What is your favourite set of 2024, costing less than $40?
Posted by CapnRex101,
Happy New Year! 2025 has arrived, but we still have some unfinished business concerning the best sets of 2024.
This includes deciding the most popular smaller set released in 2024, costing under $40. Nearly 400 nominations have narrowed a field of 259 sets in this category to eleven finalists. View these and cast your vote below...
I am pleased to see some unexpected themes represented in this bracket, with Creator 3-in-1 and Super Mario. Animal Crossing narrowly missed out with 77049 Isabelle's House Visit, while 60439 Space Science Lab and 76921 Audi S1 e-tron quattro also came close.
Which set did you vote for? Let us know in the comments and vote in our other polls here:
- What is your favourite theme of 2024?
- What is your favourite gift-with-purchase set of 2024?
- What is your favourite minifigure of 2024?
The poll to decide Brickset readers' favourite set overall will be published later today.
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63 comments on this article
City Space all the way.
The Clone trooper and droid battle pack is great.
I think the trend with these polls is going to be me marveling at how much came out in 2024. I would have sworn Bowser's car was older.
Plum Blossom. Easily. By a mile. Actually by many miles.
Tho the lambo is also awesome. I was tempted to pick that one up.
Ha, and I was just jokingly grumbling in another article about how no one on this site cares about Lego Mario. Surprised to see Bowser's Muscle Car here!
Anyway, out of all of these, probably the T-rex Skull. Idk for sure though, I haven't actually bought any of these, which will no doubt be the case for the other polls as well >_>
60430 Interstellar Spaceship and it's not even close
Get on board! Get on board! Come and join the Double Deckers!
60430 Interstellar Spaceship, my absolute favourite of 2024!
@sjr60 said:
"Get on board! Get on board! Come and join the Double Deckers!"
I also voted for the double decker. Now we just need a standard London Routemaster bus in mini-fig scale. ...and no, the Knight Bus doesn't count!
60430 Interstellar Spaceship is fun, but so is the 60407 Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus.
The bus gets my vote.
It will take you to 60380 Downtown, the 10326 Museum, the 60422 Harbour and the 60421 (theme) Park.
Perfect for the Alien Tourist too.
Voting Space again, and its 60430 which I picked up a couple of, very swoosh-able and the same cockpit design as the one with 40580 which made it even more Blacktron when doing some mix and matching. Space has been a standout 'mega-theme' for me for 2024 and the first year I picked up all of the Collectible series [Space] and the City sets [for Space]. Good to see it continue with the modular Galactic cruiser (and the 'polybag') in 2025.
@Murdoch17 said:
" @sjr60 said:
"Get on board! Get on board! Come and join the Double Deckers!"
I also voted for the double decker. Now we just need a standard London Routemaster bus in mini-fig scale. ...and no, the Knight Bus doesn't count!"
Even an AEC Regent III would do... so long as the mini-figs are Cliff Richard and Una Stubbs!
71431 is indeed cool, as is 31147 (although I've only built the A model as of yet) but I'm going to have to go with my primary nomination: 60430. Since I re-watched The Lego Movie yesterday, I have to channel Benny Spaceship, Spaceship, SPACESHIP!
@Binary_Code said:
"60430 Interstellar Spaceship and it's not even close"
It's light-years ahead of the others.
@alLEGOry_HJB2810 said:"Plum Blossom. Easily. By a mile. Actually by many miles."
Given the number of actual vehicles on the list, I don't see how a stationary object can win that race.
@Murdoch17 said:
" @sjr60 said:
"Get on board! Get on board! Come and join the Double Deckers!"
I also voted for the double decker. Now we just need a standard London Routemaster bus in mini-fig scale. ...and no, the Knight Bus doesn't count!"
Meh. I built a MOC back in 2012. Mine even has Wallace and Gromit riding in the upper deck.
60431 let's visit some friendly aliens
The new City Apace theme is brilliant, so it had to be one of those.
