Mould King review: Top themes, best sets, and more

While all brick-building roads (tend to) lead to Lego, you might want to try something a little different at some point. And — let’s be honest — a little cheaper.

The good news is that there are a bunch of creative Lego alternatives you can look into, one of the most popular being the Chinese toy-making brand Mould King.

It features an array of high-quality building sets for children, teens, and adults alike. “Yeah, but is Mould King legit?” keep reading to learn everything you need to know about this popular brick-building brand.

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What is Mould King?

Mould King is a China-based toy-making company founded in 2012. Up until 2019, it was a subsidiary of the parent company Lepin.

The brand focuses on developing safe, educational brick-building toys for all ages, from children (ages 5+) to adults. Although there are many Lego alternatives, Mould King is one of the best on the market, featuring quality builds for a considerably lower price.

One of Mould King’s highlights is the quality of its bricks, which are sourced from GoBricks. They’re nearly on the same level as genuine Lego pieces, minus a few differences in colors, stamped brand logos, and designs to avoid patent issues. As a result, the building experience is reliable and precise, and final structures remain intact over a long time.

Another bright spot for Mould King is the wide variety of sets the company offers. There are hundreds of original sets in the company’s catalog, ranging from mini cars to enormous spaceships with more than 10,000 pieces. It also touches on categories that Lego would never touch, like military vehicles or weapons.

Where can I buy Mould King sets?

Mould King sets aren’t often found in local toy stores, but they aren’t too hard to find online. The most convenient places are the brand’s Amazon storefront and the official Mould King website.

However, be aware that listings on Amazon are fulfilled by Amazon, which can be hit or miss. Missing pieces or sticker sheets will still likely need to be addressed on the official website.

As such, it’s generally smarter and safer to buy from the official website. Not only are prices lower without Amazon taking a cut, they also offer free shipping on all orders.

In the US, you also get free express shipping on orders over $129, so your sets should arrive in under a week. That may very well be even faster than Amazon.

It’s also very important to note that there are several fake Mould King websites. Use the links in this article or risk scams or delays.

Is Mould King legit?

Mould King is absolutely legit, even if it doesn’t always match up to the quality of Lego itself. Sets are well designed and individual pieces are high-quality. You’re also very unlikely to find missing pieces, but if you do the company will replace them for free.

Additionally, the company has distanced itself from the questionable copyright practices of Lepin, which was shut down in 2019. Mould King only sells original sets in unique packaging.

That said, the company has been known to use builds from popular MOC designers without crediting them. This is the case with the massive Imperial Star Destroyer model, which was originally created by Rebrickable member Onecase.

On that note, the company also plays fast and loose with other intellectual property. For example, it sells many sets that are clearly based on Star Wars or famous car designs, without paying a license.

So how do they match up against Lego? Here’s what you need to know.

Mould King vs. Lego

While there are lots of similarities between Mould King vs. Lego, it’s only fair (and honest) to give you a realistic idea of what to expect from this alternative brick-building brand.

Mould King sets compare very favorably to Lego, but considering the prices are often half what the big L would charge, you do have to temper your expectations.

Brick quality should nearly match Lego, but instructions may be more difficult to follow. The company also offers fewer themes for young builders, with no larger Duplo-like blocks available.

Mind you, I know it’s hard to beat Lego, but I ensure you’re going to be pleasantly surprised will all of the good stuff Mould King has to offer.

Mould King review: Is it worth it?

Mould King sets are definitely worth the purchase, no matter how much experience you have with alt brick brands. The company has established itself as a leading brand at this point, despite a limited presence outside of China.

So what’s good about Mould King sets?

Firstly, bang for your buck! Mould King features many Lego-like themes and sets for significantly less. While Lego sets typically cost 10 cents per piece (or more for licensed sets), Mould King sets are closer to 3-6 cents per piece. That really adds up for sets with 5,000 or more pieces!

Next, Mould King bricks are super sturdy and snap on just as well as Lego pieces. They often have a slightly stronger clutch (meaning they are more difficult to pull apart), which I actually prefer.

Colors and tones may vary between brands, but the construction experience is equally gratifying and long-lasting. If anything, Mould King parts are more challenging to dissemble because they lock in extra tightly!

One of the scariest elements of buying off-brand bricks is missing pieces, and Mould King has you covered there too. For me, the miss rate is roughly the same as Lego, and the customer service is quick to send replacement pieces straight from the factory.

