Affiliate Disclosure: Happy Gabby is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. Learn more.
Two plush brands dominate the conversation right now: Squishmallows and Jellycat. Both have massive fan bases. Both are genuinely soft. Both have that collector-magnet quality that turns casual shoppers into “just one more” addicts. But they’re actually very different products for different people.
Table of Contents
I’ve spent way too much money on both brands (and have the overflowing plush basket to prove it), so here’s an honest breakdown of how they compare across everything that matters.
The Quick Version
Squishmallows are affordable, squishy pillow-like plush with 1,000+ characters, perfect for collecting and everyday cuddling. Jellycat is the premium option — higher-quality fabrics, more artistic designs, and better resale value, but at 2x the price. For the full Jellycat experience, check out our in-depth Jellycat review.
Brand Basics
Squishmallows
Made by Kellytoy (part of Jazwares), launched in 2017, and currently one of the best-selling plush brands in the world. Their signature thing is the round, marshmallow-soft shape and absurd variety — over 1,000 unique characters, with new ones constantly dropping. Prices run $5.99 to $49.99, making them accessible for impulse buys and serious collecting alike.
Jellycat
A London-based brand founded in 1999 that takes the boutique approach. Each design is an original creation with premium fabrics and whimsical personality. Popular as baby gifts, comfort objects, and collector pieces. Prices range from $15 to $120+, firmly in the premium category.
How They Feel: Materials & Quality
Squishmallows
The outer fabric is smooth, stretchy spandex-polyester, and the filling creates that signature marshmallow squish. They’re designed to be squeezed, sat on, and used as pillows. The quality is consistent and solid for the price — but pick up a Jellycat right after holding a Squishmallow and you’ll notice the fabric difference immediately.
Jellycat
Jellycat uses proprietary plush fabrics that genuinely feel luxurious. The texture varies by design — silky, fluffy, knitted, corduroy — and the stuffing creates a softer, floppier feel compared to Squishmallows’ firmness. Side by side, there’s no debate about which fabric is higher quality.
Bottom line: Jellycat wins on material quality. Squishmallows win on squishy, pillow-like comfort. They’re optimized for different things.
Price: How They Stack Up
| Size | Squishmallows | Jellycat |
|---|---|---|
| Small (5-8″) | $5.99-$9.99 | $15-$22 |
| Medium (12-14″) | $12.99-$19.99 | $23-$30 |
| Large (16-20″) | $24.99-$34.99 | $35-$75 |
| Extra Large (24″+) | $39.99-$49.99 | $75-$120 |
Squishmallows cost roughly half what Jellycat charges at every size. A 12″ Squishmallow is about $15; a 12″ Jellycat is $23-$30. That gap matters when you’re buying multiples or funding a collection habit.
Collecting: Two Very Different Games
Squishmallows: The Hunt
Squishmallows collecting is an active sport. Over 1,000 characters, seasonal exclusives, store-exclusive designs (Target, Costco, and Walgreens each get their own), squad themes, rare variants — there’s always something to track down. The lower price makes building a big collection realistic. Limited editions fuel a busy secondary market with occasional crazy markups.
Jellycat: The Curation
Jellycat collecting is more intentional. Fewer designs overall, new releases each season, and a deliberate strategy of retiring designs permanently. That scarcity is the whole point — once a Jellycat is gone, it’s gone, and resale prices climb accordingly. Collections tend to be smaller but more carefully chosen.
Bottom line: Squishmallows for the thrill of the hunt and big, fun collections. Jellycat for curated collections with better long-term value.
Age: Who Loves What
Squishmallows hit hardest with kids aged 5-14, though the adult collector market is massive. The colorful characters and affordable prices make them ideal for the elementary/middle school crowd.
Jellycat dominates the baby gift market and has strong appeal to teens and adults who appreciate the design quality. It skews slightly more mature in its aesthetic.
Bottom line: Jellycat for babies and adults. Squishmallows for the 5-14 sweet spot. Both work across all ages, but those are their strongholds.
Durability & Care
Squishmallows are machine washable (cold, gentle, air dry) and hold up well. The spandex doesn’t pill. But the filling can clump with heavy washing, and they flatten over time when used as pillows constantly.
Jellycat officially says surface wash only, though many parents machine wash them carefully in mesh bags. The premium fabrics maintain softness well over years, but they need gentler treatment. Jellycat stitching is noticeably more robust.
Bottom line: Squishmallows win for easy care. Jellycat wins for long-term quality with proper handling.
Resale Value
Both brands have active resale markets, but the dynamics are different:
- Squishmallows: Rare and retired designs can spike to 2-10x retail, but it’s volatile. Massive production volume means most designs don’t appreciate much.
- Jellycat: Retired designs consistently hold at 2-5x retail, with rare pieces hitting 10x+. Smaller production runs and deliberate retirements make values more predictable.
So Which Should You Actually Buy?
Get Squishmallows If:
- Budget matters — lots of great options under $20
- The recipient loves collecting and trading
- You need a pillow-soft cuddle buddy for beds and couches
- Easy machine washing is a priority
- You’re shopping for kids aged 5-14
Get Jellycat If:
- You want premium quality that holds up for years
- It’s a baby gift or first birthday present
- The recipient values design and aesthetics
- You want the gift to feel special, not casual
- Collector value and potential appreciation matter
The real answer? Most plush lovers end up with both. They serve different purposes and the experience of each is genuinely distinct. Squishmallows for the couch and road trips; Jellycat for the nursery, the nightstand, and the “this one is special” moments.
For more plush toy options, check out our gifts for animal lovers guide. And if you’re shopping by age, our toys for 2 year olds and toys for 5 year olds guides include plush picks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Different kinds of soft. Jellycat’s plush fabric feels more luxurious and silky on the surface — it’s objectively a higher-quality textile. Squishmallows have a marshmallow-like squishiness that’s more about the overall body feel. Touch the surface? Jellycat. Squeeze the whole thing? Squishmallows have their own unique comfort. Most people find both wonderful but in completely different ways.
Jellycat, hands down. The designs are crafted specifically for infants, safety-tested from birth, and the premium quality makes them feel like a proper gift. A Bashful Bunny has become the modern classic baby gift. Squishmallows are safe for babies too, but they read as more of a casual purchase than a special present.
Jellycat, by a significant margin. Their deliberate retirement strategy creates steady demand for discontinued designs, and smaller production runs prevent oversaturation. Squishmallows can spike for rare finds, but the massive volume means most don’t appreciate much. For collecting with an eye toward value, Jellycat is the safer bet.
Squishmallows are officially machine washable (cold, gentle, air dry) and handle it well. Jellycat officially recommends surface washing only, though many owners do machine wash them in a mesh bag on gentle. The key difference is that Squishmallows are built for easy care, while Jellycat’s premium fabrics need gentler handling to stay at their best.
If you’re a plush person, absolutely. Squishmallows are great everyday companions — toss them on the bed, bring them in the car, use them as pillows. Jellycat pieces are more like cherished objects — nursery decor, comfort toys, special gifts. Most families I know that have one end up with the other eventually. They scratch different itches.
