In order to compile a list of the biggest and most challenging Lego sets, it was necessary to narrow down the criteria. First, the sets have to be mass produced by LEGO. In other words, we’re not considering any giant custom sets like the 6-meter Death Star Trench or insane 150,000 piece recreation of Helm’s Deep from Lord of the Rings. Second, we excluded expandable sets such as the Modular Building series that you can keep adding on to like the Town Hall (10224), Green Grocer (10185), and the newly released Palace Cinema (10232) that can be combined together to lay out enormous Lego city scenes. Furthermore, to define what we mean by “biggest” the list considers those Lego sets with the largest amounts of pieces and/or final completed size of the set. As far as “challenging,” most of the sets listed below are suggested for builders aged 16 or older, although I’ve personally seen kids half that age cranking out 1,000+ piece sets with hardly any difficulty. Some of the sets listed below are still available at Lego stores worldwide, while some are out of production.
But you may find retired sets listed for outrageous prices on Amazon or eBay, though, those ones are arguable the best LEGO sets. Once Lego stops selling an item, or if produced in limited quantities, third parties grab those products and jack up the price depending on demand. You’ll find Lego sets a purchase limit per customer on certain items. Last week we created a list of must-have movie-themed Lego sets. Now, here’s a list of the most challenging and biggest lego sets, ordered somewhat subjectively but with consideration of total number of pieces combined with level of difficulty. By the way, the number in the parenthesis represents the Item Number in case you decide to go on a hunt for one of these Lego sets. It’d be hard to argue against Lego’s Star Wars Collector’s Millennium Falcon as being one of the most challenging and largest Lego sets (it also probably ranks as our #1 LEGOs for adults). The $499 Millennium Falcon is suggested for ages 16-years and older but younger kids can probably get through it with some supervision.
The highly detailed scale model is made up of a whopping 5,195 pieces but only 5 mini-figures including Luke, Princess Leia, Han, Chewbacca, and a stormtrooper. Why the set doesn’t include C-3PO and R2-D2 mini-figures is sort of a mystery (weren’t they on the Falcon during the mission to rescue Leia?), but nevertheless the ship itself is more than enough to focus on. The Collector’s Millennium Falcon was released in 2007 and retired in 2010, but remains the most-expensive mass-produced Lego set to date. If you need a little break from science fiction-based Star Wars sets you can jump into an architectural project building the Taj Mahal. The $299 set gives you more bang for your buck than the Collector’s Millennium Falcon, boxing a total of 5,922 pieces (about 700 more than the Falcon). What also makes this set a bit more of a challenge for builders is that all the pieces are all generally the same color. This makes it especially difficult for those who like to dump all their Lego pieces into a pile rather than build bag-by-bag.
Puzzle builders will attest to the difficulty of puzzles that don’t vary too much in color or patterns. The Lego model of the famous Taj Mahal palace in India was released in 2008. The Super Star Destroyer is a massive Lego set with 3,152 pieces and five mini-figures including Darth Vader, Admiral Piett, Dengar, Bossk and IG-88. You’ll spend most of your time building the interior structure of this ship (which in the end you don’t even see), but the results are an extraordinary detailed rendition of the massive ship from the Star Wars saga that measures almost 50-inches and weighs almost 8 pounds. The Super Star Destroyer sells for $399 US.Bear Grylls and the world's biggest LEGO set welcome the new Land Rover Discovery 7 Most Expensive Lego Sets Every Lego Collector Wants Lego collectors and enthusiasts just can't wait to get their hands on the next most expensive Lego sets and pieces. The one-of-a-kind platinum Avohkii mask of Light from the discontinued Lego Bionicle line is believed to be the most expensive Lego piece ever sold, selling for a whopping $15,000 in 2012, according to Press Democrat.
Lego collectors are imaginative, inventive people who are fascinated by building and creating masterpieces from the best Lego sets they can find. So, are you a Lego collector on the hunt for the next best Lego set? Well, we've done the research for you and have listed the 7 Most Expensive Lego Sets available today: 1) LEGO Sculpture Exclusives TAJ MAHAL by Lego $9,985.76, Amazon The Taj Mahal is the supreme ruler of the most iconic images of India. This magnificent building is ideal for a Lego replica because the four sides of the structure are perfectly identical, creating a mirrored image on each side. Here, the architectural elements of self-replicating geometry and symmetry come into play. For Lego collectors seeking the best and most expensive Lego sets, this set is one to get your hands on. One customer wrote, "This is my favorite so far. It was great seeing this fully [built] and sitting majestically on the cabinet. My friend suggested it may need some lights. Next time I put it together I may try adding a few light bricks inside so there will be a bit of a glow from it."
