Rare and retired Squishmallows: where to find them, how to spot fakes and what they really sell for
Most Squishmallows cost about the same as any soft toy, but a few limited editions sell for hundreds of pounds, and fakes are common. This guide explains Jazwares' official rarity tags, which Squishmallows collectors look for, where to find rare ones in the UK, how to tell a real one from a fake, and how to work out a fair price using eBay sold listings.
Ad This guide contains affiliate links. Squishmallows, the round, stretchy soft toys made by KellyToys (owned by Jazwares since 2019), have sold in their hundreds of millions: BBC Newsround reported more than 100 million sold worldwide in 2022 alone. With more than 1,000 designs, new characters arriving all the time and old ones quietly disappearing, collecting them has become a hobby for children, teenagers and plenty of adults.
Almost all Squishmallows are mass-produced and sell second-hand for about what they cost. The valuable ones are a small group of numbered limited editions, special tags and one-off exclusives. Below: what makes a Squishmallow rare, where to find rare Squishmallows (places most people don't look), how to spot a fake, where UK collectors buy and how to price-check with eBay sold listings. If you just want a present, current Squishmallows are sold in most UK toy shops and supermarkets, and on Amazon.
Collect soft toys? Our rare and retired Jellycats guide covers the same questions for Jellycat, and Jellycat gifts covers the current range. For other collectors, see Pokémon cards as gifts and retired LEGO sets.
Who this guide is for: Squishmallows collectors in the UK, parents whose child has a 'rare' Squishmallow on their Christmas list, and anyone buying a retired one as a present who doesn't want to overpay or end up with a fake.
What makes a Squishmallow rare (and the official rarity tags)
Unlike most soft toy brands, Jazwares has an official Squishmallows rarity scale, shown by a seal on the hangtag. On 28 October 2026 its page listed:
- Rare: silver foil tag, 75,000 of each worldwide.
- Ultra Rare: gold tag, 50,000 of each, at select retailers.
- Special Edition: a maximum of 20,000 of each.
- Select Series: limited releases with black tags.
- Check-In Series: purple tags, only found at select locations.
- Founders Edition: redeemed with a rare Founder's Redemption Card hidden in a few packs of Squishmallows trading cards.
Looking for a particular tier? Live eBay searches: Select Series on eBay Special Edition on eBay Ultra Rare on eBay Check-In Series on eBay Founders Edition on eBay
Outside the official tiers, collectors also chase retailer exclusives (characters made for one chain), seasonal squads such as Halloween and Christmas once they've sold through, and early versions of popular characters with their original tags.
Rarity can change. Popular characters are often reissued in new sizes or colours, and a reissue usually brings second-hand prices down. Check whether a character is back in the shops before you pay a premium.
Where to find rare Squishmallows (places most people don't look)
Most people only look in the big toy shops. Collectors look further afield:
Toy shops, supermarkets and card shops
Squishmallows are sold in many UK toy shops, supermarkets and gift shops, and the rare tags (silver, gold and holographic) turn up mixed in with standard stock. Some chains have their own exclusive characters or colours: The Entertainer and Claire's have both sold store-exclusive Squishmallows, for example. Check the hangtags when you're in a shop: rare tags are easy to miss in a big display.
Amusement parks, zoos, arcades and attraction gift shops
BBC Newsround says the first Squishmallows were mostly sold in amusement parks and specialist shops, and attraction gift shops and arcade prize machines still carry them. Stock in these shops often sells more slowly than in city toy shops, so characters that have sold out elsewhere can still be on the shelf.
Garden centres, service stations and travel shops
Garden centre gift halls, motorway services and airport shops often stock a small selection of soft toys, including Squishmallows. They're worth a look on your travels, especially for seasonal characters after the season has ended.
Second-hand: charity shops, car boot sales and end-of-season sales
Squishmallows turn up in charity shops and at car boot sales, often without hangtags and priced as ordinary soft toys. Check the sewn-in tag (see the fake-spotting checklist below) before you get excited. Also look at January and post-Halloween sales: seasonal characters that don't sell out are reduced before they disappear.
