Few things are as ubiquitous as Harry Potter — it’s a cultural phenomenon that has delivered an abundance of magnificent characters and lore.
There are many ways for fans to explore everything the Harry Potter series has to offer, but nothing immerses you into the magical world quite like a Harry Potter Lego set. Like the Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Astronomy Tower, the best sets have meticulous details and feature articulated figurines that recreate the most memorable moments from the series.
What to know before you buy a Harry Potter Lego set
Budget
If you’re an avid Harry Potter fan looking to add more merchandise to your collection, then money probably won’t be an issue for you when shopping for a new Harry Potter Lego set.
However, Lego sets, in general, can be expensive depending on several factors. If you’re working within a budget, you’ll undoubtedly find a set at an affordable price point, but collectible or hard-to-find sets can be costly and might be out of your price range.
Piece count
Every Lego set specifies the number of pieces it contains. A standard Harry Potter Lego set can range anywhere from as few as 100 pieces to as many as 1,500. Some collectible sets feature over 1,500 pieces, but they’re usually considered novelty sets and aren’t as widely available.
Larger sets boast lots of detail, but they can also take up space in your home. Also, the more pieces a set has, the greater the chance of losing some.
Age range
Since Harry Potter Lego sets are made primarily for children, each set indicates a suitable age range. Most Lego sets are ideal for children ages 5 and up, but Harry Potter sets are usually marked for children ages 8 and up.
Sets for older children usually have more complex designs that require more dedication and patience for building, so it’s best to avoid large Harry Potter Lego sets for younger children.
Harry Potter Lego set features
Characters
The world of Harry Potter is chock full of fascinating characters, so most Harry Potter Lego sets feature character figurines with designs inspired by the movies. Every Harry Potter has at least a handful of favorite characters, so keep an eye out when purchasing a set.
The most popular characters include Harry Potter, Hermione Granger, Ronald Weasley, Professor Snape, Dumbledore and Voldemort. Even some magical creatures like Dobby have made it into Harry Potter Lego sets.
Locations
The world J.K. Rowling was able to build for her series is truly remarkable. The best Harry Potter Lego sets feature designs inspired by iconic locations such as Hogwarts, the Hogwarts Express, Hagrid’s Hut and the Hogwarts Quidditch stadium.
Events
While some Harry Potter Lego sets have generic character and location designs, most sets aim to recreate a specific event from the series. For example, some sets feature the famous Knight Bus and include characters that were present during Harry’s first ride.
These Harry Potter Lego sets usually have more pieces and intricate details, so naturally, they tend to be more expensive than smaller sets with basic designs.
Harry Potter Lego set cost
You can find sets with low to moderate piece counts in the $30-$80 price range. Larger sets with more pieces and figurines can cost over $100.
Harry Potter Lego set FAQ
Are Harry Potter Lego sets suitable for children ages 2-8?
A. Lego sets can be hazardous for children under 5. However, children between the ages of 5-8 can safely enjoy playing with Lego sets. The age suggestion on Lego sets is more of a guideline regarding the difficulty of building the complete set.
The Harry Potter Lego set I purchased didn’t include instructions. What should I do?
A. You can find a downloadable and printable PDF copy of any Lego set’s instructions on the official Lego website.
Which Harry Potter Lego set should I get?
Best of the best Harry Potter Lego set
Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Astronomy Tower: available at Amazon
Our take: This 971-piece set is perfect for older fans of the series who want to put the iconic astronomy tower from “The Half-Blood Prince” on display.
What we like: This set features a replica of the astronomy tower, a few other notable rooms, and eight mini figurines of the most beloved characters, including a replica of Hedwig. It also comes with several accessories like mandrake plants and wands, with meticulous designs inspired by the films.
What we dislike: Some customers found that the greenhouse disconnects easily from the main tower.
Best bang for your buck Harry Potter Lego set
Lego Harry Potter Hogwarts Moment: Potions Class: available at Amazon
Our take: It’s a modest 271-piece set, so it’s great for younger children, but it spares no expense on the details Harry Potter fans crave.
What we like: This set has a unique book design that opens to reveal the potions classroom, along with a secret chamber. It comes with detailed minifigures of Draco Malfoy, Seamus Finnigan and Professor Snape and includes potion-making equipment and other classroom accessories.
What we dislike: The minifigures stand apart from the set, as there’s nowhere to place them.
Honorable mention Harry Potter Lego set
Lego Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire Beauxbatons’ Carriage: Arrival at Hogwarts: available at Amazon
Our take: This 472-piece set recreates a scene from “The Goblet of Fire,” featuring the graceful and magical Beauxbatons carriage.
What we like: This set includes two winged horses and minifigures of Hagrid, Fleur Delacour, Gabrielle Delacour and Madame Maxime. The carriage can transform into a two-room living space featuring highly detailed furniture and accessories.
What we dislike: Some customers found it tricky to build, even for older kids.
Kevin Luna is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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