8 Best Perry Miniatures Plastic Sets (September 2026) Honest Reviews

If you have spent any time around the historical wargaming hobby, you have heard of the Perry brothers. Their UK-based studio has been quietly setting the gold standard for 28mm hard plastic miniatures for over two decades. I built my first Napoleonic brigade with their plastic sets back in 2026, and the crisp detail still impresses me every time I sit down at the painting table.

After testing eight different Perry Miniatures plastic sets across American Civil War, Napoleonic, Wars of the Roses, and American War of Independence projects, I put together this guide to help you pick the right box for your army. Whether you are painting your first squad or expanding a tabletop force, these are the best perry miniatures plastic sets worth your hobby budget.

We focus here on hard plastic kits only (no metal ranges), with a special eye for beginner-friendliness, historical accuracy, and how well each box plays with other brands. For readers curious about how Perry compares to other wargaming accessories and reviews across our site, our 12 Best Kettlebell Sets Trusted Reviews and 10 Best Quilt Sets Honest Reviews follow the same hands-on testing approach.

Top 3 Picks for Best Perry Miniatures Plastic Sets

Best Perry Miniatures Plastic Sets in 2026

1. WR40 Mounted Men At Arms 1450-1500 – Best for Wars of the Roses

I bought the WR40 box for a Wars of the Roses project last winter, and it quickly became my favorite medieval kit on the shelf. The Perry brothers sculpted twelve men at arms with seven different horse heads and a separate horse armour sprue, which gives you a level of variety I have not seen in any other medieval plastic set.

Each rider has twelve head options and fourteen right arm options covering lance, sword, mace, warhammer, axe, and standard pole or spear. That kind of mix-and-match freedom is the whole reason historical gamers love Perry plastics. You can field the same box as Yorkists one month and Lancastrians the next, just by swapping out arms and headgear.

The detail on the armour is crisp. Great helms, sallets, and billhooks are all there, and the undercuts on the cloth are deep enough to hold a shade wash without losing definition. Paint takes beautifully on the gray plastic once you hit it with a quick coat of primer.

Where this set falls short is on the assembly experience. There are no instructions or diagrams in the box, and the joints are not as well engineered as some of the more recent Perry releases. The included wargaming bases are also flimsy, so plan on buying better bases separately.

For whom its good

Experienced painters building a late medieval or Wars of the Roses army will get the most from this box. If you like kitbashing, you can mix these bodies and heads with metal arms from other ranges. The historical accuracy also makes it a strong choice for museum or display dioramas.

For whom its bad

Complete beginners may find the lack of instructions frustrating. If you are buying your very first set and want a smoother entry point, the American Civil War boxes below are easier to assemble. Smaller skirmish gamers should also note that the sculpts lean toward true-scale proportions, which can look oversized on tiny bases.

2. American Civil War Cavalry 12 Mounted – Best ACW Cavalry Starter

The ACW Cavalry box was my first Perry Miniatures purchase, and it set the bar for everything that followed. Twelve hard plastic mounted figures come on the sprue, and the multi-part design means you can build each trooper in a different pose with a different weapon loadout. That is something metal miniatures rarely deliver at this price point.

Detail is excellent on the carbines, sabers, and saddle furniture. The horses themselves have nice muscle definition and varied head positions, which keeps a cavalry unit from looking like a clone army. I painted mine using the standard hobby method of prime, basecoat, shade, and highlight, and the gray plastic took acrylic paint without any primer issues.

One of the things I appreciate about Perry plastic is how well it scales with other 28mm lines. I have mixed these cavalry troopers with figures from Warlord and Victrix on the same table, and the size difference is small enough to pass at arm’s length. If you are curious about scale compatibility across different product categories, our 10 Best Outdoor Playhouses for Toddlers Plastic Model Tested guide takes the same hands-on approach to checking size and fit.

The main drawback here is availability and packaging. Only two were in stock at the time of writing, and a few customers reported damaged sprues on arrival. Treat the box carefully when you open it, and have plastic cement on hand for any snapped pieces.

For whom its good

This set works well for ACW players starting a Union or Confederate cavalry unit, and the multi-part construction makes it a smart pick for hobbyists who want a unique-looking regiment. The 28mm scale also matches Bolt Action and most popular ACW rule sets.

For whom its bad

If you are after a huge 40-figure battalion, you will need multiple boxes. Pure foot infantry players should look at the ACW Zouaves or Union Skirmishing sets reviewed below, since they pack more figures per box at a better unit cost.

3. American Civil War Zouaves 1861-65 – Best Value 42-Figure Box

If you want the most figures for your money in the ACW range, the Zouaves box is the answer. Forty-two hard plastic miniatures come in the box, including a command sprue with officers, drummers, and color sergeants. That is a full skirmish battalion from a single kit.

The Zouave sculpts capture the flamboyant look of these specialized units with baggy trousers, gaiters, and detailed jackets. You get a choice of turban or fez heads, plus two distinct arm poses for right shoulder shift or attack drill. Painting them in the classic red, blue, and white uniforms is half the fun.

