The LEGO SMART Brick won The Verge’s Best in Show award at CES 2026. It is the central component of LEGO SMART Play, a screen-free platform that LEGO says makes builds respond to play; the award was The Verge’s editorial choice, not an official CES award.
The recognition is an unusual pick for consumer electronics coverage: it honors a familiar building toy rather than a conventional gadget. LEGO announced SMART Play sets for launch on March 1, 2026, but current prices, stock, and standalone SMART Brick availability have not been verified.
What The Verge’s Best in Show award means
The Verge selected the LEGO SMART Brick as its Best in Show winner in its CES 2026 awards coverage. Senior editor Sean Hollister wrote, “I never would’ve imagined a Lego brick taking home our biggest award at the Consumer Electronics Show, and I say that as a diehard Lego fan.”
This is The Verge’s editorial judgment, not an objective industry-wide ranking or a CES-organized award. The choice can be understood as recognition of a physical toy that adds responsive electronics while remaining part of LEGO’s building system. That explanation is analysis of the selection, not a formal scoring rationale published by the award organizers.
#1 Best Overall
- INTERACTIVE SET – Relive Star Wars: Return of the Jedi action with this Throne Room Duel & A-Wing (75427) All-In-One Set, powered by the LEGO SMART Play system, with 2 SMART Bricks and a charger
- POWER UP LIGHTSABER BATTLES – Place the SMART Bricks on the dueling arms to hear SMART Luke Skywalker and SMART Darth Vader’s Lightsabers hum as they duel
- 3 LEGO SMART MINIFIGURES – Bring SMART Luke Skywalker, SMART Emperor Palpatine and SMART Darth Vader to life with the SMART Brick for immersive play, triggering reactions to situations they encounter
- 5 SMART TAGS – SMART Tags for the A-wing, throne, Death Star turret and Lightsaber duels (2 tags), activate the SMART Brick with dynamic sounds and lights in response to how kids move and play
- LEGO STAR WARS GIFT FOR KIDS – Boys, girls and any fans ages 9 and up can enjoy screen-free imaginative play with this cool building toy that’s great for solo play or battles with friends
What is the LEGO SMART Brick?
LEGO describes the SMART Brick as a 2×4 brick at the heart of its SMART Play platform. According to LEGO, it recognizes SMART Tags and SMART Minifigures and has a built-in accelerometer that detects how the brick moves through the air. LEGO says those inputs can make builds respond to play.
LEGO calls SMART Play a screen-free platform and says it is compatible with the existing LEGO System-in-Play. Its product information also describes a companion app for adjusting settings, installing updates, and getting help. These are LEGO’s stated features; the available research does not establish independent testing of reliability, range, sound quality, battery life, or children’s responses.
Which LEGO sets include SMART Bricks?
LEGO announced Star Wars sets as the first SMART Play lineup. One announced example is LEGO Star Wars SMART Play Throne Room Duel & A-wing, set 75427. LEGO listed two SMART Bricks, three SMART Minifigures, and five SMART Tags in that set.
Rank #2
- INTERACTIVE BUILDING TOY – Bring Star Wars missions to life with Luke’s Red Five X-Wing (75423) All-In-One Set, powered by the LEGO SMART Play system, with a SMART Brick and charger
- POWER UP THE X-WING – Place the SMART Brick in the X-wing for motion-activated engine sounds and lights, laser-shooting noises, plus refueling and repair sounds
- 2 LEGO SMART MINIFIGURES – Bring SMART Luke Skywalker and SMART Princess Leia to life with the SMART Brick for immersive play, triggering reactions to situations they experience
- 5 SMART TAGS – SMART Tags for the X-wing, Imperial turret, transporter, command center and R2-D2 activate the SMART Brick with dynamic sounds and lights in response to how kids move and play
- LEGO SMART PLAY GIFT FOR KIDS – Boys and girls ages 6 and up who love Star Wars can enjoy screen-free action play with this innovative set that’s great for solo play or battling with friends
LEGO’s launch announcement listed the set at $159.99 in the US and said SMART Play would launch on March 1, 2026, through LEGO.com, LEGO Stores, and select retailers in launch markets. Those are historical announcement details, not confirmation of current October 2026 price or stock.
