New for 2026: our picks
Posted by Huw,
With over 150 sets launched at midnight at LEGO.com there is no shortage of them to spend your Christmas money on.
We therefore thought it would be a good idea to publish a list of what's caught our eye from the sets we've yet to review, and for you to let us know in the comments what you're planning on buying...
60495 Recycling Truck
View 60495 Recycling Truck at LEGO.com »
Since ex-Speed Champions designer Chris Stamp moved to City, there's been a marked increase in the quality of the models, many of which are more realistic and detailed than ever, despite having a relatively low age recommendation.
60495 Recycling Truck exemplifies this although, priced at $39.99, £34.99, €39.99, it's well beyond a pocket money purchase for most kids.
60478 Cement Mixer
View 60478 Cement Mixer at LEGO.com »
There's an interesting article with Chris in the latest issue of Blocks magazine in which he recalls the design of this model, and in particular how City construction sets now have a common identity -- flame yellowish orange and an elephant logo -- which is something at Fire and Police have had since day one of the theme.
Again, it's not cheap at $39.99, £34.99, €39.99, but no doubt Amazon will reduce it soon enough.
60503 Coast Guard Helicopter
View 60503 Coast Guard Helicopter at LEGO.com »
Coast Guard sets have been unusually scarce in recent years, last receiving a full wave in 2017. There are two sets coming in January and the helicopter is a particular standout for me.
Helicopters are commonplace, of course, but few include as many functions or look as realistic as this one. Those qualities come at a cost though, as £54.99, $64.99 or €59.99 feels relatively expensive to me. On the other hand, I think back to the fantastic 7738 Coast Guard Helicopter & Life Raft released in 2008, which was quite similar in some respects and was equally overpriced, but I still loved it!
42224 Porsche 911 GT3 R REXY AO Racing
View 42224 Porsche 911 GT3 R REXY AO Racing at LEGO.com »
We were sent quite a few of the January Technic sets to review, but not this one, unfortunately.
Yes, it's yet another car, but the bright green livery looks spectacular, and the set may well introduce enough pieces in that colour to make it viable for use in your own models.
It's covered in stickers but, unless you really need to replicate the exact car, they can be left off because the wheel arches are not printed with a pattern that would look odd without the surrounding decals.
Not a day one purchase at its high price of $149.99, £129.99, €139.99, but definitely one to look out for reduced at Amazon.
71861 The Old Town
View 71861 The Old Town at LEGO.com »
The biggest set arriving on January 1st is perhaps the most spectacular and a fitting celebration of NINJAGO's 15th anniversary! The architecture is brilliantly detailed and the minifigure selection is unrivalled, introducing some long-awaited characters from the NINJAGO animated series.
In addition, I think the price of £269.99, $299.99 or €299.99 represents very fair value. The only potential problem is whether you can accommodate The Old Town because this is a model with great presence.
76466 Philosopher's Stone - Collectors' Edition
View 76466 Philosopher's Stone - Collectors' Edition at LEGO.com »
I was not convinced this set was really necessary when rumours began to circulate a couple of months ago, but it looks fantastic on display and I am looking forward to reviewing this set soon.
The composition is very attractive and the model is packed with referential details, as there are quite a few surprises to be discovered inside. The price of £139.99, $169.99 or €159.99 does seem fairly expensive, but hopefully there will be discounts to come.
31376 Cute Hamster with a Flower
View 31376 Cute Hamster with a Flower at LEGO.com »
Finally, a set that is great value for money and also very cute!
Not only can you build the titular rodent with its 166 pieces, but a hedgehog and eagle too!
For just £8.99/$9.99/€9.99 you can't go wrong and at that price you may well be tempted to pick up three ...
Which sets are you planning to buy, if any? Let us know in the comments.
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26 comments on this article
First one will be the modular to get the early GWPs. Through the year, I'll get a few(8) city vehicles and the 3-in-1 telescope and 3 HP sets. I suppose the other stuff I'll get has not been announced yet. I still have a few to get from previous years. I'm hoping I will finally clear the backlog this year (2025 was very expensive).
That hamster is cute. Not for me usually but maybe an impulse buy down the road...
11370 Stranger Things: The Creel House.
Unless my wife is seeing this, in which case I'm not buying anything.
I will, hopefully, buy the 4 sets of Ride from City. I need those new babies for my collection. Also considered McQueen in Speed Champions, he’s pretty cool.
