We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
Since 2017, Squishmallows have taken the world by storm. These plush, squishable stuffed characters come in all kinds of whimsical and fun varieties, and a lot of people enjoy collecting them. The sheer variety, personality, and cuteness of Squishmallows makes them popular among kids and adults alike. They also work nicely as home decor (think throw pillows) to add character to a couch or bed.
Before you rush off to buy a Squishmallow or two, keep a few considerations in mind. Squishmallows come in different sizes, characters, and themes. If you’re buying a Squishmallow as a gift, keep the interests of the recipient in mind as you shop. Also note that seasonal Squishmallows are a fun option for gift-giving.
Squishmalows were created by Kellytoy in 2017, but social media platforms like TikTok are responsible for their popularity boom in 2020. Called the “Gen Z Beanie Baby” by some, Squishmallows are appealing for a few reasons.
For one, they’re incredibly comfortable to hold and cuddle. Squishmallows are egg-shaped and can easily contour to one’s body, making them excellent body pillows. They were a source of comfort for many in isolation during the early days of COVID-19. And, like the aforementioned Beanie Babies, each Squishmallow has its own personality and interests. Althea the Axolotl, for example, is a lime green axolotl who’s often sleepy from her insomnia. Jonessa the Bear is a rainbow tye-dye bear who is a writer, photographer, and budding food critic.
Each Squishmallow’s personality traits add to the fun of collecting them. There are over 500 different kinds of Squishmallows, some rarer than others.
You can find Squishmallows in lots of different sizes.
The smallest Squishmallows are 3.5 inches in diameter with a clip attached. These keychain-sized Squishmallows are a budget-friendly option. You can clip them to keys, purse straps, backpack zippers, and anything else that can be clipped to.
Small Squishmallows range from 5 to 8 inches in diameter. These are roughly the size of an adult palm – small enough to be portable but big enough to be noticed.
At 11 to 13 inches in diameter, medium-size Squishmallows are great for cuddling and hugging. This is a particularly appealing size for children, especially those who like to sleep with stuffed animals or keep them for comfort. Medium Squishmallows won’t take up too much space and aren’t too heavy, either.
Large Squishmallows range from 16 to 20 inches in diameter. This is the perfect cuddling and body pillow size for adults (and some bigger kids). At this size, Squishmallows can provide good back and lumbar support, too – probably the cutest support you’ll find.
These are for Squishmallow enthusiasts. They take up a lot of space on a kid’s bed and are also wonderful for cuddling. It's hard to find a similar toy on the market that offers the same cuddle factor as an extra-large Squishmallow.
Nearly every type of Squishmallow imaginable is available to buy. Depending on your interests, you might lean toward certain themes.
Food-themed Squishmallows are among the most popular. There are dozens to choose from, each with its own cute personality. Stuck on where to start? Consider some of the most popular ones:
Animal-themed Squishmallows are equally as popular, and there are dozens to choose from. Animals run the gamut from common to exotic, but some popular ones include the following:
In July 2022, Squishmallow launched a collection of Pokemon models, including Pikachu and Gengar.
Another way that Squishmallows stand out from the crowd is their inclusivity. With the dozens of Squishmallows created, there are several characters who reflect different life experiences. For example, there are several nonbinary Squishes who use “they/them” pronouns. Some of them are Bebe the Bluebird, Gala the Griffin, and Bobby the Bunny.
Additionally, other Squishes live happy lives with chronic health conditions. Amideus the Dinosaur has Type I Diabetes and used to be afraid of finger pricks. He’s learned to manage his diabetes on his own. Winona the Sheep has a baby sister who’s deaf. Dobrilla the Bigfoot is a fashion lover who uses a wheelchair. If you’re buying Squishmallows as a gift, whether for a child or an adult, it’s a great idea to get one that aligns with various aspects of their identities.
Though most Squishmallows aren’t worth much financially, rarer ones might be a worthwhile investment. Some of them are Lenora the Loon (exclusive to Canada), Jack the Black Cat, and Philippe the Frog.
There are Squishmallows for many holidays: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter, among others. Each collection has several to a few dozen squishes. The characters in holiday collections vary from animals to even a few human figures. While you don’t have to buy a Squishmallow that corresponds to the holiday you’re gifting for, it’s a fun touch.
Because new Squishmallow collections (or “squads”) are constantly being released, it’s easy to collect one of your own. Squishmallow lovers may want to collect all the Squishmallows in a squad rather than getting ones from different squads.
Squishmallow squads vary in theme; many are seasonal. On social media, you’d find some content creators who sleep with all of their “squads'' and tuck them in at night.
Squishmallows are found in multiple price ranges. In the $3 to $10 range, Squishmallows range from keychain size to handheld. While you won’t find the more exclusive toys in this range, there are near-infinite tiny Squishmallows to choose from, including those in holiday selections.
At the $10 to $30 range, you’ll come across Squishmallows that are big enough to hug and cuddle. This is the sweet spot if you’re shopping for a child (or a grownup who loves sleeping with stuffed animals). These Squishmallows are 11 to 16 inches in diameter. Additionally, you’ll find more exclusive Squishmallows in this price range, though some of them will only be 3 to 5 inches.
At above $30, the Squishmallow world is your oyster. Here’s where the 20-inch and 24-inch Squishmallows are, along with the extremely rare editions. Some Squishmallows sold in pairs fall into this category, too.
With all the Squishmallows available, they’re excellent for decorating themed spaces. Pick up some Halloween-themed squishes for your porch or Christmas-themed ones on your fireplace mantel.
A. Luckily yes, Squishmallows can be tossed into a front-loading washing machine. We recommend putting smaller ones in a pillowcase and bigger ones in a fitted sheet to avoid damage.
A. Squishmallows are quite soft, so they can be used as pillows. But that means you should put a pillowcase over it if you use it regularly. Babies should never use Squishmallows as pillows since one can topple over and suffocate a child.
A. It’s hard to say now, but it’s possible. Certain Squishmallows are more exclusive than others. Limited edition toys tend to be worth more in the future, but there’s no guarantee that Squishmallows are that kind of investment. We suggest you buy them for your enjoyment only.
