When considering the material for physical dolls, the market primarily offers two options: silicone and TPE.
For most enthusiasts, getting a physical doll serves the purpose of adult use, collectibles, or a mix of both.
- Silicone Material Characteristics and Pros & Cons: Silicone tends to be relatively rigid, although advancements have made it slightly softer recently (albeit pricier). In a scale where real softness equals 100, standard silicone rates at around 50 in softness, while softened versions reach about 65.
The visual appeal of silicone dolls closely resembles humans, with makeup applied by spray and features like eyebrows and eyelashes implanted, ensuring longevity. Some silicone dolls even sport implanted hair for a more realistic effect.
However, due to its higher cost and the need for sulfurization during processing, defects become irreversible, leading to elevated production expenses.
- TPE Material Characteristics and Pros & Cons: TPE-made dolls offer a softer, smoother touch. For comparison, while a real soft person scores 100, regular TPE stands at around 85, jelly-like TPE goes up to about 95, and platinum TPE (raw material TPE) rates approximately 70.
Visually, TPE dolls don’t match the realism of silicone dolls. They can’t have implanted hair, and their eyebrows are manually drawn while the eyelashes are false, resulting in a less sophisticated appearance compared to silicone dolls.
TPE raw materials come at a more affordable price and require simple heat melting for solidification. Besides, fixing defects is relatively straightforward, leading to lower production costs.
In conclusion, choosing the doll material depends on your purpose and budget. For adult use or a limited budget, a full TPE doll could suffice. For those seeking better quality with a flexible budget, a silicone head combined with a TPE body doll is an option. The choice ultimately depends on individual preferences and intended use.
