Head-to-head
LEGO Icons Back to the Future Time Machine vs LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell
Both built. Both reviewed. Here's how they actually compare on the things that matter.
Set #10300
LEGO Icons Back to the Future Time Machine
The 1.21-gigawatt build. Three configurations, every callback from the films, and a minifig Marty and Doc that actually look like Marty and Doc.
Set #10316
LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell
Elrond's hidden valley. Five sub-buildings. Fifteen minifigures. The most ambitious LOTR LEGO set ever made — and the most stunning.
By the numbers
The spec sheet.
| Metric | LEGO Icons Back to the Future Time Machine | LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Pieces | 1,872 | 6,167WINS |
| MSRP | $199.99WINS | $499.99 |
| Price per piece | $0.11 | $0.08WINS |
| Verdict | Must buy | Must buy |
| Best for | BTTF fans, 80s nostalgia builders, and anyone who wants a small-footprint Icons set with serious display energy. | Lord of the Rings fans, fantasy builders, and serious LEGO Icons collectors with substantial display space. |
Pros & cons
What I actually noticed.
LEGO Icons Back to the Future Time Machine
Pros
- Three movie-accurate configurations (BTTF1 road, BTTF2 hover, BTTF3 rail)
- Marty and Doc minifigs are the best versions LEGO has ever made
- Mr. Fusion, hover wheels, time-circuit display — every iconic detail is in there
- Compact footprint — fits a small shelf, unlike most Icons cars
- Easy 5–7 hour build, perfect for a weekend
Cons
- Hover-mode wheel swap takes 60 seconds and isn't elegant
- Side-vent stickers are unforgiving if you've never applied LEGO stickers before
- The flux capacitor light kit isn't included (third-party only)
LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell
Pros
- 6,167 pieces — one of the largest single LEGO Icons sets ever made
- Five sub-buildings, plus the Council of Elrond gazebo
- 15 minifigures including all 9 members of the Fellowship
- Waterfall, river, and full elven-valley landscape detail
- The Shards of Narsil display alone is worth the build effort
Cons
- Footprint is enormous — 72cm × 39cm — measure before ordering
- $500 commitment matches a UCS Star Wars flagship
- Build is 26+ hours — serious time investment
Made up your mind?
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Comparison generated from our individual reviews. Pros, cons, and ratings come from full hands-on builds — see each review for the complete take.