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The clearest way to try the system is to choose a LEGO SMART Play set that explicitly includes SMART Bricks. Check the exact listing for included components, theme, build size, age guidance, current price, and availability. The research identifies one example, not a complete or current lineup; it does not confirm that the Brick is sold separately.
| What to check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Included SMART Bricks | A SMART Play set may include different components; verify that the specific set contains the Brick. |
| SMART Tags and SMART Minifigures | LEGO says the Brick recognizes these components as part of the interactive system. |
| Theme, build size, and age guidance | These help determine whether a set suits the intended builder. |
| Current price and availability | Announced launch details do not establish today’s retailer price or stock. |
Why the award is an unusual choice
CES awards often spotlight consumer electronics, but the SMART Brick is part of a toy system built around physical construction. Its appeal is the combination of responsive electronics and familiar LEGO building, rather than replacing the building experience with a screen.
Rank #3
- INCLUDES A LEGO SMART BRICK – The LEGO Pokémon SMART Play: Training House with Pikachu (72164) building toy is a LEGO SMART Play All-in-One Set, which features a Pokémon figure, a SMART Brick, a SMART Charger and 4 SMART Tags to power up interactive play
- INTERACTIVE POKÉMON ADVENTURES – When the SMART Brick is built into the Pikachu figure, it will generate responsive lights and sounds when it comes close to a SMART Tag, such as when training for battles
- YOU ARE THE TRAINER NOW – The SMART Brick will respond with lights, sounds and other interactions as it moves close to a SMART Tag or reacts to how kids move and play, creating endless Pokémon adventures with Pikachu
- SCREEN-FREE PLAYTIME – Kids join friends and family to prepare Pikachu for battle and embark on endless role-play adventures with the popular Pokémon
- WHAT’S IN THE BOX – Includes 1 SMART Brick (approx. 45 minutes of play per charge, compatible with other SMART Play sets), 1 SMART Charger, 4 SMART Tags, a brick-built Pikachu figure, a treehouse playset and more
That makes the choice notable, but it should not be mistaken for an independent product test. The Verge’s award recognizes a product at the show; the available sources do not establish a long-term evaluation of how the system performs in homes.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Are The Verge’s CES 2026 awards official CES awards?
No. The LEGO SMART Brick received The Verge’s editorial Best in Show award. It was not identified as a CES-organized award.
How does LEGO SMART Play work?
LEGO says the SMART Brick recognizes SMART Tags and SMART Minifigures and detects its movement using a built-in accelerometer. LEGO describes the platform as screen-free and says builds can respond to play.
Rank #4
- COMPATIBLE WITH LEGO SMART BRICK (NOT INCLUDED) - Let your kids immerse themselves (ages 8 years old and older) in the Star Wars universe by placing a LEGO SMART BRICK (included separately in All-in-One sets) in the cantina that brings it to life with music, singing, roars, and other playful sounds
- 5 LEGO STAR WARS MINIFIGURES – Role-play Star Wars: A New Hope scenes on the Tatooine desert planet with SMART Obi-Wan Kenobi and SMART Greedo, a Sandtrooper and 2 Band member LEGO minifigures
- DETAILED MOS EISLEY CANTINA FEATURES – Activate the ejector couches to send an enemy flying, order a glass of blue milk, join the Modal Nodes for karaoke on stage, take the Dewback for a ride, and more
- ACTIVATE THE SMART PLAY SYSTEM – The 3 SMART Tags and 2 LEGO SMART Minifigures activate the SMART Brick from All-In-One Sets (sold separately) for responsive play with dynamic sounds and lights
- GIFT FOR KIDS AND STAR WARS FANS – This fun-packed set makes an awesome Star Wars gift for imaginative kids, boys and girls ages 8 and up who enjoy role play
Which LEGO sets include SMART Bricks?
LEGO announced Star Wars sets as the first SMART Play lineup. Its announcement identified set 75427, SMART Play Throne Room Duel & A-wing, as including two SMART Bricks, three SMART Minifigures, and five SMART Tags. Check current set listings for the complete lineup and exact contents.
Can you buy the LEGO SMART Brick by itself?
The research does not confirm standalone sales. LEGO announced the Brick as part of the SMART Play system, so verify the contents of a specific set before buying.
What was the announced launch date and price for set 75427?
LEGO announced a March 1, 2026 launch and a US launch price of $159.99 for set 75427. These are announcement details, not verified current pricing or availability.
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