He may be referencing the fact that the Taj Mahal takes on different hues according to the time of the day; a pinkish color in the morning, a milk white in the evening, and a golden color at night. 2) Lego Star Wars Ultimate Collector's Millennium Falcon by Lego $9,999.99, Amazon Whether you're a huge Star Wars fan or not, the name "Millennium Falcon" has definitely crossed your eardrum. Originally a cargo vessel designed to lug around cargo until it was heavily, and illegally, modified to become the ship everyone now knows to be modest, but very powerful. For the Lego collectors looking for the best Lego Star Wars sets, this one is a steal. Many reviews of the product state that the finished product, "… looks exactly like the Millennium Falcon. Every little detail visible in the movie is present on the model." Holding the record for the biggest LEGO Star Wars model ever made at 5,195 pieces, this space-style Lego set has earned its place in the hearts of all Star Wars and Lego fans around the world.
Also included with this set are 5 iconic Star Wars Lego figurines: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia, Han Solo, Chewbacca and Obi-Wan Kenobi. 3) Lego 3450 Statue of Liberty Sculpture 2,882 Pieces by Lego $9,399.00, Amazon From her crown to her torch, The Statue of Liberty is an iconic monument and symbol of freedom from tyranny, financial hardship, and suffering for many immigrants since the late 1800's. She was given to the United States by France on October 28, 1886 as a gift for the centennial of the American Declaration of Independence. This Lego set is not only one of the top runners as far as expense is concerned, but it is also one of the best and well-sought Lego sets because it's so symbolic of what everyone wants - freedom. Adult Lego collectors want the freedom to relish in their love of crafting, and building things, they believe, represents their values - the adult-level appreciation of things such as freedom, as well as the childhood wonderment of creating something from nothing that's so spectacular and momentous.
4) Lego 6286 Skull's Eye Schooner by Lego $4,213.95, AmazonWhen it comes to purchasing this amazing ship, Lego collectors and pirate lovers are ready to 'walk the plank' and dive in. Released in 1993, this set includes a large three-masted pirate ship, nine pirate figurines, a rowboat, a shark, and much more. This ship is armed with four cannons that are mounted on turntables that slide from port to starboard. Included on either side of the poop deck are two smaller non-functional cannons. Also known as Dark Shark II or Black Skull, this Lego set is pretty detailed as the aftcastle can be accessed by opening its sidewalls as well as detaching a piece of the poop deck. You can also move the rudder by turning the steering wheel! One customer wrote, "…there is no set that can beat the Skull's Eye Schooner." This set is definitely in the running to be one of the best Lego sets because it has a plethora of cool features such as a compass next to the steering wheel and an odd postbox where you can find a glass and a gun.
5) Lego Creator - The Eiffel Tower by Lego $3,997.97, Amazon Making the list as one of the 7 most expensive Lego sets, this stunning model of the Eiffel Town was released in 2007 and is built to 1:100 scale from the original blueprints. This set includes realistic and enchanting features and details such as a flag at the top of the elevators, four lifts toward the bottom of the tower that transport figurines from the base to the center section, and a small, brick-built French flag. It holds the record for the tallest Lego structure produced into a set and contains over three-thousand pieces! Lego collectors who are interested in the best Lego sets that resemble such fantastic and historical monuments say that this set is a must have. One customer stated, "I've been a Lego fan since I was a child and bought this product the moment I saw it. It took about 10 hours to complete. The final product is very tall (box says 42" tall, but mine measured about 45") and absolutely beautiful."
6) LEGO® Creator Carousel by Lego $3,888.98, Amazon This Creator Carousel Lego set is one of the best Lego sets, and is nothing less than amazing. It should be considered a must have for all serious Lego collectors. The carousel is not just a display piece because it really spins and plays music while the intricately detailed horses and swing boats move up and down! This expensive Lego set also comes with nine figurines and over three-thousand pieces. This is a set to be coveted and one customer wrote, "The construction itself was not difficult (I am an adult), and the pieces in it are amazing. The jester heads and gold pieces alone make this set really fun. Add the power functions (this was my first power function set) and the music and it is unbelievable! The set is built so that when you turn on the motor and the carousel spins, the music will start by itself." 7) LEGO Batman - The Batcave: The Penguin and Mr. Freeze's Invasion $2,999.88, Amazon "Holy Lego set, Batman!" as Robin would probably say following the purchase of this awe-inspiring Lego set.
This Lego set is one of the best around, with an array of detailed pieces and intricate designs. Some of the pieces included in the set are Alfred the Butler, Batman (black suit), Bruce Wayne, Robin, Mr. Freeze (with complete weapon assembly), Mr. Freeze's Henchman, The Penguin, Robin's jet-ski, the Batblade ice sledge, and the Penguin's submarine. For the Lego collectors who love Batman, this set is to die for because it includes more than figurines and vehicles. This set also comes with Batman's high-tech Bat Cave features control center, prison cell, and rocket and net launcher as well as other working gadgets like the costume transformation chamber. Since the company's beginning in 1932, Lego has grown to be the world's third largest toy manufacturer, and for good reason. No child or adult can resist creating their favorite monuments, figurines, ships, carousels, and many more! As for the Lego set collectors who love Star Wars, the Millennium Falcon set will keep your Jedi impulses at bay while you're out in public.