The first time I held a labubu vinyl plush doll, it felt… weird. In a good way. My hands were used to the smooth, cool weight of the 3-inch vinyl figures from the blind boxes. This was different. It was a strange, wonderful hybrid: a soft, squishy body with the familiar, mischievous vinyl face of a LABUBU staring back at me. It was like Kasing Lung's monster had jumped right out of its 2D art and decided to be a proper stuffed animal.
Since that first "Time to Chill" series dropped, the hype has been relentless. I get emails and DMs every single day at PopNya asking the same questions. "Which one is better?" "Why is the pink one $200?" "Is the big one worth it?"
So, let's just talk about it. No marketing fluff. Just a real collector's breakdown of the different vinyl plush lines, from the OG to the collabs to the giants.
The One That Started It All: The "Time to Chill" Series
This was the one. The series that crashed the Pop Mart website and sent the collector world into a frenzy. The "Time to Chill" series features LABUBU in adorable, simple hoodies. The concept is perfect, a little monster, ready to relax.
When these first launched, the retail price was around $38. A little steep for a plush, maybe, but this was LABUBU. Within 48 hours, I saw the "Soymilk" (the white one) and "Lychee" (the pink one) colorways listed on StockX and eBay for $150. It was absolute madness.
The Feel: The plush on this series is a standard, slightly fluffy material. It's soft, but not super-premium. The real star is the contrast. You have this soft, floppy body, and then the hard, perfectly sculpted labubu vinyl doll face. The hoodie is a great touch, and on most of them, you can pull it up or down.
Real Talk From a Seller: The first batch of these had some minor quality control things. Nothing major, but I noticed the stitching on the edge of the hoodies wasn't always perfect. Sometimes a loose thread here or there. Pop Mart seemed to tighten this up on later restocks. It's a tiny detail, but it's something you notice when you're handling dozens of them. Another thing only a collector would know: the weight of the plush can feel slightly different depending on the color. I swear the darker dyed fabrics on the "Black Sesame" feel a bit denser than the "Soymilk." It's subtle, but it's there.
If you're just getting into the plush game, this series is the iconic starting point. But be warned, finding the popular colors for a decent price now is a real treasure hunt. People who have them tend to hold onto them.
The Crossover Queen: The "Mokoko Close to Sweet" Series
Then came the collaboration with Mokoko, another beloved character. This was a genius move by Pop Mart. It brought a whole new audience into the LABUBU fold. I wrote a whole review on the Pop Mart LABUBU Mokoko Close to Sweet Vinyl Plush Doll because it was such a different experience.
This series immediately felt more… deluxe. The theme was softer, with floral and sweet-inspired designs. LABUBU is wearing little bonnets and has flower details. It's a departure from the mischievous monster vibe and leans into pure cuteness.
The Feel (and the big difference): The fur. This is the single biggest difference between the "Time to Chill" and "Mokoko" series. The Mokoko plush uses a shorter, denser, almost velvety fur. It feels more luxurious and premium to the touch. When customers ask me which one "feels nicer," I almost always point them to the Mokoko series. The construction also feels a bit more complex, with more embroidered details and layered accessories.
Market Pulse: These retailed for a bit more, closer to the $45-$50 mark. The aftermarket spike wasn't quite as vertical as "Time to Chill," but the demand was just as high. Pop Mart likely produced more of these to meet the insane demand they saw from the first series. The "Sakura Jelly" and "Toffee" versions were the instant fan favorites and still command high prices. This series showed that the labubu vinyl plush doll wasn't a one-hit wonder; it was a core product line.
If you're looking for one that feels a bit more special and high-end, the Mokoko series is a fantastic choice. The design is more intricate, and the materials feel like a definite upgrade.
Let's Talk About the "Labubu Plush Doll Big" Problem
You've probably seen them. The absolute units. The giant LABUBU plush dolls that are more like furniture than collectibles. The "Into Energy" series, for example, has a massive LABUBU that's over 15 inches tall.
I call this a "problem" for a reason.
Look, they are incredibly cool. The shelf presence is undeniable. When you see one in person, it's impressive. The vinyl face, scaled up to that size, is a statement piece. But honestly? For 95% of collectors, they are wildly impractical.
