Brick Alternatives to LEGO® — How Do They Compare?

LEGO has built its reputation on precision, quality, iconic themes, and years of trust. But there’s an expanding world of high-quality alternatives. These brands don’t aim to replace LEGO for everyone, but many builders find them excellent complements — sometimes offering more variety, lower prices, or special features. Here’s how three of them stack up: Lumibricks, COBI, and Mould King.

What We’ll Compare

To fairly compare these brands, we’ll look at:

Brand Comparisons

Here are three brick alternative brands, with their pros & cons (and a few extra observations) compared to LEGO.

1. Lumibricks (formerly FunWhole)

What they do / their niche
Lumibricks produces sets that emphasize display value and ambiance: modular buildings (architecture-style), light-up features (LED / illumination), rich details, printed parts, and atmospheric design. They tend to appeal to builders who like LEGO modular style + lighting effects. 

Pros

• Excellent brick quality: Many users report that their bricks are comparable to LEGO in fit and feel. For example, in the Steampunk Watchtower set, no missing pieces were found in a large set, parts bags are well numbered, etc. 

• Very good value especially for what you get: elaborate builds, lighting, printed parts instead of stickers. The lighting adds a display dimension that LEGO often charges extra for via third parties.

• Themes that lean into storytelling and niche atmospheres (steampunk, medieval, modular buildings) which can appeal to mature builders. 

• Packaging / instructions: The larger sets tend to come with solid manuals, numbered bags, etc. Depth of detail is appreciated.

Cons

• Minifigures are not LEGO style: different proportions, different articulation, aesthetic differences. Some fans love them; some prefer classic LEGO figures. 

• Sometimes color matching & printed manual clarity are less polished: e.g. print contrast issues, color in the manual vs real brick shade differences. Requires more attention when building.

• Fewer licensed sets / broader thematic variety compared to LEGO. If you want Star Wars, Marvel, etc., LEGO still has a strong edge.

• Because of smaller scale or newer production, long-term resale value tends to be lower. Might have fewer replacement parts available.

Best for: Display builders, adult hobbyists, those wanting LED or lighted builds, collectors who enjoy modular / architectural builds with ambiance; less so for very young kids or people who want classic minifig collectible value.

2. COBI

What they do / their niche
COBI is a European brand (Polish) known for historical / military / classic vehicle model kits, plus non-LEGO licensed sets, often more detailed and display-oriented. They emphasize accurate design, pad-printed parts (versus stickers), and strong build quality. 

Pros

• High build & part quality: bricks tend to fit well, models are visually strong, especially for military / historical genres. 

• Good value: for similar piece count / display size, COBI sets often cost less per piece than LEGO, especially in larger kits. 

• Unique themes: If you're into tanks, historical vehicles, aircraft, etc., COBI offers a breadth that LEGO doesn’t always in non-licensed/military lines.

• Instructions & parts finish: Many COBI fans like that COBI’s instructions are clear and the bricks often have pad printed designs (which are more durable/clean than stickers). 

Cons

• Minifig design aesthetic differs: Some prefer LEGO’s minifigs (classic proportions, expressiveness). COBI’s are more realistic / less “classic LEGO.” Might matter if you collect minifigs. 

• Less licensed pop culture variety (although some licenses exist) compared to LEGO’s huge catalog.

• Smaller sets or more complex display kits may be less “play-friendly” (i.e., moving parts, dynamic play) than LEGO’s typical offerings.

• Resale & brand prestige typically lower than LEGO. Also, availability & stock may vary depending on region.

Best for: Builders who want strong display models, military / historical themes, good part quality, and willing to accept different figure styles; good value seekers who want more bang per brick.

3. Mould King

What they do / their niche
Mould King focuses heavily on large, complex builds, especially Technic style, motorized / RC elements, remote-controlled or app-controlled functions sometimes, often with many more pieces for lower cost than equivalent LEGO Technic sets. 

Pros

• Very competitive price per piece / function: you might get a lot more bricks / moving parts for the money, especially in large sets. For example, a large crane or motorized build might cost significantly more if you bought LEGO. 

• Good build experience: many users report that instructions highlight current pieces well, many bagged steps, etc. 

• Included motors / remote control parts more often than in comparable LEGO sets (or they’re built in rather than add-ons). For builders interested in tech / moving functions, that can be a big plus. 

Cons

• Brick quality is often slightly below LEGO, especially for large pieces: some warping, variable clutch / consistency issues in certain parts. 

• Instructions can be less polished: sometimes less clear, fewer extra features like building tips / optional alternate builds. Novice builders might find them a bit tougher.

• Themes / licensing are limited. Mould King generally does not hold many licenses, so if you're looking for branded sets (Star Wars, Marvel, etc.), options are more limited. LEGO still leads here. 

• Not always ideal for young children due to small, intricate parts; more suitable for hobbyists or display pieces.

Best for: Adult builders interested in large, mechanical, tech-heavy sets; those who want motors or moving parts without paying premium LEGO prices; those willing to accept slight trade-offs in polish for added function.

Some Other Brands / Notes to Keep in Mind

• Gobricks – Often used by MOCs, parts collectors, or brands like Lumibricks etc. Good quality brick-compatibles (with higher clutch power), but no themed full kits / instructions in many cases. 

• BlueBrixx – A German brand combining display-focused models, sometimes licensed, and LEGO-compatible bricks. They often avoid direct imitation and lean toward original designs. 

• Others like Nanoblock also exist (very small scale, micro builds) — fun, but very different from LEGO-style play. 

Making Your Choice: Tips for Buyers

Depending on what you care about most, here are things to consider when trying alternatives:

• If you want value: compare price per piece + what's included (motors, lighting, printed parts).

• If you care about display / aesthetics: look for lighting, printed pieces, high build detail.

• If you collect minifigs: check how minifig styles differ (proportions, accessories, articulation).

• If resale / collector value matters: LEGO generally has stronger long-term resale value and collector status.

• If the bricks will mix with your existing LEGO: most of these alternatives are compatible in brick size; color matching and clutch power vary.

• Safety & documentation: especially for children, check safety certifications, small parts, instructions clarity.

Conclusion

LEGO remains hard to beat when it comes to consistency, licensing, minifig heritage, collector prestige, and large thematic variety. But that doesn’t mean alternatives don’t offer excellent options — sometimes even unique ones.

If you’re building a display piece with lighting and atmosphere, want a Technic workhorse with motors, or want more historical / military detail without spending top dollar, brands like Lumibricks, COBI, and Mould King can be fantastic choices. At BAM Good Bricks, we carry (or can help source) many of these alternatives — helping you find the sets that match your style, budget, and building passion.