If you’ve ever gone looking for a new squishy toy, you’ll know that “squishy” can mean a surprising number of different things.
Two toys can look almost identical online and feel completely different in your hand. One might collapse under the slightest touch, another might have a thick gel filling that slowly shifts between your fingers, while another gives you enough resistance that you really have to squeeze before it starts to move.
Then there’s the terminology. Sugar squishies, maltose squishies, taba squishies, foam squishies, ASMR squishies, crunchy squishies, bead-filled squishies and firm resistance squishies are all commonly used terms, but they don’t always make it obvious what the toy is actually going to feel like.
That’s exactly what this guide is here to help with.
At Spiffy, we’ve handled, squeezed and compared a lot of different squishies, so we’ve put together a practical guide to the main types you’re likely to come across, how they differ, what kind of sensory experience they offer and who they might suit best.
Because when it comes to squishies, there isn’t really one “best” texture. There’s just the kind of squish you personally keep reaching for.
👉 Shop all our Squishies and Squishy Toys here.
What Makes One Squishy Feel Different From Another?
A squishy toy is essentially any squeezable toy designed to compress, deform or move when pressure is applied, but the way that happens depends enormously on the material and filling.
A foam squishy compresses because the foam itself collapses under pressure, while a sugar gel squishy changes shape because a thick filling moves inside a stretchy outer skin. A taba squishy is often extremely soft and floppy, whereas a firm resistance squishy is designed to push back against your hand.
That means the appearance of a squishy can be a poor guide to how it will actually feel. A cute animal-shaped toy might be ultra-soft and pillowy, dense and gel-filled, or surprisingly firm.
When choosing a squishy online, the most useful things to think about are the filling, outer material, firmness, surface texture and how quickly the toy returns to shape after being squeezed.
Sugar Gel and Maltose Squishies
Sugar gel squishies have become one of the most popular modern types of squishy toy, particularly because they’re so satisfying both to squeeze and to watch.
Instead of being made from foam, they usually have a stretchy outer layer filled with a thick, slow-moving gel. When you press into the toy, the filling gradually shifts away from your fingers, making other parts of the squishy bulge and change shape.
When you release it, the gel slowly settles back again.
That gives sugar squishies a very different feel from a traditional stress ball. Rather than simply springing straight back into shape, there’s a noticeable sense of movement inside the toy, which can make repetitive squeezing feel especially satisfying.
👉 Shop all our Sugar Squishies here.
Are Sugar Squishies and Maltose Squishies the Same Thing?
This is where the terminology gets a little messy.
The phrase “sugar squishy” is often used quite broadly to describe dense, gel-filled squishy toys, while “maltose squishy” tends to refer more specifically to toys marketed as having a thick, slow-moving maltose-style filling.
In practice, the two terms are often used interchangeably by manufacturers, retailers and squishy fans.
The important thing is not necessarily the name on the packaging, but how the individual toy behaves.
Some maltose squishies feel very soft and easy to compress, while others are thicker and more resistant. The elasticity of the outer skin, the quantity of filling and the overall size of the toy can all make a noticeable difference.
A large sugar cube, for example, may feel completely different from a small maltose-filled animal even though both technically fall into the same broad category.
If you like a slow, dense squish where you can actually feel the filling moving beneath your fingers, sugar gel and maltose squishies are a very good place to start.
Taba Squishies
Taba squishies sit at the opposite end of the spectrum from firmer stress toys.
They’re known for being incredibly soft, flexible and often slightly sticky or tacky to the touch. If you’ve seen videos online where someone presses a single finger into a squishy and the whole thing seems to collapse around it, there’s a good chance you were looking at a taba-style toy.
The appeal of taba squishies is partly how little resistance they offer. You don’t need to grip them tightly or squeeze with your whole hand. Even relatively gentle pressure can dramatically change their shape.
That makes them especially appealing to people who love ultra-soft textures or who prefer manipulating a toy with their fingers rather than squeezing it firmly in their palm.
Their softness also makes them extremely satisfying to watch, which is one reason taba squishies have become so visible on social media.
Why Are Taba Squishies Often Sticky?
Many taba-style squishies have a tacky surface, which contributes to their distinctive feel. That slightly sticky texture can make them feel even softer and more tactile because your fingers grip the surface rather than sliding straight across it.
The downside is that tacky materials can also attract dust, hair and fluff more easily than smooth squishies.
If you love incredibly soft textures, that may be a trade-off you’re perfectly happy with. If you know that seeing tiny fibres stuck to a toy will drive you mad, a smoother marshmallow-style squishy might suit you better.
Foam Squishies
Foam squishies are the classic version many people picture when they first hear the word “squishy”.
They’re usually lightweight, soft and made from compressible foam. When squeezed, the foam collapses under pressure, and once released it begins expanding back towards its original shape.
With a good slow-rise foam squishy, that recovery can take several seconds.
