LEGO January 1 releases under £50: Everything you need to know before you buy 

With just a couple of days to go until a new flurry of LEGO releases, here's a reminder of what you can get for less than £50.

There are dozens of LEGO sets launching on January 1, so we've been picking out a variety of sets at every price point to help make sure you don't miss out on any new releases you're interested in. From LEGO Formula 1 to a new CMF series, read on for a closer look at a handful of sets all priced under £50.

Plus, click here for a similar look at sets priced over £100 and here for a look at sets priced between £50 and £100.

60493 F1 Display Truck with Audi F1 Race Car

The Audi Formula 1 team gets its first LEGO version in 60493 F1 Display Truck with Audi F1 Race Car, paired with an F1-branded truck. There's a nifty mechanism that hides the City car inside, perfect for whisking away to for race day. Three minifigures feel generous for the price of £39.99, and the similar colour schemes between the truck and race car mean this works well as a solo set.

That said, you can also easily see it integrating nicely with the other LEGO City Formula 1 cars. This is an impressive addition to the line-up that nails the visual aesthetics while also delivering a rewarding play set.

“The hauler looks nice, it's just basic F1 branding but it looks very nice. For something that's City, that looks great. Nice mechanism there as well, where the whole thing drops down.”

JANGBRICKS

Our verdict: 60493 F1 Display Truck with Audi F1 Race Car delivers an affordable taste of brick-built race life, while also bringing the Audi team to LEGO for the very first time

60500 The LEGO Van

Not pulled the trigger on 60400 Yellow Delivery Truck because of the price? You're in luck: 60500 The LEGO Van is here to solve that problem. It delivers (if you'll excuse the pun) all the same meta LEGO branding, but in a bite-sized and far more affordable package, priced at £24.99 for 276 pieces.

The smaller size doesn't mean it's any less delightful for LEGO fans, bringing some existentialism to your LEGO city. After all, for people who love LEGO, why wouldn't they want to share the hobby with their minifigures? At that price, we imagine many people will be picking up at least one copy of 60500 The LEGO Van – and it's also a tempting contender if you need to edge your shopping basket slightly higher to qualify for GWPs.

“It's the affordable option to the $100+ semi truck & I'll be happy enough to get this set whenever I can.”

Chevyman3030 on TikTok

Our verdict: Perfect for those who can't stomach the price of 60440 Yellow Delivery Truck, we're predicting an instant bestseller with 60500 The LEGO Van

31385 Beautiful Dolphins

LEGO Creator 3-in-1 has established a high bar for animal sets in recent years, and while not every new set reaches it, you have to say that 31385 Beautiful Dolphins is up there with the best. It makes fine use of its mid-range piece count for its adult and baby dolphins, but it’s the ingenious display base that really elevates the primary build here (in all senses of the word).

It’s another one with strong alternate builds in the box too, even if the accompanying seahorse and crab look to use comparatively few of the set’s 542 pieces. Bright blue is a particularly quirky colour scheme for a crab, though, so there’s fun to be had with 31385 Beautiful Dolphins as it comes, and no doubt Rebrickable will offer – as ever – a deep well of further alternate builds in a few months’ time.

“The colour scheme of this set is wonderful, especially the Royal Light Blue used for the creatures containing many new recolours. I just wish some of these creatures (more specifically the Crab) had more pose-ability as that's what I enjoy most from these Creator sets.”

jedijacpenguin

Our verdict: If you’re into LEGO Creator’s animals you’ll find a lot to love here, and as always these sets offer better value for money than most

31378 Space Exploration Telescope

While other LEGO themes may try to impress fans with the biggest builds or flashy features, LEGO Creator 3-in-1 continues to steadily put out some of the most original and impressive models with each and every wave that arrives.

Take 31378 Space Exploration Telescope, for example, a set that could have easily been a LEGO Technic release, but instead serves up a trio of science-based builds for a very respectable £29.99 / $34.99 / €34.99. For that price, you’re looking at a 278-piece set that can switch from its initial astronomical build and then be reassembled as an adjustable microscope or a UFO model with a poseable antenna.

The icing on the 31378 Space Exploration Telescope cake is the smart inclusion of a light brick, with the interactive element allowing for images to be projected, objects to be illuminated or a bright beam to burst forth from the alien ship. A STEM toy aimed at kids that will also appeal to many older builders, this LEGO Creator 3-in-1 set shows just how strong and creative the long-running theme remains.

