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Top 10 Best Teddy Bears in 2021 (GUND, Steiff, and More)

Top 10 Best Teddy Bears in 2021 (GUND, Steiff, and More)

When it comes to thoughtful gifts, one of the first things that comes to mind is a teddy bear. Great for children and adults alike, teddy bears can offer comfort and even serve as life-long friends. That’s why choosing the right one is such an important decision. But with so many options, colors, and sizes of stuffed bears out there, how can you ensure that you’re making the right choice?

In this guide, we’ll talk about what to look for in a teddy bear that will make it work for your situation. We’ve also got a list of our 10 favorites for you to start your search, including our favorite, GUND's Snuffles. Ultimately though, figuring out what to look for will be determined by what you want out of the bear, so be sure to think about that ahead of time.

Last updated: 03-11-2021
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Table of Contents

Top 10 Best Teddy Bears

Here’s a list of our ten favorite teddy bears to help you get started on your search.

GUNDSnuffles Teddy Bear

Rose Pink

$20.00

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Shaped to Give You the Perfect Hug

This little bear was built to give the best hugs possible. Designed in a “crescent” shape, this bear looks up at you as you give it a squeeze, making for the ultimate snuggle experience. It is durable enough to retain its shape even when snuggled routinely.

It is marshmallow-soft, surface-washable, and built to last for years to come. This bear also comes in four different colors ideal for any child or adult. Reviewers love that this bear is super soft and the perfect shape for cuddling. It even looks like the original Snuffles GUND bears that have been around for 30 years.

Fur Material	Polyester blend
Stuffing	Polyester blend
Child Proof	Small parts
Extra Features	—

amazon.com

GUNDPhilbin Teddy Bear

$19.12

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A Chocolate Brown Bear With Unique Paws

This bear is floppy, soft, and gives the perfect hug. It has a light weighting in the bottom to help it sit up and an adorable paw detail that makes it stand out from the pack.

It is hand-washable, but machine washing is not recommended by several reviewers. This bear comes in three sizes ranging from 13 to 29 inches and would be a great gift to children of all sizes. Reviewers love the wonderful, sweet, unique face of the bear and how cuddly it is. It's perfect if you or your child needs a bit of comfort.

Fur Material	Synthetic
Stuffing	Polyester and pellets
Child Proof	Small parts
Extra Features	—

amazon.com

Bearington CollectionWuggles Plush Teddy Bear

$19.99

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Plush and Weighted for Super Huggability

This sweet-looking teddy bear is super plush and delightfully floppy for a softer experience than your average bear. It’s also weighted with bean bags, which makes it poseable and extra huggable. It can stay with the child for years, going from naptime to playtime.

Though this bear tends to shed, reviewers love it for its cute look and handleable size. There’s no need to worry about the weighting coming loose. The pellets are enclosed within the bear in bean bags, so even if the outer stitching tears, the pellets will stay in place.

Fur Material	Polyester
Stuffing	Polyester and pellets
Child Proof	Small parts
Extra Features	–

amazon.com

GUNDMy First Teddy Bear

$15.00

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Safe for Even the Smallest Child

This teddy bear was designed with the youngest of children in mind. Its seams are tight, its eyes and nose are stitched, and it’s machine washable. The light brown color is perfect for both boys and girls, and the embroidery on its paw ensures that the memories the child makes with it will last a lifetime.

Some reviewers say the product is not true to size and that the bear is not a plushy as it should be. However, on the whole, most reviewers say that the bear is soft and cuddly and love that it's machine washable and child-safe.

Fur Material	Polyester fiber
Stuffing	Polyester fiber
Child Proof	Yes
Extra Features	–

amazon.com

Bears for HumanityOrganic Sherpa Bear

$17.95

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Hand Sewn, Eco-friendly, and Pink

For parents concerned about sustainability and fair trade practices, this teddy bear is for you. Bears for Humanity strives to create teddy bears that are pushing forward global standards. For every bear sold, they donate one to a child in need. These bears are incredibly soft and huggable.