Tips before you travel
- Call ahead. Stock changes daily, and most shops won't reserve a particular character.
- Follow local shops and collector groups on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook, where new deliveries are often posted.
- Check every hangtag. The silver, gold and holographic seals are small.
- Expect limits on popular new releases.
How to spot a fake Squishmallow
Counterfeit soft toys are a real problem, especially around Christmas. In December 2025 the Chartered Trading Standards Institute warned about cheap counterfeit plush toys that posed a choking hazard, seized at Stansted Airport and destined for online marketplaces. Fakes aren't just a waste of money: they may not have been safety tested. Collectors check these things:
- The hangtag: a genuine Squishmallow has a printed hangtag with the character's name and a short bio. Spelling mistakes, blurry printing or a missing name are warning signs.
- The sewn-in tag: it should name KellyToy or Jazwares and carry safety and manufacturing information. No sewn-in tag at all is a red flag.
- Rarity seals: silver, gold, holographic and black tags are what make a Squishmallow valuable, so they're exactly what fakers copy. Compare with photos from Jazwares or a big retailer.
- Shape, fabric and face: genuine Squishmallows are evenly stuffed, very soft and spring back when squeezed. Lumpy stuffing, rough fabric, uneven stitching or a slightly wrong face or colour are common on fakes.
- Price and seller: a 'rare' Squishmallow at a bargain price, or a seller with lots of the same rare character in brand-new condition, should make you suspicious.
For Jack the Black Cat specifically, The Toy Book reported a black matte Select Series hangtag and a '500' emblem embroidered on the ear and on the gold sewn-in label.
Where UK collectors buy rare Squishmallows
- eBay: the biggest UK marketplace for retired and rare Squishmallows, and the best place to check real sold prices. Pay through eBay's checkout so you're covered by the eBay Money Back Guarantee if an item doesn't arrive or isn't as described. Start with a search for rare Squishmallows.
- Vinted: popular for second-hand Squishmallows and often cheaper, but listings can be thin on detail. Pay through Vinted's checkout for Buyer Protection.
- Collector groups: Facebook groups and Reddit communities are good for swaps, advice and a reality check on prices. Pay with a method that protects you.
Never pay a stranger by bank transfer or 'friends and family' for a rare Squishmallow. If something goes wrong, you'll have no way to get your money back.
How to price-check a Squishmallow using eBay sold listings
Asking prices on eBay can be wildly optimistic. What matters is what people actually paid. Here's how to check:
- Search eBay.co.uk for the character's name, size and any tag, for example 'Squishmallows Jack black cat select series'.
- Turn on the Sold items filter (in the filter menu on the app, or under 'Show only' on desktop). Sold prices show in green.
- Compare like with like: same size, same tag, and hangtag on or off. Collectors pay much more for Squishmallows with their tags.
- Ignore one-off highs and lows, and look at several sales over a few weeks. Remember postage is often added on top.
- Check whether the character has been reissued recently, because a re-release can lower prices quickly.
Sold-listing searches to start with: Jack the Black Cat, Select Series, Special Edition, Ultra Rare and all rare Squishmallows. eBay links on this page are affiliate links: I may earn a commission from eBay if you buy, at no extra cost to you.
Looking after a collectable Squishmallow
Keep the hangtag on, and consider a clear tag protector: for collectors, the tag is often worth as much as the toy. Store Squishmallows away from direct sunlight, damp and smoke, and avoid squashing them flat for long periods.
Most of all, buy Squishmallows you love. Most won't rise in value, and nobody knows which characters collectors will want in a few years' time.
