Article Summary

JMBricklayer offers LEGO-compatible sets at 40-60% lower prices. But is the quality there? We tested multiple sets to see if this 2022 newcomer deserves a spot in your collection alongside (or instead of) LEGO.

LEGO prices keep climbing. A decent Technic set now runs $150-300. So when JMBricklayer offers similar-looking sets at $50-80, the question is obvious: Is this too good to be true?

JMBricklayer (which stands for "Joy Makes Brilliance") entered the building block market in 2022 and has quickly gained attention as a serious LEGO alternative. Unlike knockoff brands that copy LEGO designs, JMBricklayer creates original sets. But does original mean quality?

I tested multiple JMBricklayer sets and compared them directly to LEGO. Here's what I found.

Quick Answer: JMBricklayer delivers 85-90% of LEGO's quality at 40-60% of the price. Bricks are fully LEGO-compatible with strong clutch power. Best for budget-conscious builders who want large display pieces. LEGO still wins for licensed themes, perfect quality standards, and investment potential.

Key Differences at a Glance

  • Price Per Piece: JMBricklayer ~$0.04-0.05 vs LEGO ~$0.08-0.12 (40-60% savings)
  • LEGO Compatibility: Yes, fully compatible with LEGO and Technic pieces
  • Quality: 85-90% of LEGO - strong clutch, accurate colors, occasional minor fitting variations
  • Designs: JMBricklayer creates originals (ships, animals, military) vs LEGO's licensed themes
  • Stickers: JMBricklayer pre-applies stickers vs LEGO's DIY sticker sheets
  • Customer Rating: 4.3/5 on Trustpilot with strong customer service reputation

Price Comparison: The Real Numbers

Metric JMBricklayer LEGO Winner
Price Per Piece $0.04-0.05 $0.08-0.12 JMBricklayer
1,500 Piece Set $60-75 $120-180 JMBricklayer
2,500 Piece Set $70-100 $200-300 JMBricklayer
Frequent Sales 20-50% off common Rarely discounted JMBricklayer

Real Example: The JMBricklayer Bismarck Battleship (60015) offers 2,537 pieces for $69.99 - that's just 2.8 cents per piece. A comparable LEGO Technic set would cost $200+.

Quality Comparison

Quality Factor JMBricklayer LEGO Winner
Clutch Power Excellent Perfect LEGO
Color Accuracy Very Good Perfect LEGO
Piece Consistency Good (occasional variance) Excellent LEGO
Instruction Quality Clear, kid-friendly Excellent Tie
Pre-Applied Stickers Yes (time saver) No (DIY) JMBricklayer
Replacement Parts Available, good support Excellent support LEGO
LEGO Compatibility Full compatibility N/A Tie

Popular JMBricklayer Themes

JMBricklayer doesn't copy LEGO sets. Instead, they create original designs in categories LEGO doesn't fully cover:

  • Age of Sail: Detailed sailing ships and naval vessels
  • Military World: Tanks, battleships, military vehicles (themes LEGO avoids)
  • Fantastic Animals: Mechanical dragons, mystical creatures, and nature builds
  • Mecha Warriors: Large robot and mech builds
  • Art Classics: Decorative display pieces and artistic builds
  • Track Wheels: Vehicles and Technic-style motorized sets

Pros and Cons

JMBricklayer Pros

  • 40-60% cheaper than LEGO
  • Fully LEGO-compatible
  • Original designs in unique themes
  • Pre-applied stickers save time
  • Strong customer service and parts replacement
  • Great for large display builds on a budget

JMBricklayer Cons

  • No licensed themes (Star Wars, Marvel, etc.)
  • Occasional minor fitting inconsistencies
  • No resale/investment value
  • Less established brand recognition
  • Quality slightly below LEGO's perfect standards

Who Should Buy JMBricklayer?

JMBricklayer Is Perfect For:

  • Budget-conscious builders who want more bricks for less money
  • Display collectors who want impressive large sets without the premium price
  • Military and ship enthusiasts (themes LEGO doesn't offer)
  • Parents buying sets for kids' parties or group activities
  • Builders who want variety alongside their LEGO collection

Stick With LEGO If:

  • You want licensed themes (Star Wars, Harry Potter, Marvel)
  • You're building for investment/resale value
  • You need absolutely perfect quality every time
  • Brand recognition matters to you

The Verdict

JMBricklayer: Excellent Budget Alternative

JMBricklayer isn't trying to be LEGO. They're creating their own space in the market with original designs at accessible prices. At 4-5 cents per piece, you're getting legitimate building block quality that's fully compatible with your existing LEGO collection.

Is it perfect? No. You'll occasionally notice a piece that doesn't fit as snugly as LEGO, or colors that are 95% rather than 100% accurate. But for 40-60% savings, those minor differences are easy to accept.

Bottom line: If you want more bricks for your money and don't need licensed themes, JMBricklayer is absolutely worth trying. Use the savings to buy even more sets.

Shop JMBricklayer on Amazon Browse LEGO Sets

Updated November 2025. Prices and availability subject to change. We tested multiple JMBricklayer sets for this review.