The Time Machine from BTTF @77256 didnt make this list? Shame! Coolest set so far!!!
I've found it in the wild already and it's excellent!
@Toa_of_Pi said:
" 11370 Stranger Things: The Creel House.
Unless my wife is seeing this, in which case I'm not buying anything."
My wife knows I buy the modular every year and have been buying it since the line started. We’re caught up on Stranger Things (other than the final episode that drops soon) and I showed her the Creel House thinking she’d want it, but she didn’t seem impressed. However, she’s away visiting her family until Friday. Maybe she won’t notice a certain charge on the credit card…
60503, 77118, and 60505 have my eye at the moment.
I went straight for the new CMF series when I saw them in store the other day. Best series in a year. Definitely want the City sets but ain’t paying Lego shop prices. Going to do my best to make 2026 a lean Lego year. (If it doesn’t fit in my city, I don’t want it)
31376 (Cute Hamster with a Flower): 3 strong builds and a great price. What's not to like?
can't wait to buy the 4th large scale hedwig, the 4th large scale groot, and the 3rd large scale grogu in the last 5 years
60498 Tractor deserves a shout-out! It's by far the best minifig compatible tractor Lego has done.
A lot of excellent 2026 releases but my first buys will probably be the Modular and Chinese Festival sets, topping up with Speed Champions and Botanicals as the price reduces on Amazon.
LEGO is so funny. As usual, there is a counter to count til midnight in the EU for the Creel House, but since the UK is one hour behind, it only really goes live for purchase at 1 AM here. Can someone please wake up the LEGO IT crowd?
That Hamster is sooo cute!!!
I'm definitely picking up throughout the year...
- 75440: AT-AT (yes it's an at, at. Not A-T, yeesh).
- 42221: NASA Artemis Space Launch System Rocket
- 76330: Batman Logo
- 76343: Epic Battle: Hulkbuster vs. The Hulk
- 76332: The Batman Batmobile
- 71515: Tiger Shark Tank
- 76344: Iron Man Mark 3 Collectors' Edition
- 21064: Paris - City of Love
- 31378: Space Exploration Telescope
It still says coming soon on the Creel House...
Happy New year & happy building for 2026 by the way :)
All of the Speed Champions sets are amazing, especially the movie vehicles.
The cute hamster, the hummingbird, the dolphin, etc. etc. etc.
76460 is sold out already ? Whooa...
76334 Epic Battle: Spider-Man vs. Sandman. A visually dynamic set with three cool minifigures at a surprisingly reasonable price.
I'm also planning to get some of the 71051-0 Series 28 Costume Character CMFs.
LEGOy new year, everyone!
I'd missed 31376, that's adorable!
@legoguy said:
"The Time Machine from BTTF @77256 didnt make this list? Shame! Coolest set so far!!!
I've found it in the wild already and it's excellent!"
Yeah, as soon as midnight hits, I'm ordering 76335, 77255, and 77256, although 77255 isn't for me, it's a delayed Christmas present for my third nephew.
This is an odd list if I’ve ever seen one, no BTTF? No Cob Vanth? No Spider-Man 3 diorama? Two separate city trucks?
@legoguy said:
"The Time Machine from BTTF @77256 didnt make this list? Shame! Coolest set so far!!!
I've found it in the wild already and it's excellent!"
Agreed, but we have already reviewed it and this only covers a few highlights we have yet to review.
@ShilohCyan said:
"can't wait to buy the 4th large scale hedwig ... in the last 5 years"
But! But! Per the set description:
"the first LEGO Hedwig™ snowy owl figure with closed wings"
Ooh, CLOSED wings!
@FuddRuckus said:
" @ShilohCyan said:
"can't wait to buy the 4th large scale hedwig ... in the last 5 years"
But! But! Per the set description:
"the first LEGO Hedwig™ snowy owl figure with closed wings"
Ooh, CLOSED wings!"
That's a game-changer, right there!
A lot of good sets this year. Looking forward to getting the new Daily Bugle and the Lovegood House.
This January wave of Harry Potter sets is also one of the theme’s best offerings in recent years.
Happy New Year, everyone! :)
@Andrusi said:
"60503, 77118, and 60505 have my eye at the moment. "
Oh, I can't wait to pick up the new Remix set, that looks so cool.
I'm not really into City OR trucks, but it seems I am into City AND trucks. Both these trucks look great.
I also kind of like My Neighbour Hamtaro over there.