Watching the toy gradually puff itself back up is a big part of the appeal. It turns the squish into a visual experience as well as a tactile one.
Foam squishies also tend to feel much lighter than gel-filled toys because there isn’t a heavy or dense filling moving around inside them.
What Does a Foam Squishy Feel Like?
The easiest comparison is probably a very soft sponge or memory foam.
There’s usually enough resistance that you can feel yourself compressing the material, but the overall sensation is still light and cushiony.
Foam squishies are particularly good for people who like an easy squeeze without sticky surfaces or shifting gel.
They also come in an enormous range of shapes and designs, from food and animals to oversized kawaii characters.
One thing to remember is that foam is designed to be squeezed rather than aggressively stretched. Repeatedly pulling, picking or tearing at the material can damage it over time.
👉 Shop all our Squishies and Squishy Toys here.
ASMR, Crunchy and Bead-Filled Squishies
Not every satisfying squishy is quiet.
ASMR squishies, crunchy squishies and bead-filled designs add another layer to the experience by introducing sound and internal texture.
Instead of squeezing a completely smooth filling, you might feel tiny beads shifting beneath your fingers, foam balls rubbing together, or textured particles moving around inside the toy.
Depending on the product, the sound might be a gentle rustle, a subtle crackle or a surprisingly noticeable crunch.
That combination of tactile and audible feedback is what makes these toys feel so different from a standard gel or foam squishy.
What Is an ASMR Squishy?
ASMR is often used quite broadly in the squishy world.
Rather than referring to one specific material, it usually describes a toy that has been designed to create satisfying sensory sounds while it’s being squeezed or manipulated.
A crunchy squishy might use beads, small foam pieces, air pockets or other textured fillings to create sound and movement at the same time.
That means two ASMR squishies can behave very differently.
One might have a gentle soft crackle, while another produces a much more noticeable crunch. Some people absolutely love that extra stimulation, while others prefer their squishies completely silent.
If you enjoy feeling things move inside a fidget toy, bead-filled squishies are particularly worth trying because they give your fingers something more textured to manipulate.
👉 Shop ASMR Squish Balls here.
Soft Marshmallow-Style Squishies
There’s another type of squishy that doesn’t always have a neat technical category, but you’ll know it when you feel it.
These are the soft, pillowy, marshmallow-like squishies that feel smooth, light and easy to squeeze without being floppy or sticky.
The original Scrunchems Dumplings are a good example.
They sit somewhere between a foam squishy and a gel-filled toy in terms of overall feel, but they don’t behave quite like either.
Instead of slowly rising like foam or shifting dramatically like thick gel, they tend to give you a soft, bouncy, smooth squeeze that’s very easy to repeat without thinking about it.
That makes them particularly good as an everyday desk or sofa squishy.
What Does a Marshmallow-Style Squishy Feel Like?
Think of gently squeezing a large marshmallow.
There’s enough structure that it doesn’t completely collapse, but it compresses easily and feels soft throughout.
They’re often a great middle ground for people who want something very soft but don’t enjoy the sticky surface of a taba squishy.
They can also feel a little more substantial than a lightweight foam toy while still remaining easy to squeeze.
For someone who has no idea what kind of squishy they prefer yet, this kind of soft marshmallow texture is often a very approachable place to begin.
Firm and Resistance Squishies
One of the biggest misconceptions about squishy toys is that softer automatically means better.
For some people, an ultra-soft toy is perfect.
For others, it barely feels like they’re squeezing anything.
Firm and resistance squishies are designed for the second group.
These toys require noticeably more hand pressure before they start to compress. Instead of collapsing immediately, they push back against your grip and give your hand something substantial to work against.
That resistance can come from a denser filling, a thicker outer material, the internal structure of the toy or a combination of all three.
What Does a Firm Squishy Feel Like?
The easiest way to describe it is that the squishy fights back a little.
You squeeze, it resists.
You squeeze harder, and then it begins to compress.
That extra resistance can make the toy feel far more satisfying for people who prefer a stronger hand fidget.
It’s also why simply describing every squishy as “soft” or “satisfying” isn’t particularly useful when you’re buying online.
Two people can pick up exactly the same toy and have completely different reactions depending on the amount of resistance they personally enjoy.
How Do You Know How Firm a Squishy Is Before You Buy It?
This is the problem that inspired us to create the Spiffy Squishometer™.
Buying squishies online is tricky because you can’t actually squeeze them through the screen, and descriptions such as “soft”, “firm” or “super squishy” are highly subjective.
Our Squishometer is designed to make that easier by giving squishies a simple firmness rating from 1 to 5.
A rating of 1 means the toy is extremely soft and requires very little pressure, while a rating of 5 means it offers a much stronger, more resistant squeeze.
The important thing is that the number isn’t a quality score.
A 5/5 squishy isn’t “better” than a 1/5 squishy.
They simply offer completely different sensory experiences.