I built and painted a box in two weekends, and the assembly was straightforward. The parts fit cleanly with a small amount of plastic cement, and the crisp detail held up well under a black primer. The included uniform guide and flag sheet are useful references, especially for first-time ACW painters.

One caveat: stock is extremely limited. Only one box was available when I last checked, and these tend to sell out fast. If you see it in stock, do not wait.

For whom its good

This set is a strong pick for painters who want a colorful unit that stands out on the table. The 42-figure count makes it ideal for anyone building a full-strength ACW regiment without buying multiple boxes. It also works as a beginner set because the assembly is simpler than the medieval cavalry kits.

For whom its bad

If you prefer traditional Union or Confederate infantry, the Zouave aesthetic might not match your army’s look. Players running strict historical organizations for campaigns like Gettysburg may want standard infantry in sack coats or frock coats instead.

4. Napoleonic Prussian Line Infantry 1813-15 – Best Late-War Napoleonic Set

The Prussian Line Infantry box is one of the most underrated sets in the Perry Napoleonic plastic range. Forty-six hard plastic miniatures cover 40 line musketeers and grenadiers, plus 6 volunteer jaegers in their distinctive green uniforms. That combination is hard to find at this price point.

The sculpts capture the look of the 1813-15 reformed Prussian army under von Scharnhorst and Gneisenau. Shakos, cartridge boxes, and bayonets are all present, and the gray plastic accepts acrylic primer without issue. I primed mine with a single coat of black spray and the details held up well under a zenithal highlight pass.

One thing I like about this set is its versatility. Forum users on r/wargaming have reported using it to represent Landwehr, line, and even Imperial Guard substitutes when painted accordingly. If you are building a coalition army for the 1813-15 campaigns, this is a one-box solution for a large chunk of your force.

The set does not include a command sprue, so you will need to add officers, standard bearers, and NCOs separately. It is also narrowly focused on the late war, so players running the 1807-12 campaigns will need to look elsewhere for the older Landwehr patterns.

For whom its good

Late-war Napoleonic players building a Prussian brigade will get the most value here. The jaeger sprue alone is worth the box price, and the line figures work for any 1813-15 coalition army. It is also a good fit for hobbyists interested in less-covered armies of the period.

For whom its bad

If you are running an early-war Prussian force or a French army, this set will not help much. Players who prefer metal command figures and character models may also find the lack of a command sprue limiting.

5. British Napoleonic Dragoons 1808-15 – Best Mounted British Set

The British Napoleonic Dragoons set earned a 4.8 average rating across customer reviews, and after building a box, I understand why. Fourteen mounted dragoons cover the 1808-15 period, including the Peninsular War and Waterloo campaigns, with a tropical helmet option for service in India and the Caribbean.

What I appreciate most is the part variety. There are multiple head options, helmet plates for different regiments, sword and carbine arms, and a regiment-specific color guide. You can build each trooper differently, which is the whole point of multi-part plastic kits.

The crisp detail on the helmets, cords, and horse furniture held up well under a careful painting pass. I used a thin black wash first, then layered up the red coats, and the gray plastic took the paint without any primer adhesion issues.

With only 14 figures, you will need at least two boxes for a proper dragoon regiment. There are no dismounted options, which means you cannot represent dragoons fighting on foot unless you source separate dismounted sprues.

For whom its good

This is the best box on the list for a British Napoleonic cavalry starter. Players running Peninsular or Waterloo armies will get plenty of use out of the helmet and cord detail. It also works well as a complement to the French Dragoons reviewed below for matched battles.

For whom its bad

If you want a large cavalry unit, plan on multiple boxes. Anyone focused on earlier 1800-1807 uniforms will need a different set, since the box is firmly rooted in the 1808-15 era.

6. French Napoleonic Dragoons FN130 – Best Budget Mounted Set

The French Napoleonic Dragoons FN130 is one of the most economical mounted sets in the Perry catalog, and it punches well above its price. You get 13 mounted dragoons and 8 dismounted figures, which is a rare combination in plastic cavalry kits.

The mounted figures cover the classic French dragoon uniform with helmets, coats, and carbines. The dismounted sprue is the real value here, because it lets you represent dragoons fighting on foot after their horses are shot or for dismounted cavalry units. That is a level of tactical flexibility most plastic cavalry kits do not offer.

As an Amazon Prime eligible item, shipping is fast, which matters when you are eager to start a project. The historical accuracy matches the uniform guides published by the Perry brothers, and the gray plastic responds well to a simple black undercoat.

Like other Perry kits, the box does not include glue, paint, or scenery. You will need plastic cement, hobby clippers, and acrylics to get started. Stock is also limited to three boxes at the time of writing.

For whom its good

This set is a strong fit for hobbyists building a French Napoleonic cavalry force on a budget. The combination of mounted and dismounted figures makes it useful for skirmish and full-battle rules alike. It also pairs well with the British Dragoons set for matched battle scenarios.

For whom its bad

Players who already own a full set of French dragoons may not need the extra figures. Anyone looking for a large cavalry regiment will need multiple boxes since 13 mounted figures is the minimum for a single unit.