The Reality Check: 1. Space: Where do you put it? This isn't something that sits on your desk. It needs its own chair. It will dominate any shelf you put it on. 2. Price: We're not talking $40 anymore. These big boys retail for $100+ and can easily fetch $300-$500 on the aftermarket, especially for the more limited designs. 3. Dust: It's a giant plush. It's a giant dust magnet. Keeping it clean is a real chore.
I've had a few of the labubu plush doll big versions in the shop, and while they get a ton of attention, they are a serious commitment. My advice is always the same: unless you have a dedicated display room or you're a die-hard LABUBU completionist with deep pockets, you're probably better off getting two or three different standard-sized plushies for the same price and space.
The Money Question: "Stuffed Animals How Much is a Labubu?"
This is the million-dollar question, or at least the few-hundred-dollar question. The price of a LABUBU is all over the place, and it depends on four things: Retail, Resale, Rarity, and Rip-offs.
Retail: If you are lucky enough to buy directly from Pop Mart on drop day, you're looking at roughly $38 to $55 USD for a standard-sized vinyl plush. This is the best-case scenario.
Resale: This is where it gets wild. The moment a series sells out, the aftermarket takes over. * Common colorways from a recent drop might settle around $60-$80. * Popular colorways (like the pinks, whites, or special designs) can immediately jump to $120-$200. * Older, truly rare plushies (like the first-run "Lychee" Time to Chill) can sometimes be listed for $250+.
Rarity: Some plushies are regional exclusives or event-exclusives. These are instantly grail-status and the prices reflect that. The supply is tiny, and the demand is global.
Rip-offs (The "Cheap Labubu" Trap): This is my most important warning. If you're searching for "stuffed animals cheap labubu" and you find a listing on a sketchy site for $15 or $20, I can promise you it is fake. 100%. There is no such thing as a cheap, authentic LABUBU vinyl plush. The materials and the licensing cost more than that to produce. These fakes often have misshapen vinyl faces, use cheap, scratchy fabric, and have terrible stitching. It's just not worth it. If you're worried about authenticity, I wrote a guide on how to spot a fake LABUBU box that has some helpful tips that apply to the plushies too.
Your best bet for finding one without getting scammed is to either be lightning-fast on drop days, or to buy from a trusted, reputable reseller who knows the product. Navigating the world of local stock can be tricky, but there are ways to find LABUBU near you safely.
Our Take: The Seller's Verdict
So, after handling, packing, and shipping countless of these little monsters, which one do I think is the best?
Honestly, it's a toss-up, but for different reasons. If I had to recommend one to a new collector who wants the definitive LABUBU plush experience, I'd say try to find a "Time to Chill" plush in a color you love that won't break the bank. It's the original, the icon. It perfectly captures that mischievous, comfy LABUBU spirit.
However, if you're a stickler for quality and you appreciate the finer details, the "Mokoko Close to Sweet" series is objectively a better-made product. The velvety fur and intricate designs make it feel more like a high-end collectible teddy bear that just happens to have a monster face. It's a beautiful piece.
The big plush? I'd pass, personally. The money and space can be better used elsewhere in a collection.
What's on the Horizon? Upcoming Labubu Releases
The vinyl plush has become a core part of the LABUBU ecosystem, right alongside the blind boxes and the mega-sized ZIMOMO figures. While Pop Mart doesn't release them as frequently as the blind box series, we can definitely expect more.
My tip for catching upcoming labubu releases is to keep a close eye on Pop Mart's official social media, especially around major holidays (Christmas, Valentine's Day) and shopping events like Singles' Day (11.11). They love to do surprise drops. We're always on the lookout and will share any news we get. The pattern seems to be one or two major vinyl plush series per year, so each release is a big deal.
Ultimately, the appeal of the labubu vinyl plush doll is that it's a different way to connect with the character. You can't really cuddle a vinyl figure, but you can absolutely toss one of these on your bed or couch. It brings Kasing Lung's art into your space in a more tactile, comforting way.
They're a pain to get, they can be ridiculously expensive, and they take up more space than their tiny vinyl cousins. But when you have one sitting on your desk, giving you that signature toothy grin… yeah, it's worth it. If you're ready to add one to your family, you can always check out our LABUBU offerings at PopNya, we're just as obsessed as you are.
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