“I’m disappointed the telescope isn’t a version of Hubble or Webb or another great observatory, but I like the little solar system model.“

vewfb on Reddit

Our verdict: Those looking to pick up an affordable science-based build should have no hesitation purchasing 31378 Space Exploration Telescope on January 1

21365 Love Birds

If proof was ever needed that a LEGO Ideas set doesn’t always need to be an elaborate model based on a licensed theme, then 21365 Love Birds definitely delivers the goods. Comprised of 750 pieces, the colourful build is essentially intended for couples to assemble together, encouraging quality time spent on a combined and mindful pastime.

Priced at a reasonable £44.99 / $49.99 / €49.99 and based on a winning design by ModularManiac, 21365 Love Birds offers up a pair of coral-coloured birds that can be placed on a branch to form a romantic heart shape. However, it’s the LEGO Ideas set’s tree that is the real standout and one that could well come in handy for combining with other suitable LEGO models, should you so wish.

Although 21365 Love Birds has almost twice as many pieces as the original LEGO Ideas submission, they appear to have been put to good use. That includes smoothing the bird’s overall silhouettes, switching out the colour of the leaves on the tree so as not to clash with the feathered friends and adding much-needed extra greenery to the tree trunk.

“With the SNOT techniques used to build the face, it gives the birds an unfortunate angry-robot look to their eyes and face. If studs were going up to fill the gaps in the piece that makes the top of their heads, it would look a lot nicer. As it stands they look like they have huge angry eyes. Still plenty to appreciate here, but the birds need a little tweaking.”

xBlue_Dwarfx on Reddit

Our verdict: A fun and affordable model that’s likely to appeal to both solo builders and couples alike, despite some minor accuracy issues

76334 Epic Battle: Spider-Man vs. Sandman

One of the smallest LEGO Marvel sets launching on January 1, 2026, is also one of the best. 76334 Epic Battle: Spider-Man vs. Sandman finally brings Spider-Man 3 into the fold, fulfilling many fans’ desires for a certain black-suited minifigure (though not quite the one we were hoping for). The smaller LEGO Marvel model is packed with content for the affordable price point, as if the subject material alone didn’t make it a must-have.

At just over 200 pieces and with three minifigures, 76334 Epic Battle: Spider-Man vs. Sandman makes up a formidable display scene as part of the new Epic Moment collection, instantly setting the older-aimed tone for the range while coming in at a much lower price point than most LEGO dioramas. This model is launching soon for £19.99 / $24.99 / €24.99. Including our first Sam Raimi Venom minifigure.

“Whereas the larger Marvel vignettes have been fairly detailed on all sides, this model is clearly designed to be displayed from the front. The back lacks any detail by comparison, although the colours do remain consistent, at least. Regardless, I have no problem with focusing attention on one side of the vignette, considering its size and price.”

Brickset

Our verdict: Considering the integrity to the source material, the minifigures, and the affordable cost of 76334 Epic Battle: Spider-Man vs. Sandman, the LEGO Marvel set is well worth your attention

21589 Mini Biomes

LEGO Minecraft is diverting away from minifigure-scale sets again early next year with 21589 Mini Biomes. The second Micro World set in recent years opts for a different approach to 21265 The Crafting Table, leaning into a different form of display with a more approachable price and displayable size.

At nearly 800 pieces for £54.99 / $59.99 / €59.99, 21589 Mini Biomes is good value on paper. It comes with a display base for four miniature chunks of in-game biomes, taking the collection underwater for the first time while also depicting a desert temple for the first time in the theme’s history. The LEGO Minecraft set launches on January 1, 2026.

"Haven’t gotten a Minecraft set in a LONG while, (about since the first Chicken Farm lol) but it is nice to see some really good value. The Sunset on Mini Biomes looks fantastic, and that looks like a great set overall.”

Wallace Brick Designs, Brickset commenter

Our verdict: While there's some question of whether 21589 Mini Biomes is worth £54.99 / $59.99 / €59.99 for 797 pieces, the return to the Micro World range delivers a fresh perspective for the Minecraft theme

71051 Series 28 Animals

The next series of LEGO minifigures is all about the open-mouth animal costumes fans have come to love and collect. The 12 new characters cover a variety of animal costumes, similar to those that would appear once or twice in previous series.

This time, 71051 Series 28 Animals is focused solely on them, targeting a specific niche of LEGO minifigure collectors. Those that are part of that niche will find a lot to love in 71051 Series 28 Animals, but it ultimately won’t be as widely appealing as most other series. Reviews and impressions of 71051 Series 28 Animals are mixed. No one has anything particularly terrible to say, but there’s a notable lack of interest from anyone who hasn’t been obsessively collecting these costumed minifigures before.

