The 20 Best Dolls of 2023

Best Overall

Baby Alive Baby Lil Sounds

4.8

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This beloved doll lives up to its Baby Alive name—it makes 10 different sounds, including giggling, babbling, and crying (no worries, parents, there’s an on-and-off switch, too). Not only does this cutie make noise, but she also responds to your child’s actions: When you lay the baby down, she yawns and makes sleepy sounds; when it’s time to play again, simply lift her up and she’ll respond to the movement and wake up. 

In addition to the realistic noises, this Baby Alive recognizes her pacifier. When your kiddo takes the pacifier out, the doll may make some whining sounds, giggle, or even hiccup. When the pacifier is back in, she’ll happily make sucking noises. Caregivers will appreciate that all of these interactive movements are powered by just one AA battery, which is included.

Perfect for ages 3 years old and up, the 12-inch doll is made of softer plastic. While she’s not super soft and cuddly, the plastic does have some give and the surface can easily be wiped clean with a wet cloth should your baby doll get dirty. 

We like that this doll is well sized and affordable, and with the removable pacifier and dress, your kiddo can give this doll lots of attention and caregiving while using and developing their fine motor skills. Unfortunately, this Baby Alive doll only comes in a girl version, but it is available in a couple of different skin tones. 

Price at time of publication: $17

Best Budget

Disney Encanto Mirabel Doll

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Disney’s Encanto’s star, Mirabel Madrigal, will be a welcome addition to your home. A quick unboxing reveals a beautifully detailed, posable plastic doll with Mirabel’s signature curly hair that’s easily brushable and ready to be styled. Encanto fans will notice the spot-on details of Mirabel’s look—she comes with her famous glasses, her long teal skirt with her name embroidered on it, pom-pom earrings, and bright pink espadrille shoes. All of the items are removable, so your kiddo will enjoy prepping Mirabel for all her adventures. 

We love that this big doll is not a budget-buster, but if your child wants Mirabel to play with her other Encanto friends, you’ll need to purchase other dolls separately. Additionally, the movie tie-in could date this doll. If your child is “over” Encanto, the sweet Mirabel may lose her appeal. The doll is 15 inches tall and is recommended for kids 3 years old and up; younger kids may need help if they choose to dress and undress the doll. 

Price at time of publication: $20

Best Baby Doll

Melissa & Doug Jenna 12" Doll

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Baby dolls can be valuable tools to help kids with their social and emotional learning. This Melissa & Doug favorite is a classic baby doll that is safe for kids as young as 18 months old. At 12 inches tall, it is also the right size for little kiddos. We love that the soft body is ideal for snuggling and toting around, but it’s also poseable and can even sit up. 

Along with a cute face, the doll has eyes that open and close—when it’s laying down the eyes close, and when it’s picked up, the eyes open. Kids can practice their fine motor skills with all of the doll’s accessories—it comes with a removable pacifier, hat, and romper. We also like that this Melissa & Doug doll comes in a few inclusive skin tones, like a Latinx baby doll named Mariana and a Black baby doll named Gabrielle. 

Price at time of publication: $33

Best Fashion

Just Play Art Squad Nene 10-inch Doll & Accessories

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Create a bold look and stand-out fashion statement with this Art Squad toy. Part doll, part DIY project, Nene is a great pick for fashion-forward and creative kiddos. She is recommended for ages 5 and up, is 10 inches tall, and comes with 15 accessories, including markers, a color-in headband, paint, and etching tools. Nene boasts colorful streaked, brushable hair. 

There’s a cool bag charm and dress that kids can etch beautiful designs on. The three included markers can also be used to color Nene’s clothing and accessories. We love that this isn’t a one-time project—the paint and sponge brush can be used to paint over the designs and etch again! The ability to create personalized looks again and again makes this our top fashion pick. Relatively inexpensive, this doll is part of the Art Squad series, which also includes Vana, Andi, and Lady T. 

Price at time of publication: $25

Best for Toddlers

CoCoMelon Interactive Learning JJ Doll

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CocoMelon enthusiasts will go nuts for this cute JJ doll—and parents will appreciate it as a teaching tool. The 10.5-inch doll has a plastic head, hands, and feet, and the body is a softer material. JJ comes sitting up and cannot be posed, so while he’s lots of fun, it may not be the best pick for cuddling or sleeping with. 

With his signature “Learn with Me” shirt and holding a light-up learning block and radio in his hands, JJ comes ready to play. The battery-powered doll has four interactive buttons and over 50 phrases and songs. Kids can learn and follow along with ABCs, 123s, and colors. Parents will appreciate the included two AAA batteries and the on/off switch located on the back of the doll. You won’t risk any middle-of-the-night singing from JJ! 

Price at time of publication: $28

Best for Preschool Kids

Cabbage Patch Kids Newborn Babydoll

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Parents of preschoolers may love having this nostalgic Cabbage Patch doll back in the house. You may even recognize that signature Cabbage Patch scent, which may bring back memories for some while others may not like a scented doll. Well sized for preschoolers' hands, this newborn baby doll is just 9 inches tall. Featuring a plastic head and hands, the body, arms, and legs are all soft and huggable and are easy for little kids to tote around. 