I went with 60431 because it’s what Santa brought me, although 60430 is a very close second
Both are fantastic
Bowser's muscle car. Both a great display piece and a great play set, with or without Electro-Mario. None of the other sets in this list have both qualities.
60430 for me, hands down.
Imho not only the best set in that price bracket in 2024 but one of the best space sets of modern times.
Retro Camera for me....somehow it much better manages to evoke the feeling of an actual old school camera than I ever thought a lego model could. This was truly nostalgic for me. I could complain about the other two models being rather lackluster, but hey, if the main model is this good....
I voted for 31147 Retro Camera. It’s an accurate and life-sized build to a real camera. Reminds me of my father’s camera when I was a child. The alternate builds are fun, too, especially the camcorder. 2024 had some really nice Creator 3 in 1 sets like the Red Dragon, Peacock, Safari Animals, and Modern House. For me, the Retro Camera gets the prize. My runner-up was 60407 Double-Decker Bus; I’ve not seen it in stores but it is cute and fun.
Gotta be the rover.
I don't find any of these sets appealing...
I was planning to vote for the T-Rex Skull until I was reminded of the Interstellar Spaceship. Had to vote for the spaceship. It has it all - super fun build, great functions, all printed parts, and a price that’s well worth it.
Since there's a lot of inflation going on, shouldn't we raise the threshold to maybe $50?
75372 gets my vote. Great value for what you get. The return of the B2 was the most exciting part about it for me (absent since 2015's 75085 ), that and the fact that we FINALLY had some substantial build for the Separatist forces (that being the Octuptarra Tri-Droid) to go up against all of the Clone-related builds and vehicles we've been getting the past four years.
If I could have chosen a second set, my easy pick would have been 71431 . I'm usually not into the LEGO Mario stuff due to the lack of minifigures, but that set is really fun, not to mention that it comes from my second-favorite Mario game (behind Galaxy 2).
I received both 75372 and 71431 for Christmas, and having built them both, they're definitely worthy of the win and worth the money :)
@Altair1970 said:
"I don't find any of these sets appealing..."
Which would be your favorites then instead?
Definitely the T. rex Skull. One of the best $40 LEGO sets ever made, IMO.
I like City Space, but after getting 40580 I realize what City Space sorely misses, and what proper Space has always had, and that is pew pew. While swooshability is important to Space ships in all forms, proper Space needs pew pew lasers and rockets to really bring the full experience of making sounds with your mouth while steering the ship with your hand.
That said 60430 comes the closest to perfection out of these sets.
None of the sets appeal to me, but I did look at all of them. I voted for
76923 Lamborghini Lambo V12 Vision Gran Turismo. I am not a Lego car guy but I think they did a good job with this one.
I do really like Retro Camera and it’s a strong contender, but swooshability for the win. City Space knocked it out of the park in 2024. This reminds me I need a fleet of 60430.
Despite being a SW collector, I don't usually vote for SW sets in these year-end polls because I know they can be dull and overpriced for some people. But I did nominate and did give my vote to 75372. It truly is an amazing set. The only downside I see is the fact that it's hard to use the parts in that set to built something other than the spider droid, etc. But that happens a lot nowadays, I find (I'm looking at you, botanical collection!). Anyway, I do think this is a great set.
As great as the Space sets are, and the rover in particular, I have to agree that 75372 is a nearly perfect battle pack, especially on a modest discount. It is also the set that brought my 7yo back to Star Wars, for which I am grateful.
I was extremely impressed with 76934 Ferrari F40.
Kinda disappointed the Chrysanthemum 10368 didn't make the poll. I just finished building it last night and it is stunning; definitely my favorite sub-$40 set of the year. I find it more visually appealing than the Plum Blossom, but I'm biased towards Orange/Flame Yellowish Orange pieces. Shame the Audi didn't make the list either, as that's my favorite SC set of the year.
From what's actually on the poll, I like both the 60430 spaceship and the Lambo, and may still get them at some point, but neither are really my favorite. However, I recall 60431 getting a quite positive review here on Brickset - the suspension, shaping, big wheels, and Reddish Orange pieces make for an enjoyable model, and the price is decent for a City set. So that got my vote, even though I'll probably never buy the set.
