Key Points
- Our choice for the #1 Best Overall Lego Ninjago Set is City Gardens.
- Lego Ninjago sets are some of the most unique and offer a great price per piece value.
- You will not only get enjoyment out of building Lego Ninjago sets, but also out of playing with them.
- Before buying a Lego Ninjago set, you need to look at the age range it is for, the number of pieces included, how much it costs, and the set’s overall dimensions.
Ninjago is one of the best and most overlooked themes from Lego. It is one of a handful of Lego themes not based on a movie or TV show. If you aren’t familiar with Ninjago, it is loosely based on ninjas but with a unique spin that is appropriate for all ages. Therefore, you will notice that there are a lot of influences from different cultures, which isn’t something often seen in other Lego sets.
Even though Ninjago is an original idea, it actually got its own TV show thanks to the imaginative Lego sets. Because Ninjago isn’t based on an existing franchise, Lego designers can show off their own ideas. This is really evident in some of the larger Ninjago sets, like City Gardens and City Markets, which are both packed with detail. Take a look at our selection of the best products below:
- Best Overall: Lego Ninjago City Gardens Building Kit
- Best Spinjitsu Set: Lego Ninjago Legacy Minifigure – Kai
- Best Ninjago Vehicle: Hydro Bounty Building Set
- Best Ninjago Temple: Ninja Dojo Temple
#1 Best Overall Lego Ninjago Set: Lego Ninjago City Gardens Building Kit
- Includes 19 minifigures
- No of pieces: 5,685
- Made in celebration of NINJAGO world's 10th anniversary
- Filled with interactive rooms (eg museum, control room, Chen's noodle house, the ice cream shop)
- Features 5 interactive tiers
The overall best and most impressive Lego Ninjago set is the Lego Ninjago City Gardens Building Kit. There are a number of reasons why it takes the top spot, including the number of minifigures it comes with, the size of the build, its price per piece value, and its creativity. Even Lego fans who don’t know much about the world of Ninjago will probably want to consider purchasing this set.
The first thing you will notice if you see the set in person is how tall it is. When you first hear garden, you probably thought about something flat, but this is very much a vertical build. It actually stands at nearly 2.5 feet tall. Also important to know is that the set is 13 inches wide and 18 inches deep, with nearly every inch packed with detail.
The details are what really make Ninjago sets stand out since there is little space left empty. Even the architecture throughout the build changes as you progress up through the five levels. Each of these levels is stackable, so you can easily take them apart to show off or display them. Inside you will find interesting places like a museum, an ice cream shop, an apartment, and even an arcade.
On the back side of the main building, you will find a small garden area, and there is also a temple that you can attach. The Ninjago City Gardens also comes with an impressive 19 minifigures to play with. In fact, it includes a whopping 5,686 pieces, making it one of the largest Lego sets. Although the price is still high at $349, it provides excellent value for money considering the number of pieces in the set.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| City Gardens comes with high number of pieces and minifigures. | The set is very expensive. |
| An original design that is unlike any other Lego set. | It can be difficult to find since it is new. |
Check out the Lego Ninjago City Gardens Building Kit on Amazon.
Best Spinjitsu Set: Lego Ninjago Legacy Minifigure – Kai
- Features Kai minifigure with his Dragon Flyer
- Size: 3*3 inches
- Includes Kai's sword (prop)
- Arrives disassembled
The best Ninjago Spinjitsu set is the Lego Ninjago Legacy Minifigure – Kai. The Masters of Spinjitsu was the subtitle for the Lego Ninjago TV series from its debut in 2011 until 2019. If you aren’t familiar, Spinjitsu is a made-up form of a ninja fight that Lego came up with. It is how ninjas in the Lego Ninjago universe fight without actually causing bodily harm.
Some early Spinjitsu sets actually featured spinning mechanisms that worked like a top. These were very similar to Beyblades, except they featured Lego bricks. The more recent Spinjitsu sets do not feature spinning capabilities. Instead, they feature different abilities and come with more pieces. In recent years, Lego has also moved away from the Masters of Spinjitsu as the franchise evolves toward Dragons Rising.
In fact, there are only four Spinjitsu sets currently available, featuring Kai, Lloyd, Nya, and Zane. Kai’s Dragon Power Spinjitsu Flip is a relatively small set at only 72 pieces. However, it is still larger than Nya and Lloyd’s sets. Since Kai has the power of the dragon, the set’s pieces are primarily red, orange, and yellow. There are also several flame pieces included, plus there are even three translucent orange balls that “generate power.”
One of the set’s biggest draws is the Kai minifigure. This intricately detailed minifigure looks great thanks to its printed body parts and head covering. The included spinner can pull off a number of tricks and flips by pressing on the corners. Ultimately, Kai must capture the golden dragon’s energy core, but first, he has to defeat the Imperium Droid.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Kai can perform a number of action moves. | Small set that comes with less than 100 pieces. |
| One of the cheapest Ninjago sets available. | Only comes with one minifigure. |
Check out the Lego Ninjago Legacy Minifigure – Kai on Amazon today.
Best Ninjago Vehicle: Hydro Bounty Building Set
- Includes NYA and Kai minifigures amongst others
- Detachable mech and 2 mini submarines inside
- No of pieces: 1,159
- TV series: NINJAGO Seabound
The best way to get around in the Lego Ninjago universe is with the Hydro Bounty Building Set. Many people don’t really associate ninjas with vehicles since they are often thought of as ancient warriors. Luckily, things are different in the Lego Ninjago universe because these ninjas get around in style. But the vehicles in the Ninjago world are not the simple cars and planes found in other Lego sets.
