For those less familiar with the rapid rise of Labubu, it helps to understand their origins. Labubu began in 2019 as a collaboration between Hong Kong-based artist Kenny Wong and Chinese toy manufacturer Pop Mart. Inspired by Wong's signature Little Mommy character, Labubu expanded into a full cast of loveable animal plush dolls, figurines, mascots, and more.

Labubu immediately stood out for its focus on quality and design. Each Labubu features soft premium plush, hand-embroidered facial expressions, and custom fabrics bringing the characters to life. This artisan craftsmanship justified higher pricing but built fan loyalty.

Expanding beyond core plush dolls, Labubu's brand power now extends into apparel, accessories, homegoods, stationery, and collaborations with mega brands like Sanrio's Hello Kitty.

But with so many products and options, what do authentic licensed Labubus cost?

Article Highlights

• Standard Labubus range from $50 to $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) with collectibles exceeding $200+ (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour).
• Look for sales promotions, bundles, pre-owned deals, and price matching to save.
• Details like premium fabrics, special editions, and licenses make many Labubus worth the reasonable cost.
• Focus on play-enhancing qualities like imaginitive themes and safety for kids. Collectibility and displays matter more for adult fans.

How Much Do Labubu Toys Cost?

With their instantly recognizable colorful designs and adorable anthromorphic animal characters, Labubu toys have quickly become a worldwide phenomenon among children, teens, and adult designer toy collectors alike. But for parents, gift-givers, and collectors looking to purchase, key questions arise around how much to budget for these popular toys.

In this comprehensive guide, we take an in-depth look at Labubu toy pricing across all product categories. You'll find a detailed cost breakdown covering factors like materials, licensing, and collectibility that influence pricing. We also provide tips for saving on Labubus through sales, bundles, and resale markets. Whether you're shopping for a beloved kid's next birthday or your own personal toy collection, read on for an insider perspective on what makes Labubus worth the investment.

Labubu toys span a wide spectrum of price points depending on the specific item:

• Entry-level plush dolls and mini-figures - $19 to $29 (≈1.9 hours of your life traded for $15/hour)
• Mid-range plush characters and mascots - $59 to $99 (≈6.6 hours to sacrifice at work earning $15/hour)
• High-end collectible dolls and sets - $129 to $259 (≈2.2 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage)
• Accessories like keychains - $10 to $19 (≈1.3 hours spent earning money at $15/hour)

Across categories, most standard Labubus retail between $50 and $150 (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) with smaller items or sets at the lower end and large premium collectibles reaching the high end. Limited editions and collaborations justify higher pricing.

The official Pop Mart US website lists individual Labubu figures and plush dolls at prices ranging from $39.99 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) for smaller figures like the Lemon Tea Figure to $179.99 (≈1.5 days working every waking hour at $15/hour) for larger or special edition dolls such as THE MONSTERS - I FOUND YOU Vinyl Face Doll. Other standard plush dolls and figures are commonly priced between $40 and $85 (≈5.7 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) each.

Due to their popularity and limited availability, Labubu toys often sell out quickly and are resold at higher prices. According to CNN, the retail price for Labubu toys in the US can go up to $85 (≈5.7 hours of your life traded for $15/hour), but on reseller platforms like StockX, prices can surge into the hundreds of dollars, especially for rare editions.

Further highlighting the collectible craze, The Independent notes that Labubu toys are typically sold for $43.99 to $84.99 (≈5.7 hours of your life traded for $15/hour) at retail, but sold-out or limited-edition figures can fetch over $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) on secondary markets. The toys are often sold in “blind boxes,” so buyers may not know which version they will get until unboxing, which adds to their collectible appeal[4].

On online marketplaces such as Poshmark, Labubu toys and related merchandise show a wide range of prices. Standard plush toys and figures are commonly listed between $40 and $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job), while some sets and rare items are posted for as much as $200 to $300 (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) or more, depending on condition and rarity.

Real-World Labubu Toy Costs

To better understand real-world pricing, here are examples of what popular Labubus cost across the range:

• A 7-inch basic Labubu Lemon Tea plush doll retails for $39.99 (≈2.7 hours of labor required at $15/hour) at standard online and in-store pricing. This is considered an entry-level piece.
• The new large 14-inch plush Mr. Elephant costs $94.99 (≈6.3 hours working without breaks at $15/hour) - over double a basic 7-inch doll due to its size, embroidery, and character popularity. This is a mid-range option.
• A limited edition 18-inch Bighead Labubu Lazy Morning mascot recently sold for $199.99 (≈1.7 days working without days off at $15/hour) given its size, deluxe finishing, and exclusive collectible status making it a high-end piece.
• Tiny 3-inch acrylic keychain charms like the Labubu Apple or Banana designs sell for ~$10 to $15 (≈1 hour of uninterrupted labor at $15/hour) on average. These serve as affordable entry points to the brand.
• A 5-character Labubu Friends figurine boxed play set including popular animals like Mr. Elephant retails for $79.99 (≈5.3 hours of your workday at a $15/hour wage) given its interactive value and multi-character appeal.

So standard Labubus tend to cost between $50 and $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) at retail, while high-demand limited collectibles easily fetch over $150+ (≈1.3 days of continuous work at a $15/hour job) on the secondary market from resellers.