Another upside is the lack of Lego FOMO. Mould King sets don’t retire, and their value doesn’t skyrocket post-retirement like Lego sets do. They’re not collector’s items, they’re made for building, displaying, and enjoying.

Who is Mould King for?

Much like Lego, Mould King is a brick-building brand that creates innovative, modern sets for all ages.

On the other hand, the apparent complexity of specific projects doesn’t always seem to match the recommended ages. For instance, you can find large structures with thousands of pieces marketed for hobbyists ages 8+.

In this sense, Lego is undoubtedly more strict. The brand features a variety of categories specifically curated to accommodate all ages based on skill level and theme relatability: you won’t find Creator 3 in 1 Lego sets or Duplo-like blocks on Mould King!

Another example of this is the Military theme. The company sells a life-sized Kar98k rifle, and it’s listed for ages 8 and up. I don’t know about you, but to me this doesn’t seem appropriate for a third-grader. Unsurprisingly, these sets are not available on Amazon.

As a result, I think it’s better to try Mould King sets after having had some experience with brick-building, whether with Lego sets for adults or other Lego alternatives. Most of these sets are adult-oriented sets with a difficulty to match.

However, more recently the company has released a line of miniature car sets in its “Super Value Picks” lineup that are more suitable for younger builders. These are comparable to Lego Speed Champions sets, and can be a great gateway into larger, more complex Mould King builds.

Popular Mould King themes

Mould King hits many of the same themes as Lego, with a few notable additions. Here are the most popular:

• Cars
• Construction
• Space wars
• Robot
• Architect
• Armor/weapons
• Boats
• Flowers
• Trains

However, from a user standpoint, it’s important to point out that you may take a while to understand which sets fall under each category. Why? Because the brand’s official website features category denominations different from those printed on their packaging, Amazon, and other sellers.

For example, some websites refer to a Space Wars theme. However, Mould King doesn’t hold licensing for the famous franchise. Therefore, while based on iconic Star Wars references, its “Space wars series” (as indicated on the official website) isn’t an official collaboration between the brick-building company and Lucasfilm Ltd.

Best Mould King sets

Next are some of the brand’s best sets per theme, including motorized options, modular building kits, Mould King Star Wars MOCs, and more.

Mould King Space Wars sets

The Stars series features MOC sets inspired by famous Star Wars references, movie scenes, and more. These do not carry an official license, and thus are not available on Amazon.

Mould King architect building sets

Mould King’s architect category features detailed depictions of dynamic city settings, buildings, rides, venues, and more.

Mould King floral and botanical sets

Mould King’s collection of Lego flower alternatives has been growing, and includes both large and small display sets worth trying for botanical fans!

Mould King Engineering sets

These are fantastic alternatives to official Lego Technic sets featuring motorized, STEM-inspired, remote-controlled models.

Mould King ship sets

Mould King ship models are perfect for ambitious brick builders looking for hours of entertainment to assemble stunning seafaring-inspired displays.

Mould King car sets

Lovers of cars and vintage vehicles will appreciate the superb designs of these classic car models. Some unique to Mould King only!

Mould King railway sets

Perfect for youngsters and a worthy alternative to more expensive Lego train sets. They’re also remote-controlled for extra fun!

FAQs

Is Mould King expensive?

Mould King sets are relatively inexpensive and much more affordable than official Legos. When calculating per piece, they typically cost roughly half of what a similar-sized Lego set would cost at retail.

How can I get replacement Mould King pieces?

If your Mould King set is missing a piece, you can request a replacement via a form on the official website. This works regardless of where you bought the set, but you will need to provide the SKU, barcode number, and an identification code from the instruction manual.

Are there Mould King Star Wars sets?

Mould King is home to a Star Wars-inspired category called “Space wars” or the “Space series.” It features excellent imitations of Lego Star Wars creations but isn’t the result of an official or licensed collaboration with the franchise.

What are Mould King Mechanical sets?

These sets are equivalent to Lego’s Technic category. The main focus of these models is to encourage youngsters and up to experiment with technology, motorized models, and engineering skills through the entertainment of brick-building.

How are Mould King mechanical sets powered?

Some of the brand’s motorized sets include remote controls and other machinery.

However, this isn’t always the case. Therefore, check if these features come in your set before buying. If you’re required to purchase these tools separately, you can do so through the brand’s line of accessories.

When was Mould King founded, and where is it based?

The Mould King company was founded in 2012 and is based in Chenghai, China.

Fun fact: The district of Chenghai is located in the city of Shantou (Guangdong Province), known as the “City of Toys and Gifts.”