Rare Squishmallows to look for on eBay
How we chose: I based this guide on Jazwares' own Squishmallows rarity scale page, press coverage of the first limited edition (The Toy Book, September 2020), BBC Newsround's history of the brand (July 2023), a Chartered Trading Standards Institute warning about counterfeit plush toys (December 2025) and eBay's buyer protection policy, all checked on 28 October 2026. I haven't quoted resale prices, because they move quickly and most published figures are asking prices; instead the buttons open eBay searches so you can check sold prices yourself. I haven't bought or sold any of the Squishmallows mentioned. These products have not been tested hands-on; this is a research-based roundup. How the research works.
Rare Squishmallows compared
| Pick | Tag or marker | How many made | Collector note | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jack the Black CatThe grail | Black matte Select Series hangtag; '500' on the ear and on the gold sewn-in label | 500 | The first limited edition; often called the rarest | eBay |
| Select Series (black tag)Most collectable tier | Black Select Series hangtag | Limited (Jazwares doesn't publish every number) | Jazwares' limited line | eBay |
| Special Edition (holographic tag)Rare but findable | Holographic hangtag seal | Up to 20,000 each | Maximum 20,000 per design, says Jazwares | eBay |
| Ultra Rare (gold tag)Best stocking filler hunt | Gold hangtag | 50,000 each | Sold at select retailers | eBay |
| Rare (silver foil tag)Cheapest 'rare' tier | Silver foil hangtag | 75,000 each | The most common of the rarity tiers | eBay |
| Original 2017 squadBest for nostalgia | Early KellyToy tags | Not published | First-edition versions of the founding characters | eBay |
Specs are from manufacturer listings as of 28 October 2026; claimed figures (running costs, runtimes) are the maker’s, not ours. Check the retailer’s page for the current price and exact variant before you buy.
Jack the Black Cat (Select Series, 2020)
Best for: Serious collectors with a serious budget
- Tag or marker
- Black matte Select Series hangtag; '500' on the ear and on the gold sewn-in label
- How many made
- 500
- Collector note
- The first limited edition; often called the rarest
Jack was the 500th Squishmallow and the first limited edition. The Toy Book reported in September 2020 that he was a 16-inch black cat limited to 500 pieces, sold only through the official Squishmallows website, and that he sold out in under two hours. BBC Newsround calls him the rarest Squishmallow.
Genuine Jacks have a black matte Select Series hangtag and a '500' emblem embroidered on the ear and on the gold sewn-in label. With so few made, assume any cheap 'Jack' is a fake or a different black cat.
What owners and reviewers like
- Famous, numbered limited edition
- Clear authenticity details to check
Watch-outs
- Very expensive and very rarely for sale
- Fakes and look-alikes are common
Check price at eBay Affiliate link · opens ebay.co.uk
Select Series Squishmallows (black tag)
Best for: Collectors who want something genuinely limited
- Tag or marker
- Black Select Series hangtag
- How many made
- Limited (Jazwares doesn't publish every number)
- Collector note
- Jazwares' limited line
Jazwares' rarity scale describes the Select Series as limited releases with exclusive black tags. Jack was the first; others have followed.
Check the listing photos for the black tag itself, and compare the character with Jazwares' or the original retailer's photos.
What owners and reviewers like
- Officially limited
- Easy to identify by the black tag
Watch-outs
- Prices vary a lot by character
- Tag must be present and undamaged
Check price at eBay Affiliate link · opens ebay.co.uk
Special Edition Squishmallows (holographic tag)
Best for: A rare Squishmallow that won't cost a fortune
- Tag or marker
- Holographic hangtag seal
- How many made
- Up to 20,000 each
- Collector note
- Maximum 20,000 per design, says Jazwares
Jazwares says Special Edition Squishmallows have a holographic tag and a maximum of 20,000 of each. That's rare by Squishmallow standards, but enough that they do come up for sale.
A sensible step up for a child who has lots of standard Squishmallows. Check the holographic seal is in the photos.
