TPE or Silicone? Ultimate Choice for Sex Doll Lovers

Whether you’re a veteran or a green hand, you’ll be faced with an ultimate choice when picking up your favorite sex doll in an online store: Should you choose a TPE sex doll with a soft feel and a cheaper price, or a silicone sex doll with realistic makeup and better durability?

I’m sure that every sex doll lover has hesitated and struggled with this issue. Novices may not know much about these two most common crafting materials, and even veterans who have made multiple purchases may not understand the difference between them. In this blog, you will learn more about TPE and silicone materials, and can understand the difference between them more deeply. Next, let’s start the exploration journey of TPE and silicone!

Evolution of Sex Doll Materials: From Vinyl to TPE & Silicone

The choice of materials and the advancement of material technology have greatly improved the realism, safety and durability of dolls, which are crucial in the development of sex dolls. Understanding the changes in mainstream production materials can further clarify the advantages and disadvantages of each material from the perspective of market selection and elimination. Next, I will focus on how TPEs and silicones have become mainstream materials today.

Early Days: Vinyl & Latex (Pre-1990s)

In the early days, the market was dominated by vinyl sex dolls. Because of its low cost and easy molding, vinyl (PVC) material has become the first choice in the market when the technology is not yet mature. However, it was hard, unrealistic, and prone to cracking, and then was phased out.

There was another common crafting material in the same period: Latex rubber. The material is softer than vinyl and has a more human-like feel, but it also has serious problems: poor durability and harm to human skin. Users need to frequently use powder to maintain the sex doll, and this material may even cause skin allergies. Finally, it eventually disappeared from the market.

The Rise of Silicone (1990s–Early 2000s)

During this period, medical-grade silicone began to become one choice of sex doll manufacturers. Its advantages of real touch, durability and safety are sought after by the market. However, in the end, because of the high price, it was only popular in the premium sex dolls market, and did not become the mainstream production material of the real doll market.

TPE Emerges as a Game-Changer (Mid-2000s–Present)

At the beginning of the 21st century, TPE, a revolutionary material, has finally entered the stage of sex doll production. Originally used in the medical and toy industries, this material was discovered by love doll makers because of its cheap and soft nature, and eventually became a mainstream production material. Softer and more flexible than earlier silicone, TPE is easier for sex dolls to take a variety of poses. Its low price and lubricating feel also allow ordinary people to get their adorable sex doll. However, at that time, TPE materials were less durable, easy to tear, and such porous materials were prone to bacterial growth, so they still failed to fully occupy the whole market.

Modern Developments (2010s–Today)

With the advancement of material technology, both TPE materials and silicone materials have been upgraded. The tear resistance of the new TPE has been improved, and the oil leaking has been greatly reduced; The new silicone is softer, more elastic, has a longer lifespan, and can achieve finer skin textures through 3D printing and AI customization.

In order to balance the realistic head and soft body, and reduce the cost at the same time , hybrid sex dolls were born, that is, dolls that combine silicone heads and TPE bodies.

Why the Shift from Silicone to TPE and Back Again?

Technological advancements have made up for the shortcomings of earlier silicone, and the new formulation has narrowed the haptic gap with TPE, making it more competitive in the premium sex doll market.

Today, TPE and silicone complement each other and nearly divide the whole market: the former is cost-effective and has become the first choice for the low-end market; The latter is expensive, but the products are realistic and exquisite, so they are sought after by the high-end market.

Sex Doll Materials 101: TPE vs. Silicone Explained

The material of the sex doll is crucial. It must be durable, body-safe, and easy to customize and maintain. Through the above introduction, you have understood how TPE and silicone materials win in the sex doll market, and have a preliminary understanding of their advantages. In the following, I will introduce you to each of these materials and compare their properties.

Soft & Cheap TPE Sex Dolls

TPE, or Thermoplastic Elastomer, is a mixture of rubber and plastic polymers that derive the best properties from both materials. Thermoplastic rubber has good elasticity, slip resistance and shock absorption, which is very suitable for making real dolls. In addition to this, the material is also flexible and can be molded into sex dolls of different sizes and shapes. Customers can get better quality products at a lower price. The high cost-effectiveness makes TPE sex dolls popular in the low-to-mid-end market, making it an ideal choice for the adult doll industry.

Realistic & Durable Silicone Sex Dolls

Silicone, also known as silicone rubber, is a mixture of silicone polymers with carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. This man-made polymer material is known for its durability, heat resistance, and hypoallergenic properties. With a delicate, non-porous surface that is easy to clean, and is antibacterial and resistant to high temperatures, silicone sex dolls are considered the absolute best material for sex dolls. Modern silicone makes the body of real dolls softer, almost comparable to real people in every aspect. It’s suitable for users who are looking for the most realistic sex dolls. Although the cost is higher, it is more worry-free to use for a long time.

