Currently, there are two main materials used for physical dolls on the market: silicone and TPE!
Most doll enthusiasts acquire physical dolls for adult purposes, as collectibles, or a mix of both!
- Characteristics and Pros & Cons of Silicone Material: Silicone material is relatively firm, although recent developments have made it slightly softer (costlier). If we consider the softness of a real person as 100, standard silicone rates around 50 in softness, and softened silicone reaches about 65!
(Explanation: Silicone tends to be firmer due to its higher density. Generally, higher density equals greater hardness. Silicone is preferred for breast augmentation due to its stable and robust chemical nature.)
Visually, silicone dolls resemble humans more delicately. The doll’s makeup is sprayed on, and features like eyebrows and eyelashes are artificially implanted, ensuring longevity. Silicone dolls can have implanted hair, providing a better visual effect!
As silicone is relatively expensive and involves sulfurization in processing, defects are irremediable, leading to higher production costs!
- Characteristics and Pros & Cons of TPE Material: Dolls made of TPE material offer a soft, smooth touch. For a comparison, where a real soft person rates as 100, regular TPE reaches about 85, jelly-like TPE can reach around 95, and platinum TPE (raw material TPE) rates around 70!
The visual appearance of TPE dolls is not as realistic as silicone dolls. TPE dolls can’t have implanted hair, eyebrows are hand-drawn, and eyelashes are false, resulting in a less delicate appearance compared to silicone!
As TPE raw materials are relatively affordable and only require heat melting to solidify, and defects can be easily repaired, production costs are relatively lower!
Recommendations based on the above characteristics:
A. If your intention for owning a physical doll is solely for adult purposes or if your budget is limited, consider a full TPE material doll. If the budget allows or if you have higher expectations, consider a silicone head with a TPE body doll!
B. If your intention for owning a physical doll is as a collectible, a silicone doll with implanted hair is suggested. For various cosplays, a silicone doll with attachable hair would suit better. For a limited budget, consider a silicone head with a TPE doll body!
C. For those seeking collectibles and adult purposes in a doll, consider a silicone head with a TPE doll body!
