Squishmallows Real vs Fake: How to Spot a Fake and Where to Buy (UK 2026)
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Quick answer: Genuine Squishmallows are made by Kellytoy, part of Jazwares, and every real one carries two tags: a printed hang tag with the character's name and bio, plus a sewn-in tush tag with Kellytoy branding and safety markings. Fakes usually get one of these wrong. Price is the other giveaway. In the UK, blind-bag Squish-a-longs start at £3.99, a 7.5 inch plush runs £9.99 to £18.99, and a 20 inch costs £49.99. Everything in our Squishmallows collection comes through official UK distribution, so these checks are done before anything ships.
Fake Squishmallows are everywhere right now. Market stalls, dodgy marketplace listings, even car boot sales. We run more than 400 Squishmallows lines at Infinity Collectables and we still see counterfeits turn up in customer photos most months. Here's how to tell real from fake in under a minute, what you should actually pay, and where to buy safely in the UK.
Why fake Squishmallows are such a problem
Kellytoy launched Squishmallows in 2017 and the range grew into one of the biggest plush brands on the planet, with thousands of named characters spread across dozens of squads. That popularity is exactly why counterfeiters copy them. A fake costs pennies to make. It then sells for close to full price on marketplaces where the photos are borrowed from genuine listings.
Money is only half the issue. Counterfeit plush skips UK and EU safety testing, so the stuffing, dyes and small parts go completely unchecked. Not great for a toy aimed at kids.
The 60-second real or fake check
Run through these five checks before you buy, or the moment a parcel arrives:
- Hang tag. Real Squishmallows have a printed paper tag with the character's name, squad and a short bio. Spelling errors or a missing bio are instant red flags.
- Tush tag. The sewn-in fabric tag should show Kellytoy branding, a date stamp and CE or UKCA safety markings. No tush tag, no sale.
- Eyes and face. Genuine details are embroidered. Fakes glue on felt shapes or print the face flat, and it shows.
- Fabric. Real Squishmallows use a soft, dense polyester blend that springs back slowly when squeezed. Fakes feel thin and crunchy, and often carry a chemical smell out of the bag.
- Character accuracy. Every real Squishmallow has a name. If the listing just says "cute dinosaur plush", walk away.
Real vs fake Squishmallows at a glance
| What to check | Genuine Squishmallow | Fake |
|---|---|---|
| Hang tag | Name, squad and bio printed clearly | Missing, misspelled or generic |
| Tush tag | Kellytoy branding, date stamp, UKCA or CE marks | Missing, unbranded or badly stitched |
| Eyes and details | Embroidered | Glued felt or printed on |
| Fabric | Soft, dense, slow to spring back | Thin, rough, chemical smell |
| Price | Matches UK RRP (£3.99 to £49.99 by size) | Suspiciously cheap for the size |
| Seller | Official UK retailers | Marketplace sellers using stock photos |
What Squishmallows actually cost in the UK
Counterfeits survive on wrong prices, so here are real ones, taken straight from our own shelves this week:
- Squish-a-longs blind packs: £3.99
- 3.5 inch clip-on plush: £4.99
- 2.5 inch Micromallows three packs: £7.99
- 7.5 inch plush: £9.99 to £18.99
- 12 inch plush: from £14.99, with licensed lines like the 12 inch Mandalorian with Grogu at £24.99
- 20 inch plush such as Arnold the Sheepdog: £49.99
Use those numbers as your benchmark. A "20 inch" Squishmallow listed at £12 with free postage is not a bargain. It's a fake.
Sizes, squads and what to buy first
Squishmallows run from 2.5 inch Micromallows up to 20 inch giants, with seasonal squads and licensed drops from Star Wars and Disney on top. We brought in 167 units of the Mandalorian and Grogu plush this spring and it has been one of our fastest movers. For the full size ladder and squad system, read our Squishmallows buying guide. Torn between the two big plush brands? Our Jellycat vs Squishmallows comparison settles it.
Where to buy real Squishmallows in the UK
Stick to retailers who buy from official UK distribution. That's the whole trick. Our stock arrives through the same channels as the high street, gets quality checked on arrival and ships from the UK, so there's no customs surprise and no mystery tush tag. Browse the full Squishmallows range, or the wider plush collection if you want Squishmallows alongside other brands.
Mistakes to avoid
- Trusting photos alone. Counterfeit listings reuse official images constantly.
- Buying "rare" characters at silly discounts. Rare means expensive, not cheap.
- Ignoring the seller's location. Long overseas shipping times usually mean unofficial stock.
- Skipping the tag check when your parcel arrives. You have return rights, so use them fast.
FAQ
How can you tell if a Squishmallow is real?
Check the tags first. A genuine Squishmallow has a printed hang tag with the character's name and bio, plus a sewn-in Kellytoy tush tag with safety markings. Then check the face: real eyes and details are embroidered, never glued or printed.
How much should a Squishmallow cost in the UK?
Blind-bag Squish-a-longs cost £3.99, a 7.5 inch plush sits between £9.99 and £18.99, 12 inch plush start at £14.99 and a 20 inch costs £49.99. Anything far below those numbers deserves suspicion.
Are cheap marketplace Squishmallows genuine?
Some are, plenty are not. Marketplace listings often reuse official photos, so you cannot judge by pictures. Check the seller's location, compare the price against RRP and inspect both tags the moment your parcel arrives.
Do fake Squishmallows have tags?
Better fakes copy the paper hang tag, so that check alone is not enough. The sewn-in tush tag is much harder to counterfeit well. Look for Kellytoy branding, a date stamp and UKCA or CE markings with clean stitching.
Are fake Squishmallows safe for children?
No one can say, and that is the problem. Counterfeit plush skips the safety testing genuine toys go through, so stuffing, dyes and seams are unchecked. Genuine Squishmallows carry an official age grading of 3 and up.
Ready to buy the real thing? Browse our full Squishmallows collection, every one from official UK distribution and quality checked before it ships. New characters land regularly, and the popular ones rarely hang around.