Some reviewers found the bear to be thin and not as soft as others on the market. However, others found it to be perfect especially for toddlers. They are able to carry it around with them and it is the perfect size for naptime hugs.

Fur Material	Organic cotton
Stuffing	Recycled plastic
Child Proof	Yes
Extra Features	—

bearegards.com

BearegardsComfort Bears Talking Teddy Bear

$26.95

View product on Bearegards

A Talking Bear That Can Be Re-Recorded Indefinitely

This teddy bear comes with 20 seconds of record time, making it a good length for any message, song, or poem. You are able to re-record as many times as you wish, and changing batteries is very simple.

It’s made from a hypoallergenic polyester fiber that’s fully hand washable, once you take out the voice box. However, given that the voice box is sealed in only with velcro, this is probably not the gift for a smaller, more playful child. Reviewers love the voice recorder, which allows them to send messages of love to people far away, or to people currently in the hospital.

Fur Material	Polyester
Stuffing	Polyester fiber
Child Proof	Small parts
Extra Features	Custom recorded message

amazon.com

Vermont Teddy BearBig Teddy Bear

$70.99

Giant and Huggable, With a Custom Message

This huge teddy bear is three feet tall, extremely fluffy, and makes for some excellent cuddling or sleeping. It also comes with a customizable paw for an extra special touch. Accessories are also offered with a purchase from the Vermont Teddy Bear store.

Critical reviewers say that the bear isn't stuffed enough and that the fur sheds. However, this giant teddy bear works great as a body pillow and for laying on when you need a cuddle buddy. This bear is not machine washable, but it’s durable enough to withstand a damp cloth cleaning and comes with a lifetime guarantee in case the damage is more than can be fixed at home.

Fur Material	Synthetic
Stuffing	Synthetic
Child Proof	Small parts
Extra Features	Custom paw message

amazon.com

SteiffFynn In Suitcase

$35.39

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Take This Teddy Bear With You Wherever You Go

Steiff is the original creator of the teddy bear, known for its high-quality workmanship and longevity. Each stuffed animal is handcrafted with the utmost care and is meant to last a lifetime. Furthermore, it's machine washable, so you can always be assured Fynn stays clean and ready to play.

As a handy suitcase comes in the package, the bear is super easy to take on trips or even simple car rides so your child will never be without their best friend. Reviewers were unhappy that its made in Tunisia, rather than in Germany, where the company is from. Regardless, many reviewers were astounded by the quality of the bear.

Fur material	Soft plush
Stuffing	Synthetic
Child proof	Yes
Extra features	Mini-suitcase

amazon.com

Aurora WorldAshford Teddy Bear

$12.44

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A Soft Teddy Bear With Soulful Eyes

This soulful teddy bear is velvety soft and makes for a great cuddle buddy. It’s well-made, able to sit up on its own, and the stitching will hold up to years of play. It comes with a cute satin bow that makes it stand out from other teddy bears.

However, given the length of its fur, reviewers say it may end up matting over time and is not machine washable. Most other reviewers like the softness of the plushie and how cute it is, though. It comes in three sizes, 11, 14, and 22 inches.

Fur Material	Polyester blend
Stuffing	Polyester bend
Child Proof	Small parts
Extra Features	–

amazon.com

TEESANDTANKYOUCute Custom Teddy Bear

$23.99

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Custom Tee That’s Best for Looking

This teddy bear comes with a customizable T-shirt so that your message is conveyed perfectly to your special someone. Customization is extremely easy through the Amazon website, and the shirt is fully removable.

However, there’s not much information about the bear itself. Some reviewers feel that the bear was smaller than the eight inches advertised. Others report that it’s fairly soft, but the main draw is definitely the custom shirt rather than the cuddle factor. Having a meaning behind the gift is important, after all.

