When selecting a silicone doll, many enthusiasts encounter numerous questions, such as the differences between silicone and TPE materials, head sculpt options, height, weight, and various additional features. Since most purchases are made online, it can be challenging to determine which option is best suited for individual needs without the ability to physically inspect the doll. This guide aims to provide clarity and direction for your silicone doll choices.
1. Understanding Head Sculpt Materials: Pros and Cons
The head sculpt of a silicone doll is primarily made from either TPE or silicone. Here’s a breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages of each material:
TPE Head Sculpt
Pros:
- Softness:TPE head sculpts are soft to the touch, providing a more lifelike feel.
- Useable Mouth:They often feature a mouth channel, allowing for use.
- Cost-Effective:TPE is generally more affordable than silicone, offering great value for those primarily focused on functionality.
Cons:
- Limited Customization:TPE heads cannot have implanted hair, eyebrows, or eyelashes; wigs and makeup are the only options.
- Durability:The surface makeup may fade over time with extended use.
Silicone Head Sculpt
Pros:
- Realism:Silicone head sculpts tend to look more realistic and detailed compared to TPE.
- Customizable:They allow for implanted hair and eyebrows, enhancing overall appearance.
- Long-Lasting Makeup:The makeup applied on silicone heads tends to last much longer than on TPE.
Cons:
- Harder Texture:Silicone heads are generally firmer, which may not appeal to everyone.
- Higher Cost:They are more expensive than TPE heads, which may deter budget-conscious buyers.
Choosing Based on Your Needs
For enthusiasts looking for a doll primarily for use, a TPE head sculpt is often sufficient. However, if you have a higher budget or demand more realism, consider a silicone head. Silicone heads come in two types: those with implanted hair and those with wigs. For a more authentic look, opt for implanted hair; if you enjoy trying different styles, wigs offer versatility in changing hairstyles and colors.
2. Understanding Body Materials: Pros and Cons
1. Advantages and Disadvantages of TPE Body Material
Advantages:
- TPE bodies are relatively soft and smooth, closely mimicking human skin, providing a better user experience.
- They are more affordable, offering great value for basic use.
- If damaged, TPE can be repaired seamlessly without visible traces.
Disadvantages:
- The realism and tactile quality of TPE are not as high as silicone.
- TPE bodies are often designed for adult use, resulting in exaggerated body proportions.
2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Silicone Body Material
Advantages:
- Silicone bodies visually resemble real human bodies more closely and have a superior tactile quality.
- The surface texture of silicone is highly realistic, and the body proportions are typically better.
Disadvantages:
- Silicone bodies tend to be firmer compared to TPE, providing a stronger, more solid feel (often described as similar to hugging a muscular friend).
- They are generally more expensive than TPE bodies.
3. How to Choose Based on Your Needs
If you're primarily looking for functionality, it’s recommended to choose at least a TPE body. If you want a higher level of realism, consider using body makeup to enhance the lifelike appearance.
For those using the doll as a collectible, aiming for realism in photography or cosplay, and if your budget allows, a silicone body is advisable, as it provides superior visual effects.
3. Understanding the Skeleton Material and Structure: Characteristics, Pros, and Cons
The skeleton refers to the bionic structure that mimics human bone movement, typically made from metals such as stainless steel or aluminum. Some high-end products may use alloy materials. The skeleton's role is to support the doll's body, allowing it to pose in various ways. Skeletons are usually categorized into ordinary skeletons, yoga skeletons, simple skeletons (soft skeletons), hard skeletons, and fully relaxed skeletons.
1. Ordinary Skeleton
Most dolls on the market use an ordinary skeleton, which can achieve any pose a typical person can make, with fewer joints.
2. Yoga Skeleton
As the name suggests, this skeleton can perform many extreme poses, such as bending backward, which only professional dancers can achieve. It has more joints than an ordinary skeleton, allowing for a wider range of poses and greater flexibility.
3. Simple Skeleton (Soft Skeleton)
This type refers to a basic skeleton without any joints. Each time a pose is set, the rotating parts are not at the same position, leading to deformation during use. Simple skeletons are typically found in lower-end dolls, aimed at reducing costs.