From a scan of the comments, though, it looks like 60430 will be the clear winner. No complaints there.
@Arnoldos said:
"I like City Space, but after getting 40580 I realize what City Space sorely misses, and what proper Space has always had, and that is pew pew. While swooshability is important to Space ships in all forms, proper Space needs pew pew lasers and rockets to really bring the full experience of making sounds with your mouth while steering the ship with your hand.
That said 60430 comes the closest to perfection out of these sets."
I for one heavily prefer 60430 and 60431 for their pacifist approach and friendly aliens. Not every set has to be about combat, war, and conflict. (sigh)
My personal choice is the space explorer rover with alien life, but I feel like most people will go for the interstellar spaceship, and I want to see that one at the top of the charts so its getting my vote. City space knocked it outta the atmosphere with its sets though.
Gotta be the City Space. They're all strong sets though!
I'm surprised about the love for the Lambolambo... Way too fiddly and fragile. Although I like Star Wars, I stopped buying battlepacks, because they don't seem to get any play at all and displaying them feels a bit silly.
60430 Interstellar Spaceship is a neat little refreshing set, so that gets my vote.
I can't believe the Plum Blossom made the list but the Chrysanthemum didn't. I would definitely have chosen the Chrysanthemum. Since it didn't make the list I went with the Interstellar Spaceship.
I voted for the 60431 Space Rover.
31147 Camera is a great little set and a rare Creator 3-in-1 buy for me, but there was no way I wasn't handing this one to 60430 Interstellar Spaceship. And while I love Speed Champions, this year didn't quite appeal to me as much as 2022's and 2023's did.
I just built 60407-1 and it's a decent little set, and will zoom around my desk nicely - however I have modified mine for 'Britishness'!
Voting for Plum Blossom primarily because Chrysanthemum isn't on the list
@LuvsLEGO_Cool_J said:"I voted for 31147 Retro Camera. It’s an accurate and life-sized build to a real camera. Reminds me of my father’s camera when I was a child. The alternate builds are fun, too, especially the camcorder. "
As I said earlier, I haven't built the camcorder and television yet, but I definitely like the camera. I just wish the filler bricks weren't so visible when you opened the back. I have nothing against brightly-colored filler bricks so long as they stay hidden, because they do make building easier, but you open the back, there are a whole bunch of colors staring you in the face, especially if you take the film out. That said, I'm still tempted to buy another copy and MOC a flash with the pieces.
@whiteghost said:
" @Arnoldos said:
"I like City Space, but after getting 40580 I realize what City Space sorely misses, and what proper Space has always had, and that is pew pew. While swooshability is important to Space ships in all forms, proper Space needs pew pew lasers and rockets to really bring the full experience of making sounds with your mouth while steering the ship with your hand.
That said 60430 comes the closest to perfection out of these sets."
I for one heavily prefer 60430 and 60431 for their pacifist approach and friendly aliens. Not every set has to be about combat, war, and conflict. (sigh)"
Honestly, I can go either way. Sometimes I definitely want the pew pew, but sometimes peaceful swooshing is all I need.
@iamkevinwill said:"I just built 60407-1 and it's a decent little set, and will zoom around my desk nicely - however I have modified mine for 'Britishness'!"
You can never have too much Britishness!
It is clear that youtubers and users always overvalue some games (Rivendell,...) and undervalue others (Friends,...). It's like a fashion that everyone follows here...
The same with the issues. Word spreads that the space is always the favorite and everyone to vote for the space. Then the rest of us don't feel like voting anymore because we know what is most popular...
Clone and Droid battle pack, easily
@TheOtherMike said:
"As I said earlier, I haven't built the camcorder and television yet, but I definitely like the camera. I just wish the filler bricks weren't so visible when you opened the back. I have nothing against brightly-colored filler bricks so long as they stay hidden, because they do make building easier, but you open the back, there are a whole bunch of colors staring you in the face, especially if you take the film out. That said, I'm still tempted to buy another copy and MOC a flash with the pieces."
