I have been waiting for a sale on the larger set for a while - works out to be around $2.01/piece
I've compared both Magformers and the Kmart knock-off tiles. The Kmart tiles provide exceptional value if you have older children and quality risk isn't an issue. My children have broken 4 pieces and I am not willing to take the risk of them swallowing the magnets, particularly with the younger toddler, YMMV
For comparison, Kmart sells Magformer knock-offs much cheaper at $0.54/piece
https://www.kmart.com.au/product/50-piece-magnetic-tiles-pla…
We have Magformers and a generic, neither is completely bullet proof but after three years of fairly constant use they are both looking good with no breakages. The magformer plastic is more beaten looking and scratched so perhaps they havea slightly softer plastic so as to make things less brittle? The magnets appears about the same - these toys are about designing within relatively weak parameters rather than building lego style tough things that can be picked up and moved about easily.
OPs toy broke but from my experience the Magformers toy would likely also have broken - they are not bullet proof.