I haven’t built either cat myself, so consider this a researched buying guide pulled from LEGO’s own product pages and hands-on reviews from other builders, not a personal hands-on test.

What you actually get in each set

The Tuxedo Cat came first, launching in June 2024 as LEGO Ideas set #57, built from a fan project simply called “Cat.” It has 1,710 pieces, comes with a swap between yellow or blue eyes, and lets you rebuild the mouth open or closed by switching out a lower-lip piece. The head spins a full 360 degrees, and the ears, paws, and tail all move enough to change the pose.

The Orange Cat followed in March 2026, and it’s less a new set than a deliberate recolour. It has 1,755 pieces — 45 more than the original — built mostly in warm nougat tones instead of black and white. LEGO also refined the mouth mechanism here: instead of swapping a piece, you can open and close it directly, which is a small but real upgrade if you plan to display the cat with different expressions over time. Eye colour swaps between green and brown. The build is mirrored from the Tuxedo Cat, so the tail sits on the opposite side.

Each set has more than 1,700 pieces for right around $100, which is a solid piece count for the price if you compare it to other LEGO display models — and unlike sets padded out with small filler pieces, most of what’s in the box here are substantial, useful elements.

Comparison at a glance

Is the Orange Cat worth buying if you already have the Tuxedo Cat?

If you’re a completist or a cat owner who wants a colour match, yes — the Orange Cat is different enough in colour and mouth mechanism to feel like its own build, not a repaint you’ve already done. If you already own a Tuxedo Cat and aren’t especially attached to owning every colour LEGO releases, it’s a nicer-to-have than a must-have.

I like that LEGO went back to an Ideas theme set for a colour variant at all. Recolours have shown up elsewhere in the LEGO catalogue before, but this is the first time an Ideas set — a model chosen by fan vote — has received a second official colourway. That’s a neat nod to how much the community clearly wanted an orange cat after the first one sold well.

Who should buy one (or both)

• Cat owners: Especially if your own cat happens to be black-and-white or orange — the interchangeable eyes allow you to match your pet’s look closely.
• Adult LEGO collectors (AFOLs): Builders who appreciate clever SNOT techniques and organic shaping in display models.
• Gift shoppers: Note that these are 18+ static display pieces with limited play value, making them best suited for home/office décor rather than kids’ play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the LEGO Orange Cat a completely new set or just a recoloured Tuxedo Cat?

It’s mostly a recolour with real design refinements: 45 additional pieces, warm nougat-toned bricks, mirrored tail positioning, and a redesigned mouth that opens and closes directly without rebuilding parts.

Do the eyes on 21349 and 21376 fit into each other’s cat?

Yes. LEGO officially designed the eye modules to be fully cross-compatible, meaning you can swap the yellow, blue, green, and brown eyes freely between both cats.

How many pieces does the LEGO Tuxedo Cat have compared to the Orange Cat?

The Tuxedo Cat contains 1,710 pieces, while the Orange Cat contains 1,755 pieces.

Are these sets good value for money?

At approximately $100 / €100 for over 1,700 pieces (around 5.7¢ per piece), both sets offer exceptional value compared to typical licensed adult LEGO sets.

Verdict

Both cats are well-built, high-value display models. Choose the Tuxedo Cat if you prefer classic monochrome styling, or the Orange Cat if you want the upgraded direct-mouth mechanism and warmer tones. If you are a dedicated fan or have multiple cats, displaying them as a pair looks fantastic on any shelf.

Which one fits your shelf (or your actual cat) better — the classic tuxedo look or the new orange colourway?