Updated July 2026
Connetix vs Kmart tiles: what 3x the price actually buys
This is the comparison Australian parents actually make, and shops that stock Connetix are too polite to answer it straight. We do not stock anything, so: the Kmart tiles are genuinely fine for what they are, and the price gap is genuinely earned. Both things are true.
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Where the money goes
- Magnets, roughly double.Connetix magnets are about twice the size of the Anko set's. Flat patterns feel identical; anything vertical does not. A Kmart tower wobbles at heights a Connetix tower shrugs at.
- Sealed construction. Connetix rivets its shells shut around the magnets. The Anko tiles have no rivets and visible seam gaps on some pieces, which is why they need more frequent damage checks. This is the one difference with a safety dimension, not just a performance one.
- Colour and clarity. Connetix tiles are saturated and optically clear; Anko tiles are thinner and washier. Kids do not care at three. Some care a lot at six.
- A company behind it.Connetix handles warranty and replacement parts in Australia. Kmart's answer to a failed tile is the returns desk.
When Kmart is the right answer
Testing interest, buying for a toddler who will mostly stack and scatter, extending a collection with cheap flat-section inventory, or equipping grandma's house. Because the footprints match, none of that money is wasted if you upgrade later; the Anko tiles keep working as walls and floors alongside Connetix structure. See the compatibility guide for how mixing plays out.
When Connetix is the right answer
A child who already builds daily, gift-buying for the long haul, or any household that knows it will end up with the big collection. The premium set priced per year of use is cheaper than it looks, and the strong-magnet ceiling is what keeps eight-year-olds building. Our first-pack guide has the specific pack recommendation by budget.
Check Connetix prices on Amazon AUBuy direct from Connetix
Common questions
- Do Kmart magnetic tiles connect to Connetix?
- Yes, directly. They share the standard footprint and magnet spacing. Connetix magnets are much stronger, so mixed builds fail at the Kmart joints first; most families use Kmart tiles for flat sections and Connetix for structure.
- Are Kmart magnetic tiles any good?
- For flat patterns, simple builds and testing whether your child likes the toy, yes. The magnets are roughly half the strength of Connetix and the shells are not riveted, so check them for damage more often and expect tall builds to be frustrating.
- Is Connetix worth the extra money over Kmart?
- For a child who builds regularly, yes: stronger magnets raise the ceiling of what is buildable, riveted seals keep the magnets enclosed, and the tiles hold their look for years. For an unproven interest, start with Kmart and upgrade without losing anything.