Fur Material	–
Stuffing	–
Child Proof	Yes
Extra Features	Customizable T-shirt

Compare the Best Teddy Bears

Image	1 GUND	2 GUND	3 Bearington Collection	4 GUND	5 Bears for Humanity	6 Bearegards	7 Vermont Teddy Bear	8 Steiff	9 Aurora World	10 TEESANDTANKYOU
Name	Snuffles Teddy Bear	Philbin Teddy Bear	Wuggles Plush Teddy Bear	My First Teddy Bear	Organic Sherpa Bear	Comfort Bears Talking Teddy Bear	Big Teddy Bear	Fynn In Suitcase	Ashford Teddy Bear	Cute Custom Teddy Bear
Features	Shaped to Give You the Perfect Hug	A Chocolate Brown Bear With Unique Paws	Plush and Weighted for Super Huggability	Safe for Even the Smallest Child	Hand Sewn, Eco-friendly, and Pink	A Talking Bear That Can Be Re-Recorded Indefinitely	Giant and Huggable, With a Custom Message	Take This Teddy Bear With You Wherever You Go	A Soft Teddy Bear With Soulful Eyes	Custom Tee That’s Best for Looking
Price	$20.00	$19.12	$19.99	$15.00	$17.95	$26.95	$70.99	$35.39	$12.44	$23.99
Fur Material	Polyester blend	Synthetic	Polyester	Polyester fiber	Organic cotton	Polyester	Synthetic	Soft plush	Polyester blend	–
Stuffing	Polyester blend	Polyester and pellets	Polyester and pellets	Polyester fiber	Recycled plastic	Polyester fiber	Synthetic	Synthetic	Polyester bend	–
Child Proof	Small parts	Small parts	Small parts	Yes	Yes	Small parts	Small parts	Yes	Small parts	Yes
Extra Features	—	—	–	–	—	Custom recorded message	Custom paw message	Mini-suitcase	–	Customizable T-shirt
Link	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Bearegards	View Amazon View Vermont Teddy Bear	View Amazon	View Amazon	View Amazon

How to Choose a Teddy Bear – Buying Guide

There are a surprising number of factors that go into picking out a teddy bear. So be sure to keep these in mind when making your choice.

Pick a Fur Material Based on Looks and Huggability

The very first thing you’ll notice when picking up a teddy bear is its fur, though different materials give bears very different feels and appearances.

Mohair Looks Fantastic but Can Be Rough

Mohair is considered the crème de la crème of teddy bears in terms of looks. It’s lush and fluffy, but unfortunately, those qualities are largely surface-level as it’s not as soft as it looks. Mohair is also very expensive, so it might be best to save mohair teddies for a gift for an adult or older child.

Cotton is Soft to the Touch and Hypoallergenic

If you’re looking for a material that feels good against the skin, cotton may be your best bet. Organic cotton is hypoallergenic and safe for infants. Cotton feels cool against the skin and even wicks away sweat, which is why it’s also a popular choice for bedding.

Synthetic Fibers are Soft and Durable

Most teddy bears are made from synthetic fiber. Out of these, the most popular may be polyester, and for good reason–it’s super soft, easy to clean, and looks good. They also last for a long time, so they may be the best choice if you expect a little roughhousing with your bear!

Stuffing Determines How Much the Teddy Bear Will Hug Back

If you’re looking for a bear that can offer some cuddle, don’t ignore the stuffing material! That is where the weight and feeling comes from.

Pellets are Firm and Help Your Teddy Bear Sit-up Straight

Pellets make your teddy bears feel like bean bags. They’re firm, so it’s easier to pose them, great if you mean to use the animal for display and you need them to sit up. However, they can pose a choking hazard if they escape the seams, so we wouldn’t recommend pellet stuffing for use with young children.