What owners and reviewers like
- Official limit on numbers
- More affordable than Select Series
Watch-outs
- 20,000 is still quite a lot
Check price at eBay Affiliate link · opens ebay.co.uk
Ultra Rare Squishmallows (gold tag)
Best for: Children who love the thrill of finding a 'rare' one
- Tag or marker
- Gold hangtag
- How many made
- 50,000 each
- Collector note
- Sold at select retailers
Jazwares says a gold tag means only 50,000 of that Ultra Rare Squishmallow exist globally, sold through select retailers. They're often found in normal shops, which makes them fun to hunt for.
Many are on sale new at normal prices, so check the shops before paying extra second-hand.
What owners and reviewers like
- Can turn up in ordinary shops
- Fun to hunt for
Watch-outs
- Not worth a big premium second-hand
Check price at eBay Affiliate link · opens ebay.co.uk
Rare Squishmallows (silver foil tag)
Best for: A first 'rare' for a young collector
- Tag or marker
- Silver foil hangtag
- How many made
- 75,000 each
- Collector note
- The most common of the rarity tiers
The silver foil tag is the first step on Jazwares' rarity scale: 75,000 of each design worldwide. That's limited compared with core characters, but far from scarce.
Great as a present for a young collector, but there's little reason to pay much over the shop price.
What owners and reviewers like
- Easy to find
- Official rarity tag
Watch-outs
- Least rare of the tiers
Check price at eBay Affiliate link · opens ebay.co.uk
Original 2017 squad (first-wave tags)
Best for: Long-time fans and anyone who had one of the first ones
- Tag or marker
- Early KellyToy tags
- How many made
- Not published
- Collector note
- First-edition versions of the founding characters
BBC Newsround lists the first official squad from 2017 as Cam the Cat, Wendy the Frog, Fifi the Fox, Hans the Hedgehog, Piper and Puff the Penguins, and Hoot and Holly the Owls. They were only really sold at amusement parks and specialist shops at first.
Many of these characters have been made again since, so a first-wave original needs its early tags to be worth more than a current one. Ask the seller for photos of both tags.
What owners and reviewers like
- Where Squishmallows began
- Lovely gift for an early fan
Watch-outs
- Hard to tell originals from re-releases without tags
Check price at eBay Affiliate link · opens ebay.co.uk
FAQs
What is the rarest Squishmallow?
Jack the Black Cat is usually named the rarest: the first Select Series limited edition, released in 2020 and limited to 500. Jazwares doesn't publish production numbers for every character, so there's no complete official list.
What do the coloured tags on Squishmallows mean?
They're Jazwares' official rarity scale: silver foil = Rare (75,000 of each), gold = Ultra Rare (50,000), holographic = Special Edition (up to 20,000), black = Select Series (limited), purple = Check-In Series (select locations).
How much is my Squishmallow worth?
Check eBay sold listings, not asking prices, for the same character, size and tag. Most Squishmallows sell for about what they cost new. Only a small number of limited editions sell for hundreds of pounds.
How can I tell if a Squishmallow is fake?
Check for a printed hangtag with the name and bio, a sewn-in tag naming KellyToy or Jazwares, even stitching and soft, springy filling. Be wary of rare characters at low prices.
Where can I buy rare Squishmallows in the UK?
Rare-tag Squishmallows turn up in ordinary toy shops, supermarkets and attraction gift shops. Retired and limited ones are mostly bought second-hand on eBay, Vinted and in collector groups.
Do you get commission?
Yes. eBay links on this page are eBay Partner Network affiliate links and Amazon links are Amazon Associates links, so I may earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Links to Jazwares and other sites are plain links that earn nothing. See the affiliate disclosure.
- Jazwares: Squishmallows rarity scale
- The Toy Book (1 September 2020): Kellytoy introduces the 500th member of the Squishmallows squad
- BBC Newsround (17 July 2023): Squishmallows, what are they and why are they so popular?
- Chartered Trading Standards Institute (19 December 2025): Christmas warning on counterfeit plush toys
- eBay: Money Back Guarantee policy
- Vinted: guide to Buyer Protection
Prices change constantly, so we don’t list them here. Always check the current price, seller and delivery details on the retailer’s site before buying. If anything on this page looks wrong or out of date, let me know.
