Head-to-head
LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr vs LEGO Icons Ghostbusters Ecto-1
Both built. Both reviewed. Here's how they actually compare on the things that matter.
Set #10333
LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr
Sauron's tower. The Eye of Sauron. 5,471 pieces of pure Mordor. The dark counterpart to Rivendell — and the LOTR LEGO display that completes the franchise.
Set #10274
LEGO Icons Ghostbusters Ecto-1
The Ecto-1. Working sirens (visual). Equipment bay. Proton packs. The most accurate Ghostbusters LEGO set ever shipped.
By the numbers
The spec sheet.
| Metric | LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr | LEGO Icons Ghostbusters Ecto-1 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Pieces | 5,471WINS | 2,352 |
| MSRP | $459.99 | $199.99WINS |
| Price per piece | $0.08WINS | $0.09 |
| Verdict | Must buy | Must buy |
| Best for | Lord of the Rings fans, fantasy builders, and serious LEGO Icons collectors with substantial display space. | Ghostbusters fans, classic-car enthusiasts, and Icons collectors expanding their vehicle fleet. |
Pros & cons
What I actually noticed.
LEGO Icons The Lord of the Rings: Barad-dûr
Pros
- 5,471 pieces — dark counterpart to the [Rivendell (10316)](/reviews/rivendell)
- The Eye of Sauron at the top, with the iconic flame-tipped silhouette
- 10 minifigures including Sauron, the Witch-King, Mouth of Sauron
- Mt. Doom-adjacent base with lava flow detail
- Black Gate of Mordor sub-build at the base
Cons
- Tower height is 84cm — measure ceiling clearance
- $460 commitment matches a UCS Star Wars flagship
- Some sticker work on the Eye of Sauron
LEGO Icons Ghostbusters Ecto-1
Pros
- Iconic 1959 Cadillac Ecto-1 silhouette with movie-accurate proportions
- Working sirens (visual rotation, not lit)
- Equipment bay with proton packs, ghost trap, and PKE meter
- Opening doors, hood, and trunk for full interior access
- Roof-mounted equipment is removable for transport-mode display
Cons
- No included minifig (it's a vehicle, not a vignette)
- Some sticker work on the side panels and windows
- Size demands a wider shelf than the [Land Rover Defender](/reviews/land-rover)
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.