Someone who loves taba squishies might actively seek out the lowest Squishometer ratings, while someone who likes resistance may head straight towards the top end.
The aim is simply to make it easier to find the kind of squish you actually enjoy.
Which Type of Squishy Is Best for You?
The easiest way to choose is to think less about what the toy looks like and more about what you want your hands to feel.
If you want something extremely soft that collapses under your fingers, taba is probably the place to start.
If you like soft squishies but don’t want a sticky surface, a marshmallow-style squishy such as an original Scrunchems Dumpling may suit you better.
If you enjoy feeling a thick filling move slowly as you squeeze, sugar gel or maltose squishies offer a much denser experience.
If you love that classic visual moment where the toy slowly returns to shape, foam squishies are hard to beat.
And if you want texture, sound and movement all at once, ASMR and bead-filled squishies give you much more going on than a completely smooth filling.
For people who like something substantial to squeeze, firm resistance squishies are usually the better choice.
Taba vs Sugar Squishy: What’s the Difference?
This is a comparison that comes up frequently because both styles can look very soft in videos.
The actual sensation is quite different.
Taba squishies generally feel much lighter, floppier and softer. They deform very easily and often have a sticky or tacky surface.
Sugar or maltose squishies tend to feel denser because you’re moving a thick filling inside the toy. Even when they’re relatively soft, you can usually feel more substance and internal movement beneath your fingers.
If you want something that almost melts under pressure, choose taba.
If you want something slow and gloopy that you can manipulate in your hand, sugar gel is probably more your thing.
Foam Squishy vs Marshmallow Squishy
These two can be particularly difficult to tell apart from photographs.
Foam squishies are lightweight and usually have a distinctive slow-rise behaviour. The foam itself is what compresses, so the sensation is often soft, airy and cushion-like.
Marshmallow-style squishies tend to feel smoother, springier and more elastic.
They usually return to shape more quickly and don’t have quite the same porous foam sensation.
Neither is better. They’re just different.
If the slow-rise visual effect is important to you, choose foam. If you want a soft, bouncy everyday squeeze, marshmallow-style squishies may be more satisfying.
What Should You Look for When Buying Squishies Online?
Appearance matters, of course. Half the fun of squishy toys is choosing ridiculous little characters that make you smile.
But it’s worth looking beyond the design.
Pay attention to what the toy is filled with, because that usually has the biggest impact on how it feels.
Then look at firmness, surface texture and size.
A sticky squishy can feel completely different from a smooth one. A tiny firm toy can require more pressure than a huge soft one. A bead-filled squishy may give you far more sensory feedback than a completely smooth gel ball.
It’s also worth thinking about how you naturally fidget.
If you tend to press things with your fingertips, you may enjoy very soft taba-style toys.
If you repeatedly squeeze your whole hand, marshmallow, gel or resistance squishies may be more satisfying.
If you get bored with smooth textures, ASMR or bead-filled designs give your fingers more to explore.
How to Clean and Care for Squishy Toys
Different materials need slightly different care, so always check the instructions that come with the individual product.
As a general rule, squishies should be squeezed rather than bitten, punctured or deliberately overstretched.
Gel-filled and bead-filled toys can become unusable if the outer skin splits, while foam squishies can tear if they’re repeatedly picked or pulled.
Many smooth squishies can be gently surface cleaned with a damp cloth and a little mild soap, then left to air dry fully.
Sticky taba-style squishies are more likely to collect dust and fluff and may need cleaning more frequently.
If a filled squishy develops a split or begins leaking, stop using it.
Are Squishy Toys Just for Children?
Not at all.
Although squishies are hugely popular with children, plenty of adults keep them on desks, beside the sofa, in bags or next to their computers.
Some people enjoy them because they like having something to do with their hands while working or watching television.
Others simply enjoy the sensation of squeezing something soft and satisfying.
There’s also a growing range of more understated squishies and sensory fidgets designed with adults in mind, although there’s absolutely nothing wrong with choosing a smiling dumpling if that’s what you like.
So, What Is the Best Type of Squishy?
There isn’t one.
The best squishy is the one that gives you the kind of sensory experience you personally enjoy.
For ultra-soft squishing, taba is hard to beat.
For thick, slow-moving gel, sugar or maltose squishies are a great choice.
For classic slow-rise satisfaction, foam squishies remain a favourite.
For something soft, smooth and pillowy, marshmallow-style squishies offer a lovely everyday squeeze.
If you want more texture and sound, ASMR and bead-filled squishies add another sensory dimension.
And if you want your hand to work a little harder, look towards firmer resistance squishies.
The fun part is discovering which texture you keep coming back to.
That’s why we’re gradually adding Spiffy Squishometer™ ratings to our squishy toys, so you can compare softness and resistance before you buy and get a much better idea of what each squishy will actually feel like.
Explore our full collection of squishy toys and squishies to discover sugar gel, marshmallow-soft, ASMR, foam and firm squishies — and find your perfect squish.