The baby doll comes with a removable swaddle, so youngsters can have fun wrapping up their baby for a nap or taking it on the go. Like other Cabbage Patch dolls, this new version comes with a one-of-a-kind adoption birth announcement. While it’s not poseable, the plastic hands are molded and the thumb can fit into the baby’s mouth for sucking. Although there aren’t many skin tone options, a Black baby doll is available. 

Price at time of publication: $15

Best for Elementary School-Aged Kids

ORIJIN BEES Sweet Puffy Baby Bee Doll

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O.R.I.J.I.N. B.E.E.S. is the acronym for Our Representation Is Just Inclusion Normalized, Beautifully Empowering Every Soul, and that’s just what these meticulously crafted dolls do. The non-toxic vinyl 12-inch dolls feature poseable arms and legs. Kids will delight in the inclusive options that represent Black, African American, Latino, Biracial, Caribbean, and all other girls with curly hair who have often struggled to see themselves in their own dolls. 

While certainly a higher price point than some of the other options on our list, these well-made dolls come with a beautiful (and removable) dress and hair accessory. Your child will also love the kid-sized matching hair accessory that’s included. Easy to spot clean, the non-toxic vinyl has some give, so the dolls aren’t super hard or rigid. 

Price at time of publication: $55

Best With Accessories

Barbie Fashionistas Ultimate Closet

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Fashion fans will love this accessory-packed ultimate closet. We love that not only does the portable closet come stocked with more than 15 items of clothing and accessories, but the Barbie doll is also included, so kids will have fun changing clothes, adding accessories, and creating stylish looks. The 12-inch Barbie doll comes wearing a striped dress and sandals. Included in the closet are six hangers, two additional dresses, shoes, necklaces, and purses. 

The closet has a fold-out rack and a spinning hanger rack, so it’s easy to look at and store the clothes. There’s also plenty of space for any Barbie accessories your kiddo may already have. When playtime is over, the closet doors fully close, so all the accessories can be neatly stored away. A handle at the top makes it simple to tote this closet to wherever your kiddo is playing. While the age recommendation is for 3 years old and up, the abundance of small parts may be better for older kids. 

Price at time of publication: $37

Best Interactive

Hatchimals Pixies Crystal Flyers Purple Magical Flying Pixie Toy Doll

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This Hatchimals Pixies Crystal Flyer is a cross between a flying fairy and a kid’s drone. The plastic doll comes with a USB charging cord and a sparkling “crystal” egg. Once fully charged (charging time is not listed), switch the fairy on and she will magically lift out of the crystal egg base. Your child can use their hands to control her: By lifting up their hands, the Pixie will fly higher, and she will descend if they lower their hands. An indoor-only toy, it’s best if the Pixie is played in an open space—expect her to bump into walls and the ceiling a bit before your kid masters the flying technique, so a room filled with delicate items might be dangerous. 

The 10-inch flying doll has delicate glittery wings. While it is a fun and interactive novelty, kids will need to take care of the delicate wings. If they get damaged, the pixie won’t fly very well. 

Price at time of publication: $40

Best Plush

Manhattan Toy Wee Baby Stella Nurturing Baby Doll

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Safely constructed for kids as young as 1 year old, this classic plush baby doll will be loved for years to come. Made of super soft polyester, the 12-inch doll comes with arms wide open, ready for hugs. We love that there are a number of inclusive skin tone and gender options for this doll, so you can find one that looks like your kiddo or is more representative of a diverse community. 

The plush doll comes with removable clothes and a diaper, so older children will have fun caring for and changing the baby’s clothes. A magnetic pacifier is helpful to soothe Stella or can easily come off her mouth. The only drawback to this plush doll is it’s a bit juvenile. While it’s perfect for younger kids, older kids may feel this plush cutie is too babyish to play with. 

Price at time of publication: $25

Best Realistic

Miniland Educational Baby Doll Asian Girl

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As a company, Miniland’s goal is to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion by making every child feel represented. Its wide-ranging array of dolls showcases well-defined and realistic-looking facial features, genders, and skin tones. The 12-inch vinyl doll also has poseable limbs, so the doll can easily sit up on its own. 

The doll comes dressed in just a camisole and underwear. Clothes are sold separately, but since it’s a common size, other doll clothes will fit this cutie. Easy to care for, the vinyl can be wiped clean with a wet cloth. It does come with a vanilla scent that is pretty strong, so be prepared prior to purchase and avoid it if anyone in your family is especially sensitive to scents. 

Price at time of publication: $47

Best Unboxing

LOL Surprise Loves Mini Sweets Surprise-O-Matic Dolls with 9 Surprises

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Enjoy the sweet life with this LOL Surprise Loves Mini Sweets Doll, which comes in a variety of familiar candy themes like Jolly Rancher, Reese’s, Twizzlers, Bazooka Joe, Pez, Peeps, and more. The only drawback is you can’t choose which one (or ones) you order—it’s meant to be a surprise—so building up the whole collection will be a challenge. 