Like all of Ninjago, vehicle sets are very imaginative and feature over-the-top designs. The Hydro Bounty is a submarine that brings ninjas to battle at the bottom of the sea. But it doesn’t look like an ordinary submarine. Instead, it looks more like a spaceship with its rear thruster design. Of course, it does include some nautical elements, like a periscope sticking out of the top.
One of the really interesting elements of the Hydro Bounty is the translucent blue windows. They fit in well with the nautical theme and also let you see the interior of the ship. The ship itself is white, but it features some gold, which gives it a distinct steampunk look. But talking a closer, you will notice that the ship isn’t just one piece. The Hydro Bounty can actually hold two smaller submersibles inside of it. Plus, the front nose section detaches to form a mech fighter. The rear tail sections also flip open to reveal a shooter that you can use to take down enemies. There is also a small chariot that Prince Kalmaar can ride in.
The Hydro Bounty comes with 1,159 pieces and ten minifigures for an MSRP of $139.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Features a cool steampunk design. | May not fit in with the rest of your Ninjago collection. |
| Multiple smaller vehicles to battle with. | The price per piece is very high. |
Check out the Hydro Bounty Building Set on Amazon.
Best Ninjago Temple: Ninja Dojo Temple
- Features Kai and Lloyd minifigures amongst others
- 3 Interactive tiers
- 5 rooms (Wu's tea room, an armory, Pixal's workshop...)
- No of pieces: 1,394
Out of all the Lego Ninjago temples, the absolute best is the Ninja Dojo Temple. Temples are a staple of the Lego Ninjago theme and are often associated with Ninjas. There have been a number of different Ninjago Temples that each feature unique architecture and styling. Just last month, Lego released a new Ninjago temple called Temple of the Dragon.
But the Dojo Temple is still the best because it comes with more pieces and minifigures. We also feel that it looks better and features more imaginative pieces. One of the cooler elements is the bridge that leads from a small “island” up to the main part of the Temple. The main temple building is also multiple stories tall, with five distinct rooms.
It perches upon a rocky base built out of Lego pieces. Inside these rocks, you will find an underground armory and a workshop. On the main floor, you will find a more relaxing space, which is Wu’s tea room. The Dojo Temple has a significant amount of detail for your set, from the green roof with gold trim all the way down to the walls.
Speaking of toys, this is a great build for younger Lego fans since it is for ages eight and up. Additionally, it offers great value, coming with 1,394 pieces for only $99. The Dojo Temple also includes eight ninjas. Besides the minifigures and temple, you also get the snake warriors’ rammer vehicle and a mech suit that the minifigures can use to defeat their enemies.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Multi story building has many unique rooms. | The middle section of the Dojo feels a little empty. |
| Has a low price per piece. | Requires a delicate hand to assemble. |
Check out the Ninja Dojo Temple on Amazon.
How to Pick the Best Lego Ninjago Set: Step by Step
When choosing the best Ninjago set, there are four primary considerations for most buyers.
- Age Range
- Number of Pieces
- Price
- Physical Dimensions
Let’s review each of these criteria in more detail.
Age Range
The first thing you must look at is the age range of the set. You can find the recommended age range on the front of every Lego set. You should use this as a guide to help judge whether it is appropriate for the person you are purchasing the set for. This is especially important for Ninjago because some sets are for younger builders, while others are for teenagers.
Number of Pieces
The next thing you will want to consider is the number of pieces included. This will also help you understand if it’s a good choice. The number of pieces provides some insight into how long the set may take to assemble, as well as its difficulty. Some Lego shoppers also like to look at the price-per-piece ratio to see if it offers good value for money.
Price
The price of any Lego set is always a major consideration since you are paying a premium price for what are essentially plastic blocks. You should first set a budget and then determine which sets are in your price range. Ninjago sets can cost over $300, which is a lot for a toy set. However, the overall price per piece on these larger sets is very low, which may convince you to purchase them.
Physical Dimensions
Lastly, you should always double-check the physical dimensions of Lego sets before you purchase them. For example, the Ninjago Market sets are not only very expensive but also very large. It is important to ensure that you have a safe place to store the set both while building and once assembled. The last thing you want to happen is for the set to get knocked over and lose some pieces.
What to Know Before Buying a Lego Ninjago Set
Lego Ninjago is a very popular theme among younger Lego fans, but it isn’t for everyone. At a time when Lego has shifted dramatically toward making sets based on TV shows and movies, Ninjago sets remain original ideas. The concepts, vehicles, and buildings are all straight from the imaginative people working at Lego.
Because of that, the end result is some really cool sets that are fun to play with. Unfortunately, that means they aren’t the most popular with adult builders. So, if you are an adult fan of Lego, then you may want to skip Ninjago or look at some of the larger sets in the theme. If you aren’t sure if it’s the right choice for your child, then you may want to see if they are interested in the Ninjago TV series.
Using Lego Ninjago Sets: What It’s Like
Even though Ninjago is an original idea, it does have a companion TV show. Fans of the series have a lot to like about Ninjago sets because they either inspired similar concepts in the show or were created because of the show. What makes Ninjago unique to build and play with is the combat element, which is evident in some of the characters’ special abilities.
The great thing about Ninjago is that you will have a blast building the sets. But there are endless hours of playtime once you’ve finished building. There are also different sets you can collect so you can create your own Ninjago world. Of course, a big part of the Ninjago universe involves battling enemies, which you can do with the included minifigures.
Summary Table
| Rank | Ninjago Lego Set |
|---|---|
| Best Overall | City Gardens |
| Best Spinjitsu Set | Kaiâs Dragon Power Spinjitzu Flip |
| Largest Lego Ninjago Set | City Markets |
| Best Ninjago Vehicle | Hydro Bounty |
| Best Ninjago Temple | Dojo Temple |
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Rafi _toya/Shutterstock.com.
