Buying guide for Best Squishmallows
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.
Why are Squishmallows popular?
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.
Size
You can find Squishmallows in lots of different sizes.
Small Squishmallows
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.
Medium-size Squishmallows
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
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.
Extra-large Squishmallows
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.
Type and theme
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:
- Carl the Cheeseburger loves practical jokes and “hanging with his bros.” As you’d imagine, he’s a friendly burger with a sesame seed bun.
- Malcolm the Mushroom is a championship-winning soccer goalie. He’s got an off-white stock with a red-and-white cap.
- Bertie the Ice Cream Waffle is a chill (literally) and easygoing Squishmallow. They’ve always got extra blankets around if their friends are cold. They’re mostly blue, with colorful ice cream toppings.
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:
- Benny the Bigfoot is a playful Bigfoot who loves running in the forest with his friends. He’s mostly brown with a white face.
- Charlize the Cockatiel is a professional masseuse. She’s also a big advocate for self-care and spends her free time soothing other Squishmallows and herself. Charlize has a gray body and a yellow head.
- Connor the Cow is one of the earlier Squishmallows. He has a real love of biking and loves returning to his favorite state, “Cowlifornia”.
In July 2022, Squishmallow launched a collection of Pokemon models, including Pikachu and Gengar.
Inclusivity
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.
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What features do Squishmallows have?
Holiday themes
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.
Squads
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.
Staff Tip
Babies can get in on the fun, but they should always be supervised when playing with these toys.
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How much do Squishmallows cost?
Inexpensive
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.
Mid-range
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.
Expensive
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.
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Tips
- Don’t forget to clean. If you’re cuddling with a Squishmallow on a regular basis, it’ll definitely get dirty. Squishmallows are fortunately machine washable. If you have one that’s too big to fit in a washer, you can spot clean it with a stain remover. In that case, we recommend doing a spot test on a less-visible part of the Squishmallow’s fabric.
- Do your research. The sheer number of Squishmallows available is overwhelming. It’s a good idea to research the many kinds available before committing to one (or two). Some people find it more fun to hunt for Squishmallows in stores and online.
- Make room. If you plan on collecting or gifting several Squishmallows, you need a place for them. Invest in shelving, wire baskets, or a simple hammock.
FAQ
Q. Are Squishmallows machine washable?
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.
Q. Can Squishmallows be used as pillows?
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.
Q. Will Squishmallows be worth more money in the future?
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.