This LOL Surprise doll comes in a capsule that doubles as a vending machine. Press a button on the machine and each surprise pops down the chute and is ready to be unwrapped. Along with the doll and vending machine, the set comes with shoes, a bottle, three accessories, and one sticker. As an added bonus, the vending machine serves as storage for the doll and her gear. 

Price at time of publication: $15

Best Goth

Monster High Doll Cleo De Nile

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School is back in session with this creeptastic Monster High doll. The 12-inch plastic doll is just one in the full collection of Monster High toys. Kids may know them from a popular television show and movie series. While the spooky features may be loved by some kids, younger kids could be frightened by details like built-in fangs, so check the doll’s looks carefully prior to buying. 

We appreciate that this doll comes fully dressed with a lot of accessories, including a belt, purse, snack, boots, and cute animal pet. Since the Monster High dolls are 12 inches tall, the clothes and gear are interchangeable with other popular dolls of the same size. 

Price at time of publication: $25

Best Customizable

Rainbow High Fashion Studio Avery Styles

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Mini fashionistas will love the Rainbow High Fashion Studio. Along with a fully articulated and posable 11-inch plastic doll, the set comes with over 40 accessories including two wigs, five tops, dresses, a jacket, a hoodie, jeans, shoes, hangers, and a clothing rack. With the mix-and-match styles, this customizable doll can have over 300 stylish looks. She also comes with a doll stand, so she can show off her favorite look that your kiddo has put together. 

This doll is recommended for kids 4 years old and up, but there are a lot of small parts and clothing. With a goal of constantly changing clothes, this may prove a bit challenging for little kids and their small hands. One odd piece of advice—in the description it’s recommended that buyers wash the doll’s hair to remove styling gel and get her hair ready to brush. It’s a bit strange that she comes coated in hair gel, but at least washing her hair is an easy remedy. 

Price at time of publication: $50

Best Classic

Madame Alexander Kindness Club Dolls

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Classic dolls from Madame Alexander get a modern update with the Kindness Club doll series. Meant to teach caring and respect for all people, the diverse group of seven dolls are all 14 inches tall. They come with stylish accessories and cute outfits. We love that Madame Alexander, a century-old company, has updated its dolls with more diversity and inclusivity, but we do wish the Kindness Club had a bit more of a tie-in. That said, the 14-inch doll is beautifully made and has a moldable and poseable body, realistic fixed eyes, and rooted, brushable hair. 

Price at time of publication: $60

Best Hair

Just Play Barbie Small Styling Head

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Little stylists will love to braid, brush, and twist the hair on this oversized Barbie head to create exciting new looks. Available in three inclusive hair and skin color tones, we appreciate that they’re all available on the same purchase page. The set comes with a brush and 15 hair accessories, so stylists will have all they need to create Barbie’s best looks. Not only is this a fun hair-focused option, but it’ll help build fine motor skills as kids work with small accessories. 

While lots of fun, this isn’t a full doll, so the focus is really on Barbie’s hair. We wish that there was storage for the accessories in the base, but there’s not, so the brush and hair doodads will need to be stored separately. 

Price at time of publication: $28

Best Small Doll

Polly Pocket Gumball Playset

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Known for their mini-size, these tiny Polly Pocket dolls are smaller than 2 inches tall, so be prepared for tiny accessories. The all-plastic set comes with two dolls that reside in a gumball machine-shaped house. The machine opens on two sides revealing four play scenes and 32 miniature accessories.

The age recommendation is for kids 4 years old and up, but it may be best for older kiddos. While we like that the tiny accessories are portable and pack up into the gumball machine, they could be easily lost. Take extra care if there are young siblings around or your kiddo is prone to putting toys in their mouth. 

Price at time of publication: $34

Best Large Doll

American Girl Truly Me

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The Truly Me series from American Girl lets you choose skin tone, hair color, gender, and wardrobe based on personal style and preference. The doll can end up looking just like your kiddo or just a buddy they’ve created. The biggest (and most expensive) doll on our list, these 18-inch dolls have realistic looking eyes that open and close, hair that can be styled, moveable head and limbs that are made of smooth vinyl, and a soft cotton body.

American Girls dolls are expensive and definitely an investment, so they’re recommended for kids 6 years old and up. With a vast array of accessories and add-ons available, it’s also possible to outfit your doll with options from other retailers that will fit the doll’s 18-inch dimensions. Along with the doll, each purchase comes with a kid-friendly book or journal. 

Price at time of publication: $115

Best Newborn

Pottery Barn Kids Gotz Baby Doll

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Meant to be cuddled and cared for, this newborn baby doll could be a great gift for a new big brother or sister. In fact, the 16.5-inch doll is almost the size of some newborn babies! We love that this Gotz baby doll comes in six inclusive options with a variety of skin tones and clothing color options. Realistic-looking eyes, real eyelashes, and eyes that open and close add to the experience. 

Unlike some other dolls, this one is machine washable, which is a huge advantage if your little one carries their doll everywhere they go. There are no user reviews, but the Gotz brand has been around for 60+ years. 

Price at time of publication: $79