4. Hard Skeleton
This refers to a skeleton that can hold poses, encompassing both ordinary and yoga skeletons. It is contrasted with the fully relaxed skeleton. Hard skeletons are essential for maintaining specific poses, whether for use or as collectibles.
5. Fully Relaxed Skeleton
This type cannot hold poses, with all limbs hanging as if a person has lost muscle control, appearing very natural. It is usually designed for companionship.
6. How to Choose the Right Skeleton for You
An ordinary skeleton meets the needs of most users, whether for use or as a collectible. Therefore, if there are no special requirements, an ordinary skeleton is the best choice.
If you are purchasing a doll merely out of curiosity and plan to use it only a few times, a simple skeleton (soft skeleton) doll is recommended.
For those wanting a doll that can pose more widely for photography or special scenarios, a yoga skeleton doll is advisable.
If you want a doll to cuddle while sleeping and enjoy the natural feel of relaxed limbs, a fully relaxed skeleton doll is recommended (though it may be challenging to use).
Summary
If your primary goal is functionality, a full TPE doll is recommended. If you have a higher budget or specific preferences for collectibles, consider a silicone head with a TPE body. For photography or collectible use, a full silicone doll is ideal, while a silicone head with a TPE body is a more budget-friendly option.
4. How Height and Weight of Silicone Dolls Affect Our Choices
First, it’s important to understand that the height and weight of silicone dolls are directly proportional; the taller the doll, the heavier it will be.
One key point to note is that, similar to real people, taller dolls often have a more appealing presence, enhancing the overall visual effect. As a result, many enthusiasts tend to choose taller dolls, sometimes overlooking the weight factor.
Upon receiving their doll, many users are struck by how heavy it feels. They might have thought that if they could easily lift a 100-pound ex-girlfriend, then a doll weighing over 60 pounds would be just as manageable. However, once the doll is in hand, doubts may arise.
For instance, a 165 cm doll typically weighs around 32 kg. Lifting a 32 kg doll feels the same as lifting any other object of that weight, but the experience differs greatly from lifting a 32 kg person. A real person naturally conforms to your body, distributing weight across various areas, making it feel lighter.
Here’s a general idea of the height and weight of dolls on the market (note that different manufacturers may vary in weight for the same height and body type, so it’s important to inquire before purchasing):
- A 170 cm doll weighs around 34 kg.
- A 165 cm doll weighs around 32 kg.
- A 158 cm doll weighs around 27 kg.
- A 148 cm doll weighs around 24 kg.
- A 140 cm doll weighs around 20 kg (similar to the weight of a bucket of water).
For smaller dolls:
- A 125 cm doll weighs around 13 kg.
- A 110 cm doll weighs around 11 kg.
- A 100 cm doll weighs around 9 kg.
- A mini doll at 68 cm weighs around 6 kg.
The weight of the doll significantly impacts ease of movement, cleaning, and posing, as nobody wants to feel exhausted before even starting!
Before purchasing a doll, try lifting items of similar weight to gauge whether you can handle it (lifting it at all is more realistic than expecting to do so effortlessly).
Given the proportional relationship between height and weight, your choice should be influenced by your arm strength. If you have enough strength, a taller doll is recommended for better visual effect—though preferences for a more petite, delicate look can be exceptions.
If your arm strength is average, you'll need to decide between visual appeal and weight. In this case, a 158 cm doll is often recommended, as it strikes a balance between being neither too short nor too heavy.
Some enthusiasts may have heard of lightweight dolls. TPE body dolls can have internal hard plastic cavities to reduce weight by about 5 kg, while almost all manufacturers of silicone bodies use lightweight materials, so there’s no additional weight reduction issue.
Additional Features of Silicone Dolls
1、Sound Functionality: This feature allows the doll to produce pleasant sounds during use. Sound functionality is divided into intelligent sound and voice dialogue (touch sound) as well as vibration sound (shaking sound)
- Intelligent Sound (Touch Sound):This utilizes embedded touch sensors (located in the legs, buttocks, and canal) to produce sounds when touched or operated. The sound varies with the speed of operation. It also includes a voice dialogue feature.
