It’s been quite some time since LEGO’s patents for its exact connector design lapsed. Which means there are now many perfectly-legal LEGO-compatible alternatives around.
As long as it doesn’t actually say “LEGO” anywhere on these bricks, it’s all good, and if they’re made right they’ll fit just fine. So if you’ve been hesitant to try LEGO-compatible bricks, here are a few reasons you should take the plunge.
7They’re Usually Way Cheaper
We all like to complain thatLEGO is expensive, but hesitate to go for the cheaper alternatives. A building set from a brand like COBI, MEGA, or Sluban is quite a bit cheaper than a similar one from LEGO, and is often just as nice from a design perspective. Then again, the likes of COBI are actually towards the premium end of the LEGO-compatible brands, and aren’t “cheap” in absolute terms anymore; it’s justcheaper than LEGO.
If you look at simply buying loose bricks rather than designed sets, you can really save a ton of money. As I write this, it’s about $130 for1500 LEGO bricks, but you can buy1500 generic LEGO-compatible bricksfor $25. To be fair, these probably don’t match the fine tolerances of brand-name LEGO, but for most people they don’t have to, and if you read the reviews it seems most people are pretty happy with the quality they get.
6Perfect for Bulk Building
Which brings me neatly to the next big perk—bulk building. It’s not an all-or-nothing situation here. The whole point of LEGO-compatible bricks is that they will connect with genuine LEGO. So you can use these cheap bricks to fill out landscapes, build walls, create bases for buildings, or to build the parts of a large model that can’t be seen when the whole thing is done.
Why spend a fortune on bricks that won’t benefit from being genuine LEGO in the final form of the build? It’s also a good choice for big classroom projects, big dioramas, or anything that will involve thousands and thousands of bricks.
5Variety You Won’t Get From LEGO
There are, of course, an enormous number of LEGO brick types thanks to decades of sets that needed that one weird new brick to make the whole thing work, but even LEGO doesn’t have everything. Dipping into the world of LEGO-compatible bricks could mean access to weird brick types that are just what you need to complete a build, or getting bricks in colors that LEGO doesn’t offer.
These LEGO alternatives are far cheaper than the brand-name bricks.
4They Still Work With Your LEGO Collection
I touched on this above, but it bears repeating that these bricks are “compatible”. They don’t have to be a complete replacement for LEGO if you don’t want them to be. you may integrate them with LEGO, and thanks to LEGO’s obsessive branding on its bricks, you’ll never mix them up anyway, so where’s the harm?
3Great for Learning and Prototyping
If you stick to LEGO-compatible bricks that have direct LEGO equivalents, these cheaper alternatives can be a great way to test builds for a smaller budget, and then figure out exactly what LEGO you’ll need to build the real, final thing.
Consider LEGO MOCs (My Own Creation)submissions. There might be a lot of trial-and-error involved in designing your custom set, and having the freedom to buy cheap bricks lets you mess around until you have your final prototype. Then you can invest in buying only the genuine LEGO you need to make the final version of your design.
2You Don’t Have to Worry About Losing or Breaking Them
Well, perhaps it’s not that you don’t have to worry at all (does a knock-off LEGO hurt any less to step on?) but that you don’t have to be as concerned about doing things with your generic bricks that you’d never consider with expensive, premium LEGO bricks.
If you want to try destructive methods like cutting, gluing, or otherwise modifying your bricks, wouldn’t you rather do it using cheaper ones? This also makes these bricks a good choice for public builds or where lots of people are going to collaborate. With lots of people and even members of the public involved, bricks will go missing or get broken, so you’ll want each one to cost as little as possible.
1Supporting Small or Alternative Manufacturers
The fact of the matter is that while we should applaud LEGO for creating such a timeless and engaging hobby, it’s never good for a single company to have the monopoly on something. By supporting LEGO-compatible brick makers, you’re helping drive down the cost of LEGO, you’re helping those companies improve their product, and you’re getting access to a much wider pool of sets.
For example, I really like the work that COBI does with military vehicles like jets, battleships, and tanks. These aren’t really an area that LEGO touches. LEGO isn’t the only company buying licenses. Mega Bloks, for example, has done Star Trek and, thanks to its parent company, you’re able to also get sets for franchises likeMasters of the Universe.
So don’t be afraid to expand your horizons a little. If a set looks cool, but it’s no LEGO, why not buy it? Chances are there’s no LEGO equivalent anyway. Just want to design stuff? Do it with cheap bulk bricks. No one will know or care.