Factors Contributing to Production Costs

Several key factors contribute to the retail pricing trends across the Labubu toy lineup:

• Materials – The high-pile premium plush fabrics and quality embellishments like embroidery floss used in Labubus cost more than basic doll materials, driving up production budgets.
• Labor – The hand-finished detailing and customization of each Labubu, especially on premium editions, adds extensive hours of skilled artisan labor to the manufacturing process compared to mass-produced toys.
• Licensing – Official branded collaborations like the Hello Kitty line require significant licensing fees which inevitably get passed to consumers.
• Collectibility – Limited edition runs, scarce quantities, and exclusive distributions justify considerably higher pricing due to lower production volumes spreading fixed costs across less inventory.
• Brand Power – The popularity, reputation, and trendiness of the Labubu brand enables premium pricing power given the high demand and fashionability.

You might also like our articles about the cost of Build-a-Bear toys, Teddy Bear dogs, or American Girl dolls.

Labubu vs Other Toy Brands

When benchmarked against the competition, Labubu is generally positioned as an upper mid-tier designer toy brand:

• Basic Labubu plush dolls range from $50 to $100 (≈6.7 hours of continuous work at a $15/hour job) for special editions.
• Similar designer toy plush characters from brands like Tokidoki often retail for $20 to $75 (≈5 hours of labor required at $15/hour).
• Mass market plush dolls from companies like Ty and Disney for popular licenses like Frozen typically sell for $15 to $50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour)
• More premium designer vinyl toys like Medicom's Bearbrick regularly auction for $150 to $1,000+ (≈1.7 weeks working every single day at $15/hour) on the secondary market.

So Labubu competes well on pricing and perceived value against other mid-market brands while offering greater uniqueness and collectibility than generic toys. The craftsmanship and cool designs justify higher prices for fans.

Save Money on Labubu Toys

For budget-conscious parents and collectors, here are creative ways to save on Labubu toys:

• Closely monitor online stores around big sales holidays like Black Friday and Cyber Monday for doorbuster discounts up to 50% off or more on select items.
• Sign up for official Labubu email newsletters and social media to receive special coupon codes and promotions for first-time shoppers or loyalty members.
• Purchase larger multi-piece Labubu bundles and gift sets which lower the effective per-piece cost through bulk savings.
• Check authorized resale platforms like Mercari for high-quality pre-owned Labubus in great condition at over 50%+ discounts to retail.
• Cross-compare prices across major authorized retailers like Amazon, Entertainment Earth, Hot Topic, etc. and buy from whoever has the best deal or price match policy at a given time.

Cost vs. Value

Given the many designer toy options on the market, are sought-after Labubus worth stretching the toy budget? For many fans, the higher cost for popular pieces remains justifiable:

Driving Factors of Perceived Value

• The sheer quality and attention to detail are superb for a mid-market toy, using premium fabrics and embellishments.
• Labubus leverage cute, loveable themes and characters that build emotional connection beyond basic play value.
• Coveted licensing partnerships with mega brands like Hello Kitty and Sanrio expand the appeal.
• Artistic collaborations with renowned illustrators and designers provide collectibility.

Potential Drawbacks or Limitations

• Secondary reseller markups can rapidly inflate costs for rare or exclusive pieces. Patience pays off.
• Some parents may still prefer cheaper recognizable mass-market plush dolls for very young kids.
• Characters lack the legacy nostalgia of icons like Mickey Mouse that provide generational appeal.

But for collectors and devoted fans, most consider Labubus worthy of the reasonable price points relative to higher-end designer toys thanks to their quality, theming, and display value.

Expert Insights

We consulted experienced toy market experts for tips on maximizing your dollar when adding Labubus to a child's playroom or your own display case:

"When choosing for kids, focus more on quality craftsmanship and safe materials over size or extra accessories. A thoughtfully designed 7-inch plush provides more healthy play value than a mediocre 20-inch giant," advises long-time Toy Insider reviewer Kailey Wilson.

"Don't overlook authorized resale sites like Mercari for 'pre-loved' Labubus in excellent condition at radical discounts. As long as the item comes in official branding and packaging, you score almost 50-70% off retail," notes Misha Perkins of the Toy Deal Hunter blog.

"The thrill of the hunt can take over when collecting toys. But take time to research and compare prices across different major retailers online rather than impulse buying - the deals are out there," emphasizes certified toy expert and author Marcia Rhodes.

Answers to Common Questions

Are Labubu toys considered affordable or expensive compared to other designer toy brands?

Labubus are reasonably priced for their quality compared to high-end brands but cost more than basic mass-market toy lines, occupying an appealing middle ground.

Where can I reliably buy authentic licensed Labubu toys at discounted prices?

Vetted resale sites like Mercari, authorized retailer sales and promos, multi-piece bundles, and coupon codes offer the best discounts on authentic Labubus.

How much do the most premium Labubu collectible figures, plushes, and sets typically cost?

The highest end collectible Labubus range from $150 to $300+ (≈2.5 days of labor continuously at a $15/hour wage) depending on size, details, edition limits, and retailer markups. Basic figures and plushes start around $50 (≈3.3 hours of labor required at $15/hour).