Having a hard time figuring out which plushie to buy? Frustrated that so many ads only show one side view of the pony? Well, maybe this can help!
I've purchased a few different kinds of plushies just so I can do this...a review of each one, an honest and frank breakdown of each plush pony's pros and cons. I've never been a big fan of plush toys, so I'm kind of coming at this from a total newb's point of view. Please keep in mind, though, that these are my own opinions and they may not be the same as yours, but I included front, back and both sides shots of each type of pony and put them beside a G1 So Soft Gusty so you can gauge pile (length) of the plushy minky fabric used, and for size comparison. I've rated them from least impressive to most impressive, so here we go!
Additional photos are under the "Spoiler" beneath each initial picture
Coming in at #5 is
Funrise with their "spaghetti haired" pony. Retailing at under $10, this plushie would be good for small children who get their toys dirty and are a little rough on them. They aren't impressive for quality, character accuracy or likeability, but for a basic cheap toy they're Ok. Not really cuddly for an older child or adult, but for very tiny little hands I can see them being perfect. Cutie mark is only on one side of the pony.
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Build-a-Bear Scootaloo which retails under $20 with no extras. I think something is off about these guys. I know they're incredibly popular, and I like the larger ones they've made such as Twilight and Pinkie, but the CMC are....weird. The ginormous heads make them off balance and it's difficult to get them to stand on their own. The brushable hair is nice, but there's nothing that really sets them apart from any other plush except the fact that you can stuff them yourselves and buy accessories for them. If you find the "chibi" big-head look appealing, perhaps this is the pony for you. I don't find her particularly cuddly.
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Ty Beanie Baby in the under $10 department. I like these guys for the brushable hair, symmetry, and adorable faces. For a slightly older child who wants something to sleep with and cuddle and also wants hair to brush and braid, these guys are pretty good. I've seen that Fluttershy has much longer hair than the others, with Rainbow Dash's being the shortest. The hair is well rooted and fun to play with, though RD's bangs are a little wild. Unfortunately, if play is a little too rough, the wings have a tendency to split apart, but nothing a couple of stitches or some fabric glue won't fix. Not easy to just toss her in the wash, though, as the hair can frizz. Frizzy hair is easily fixed with a flat iron, though
Cutie mark is on one side only.
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FurYu Uncertain as to her cost since I traded for her
This girl makes me laugh every time I look at her! She has an adorable, mischievous smile that is solidly embroidered onto her face. I'm not too sure why I find her more appealing, as she's essentially exactly the same (body-wise) as the Funrise pony I'm not too keen on. I think it's the hair since Pinkie's mullet is adorable instead of annoying. Her face doesn't look as pinched, either, but that might be individual differences and not standard. Very easy to keep clean and equally as good for little hands as the Funrise...just cuter. Cutie mark is on one side only.
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4th Dimension Entertainment pony! Costing just under $30 I honestly thought this girl would surpass everyone else, and for legitimate, licensed products she does. For children who want a larger toy to cuddle and for people who appreciate show-accuracy, definitely go the 4DE route...if you don't mind waiting...and waiting...and waiting...for new releases to come out. My particular girl is one of the earliest makes of her kind (2012 on her production code) and judging by some of newest plushie pics and the information on their tags, they seem to have made some changes to the pattern...enough to have to change the patent number anyway. I like the way she's made and her mane is sewn directly into her neck seam, which is nice. No corners were cut in the making of this plush and it shows, though her tail seems to have been attached a little haphazardly. I think that may just be mine, though. Cutie mark on is both sides.
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loginRating separately from everyone else is my personal favourite, the knock-off
12-inch FAKIE Now,
please don't misunderstand me. It is not a good idea to purchase these things for children and care must be taken when these come to your house, as it is unknown as to what is used to make these, what quality control measures (if any) have been used, and what risk minimalizing tactics are intrinsic in the factories. There may be foreign objects, nasty chemicals, general ickyness and perhaps a mouse in them for all I know. I have no children and they are away from anywhere my dogs could accidentally get hold of them. If safety and business accountability are prime in your purchasing decision, I implore you NOT to buy these ponies. If you'd like one that looks like these and know the products used to make them have passed at least some kind of quality control measures, get them made by a customizer. It'll cost you more money financially, but peace of mind, right?
Anyway, I'll say what I do like about these guys. The plush used is a perfect pile. Very soft and snuggable, I wanted to hug mine as soon as I saw him. I liked the attention to detail as far as they embroidery of the eyes and symbols go. The yolk he wears can be removed. Many people don't like the "kitty mouth" but I think it's cute. The "hair" of the mane is just attached with a few stitches, however...if it were attached all the way down his neck it'd be better. Cutie mark is on both sides.
If you like the looks of this guy, wait for 4DE to (eventually) make him or get a customizer to make you one.
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loginAnd there we go! If I get some new ones from other companies, I'll add to my list here. If you know of any plushies I've forgotten about, or would like to give your own two cents, feel free! Hopefully some of you have found all this stuff helpful. Just remember, again, it's my own observations. I'm not affiliated with any of these companies at all
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