Robert Earl

Founder and reviewer, The Earl of Bricks

The short version

I have been building LEGO seriously for over a decade. I started The Earl of Bricks because I wanted reviews written by someone who actually builds the sets, not just photographs the box. Every review on this site is written by me, based on a hands-on build. I do not accept payment for reviews, and I always disclose when a set was provided by a manufacturer.

What I collect

My collection runs across most adult LEGO themes - Creator Expert, Icons, Art, Technic, Speed Champions, and City. I also review third-party sets from Lumibricks and LetBricks, which I evaluate using the same five-category scoring system I apply to official LEGO: build experience, technique value, parts haul, display quality, and value for money.

My collection is tracked and managed in GameSetBrick, a free app I built specifically for LEGO collectors. It handles vault tracking, market values, and wishlists. You can find it at gamesetbrick.com.

How I score sets

Every review uses a five-category system, each scored out of 10. The categories are:

• Build Experience - how enjoyable the actual build process is, step by step
• Technique Value - interesting building techniques, clever parts usage, things worth studying
• Parts Haul - useful parts for MOCing, rare colors, elements you will actually want in your collection
• Display Quality - how good it looks on a shelf, in a layout, or as a centerpiece
• Value for Money - the price-per-piece ratio and how it compares to similar sets

The overall score is an average of the five. I do not weight any category above another - a set can have a miserable parts haul and still score well if the build and display are exceptional.

Affiliate disclosure

Some links on this site are affiliate links - primarily Amazon, LEGO.com via Rakuten, Lumibricks, and LetBricks. If you click through and purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence scores or editorial decisions. Sets provided by manufacturers for review are always disclosed at the top of the relevant review.

Contact

For corrections, set suggestions, or manufacturer inquiries, reach out via the editorial policy page. I read every message, though I cannot guarantee a response to every one.