Squishmallows are soft plush toys that have become quite popular as of late, thanks to their colorful personalities and gentle touch that can relax you and become a vibrant decoration in your room. There are over 1,000 Squishmallows out there that come in all sizes and colors.
With such a vast quantity of little friends, you might wonder if your Squishmallow is rare. While many factors play out in determining whether a Squishmallow is extremely rare or common, this article will show you how to know just how rare your companion is. Here’s how to find out if you have one of these special Squishmallows.
Updated September 2nd, 2024 by Sai Vsr:Squishmallows have continued to balloon in popularity since we first published this handy guide. We’ve come back to tidy up this piece with more information on how to spot a fake squishmallow.
Squishmallows Rarity Guide
The rarity guide is helpful as you can inspect and research a few areas to determine the rarity of a Squishmallow. The Squishmallow Wiki has a guideline for how to determine the rarity of your Squishmallow, from rare to common. Their metrics are:
Rare:Only 75,000 of them exist in the world.
Ultra Rare:Only 50,000 exist. These are often sold through exclusive retailers.
Special Edition:Only 20,000 exist.
Select Series: 10,000 exist and can only be purchased via theSquishmallows website.
Check-In Series:Have a purple tag and are part of the Check-In Series.
Founder’s Edition:Comes in packs of trading cards when you find the rare “Founder’s Redemption Card” with a code for a special edition Squishmallow.
Exclusive Squishmallows: These are Squishmallows that are only obtainable through other exclusive means. One example is the Bigfoot Squishmallow which you’re able to only obtain through purchasing the officially licensed Take4 card game.
Popularity Across Collectors
One of the most straightforward metrics to use when determining how rare one of these soft plush toys is comes into play when you see how popular they are with collectors. As they become harder to find and more sought to obtain, some Squishmallows see a rise in price as they are difficult to purchase.
Checking out some collections and inspecting the Squishmallows that are prized possessions in said collections is an excellent way of examining the value of one of thesoft plushies. As the demand for them increases, they will become far rarer in terms of acquiring them. However, their ultimate rarity won’t change, as there’s still the same number of them - they just become much more desirable, and therefore harder to find.
Retailer Exclusivity
Some Squishmallows areexclusive to specific retailers, meaning they cannot be found in other stores. These are less common, and if a Squishmallow is unique to a single retailer, it’s often snatched up quickly by collectors and resellers.
Checking to see if your Squishmallow is exclusive will tell you that it might already be rare, and some of the best-looking companions are indeed exclusive to certain stores. One popular retailer that often carries retailer-exclusive Squishmallows is Walmart. You can often find these online, though they’re sometimes in stores. It’s more of a headache to check stores, but if you’re already shopping for groceries, swinging by the appropriate aisle to check isn’t much of a hassle.
Holiday Special Editions
Squishmallows that are launched for specific holidays or seasons are also limited editions. They are only available for a certain amount of time or are part of a holiday series. Squishmallows that have a theme such as Halloween or Christmas will only be sold during those times at retailers.
Like any other collectible, Squishmallows that were launched long ago might be incredibly rare, as the classic variations of the soft toys can be hard-sought for in some instances. On the contrary, if a Squishmallow is new and can be purchased from multiple stores, chances are they won’t be rare due to how easy they are to acquire.
Events And Conventions
Unique versions of Squishmallows are sold or distributed at events and conventions, as part of the main highlight. Foravid collectors, checking out these events is vital for acquiring a one-of-a-kind companion.
While these might be resold later, they become costly and hard to find. So, ideally, getting them in person from the event is better. If your Squishmallow was part of a special occasion long over, it could be considered a rare Squishmallow that can be hard to obtain via retailers.
Using the rarity guide and considering whether a Squishmallow is from a special event, holiday, or exclusive retailer will indicate how rare it might be. In addition to that, consider their release date and if they are part of aspecial edition, too. As a general rule of thumb, consider how hard to get the Squishmallow is, as more often than not, if it is harder to acquire, it can be pretty rare.
Spotting Fake Squishmallows
With Squishmallows blowing up lately, some shady folks unfortunately started making counterfeit ones. So as a collector, especially of rare pieces, you have got to know how to tell what’s real from what’s fake. Let us break it down for you.
Here are some tips to keep your prized possession safe!
Display
The elders did say to flaunt it if you got it, so if you’re showing off your rare Squishmallows, ensure they have enough space to keep their shape. Don’t pack them too tight on shelves or in display case because that can…squishthem and maybe cause permanent deformation (yikes!).
You could always consider usingclear, acrylic display boxes or stands. These will protect them from dust, sunlight, and any accidental oopsies, while still letting you admire their cuteness. But if that’s not your scene, and you want a more laid-back display, you could always arrange them on a bed or couch. Just be careful where you place them so they don’t get crushed. We’d still recommend a case if it’s a rare piece, though.
Cleaning
Okay, so the cleaning part is pretty straightforward. Always start by always handling them with clean hands. This helps keep dirt, oils, and other yucky stuff from transferring to the toys. And if they ever need a little freshening up, go for a gentle spot clean using aslightlydamp cloth and some mild detergent.
We can’t really stress this enough, butresist the urge to dunk them in water or throw them in the washing machine; because again, that can really mess up their delicate materials and make the stuffing all clumpy and weird. Final tip - always let your Squishmallows air dry (and definitely steer clear of the dryer).
Storage
When you’renotshowing off your collection, keep your ‘mallows in a cool, dry spot away from direct sunlight. You also may want to use some acid-free tissue paper or boxes to keep the dust at bay and help them hold their shape.Steer clear of plastic bags though; they can trap moisture and lead to nasty mildew or mold. And if stacking is your only option, verify to place the chunkier, sturdier ones at the bottom to avoid squishing (again, no pun intended) the smaller or rarer ones.
FAQ
Are rare Squishmallows more expensive?
Yes, rare Squishmallows can be pretty expensive and range from $500 to $18,000, depending on their rarity and how hard they are to acquire.
Is lack of availability equal to rarity?
In most cases, yes. Squishmallows such as Jack the Black Cat ‘16 can go for $1,500 as the soft toy cannot be purchased from retailers anymore and can only be obtained from resellers.
Is there a way to acquire rare Squishmallows without paying a lot?
Yes, but with some caveats. You can purchase the exact version of the Squishmallow in a different size, as sometimes Squishmallows that go for $1,500 in one size might be available for $20 in another size.