- Vibration Sound (Shaking Sound):This generates sound through vibrations during operation.
2、Full-Body Heating Function: This feature heats the internal components of the doll to match human body temperature, significantly enhancing the overall experience.
3、Standing Function: The main purpose of this feature is to allow the doll to stand without damaging the feet, making it suitable for various scenarios.
There are two types of standing: with nails and without nails. TPE bodies typically require support nails for standing, while silicone bodies do not. Some enthusiasts may wonder why some choose not to have the standing function; for TPE bodies, the need for support nails can be a dealbreaker for foot enthusiasts.
4、Jelly Butt: This refers to filling the buttocks area of the doll with softer material, enhancing the tactile feel.
5、Self-Lubricating: This involves adding dry lubrication beads to the doll’s canal, which can be activated by adding water before use. However, this feature is not recommended as conventional lubricants work more effectively and are inexpensive.
6、Suction Function: This feature allows the doll’s canal to create a vacuum, providing a pleasurable experience without the need for movement.
7、Body Makeup: This refers to the detailed painting on the doll's surface, mimicking skin tones and textures to enhance visual appeal. For TPE dolls, body makeup significantly improves aesthetics, making them closer in appearance to silicone bodies.
- Removable Canal:Simply put, this feature allows for the installation of a detachable canal for easy cleaning. However, while this makes cleaning more convenient, it can greatly diminish the overall experience (if the experience of a detachable canal were the same as a fixed one, there would be no need for a detachable option).
9、Removable Thighs: This refers to dolls with detachable thighs, making them easier to pack in luggage for convenient transport and storage during moves.
10、Hair Around the Canal: This feature caters to enthusiasts who prefer a more natural look.
11、Realistic Oral Cavity on Silicone Heads: While TPE heads typically have a threaded canal, silicone heads feature a realistic mouth design complete with teeth and a tongue.
Of course, silicone dolls come with many additional features or options, such as yoga skeletons, articulated mechanical fingers, breathing functions, limb movement, and weight reduction in TPE bodies (silicone bodies generally use lightweight materials, so weight reduction is not applicable).
You can choose features based on your needs. For example, if storage space is limited, opting for a smaller doll or one with removable thighs might be ideal. If cleaning conditions are restricted, you may sacrifice some experiential quality for the convenience of a detachable canal. In situations where you can use the doll freely, features like sound functionality can be a great addition.
6. How Usage and Storage Conditions Affect Our Decision to Purchase a Silicone Doll
A significant number of enthusiasts abandon the idea of purchasing a silicone doll due to storage issues. For those without a completely private space, finding a way to discreetly store a doll can be as challenging as hiding a person in the house without being discovered.
While using a silicone doll to fulfill personal needs is a reasonable, legal, safe, comfortable, and healthy option, it remains a private matter for most people. Many find it difficult to discuss or explain, leading to concerns about storage in the absence of sufficient conditions for use.
So, how can we effectively store our silicone doll when we don't have adequate usage conditions?
- Purchasing a loli-style silicone doll makes it easy to store in a suitcase or closet, as they are quite lightweight. The loli-style dolls primarily come in sizes of 68 cm, 100 cm, 115 cm, and 125 cm.
2、Purchasing a silicone doll with detachable thighs allows for easy storage; when you need to put it away, you can simply remove the thighs and place the doll in a suitcase or a relatively smaller space.
3、Getting a silicone doll storage sofa allows you to place the doll inside when not in use, providing excellent concealment. It essentially adds another piece of furniture to your home!
Of course, there are many other good storage methods, such as placing a stool in the closet for the doll to sit on, or using a sufficiently large suitcase that can accommodate everything without issue!
7. Conclusion
When choosing a silicone doll, there is no absolute "best" option; the best choice is the one that suits our needs!
Many people debate whether silicone or TPE is better, but the advantages of each material can only be realized based on different usage purposes.
We shouldn't be troubled by misleading opinions! Regardless of the material, all dolls must meet the legal safety standards for use before they can be sold. Therefore, we should select a silicone doll that is appropriate for our specific purposes and usage scenarios.