception.
The set recreates one of Chevrolet’s most recognisable vehicles as a highly detailed and articulate set that’s well worth adding to the collection of any car fanatics out there. This is a great purchase for anyone who’s interested in muscle cars and automobile culture, while also letting them bring it inside their house.
There’s 1,456 pieces included in the Chevrolet Camaro Z28, which makes it a great mid-range set to build. It’s extremely customisable too, with the hood having three different colour variations for the hood racing stripes alongside a convertible roof.
The overarching colour theme is a jet black that’s classy and eye-catching, though as already mentioned you can spice things up with custom coloured racing stripes. You can even pop the hood to have a look at the incredibly intricate and lifelike V8 engine inside. This is only enhanced by the working steering system that turns the wheels on their axles.
You’re going to be able to open the doors and bonnets too, as they’re all attached on hinges. To sweeten the deal, it also includes a pair of furry dice that really strike home the classic American nostalgia this Icon set brings.
The LEGO Icons Chevrolet Camaro Z28 is available on Amazon now, with discounts making it even more affordable.
10329 LEGO Icons Tiny Plants
I had been Christmas shopping the other day and, of course, I stopped in the LEGO shop. There wasn’t a single item I saw more people queuing up with than the 10329 LEGO Icons Tiny Plants set, cementing just how popular and desirable this set is. It’s definitely one to invest in and luckily, it doesn’t really cost that much.
The LEGO 10329 Icons Tiny Plants set is a beautiful set only recently released this December, and it’s already made a significant mark on the LEGO community. Much like the Tranquility Garden, the Tiny Plants set collaborates with nature to bring it into brick form.
If you pick up this set, you’re going to be able to build nine unique plants out of the supplied 758 pieces. This includes a jade plant, false shamrock, laceleaf, a Venus flytrap, red sundew and a pitcher plant, succulents, a prickly pear and finally a pincushion cactus. Each of the plants thrives in different environments, encouraging builders to spread the set across their rooms, apartments, and offices.
This is great set to buy for someone who might be slightly intimidated by LEGO’s expansive nature, instead letting people build tiny plants that echo the same meditative nature as a bonsai would. You can check the price at Amazon now.
10306 LEGO Icons Atari 2600
You’d be right in thinking that the LEGO Icons Atari 2600 is a tad expensive. You’re going to be able to pick up the set for £179 on Amazon, though the MSRP is £210 usually. But you’re right, it’s still quite a lot for the set.
With 2,542 pieces to build it from, the LEGO Atari 2600 is an intricate homage to a product that’s pretty famous within video game history. The console rivalled the NES when it released, a product which Nintendo have actually collaborated with LEGO for to create a fantastic set too.
The LEGO Icons set mimics the functionality of the Atari 2600 in all but play. There are ports which you can plug LEGO bricks into, alongside the inclusion of really iconic titles that Atari fans will love.
Even better than that, you’re going to be able to build vignettes onto the set’s LEGO display, which is a perfect opportunity for you to make use of any polybags which you have lying around.
The cartridges also feature intricately detailed prints harking to the classic games released at the time, while there’s also a joystick which moves and functions as the console’s own one would.
Some of the LEGO fan creations published with this set have been absolutely scintillating, and they’re almost impressive enough to justify the price-tag. This is by far one of the more expensive LEGO Icons sets out there, so it’s up to you to decide on if you want it. You can check the price at Amazon now.
10302 LEGO Icons Optimus Prime
The toy industry owes a lot to The Transformers, a franchise which spun off Star Wars and Gundam. The 75370 Stormtrooper Mech for example features many of the same motifs that the Optimus Prime Icons set does: Bulky arms, an exaggerated chest, a blaster, and general robotic design.
However, the LEGO Icons Optimus Prime goes a step further, listening to the source material very carefully and producing a toy that’s incredibly mobile, dynamic, and articulate. In fact, this is perhaps one of the most impressive LEGO sets ever thanks to how it actually transforms between mech and vehicle forms.
There’s 1.508 pieces to build the set from, which makes the price-tag seem quite generous. I will say, though, perhaps more to do with how Transformers looked in the 80s, there’s not a whole lot of detailing going on here. When you compare the set to how the Autobots and Decepticons have looked in recent media, it might feel a little lacklustre. That said, this is definitely a set that’s going to have collector’s revelling in nostalgia, and perhaps the simplified design would contribute to that.
You can currently pick up the 10302 LEGO Icons Optimus Prime from Amazon at a vastly discounted price.
10328 LEGO Icons Bouquet of Roses
Now released, the LEGO Icons Bouquet of Roses is an incredibly exciting set for collectors. It’s only 822 pieces, a refreshing change from others included in this list which eclipse a thousand-or-two pieces.
It’s going to be a great gift for LEGO builders to create with their partners over Valentine’s Day and birthdays, and it’s also going to last a lifetime compared to the few days that real flowers last.
I’d happily buy this set, though it would only remind me how mortally alone I am.
However, if you’re interested, it’s available from Amazon now.
10325 LEGO Icons Alpine Lodge
Similar to the Tranquility Garden featured first, the Alpine Lodge looks to give LEGO collectors an opportunity to experience nature, the outdoors, and brave the cold from their own homes. The build is quite simple, with only 1,517 pieces that are extremely versatile. You’re going to be able to position the lodge in the perfect way, ensuring that you have the right feng shui.
It also features five Minifigures which give the set some refreshing character. It’s a nice break from the normal template of LEGO sets which rarely feature Winter settings. On top of that, there are some included Light Bricks which make posing and designing the perfect layout for the set even more exciting.
You’re going to be able to pick up the LEGO Alpine Lodge directly from the LEGO store.
10298 LEGO Icons Vespa 125 Scooter
The LEGO Icons Vespa 125 Scooter is available from Amazon now, and features 1,106 pieces. Alongside that, it’s quite affordable with a price-tag of sub-£100. I’ll be honest, the Vespa 125 Scooter isn’t quite as impressive as the Chevrolet Camaro Z28, though it still offers a fantastic range of creativity and motion.
It’s not quite as detailed and intricate as other vehicles turned into LEGO Icons, but there’s something really eye-catching about the blue that was used. It’s not often that you get to see LEGO sets with this much vibrancy as this, so it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on.
10331 LEGO Icons Kingfisher
The LEGO Icons Kingfisher is the first set announced in 2024, and will be released on February 1st. It’s going to retail for £54.99 / £59.99.
We’ve included a range of kits from the LEGO Icons sets, though we’ve focused more on those from 2023 and 2024. As we get further through the year, we’re going to be reviewing and including those newly released one’s we’re most interested in. The LEGO Dune House Atreides Ornipthopter is one that we’re going to looking forward to the most, so stay tuned for that. In the mean time, you might consider having a look at our research on LEGO price statistics.
Amaar began Bricka after a lifelong passion for LEGO.
His time building and collecting LEGO has influenced every aspect of his life, and he’s not stopped creating since.
Having played too many games growing up, Amaar is also a writer for Videogamer, where he reviews hardware and talks about handheld consoles.
When he’s not writing about nerdy things, he’s drawing graphic novels and tattooing at his Manchester studio.
