Retro Record Player

Name: LEGO Retro Record Player 40699
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 40699
Rating: 4.69 (77 reviews)

65 · MIXED REVIEWSINVESTMENT GRADE: BB2024310 pcsHigh agreement · 92%

Expert reviews

3analyzed

Owner ratings

Consensus

BUY

BrickScore

Mixed Reviews

Owners

Synthesized Verdict

"Scoring a BrickScore of 65.2, the Retro Record Player is a delightful novelty GWP that vinyl fans and casual builders will enjoy, but expert reviewers agree it falls short of the year's best bonus builds — making it a charming freebie rather than a must-chase collectible."

The LEGO 40699 Retro Record Player is a charming, compact GWP that earns genuine affection from vinyl lovers and casual builders alike, thanks to its all-pad-printed decoration and surprisingly detailed functional features. Expert reviewers are more measured, praising the novelty and interactive elements while flagging its small scale, awkward spinning mechanism, and modest value proposition against a steep £225/$250/€250 spending threshold. Owner reviews are overwhelmingly enthusiastic, frequently calling it a fun, quick, rewarding build — though a recurring wish for a larger, more detailed ICONS-style version suggests the current execution leaves appetite unsatisfied.

Where they split: Owner/buyer reviews are uniformly glowing (near-perfect scores across the board), while expert reviewers from Brick Fanatics and Hoth Bricks land in the 55–65 range and advise waiting. The split is largely about context: owners who received it as a free gift feel it over-delivers, while critics evaluating it against the €250 purchase threshold and the broader 2024 GWP lineup find it underwhelming.

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LOVED (8)

01All decoration is pad-printed — not a single sticker in sight
02Multiple functional details: rotating record (via rear gear), swinging needle arm, volume dial, on/off slider, speed-control slider, and a kickstand to prop the dust cover open
03Transparent hinged dust cover adds realism and visual appeal
04Printed record label tiles and printed rotary dial are standout part highlights
05Three different colour Technic pins (red, white, grey) representing back-panel sockets are a clever touch
06Compact and displayable — works well on a desk or shelf
07Strong nostalgic appeal for vinyl aficionados and music lovers
08Fun, breezy build well-suited to a relaxed evening session

CRITICIZED (8)

01The turntable spinning mechanism requires reaching behind the build to operate — no front-facing control
02Needle arm can rotate but cannot be lifted to place the stylus on the record
03Diminutive scale undermines the realism that makes comparable sets (e.g., the Typewriter) convincing
04Record is too thick relative to scale
05Transparent lid pieces frequently arrive scratched due to lack of individual protective packaging — a quality-control concern for a limited-edition item
06Looks more like a modern record player than a genuinely retro one
07High €250/£225/$250 minimum spend is a steep ask for what is a fairly small, simplified build
08Considered weaker than several other standout 2024 LEGO Insiders Weekend GWPs

What reviewers are saying

"this is a cute and charming model and an awesome gift with purchase, one that will particularly appeal to vinyl aficionados"

Brickset Reviews

"This year's big LEGO Insiders Weekend gift-with-purchase is fun, novel and functional, but doesn't quite stand out in a year of stellar gifts."

Brick Fanatics

"everything here is pad printed, not a shadow of a sticker in sight"

Hoth Bricks

Ecosystem

21327 Typewriter — The Typewriter might fool someone that it is the real thing at certain angles, whereas the Retro Record Player's small size prevents that illusion despite being cute and charming.

21345 Polaroid OneStep SX-70 Camera — Like the Typewriter, the Camera might pass as realistic due to scale, whereas the Record Player's diminutive size is less convincing but still charming.

6471611 Buildable Cassette Player — 40699 Retro Record Player brings more to the table both visually and functionally with a handful of printed pieces and some involved features, but the Cassette Player set was an earlier precedent in this novelty gift-with-purchase category.

Other 2024 LEGO Insiders Weekend gifts-with-purchase — Compared to many of the other gifts-with-purchase from 2024, it's lacking and struggles to stand out due to how exceptional this year has been for the bonus builds. It's not the best gift-with-purchase of 2024, even with the high threshold.

MiscellaneousTier 2Investment Grade

By Reviewer · 3

Avg score

Consensus

BUY

Brickset Reviews

Editorial Source

BUY

"this is a cute and charming model and an awesome gift with purchase, one that will particularly appeal to vinyl aficionados"

Key Pros

✓Cute and charming model
✓All features present and correct
✓Built-in mechanism for rotating turntable

Key Cons

✕Arm cannot be lifted to place stylus on record
✕Diminutive size

READ FULL REVIEW

Brick Fanatics

Expert Video Source

WAIT FOR SALE

"This year's big LEGO Insiders Weekend gift-with-purchase is fun, novel and functional, but doesn't quite stand out in a year of stellar gifts."

Key Pros

✓Visually appealing with transparent elements and retro design
✓Functional spinning record mechanism
✓Interactive aspects with multiple switches and turning features

Key Cons

✕Functionality leaves something to be desired
✕Main spinning function requires reaching behind the build rather than having a proper external mechanism

JUMP TO REVIEW

Hoth Bricks

Expert Video Source

WAIT FOR SALE

"everything here is pad printed, not a shadow of a sticker in sight"

Key Pros

✓All pad-printed decoration—no stickers
✓Functional details: rotating record, movable needle, volume button, record cover support
✓Nostalgic design appeals to those who remember vintage record players

Key Cons

✕Transparent lid pieces frequently arrive scratched due to lack of individual packaging protection
✕Simplified, small-scale design may disappoint serious nostalgia fans or LEGO ICONS enthusiasts

JUMP TO REVIEW

Dimensional Analysis

Investment Layer

Buy now (2)Wait for sale (1)

Exclusivity

Brickset Reviews: GWP (Gift with Purchase) available during LEGO Insiders Weekend 23-24 November 2024 when spending exceeds £225 / $250 / €250 at LEGO.com

Brick Fanatics: Gift-with-purchase exclusive for LEGO Insiders Weekend November 23-24, 2024, with minimum order threshold of £225/$250/€250

Resale

Brickset Reviews: Uncertain; availability as a widely-distributed GWP suggests limited aftermarket premium, though some buyers expressed interest in acquiring on secondary market.

Hoth Bricks: Unclear; reviewer suggests limited edition may drive collector interest but questions the set's overall appeal

Minifigures & Standout Parts

Standout parts (per reviewers)

Transparent dust cover
Custom element for this set representing the functional cover of a record player
Three different colour Technic pins (red, white, grey)
Representing speaker and power supply sockets on the back
Printed rotary dial
Represents volume control
Printed record label tiles
Detailed label design on the record
Transparent elements
Used to create visual appeal and authenticity in the record player design
Printed pieces
Contribute to the detailed, functional appearance of the retro record player