The worst part is that those filler bricks are there fore no reason at all. It's not like we're talking about some complicated model where a few colors could help for orientation. And had those been there because they are needed for the alternate builds, fine. But that's not the case either, and on both builds those pieces are in plain sight. Truly baffling decision....
And as for colors....I get why they didn't, but I still think the stickers for the film should have been negatives. Or at least offer both options. More nostalgia for us old folks, but also a fun little detail to explain to kids who have probably never even seen let alone used a film camera.
Despite those flaws, still my favorite of the bunch. Just look through the viewfinder, play with the crank and dial, and all is forgiven.
If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then 60430 Interstellar Spaceship wins in spades. So many great MOC's based on this set.
I'm another one who greatly preferred the Chrysanthemum to the Plum Blossom, and I certainly see the appeal of 60430 (and the rest of City/Space), but I maintain that the most remarkable build of the group was the T-Rex skull. The quality and diversity of these finalists are most impressive, all the same! 2024 was quite a year for TLG, IMO.
Double decker bus. I used the parts to make an AEC Regent III.
I am so happy the space rover made the list as well (would have been my second pick after the Space Ship from City Space). The botanical is also a great pick.
Winner: 76934 Ferrari F40; although when I build mine, I'm swapping for a male driver w/a cheesy moustache and floral/'Hawaiian' print...what?:D
Runners-up:
60430 Interstellar Spaceship, I liked it, but 60429 gives more 'bang for my buck' (more figures, more play-area...and same price).
60431 Space Explorer Rover and Alien Life, overshoots the >$40 price here in Canada (although, think I got it on sale...)...have to fix the back-ramp on it (the ramp is roughly a foot above the ground, leaving the poor drone to drop during deployment...come to think of it: how does it get back in...:))
76923 Lamborghini Lambo V12 Vision Gran Turismo...Lamborghini, LAMBorGHINI, LAMB....um' sorry, something came over me:). Odd color, and kinda' wish for another 'street model', but hey:)
Plum Blossom all the way! :)
Would have been the Lambo but the build was fiddly & it tends to fall apart when playing.
Interstellar was my choice. I just liked the look of it from the start
Huh, none of the ones I liked best made it into the final poll, too bad. Of those there, I went with Bowser's Car, a fun set.
Narrowly picked 60431 over 60340. I feel like that's gonna be a split vote, but people have been very positive about Futuron II and I could see one of them winning anyway.
60430 Interstellar Spaceship for sure.
@Andrusi said:
"Narrowly picked 60431 over 60340. I feel like that's gonna be a split vote, but people have been very positive about Futuron II and I could see one of them winning anyway."
Yeah, if one of them doesn't win, I'll be very surprised.
Plum blossom from the options given. There were a fair few good Friends sets in this range, as well as some from licensed themes, that I would have picked over it though.
@Andrusi said:
"Narrowly picked 60431 over 60340. I feel like that's gonna be a split vote, but people have been very positive about Futuron II and I could see one of them winning anyway."
Did you mean 60430? I don’t think Blade Stunt Challenge was in the poll, especially as 2022 sets are ineligible for Best Of 2024 polls.
Surprisingly I think I have 2 of those sets. Odd
@Sethro3 said:
"Surprisingly I think I have 2 of those sets. Odd"
I have six, 31147, 60430, 71431, 75372, 76919, and 76934.
@Feroz said:
" 60430 Interstellar Spaceship is fun, but so is the 60407 Double-Decker Sightseeing Bus.
The bus gets my vote.
It will take you to 60380 Downtown, the 10326 Museum, the 60422 Harbour and the 60421 (theme) Park.
Perfect for the Alien Tourist too."
Since I own 60326 Picnic in the Park, it is the park for my bus. Hope they make a larger park soon, especially with the new botanical pieces.
Yes, 60407 beats 60430 by a whisker. 60430 loses a point for not having a proper place to mount the drone/jetpack. Both are my favourites for 2024.