Costumed characters are somewhat popular among fans but only if they’re done right. A whole wave of them could be overkill and may not be for everybody. The hats for the characters do look pretty good but a majority of them lack detailing.”

The Brick Fan

Our verdict: For those interested in costumed minifigures, 71051 Series 28 Animals is sure to be a good time, but it certainly won't be for everyone

71866 Ninja Character Display

One of the stars of LEGO NINJAGO’s 15th-anniversary set selection early next year is 71866 Ninja Character display. The tribute to the original seasons of NINJAGO recreates the front of the team’s monastery with the full core cast in one affordable package. That’s not to mention the exclusive Master of Lightning minifigure, too.

71866 Ninja Character Display is intended to attach to that anniversary minifigure’s stand and the rest of the range found in other sets, acting as the centrepiece of the overall anniversary. With 447 elements and eight minifigures for £34.99 / $44.99 / €39.99, it’s an easy model to pick up on launch day to celebrate 15 years of NINJAGO. Indeed, it's hard to find a review or impression with something negative to say about 71866 Ninja Character Display.

"I think that this is a phenomenal set. This is just something that people at the LEGO Group need to look at when they’re doing anniversaries. The anniversary minifigure is unnecessary because on its own the display would have sold, but then you’re getting all these characters, it’s just insane.”

AshnFlash

Our verdict: Take note, future LEGO anniversaries: 71866 Ninja Character Display is how you nail a celebratory set

77252 APXGP Team Race Car

LEGO Speed Champions is enjoying a diverse start to 2026, kicking off with a Formula 1 car – but a fictional one. 77252 APXGP Team Race Car is based on the F1 Movie, featuring not one but two minifigures based on the central characters. That gives it a one-up on the 10 Speed Champions cars based on the actual teams, but stays at the same price.

In terms of the car itself, 77252 APXGP Team Race Car follows the typical playbook, sticking to the same rough piece count and silhouette as those that came before, but with its own sponsors and changes to the bodywork and DRS that make it wholly its own model as well.

"While the official Formula 1 Speed Champions sets give us one minifigure each, this movie car casually drops two named, exclusive minifigures and walks away. At £22.99 / $27.99 / €27.99, this might be the weirdest bargain in the entire line-up. You're basically buying a decent Speed Champions F1 car, and getting a free Brad Pitt minifigure with it."

Racing Brick

Our verdict: If you can't commit to one team, 77252 APXGP Team Race Car is a great way to get in on the Formula 1 Speed Champions fun – with the added minifigure to complete the package

77255 Lightning McQueen

Coming squarely out of left-field for LEGO Speed Champions is 77255 Lightning McQueen, one of three new movie-inspired vehicles for 2026 and the first where the car is the character. That means there are no minifigures here, but what you get instead is a snappy and refreshing build that eschews the standard Speed Champions chassis in favour of an unorthodox central core.

To say more would be to spoil what’s otherwise one of the most interesting building experiences you’ll get at this price point, and while that is a slightly inflated price tag compared to previous Speed Champions sets (at least in the US), it’s just about worth checking out at full price. With one eye on what else is coming from this theme in January, though, you’ll probably want to put it on the back burner for now…

“77255 Lightning McQueen is a wholehearted day-one recommendation for hardcore LEGO Speed Champions and/or LEGO Cars fans – and for everyone not quite so deep into this collection just yet, it’ll be an easy purchase once it drops in price by 20% or more. It’s something very different for this veteran theme and a very nice surprise with which to kick off the wider 2026 portfolio.”

Brick Fanatics

Our verdict: One to pick up eventually, particularly for veteran fans looking for something different – but wait for a discount

77256 Time Machine from Back to the Future

Available for the same price as 77255 Lightning McQueen but with two minifigures and nearly 100 more pieces in the box, 77256 Time Machine from Back to the Future already sounds like a home run on paper, not least because it’s probably the most-requested LEGO Speed Champions movie car of all time.

But then consider that it also has a wealth of printed pieces, minimal stickers and all the elements you need to transform it into the flying version from Back to the Future Part II, and it’s basically a no-brainer for a day one purchase. Expect this one to fly off the shelves.

“Like a genuine time traveller, I can already say with confidence that 77256 Time Machine from Back to the Future will be among the best small sets produced in 2026! A new minifigure-scale DeLorean has been long overdue and this design definitely lives up to expectations, accurately recreating Doc Brown's time machine with very few compromises.”

Brickset

Our verdict: Run, don’t walk to your LEGO Store (or LEGO.com) on January 1 for this one, or risk playing the waiting game for months on end…

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