Squishmallows have seriously carved out a corner of the plush world for themselves in 2016 and that corner has grown exponentially ever since. Not only are there countless Squishmallows available, turning all sorts of animals and even foods into soft toys, but even franchises like Pokemon and Marvel have had some of their most iconic characters turned into Squishmallows. It was only a matter of time until a rival toymaker took inspiration from Squishmallows' success though, and that’s where Skoosherz come in.
Skoosherz are squishy soft toys brought to you by Build-A-Bears. Like Squishmallows-makers Jazwares, Build-A-Bear knows a thing or two about cuddly toys. It’s clear to see Skoosherz have been inspired by Squishmallows, but they’re different in an attempt t avoid confusion and to set them apart from the soft toys from which they have pulled inspiration. Each range has its pros and cons, even though one is significantly more established than the other, and below we will compare those factors in an attempt to determine which is better for you.
3.5 inches - 24 inches
10 inches
$20
5
Established Brands
When deciding which product you’re going to buy between two or more options, whichever has been made by the most recognizable brand will immediately check a box, even if you don’t mean it to. It’s one of the reasons why PlayStation continues to comfortably outsell Xbox, and it’s also why McDonald’s is the biggest fast food chain on the planet. Even if the jury is out on whether it’s the best, familiarity makes people feel comfortable. In this instance, that familiarity comes with Squishmallows.
Squishmallows have been around since 2016 and reached so many corners of popular culture that even if you’ve never bought one, you probably know what they are and what they look like. If given the option of a Squishmallow or a Skoosher, most will pick the former. However, if that same person were told Skoosherz are made by Build-A-Bear, their opinion might change. Skoosherz might not be as established as Squishmallows yet, but Build-A-Bear has been around far longer, and that’s why it’s likely confident its Skoosherz line has staying power.
Options Available
The biggest benefit Squishmallows has over Skoosherz right now is the sheer number of products there are available. There are hundreds, likely thousands of Squishmallows to choose from with more and more added every month. Everything from a kiwi bear to an anthropomorphic pickle. Having only introduced its Skoosherz line in January 2024, there are a very limited number of options to choose from at Build-A-Bear right now. Just five to kick things off with more coming soon if more goes to plan.
While Squishmallows gives you about as many options as you could ever want, there is a benefit to Skoosherz have a tiny fraction of what Squishmallows has to offer. If you want to go the Pokemon route and catch ‘em all, that’s going to cost you a fortune when it comes to Squishmallows. Let’s be honest, at this point, it’s probably impossible. If you want every Skoosher, there are only five ti buy. Should Build-A-Bear continue to release them at a steady rate, owning every single one is entirely possible for the foreseeable future if you jump on the bandwagon now before it starts to pick up speed.
Prices
It’s always nice when you ask what something costs and you can be given a direct, exact price without any caveats. Since there are so few Skoosherz, for now, and all of them are the same size, they all cost the same price. All five Skoosherz in Build-A-Bear’s new soft toy line are $20 each. nice and simple and if you want one for yourself or a gift, you know exactly how much you’re going to have to pay. With Squishmallows, it’s not so simple.
A lack of simplicity when it comes to Squishmallow price is not only necessary, but it’s also not a bad thing. Not across the board, anyway. Squishmallows not only come in countless different designs, but also a variety of different sizes. you’re able to buy Squishmallows that are just 3.5 inches tall, or some that are almost eight times the size at 24 inches high, with a number of different options in between. The trouble is there really is no definite price range when it comes to Squishmallows. Its price will depend on not only size, but also the variety and whether it is connected to a popular franchise like Star Wars or Sonic.
What’s Right For You?
Whether you opt for Squishamallows or Skoosherz will likely rely on a number of factors, as is evident from all of the into outline above. If you want the established brand, or potentially a product licensed by a massive franchise, then Squishmallows might be the way to go. If you want simplicity when it comes to options and price, and the chance to own ever Skoosher ever made without paying a huge amount all in one go, perhaps the Build-A-Bear route is the right one for you. Hey, if you end up with something round, soft, and squishy at the end of it, it sounds like you’ve succeeded in your quest if you ask me.
Squishmallows are right for you if:
Knuckles Squishmallow
Four of Sonic’s four characters have been turned into Squishmallows, and since Knuckles has been a part of the series since the early ’90s, the echidna is among them. Standing at eight inches tall, the squishy version of Knuckles is far more open to hugs than the real one.
Skoosherz are right for you if:
Skoosherz Strawberry Cow
What’s better than a regular cow? Why, a strawberry cow, of course. Part of the first wave of Skoosherz from Build-A-Bear, the strawberry cow is pale pink with dark pink patches and has cute little horns, ears, and arms.
FAQ
How Popular Are Squishmallows?
Squishmallows are incredibly popular. More than 100 million of them were sold in 2022 alone, and miniature versions of them have been included in McDonald’s Happy Meals in the past.
Can Build-A-Bear Legally Make Skoosherz?
There’s so much grey area here that, at the time of typing this, Jazwares has taken Build-A-Bear to court following the release of its Skoosherz line. Clearly Jazwares believes Skoosherz are a crude take on its Squishmallows, while Build-A-Bear will argue they’re distinct enough to exist in the same world as Squishmallows.