Wool and Cotton are Natural, Soft Materials

Both wool and cotton can be found in organic options. Both are fluffy and soft. Wool tends to be a bit denser, while cotton is more fluffy. However, this also depends on how densely packed the filling is—the sparser the filling, the softer and more floppy your teddy bear is going to be.

Polyester is Lightweight and the Most Common

If you’re looking for just your run-of-the-mill teddy bear, then it’s probably going to be filled with polyester. Polyester is extremely lightweight, though it doesn’t always have much bounce-back. This, however, will differ by brand. It also is less non-biodegradable, so if you go with polyester make sure you hold onto it for a long time.

Take Extra Precautions if the Teddy Bear is for a Young Child

While for adults, it’s fine to just go for aesthetics, there are a few extra things you need to keep in mind if the teddy is for a little kid.

If a child takes a liking to a toy, there’s a high chance that toy is going to see a lot of action. Younger kids can be especially rough. So for the safety of the child and the longevity of the toy, look for a teddy bear that has strong stitching, no detachable parts, and can be cleaned fairly easily.

Find a Customizable Teddy Bear for a Special Touch

Some bears come with pre-recorded messages of love and congratulations. Others allow you to record your voice for a personalized touch. If it comes with pre-recorded messages, be sure to check whether all of the messages are applicable to the recipient!

Also note that the voice box does mean that there will be something hard inside the bear, which might not be best for young children who are more likely to squeeze, hug, and roughly play with the bear. It may be a good idea to hold off on purchasing one until the child is a bit older.

There are also bears that come with customizable T-shirts or embroidery, which could make for a thoughtful gift. You can add in-jokes or shared words of value in order to score extra brownie points from the recipient! Just remember to keep the messages short as most messages have a limit.

How to Clean Any Teddy

Teddy bears often hold sentimental value, so the last thing you want to do is accidentally ruin it while you’re trying to clean it. If it’s washing machine-friendly, you should still put it in a lingerie bag to prevent any snagging or pulling on limbs.

If it’s not meant to be put into the washing machine, use a damp cloth to wipe away any grime and surface dirt. If you don’t want to get it wet, feel free to gently vacuum it using a handheld vacuum or an upholstery attachment.

When in doubt, take it to a specialist. Believe it or not, there are people who specialize in cleaning teddy bears, and sometimes it’s best to leave it to them.

More Fun Products for Your Kids

There are plenty of different kinds of toys out there that can be both educational and fun for your kids. Some of these include activity books or music sets, which can also help your children develop their own interests and hobbies. If you need help picking other awesome toys, then take a look at our other buying guides!

Top 10 Best Kids Activity Books in 2021

Top 10 Best Kid's Musical Instruments in 2021

Top 10 Kid's Craft Kits in 2021

Summary

So there you have it–a quick guide to finding the right teddy bear for you or your loved ones! No matter your choice though, most of the sentiment behind a bear comes from the feelings of love that you give with it.

Author: Jacqueline Oshiro

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An Expert-Recommended Toy for Your Child's Bathtime

Children can get easily bored, so it's always nice to have different kinds of toys laying around. Here are some extra-safe ones recommended by Dr. S. Amna Husain if you've got a little one in need of bath toys!

Specialist's
mybest

amazon.com

MunchkinCleanSqueeze Mold-Free Bath Squirts

4 pack

$8.99

View product on Amazon

Not All Bath Toys are Created Equal!

Your child's cute rubber ducky may be a breeding ground for mold! Water can get in, but not out effectively, and with children constantly putting their mouth to these toys, it's important to pick safe items.

That's why Munchkin's CleanSqueeze toys are some of my favorites and include ridges for a watertight seal when put together. These toys twist apart for easy cleaning and drying, but still allow the classic experience of the water squirting bath toy!

Their bright colors, bold patterns, and easy-squeeze shape are great for hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as well.

Dr. S. Amna Husain, MD, IBCLE's Top 10 Best Baby Skincare and Bath Care Products