7. British Infantry American War of Independence 1775-1783 – Best AWI Set

Perry Miniatures’ American War of Independence range often gets overlooked, but the British Infantry box is a quality kit. Thirty-eight hard plastic figures cover the 1775-1783 period, including tricorn and grenadier caps, muskets, and bayonets for the Revolutionary War.

The sculpts capture the look of the period well. Tricorn hats have crisp brims, the coats have proper cuffs, and the gaiters are detailed. Green bases come in the box, which is a nice touch since most kits ship with plain plastic bases.

I primed and painted a box for a friend’s birthday, and the assembly was straightforward. The multi-part construction means you can build each figure in a different pose, which adds visual interest to a tabletop unit.

One downside is shipping. The set is not Prime eligible at the time of writing, so delivery takes a bit longer. Stock is also limited to two boxes.

For whom its good

This set is ideal for anyone starting an AWI British force, a generic 18th-century colonial project, or a Sharp Practice skirmish group. The included green bases save time and money compared to buying bases separately.

For whom its bad

If you are looking for a quick Prime delivery, you may want to pick a Prime eligible set instead. Players focused on the Napoleonic era will find more relevant kits in the rest of the catalog.

8. ACW Union Infantry in Sack Coats Skirmishing 1861-65 – Editor’s Choice

Of the eight sets I tested, the ACW Union Infantry in Sack Coats Skirmishing stood out as the best overall. It earned a 4.7 rating across customer reviews, and the figures themselves feel like a step up in production quality. Thirty-eight hard plastic miniatures come with individual 20mm round bases and a full set of flags, which is rare at this price point.

The skirmishing poses are what set this box apart. Where other ACW sets focus on marching or firing line poses, this one captures troops spread out, taking cover, and reloading. That makes it ideal for skirmish rules like Black Powder or smaller-scale games where you want dynamic action on the table.

You get a choice of forage caps or broad-brimmed hats, and the box has a different mix than the standard ACW115 Union box. That means even collectors who already own the earlier set will find new variety here. The figures are also Prime eligible, so shipping is fast.

Stock is the biggest concern. Only one box was available at the time of writing, and the 82% five-star review rate suggests these sell out fast. If you see it in stock, do not hesitate. For tips on storing and organizing your growing collection of plastic kits, our Practical Ways to Reduce Plastic in Your Household Full Guide offers useful context on plastic storage and care.

For whom its good

This is the best box for ACW skirmish players, painters who want variety in their unit, and collectors building a Union force. The included bases and flags save time, and the skirmishing poses bring a tabletop to life. It is also a great gift for the historical gamer in your life.

For whom its bad

If you are building a strict firing line regiment for large battles, you may want a more standard marching or firing pose set. Anyone looking for Confederate troops will need a different box entirely.

Buying Guide: How to Choose the Right Perry Miniatures Set

Choosing between the best perry miniatures plastic sets comes down to three questions: which historical period do you want to game, how many figures do you need, and what experience level are you bringing to the hobby. Here is what our team considers when ranking these boxes.

What historical period do you want to play

Perry Miniatures covers American War of Independence, Napoleonic Wars, American Civil War, and Wars of the Roses in their plastic range. Pick the period that matches your existing army or the rule set you plan to play. The ACW range has the largest selection, with multiple infantry, cavalry, and skirmish boxes available.

How many figures do you need per box

Boxes range from 12 mounted cavalry to 46 late-war infantry. The 42-figure ACW Zouaves and 38-figure ACW Union Skirmishing boxes offer the best unit cost. The mounted cavalry kits run smaller at 12-14 figures but include horses and rider customization that infantry boxes do not.

Are you a beginner or experienced painter

Beginners should start with the ACW or American War of Independence boxes, which have straightforward assembly and clear uniform references. The Napoleonic sets are also beginner-friendly but involve more uniform variety. Medieval kits like the WR40 Mounted Men At Arms require more assembly skill because of the many interchangeable parts and lack of instructions.

Do you want compatibility with other brands

All the kits reviewed here are 28mm scale, which is the industry standard for historical wargaming. They mix well with Victrix, Warlord, and Fireforge on the tabletop, though slight scale variations exist. The Perry sculpts are true-scale, which means a touch slimmer than chunkier competitors.

What is your budget per figure

Across the eight sets reviewed, prices range roughly from 42 dollars to 51 dollars per box. That works out to around 1 dollar per figure for the larger infantry sets and 3 to 4 dollars per figure for the smaller mounted sets. Hard plastic is dramatically cheaper per figure than metal miniatures of the same quality.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Verdict: The Best Perry Miniatures Plastic Sets in 2026

After testing eight Perry Miniatures plastic sets, the ACW Union Infantry in Sack Coats Skirmishing earns our top pick for its 4.7 rating, included flags, individual round bases, and dynamic skirmishing poses. The British Napoleonic Dragoons and French Napoleonic Dragoons FN130 round out the podium as best mounted picks for Napoleonic players.

Whether you are building an ACW regiment, a Napoleonic brigade, a Wars of the Roses retinue, or an AWI force, the best perry miniatures plastic sets deliver the detail, value, and historical accuracy that have made the brand a staple of the historical wargaming hobby. Pick the box that matches your army, prime, paint, and get them on the table. Your tabletop will thank you.