Nowadays, with the advancement of technology, it appears to be ultra-soft silicone. It’s an upgraded version of medical-grade silicone, designed for the ultimate real touch, and more than 50% softer than traditional silicone, which is very close to the softness of real human skin. But at the same time, the price of this high-grade silicone is higher: 30-50% higher than that of ordinary silicone, making it just suitable for customers who pursue quality extremely.

Honest Comparison between TPE & Silicone

Now, you have a basic understanding of TPEs and silicone materials, but you may still be hesitant when it comes to choosing your adorable sex dolls. I believe that the comparison in the tables will give you a clearer picture of the differences between the two, so that you can choose the best sex dolls in your mind.

Please note: the comparison below is based on the general characteristics of the two materials on the market today. There must be quality differences between different brands.

Price

At Dachi-Wife Shop, TPE sex dolls are usually priced between $700 and $1,800, making them affordable for most consumers. With such an affordable price, it is very friendly for sex doll lovers who are not on a budget, or who are new to sex dolls and don't know what they like.

Silicone sex dolls are usually sold at a higher price. Life size sex dolls are generally above $2,000, only sex doll torsos and mini sex dolls will cost less than $2,000. Despite the high price, don't worry, the human-like look and feel will surely make your money worthwhile.

Safety

Sex dolls contact your skin every day, so the safety of the material is related to your health. Fortunately, allergic and toxic materials have been eliminated from the market and are no longer used in the production of sex dolls.

The upgraded TPE and silicone materials have been professionally and carefully tested, and they have been proven to be hypoallergenic and safe materials, so you can buy and use them with confidence.

Durability

Today, both TPEs and silicones are durable.

TPE has better elasticity, can withstand more pressure, and has a better ability to reshape itself. It is easier to repair if there are slight stains and scratches. However, over time, the material may deteriorate. In addition, in your daily uses of TPE sex dolls, please reduce the movements that may tear the sex doll.

Silicone materials are tougher, slower degradation rate, better tear resistance, more durable and longer life than TPE materials. However, please note that silicone materials are inherently difficult to repair. You must take care of your silicone sex dolls and try to avoid scratches with sharp objects when using silicone sex dolls.

Generally speaking, the lifespan of TPE love dolls is about 3-5 years, while the lifespan of silicone real dolls is 5-10 years, and it fluctuates depending on your daily usage habits and maintenance. In order to prolong the life of your sex doll, please minimize behaviors that may damage their skin, and do a good job of daily cleaning and maintenance.

Realistic Appearance (Face & Body)

Nowadays, the material technology and production technology are becoming more mature. Whether it is TPE or silicone sex dolls, they have realistic faces and bodies. In terms of body shape, there is almost no difference between the two. The main difference lies on the details on the surface of the skin.

TPE love dolls tend to look more modest and are the choice of most anime sex dolls. Because the surface is difficult to maintain for a long time, after a period of use, these matte sex dolls will return to the original look they had when they left the factory.

Most silicone love dolls have multiple layers of makeup, which is sprayed on the surface of their skin. It can produce details such as textures, fine lines, veins, and more that are quite near to real people. Due to the nature of silicone, spray-on makeup often lasts long, and even after a long period of use, your life size sex doll will look as lifelike as it did on the first day she came to your home.

Softness

In general, TPEs are softer than silicones. However, there must be differences in the quality of the raw materials used by each brand, which can also lead to differences in the feel.

Thanks to the soft touch of TPE, you will feel more comfortable and refreshed when hugging her, sleeping with her, or even having sex. Although the silicone on the market has been upgraded, the standard silicone is still harder than TPE materials. However, in recent years, the newly developed ultra-soft silicone has been very close to the softness of the real human body, which becomes the best choice for customers who pursue quality and softness at the same time.

Internal Heating Capabilities

Due to the difference in heat resistance between TPE and silicone, there are different methods and precautions when using the internal heating function.

All in all, TPE materials have poor heat resistance. For your safety, they cannot be heated with built-in devices. If you still insist on heating, please use the insertable heater for a limited time and ensure that the temperature does not exceed 80°C.

Silicone, on the other hand, has good heat resistance, and can be stably heated with the built-in function. And there will be no oil leaking. In terms of heating function, it’s safer and more convenient.

Stains from Clothing

Due to the different structure of the material itself, the probability of stains on these two materials is quite different.

Because of their porous structure, TPEs can easily absorb anything placed on them, such as oils, dyes, and other stains. So, if you like to decorate your sex dolls with dark and bold colors, there’s a higher chance that you’ll ruin the original color of her skin.

Due to the non-porous structure, silicone sex dolls are much less likely to stain than that of TPE products. If you prefer to wear darker clothes with love dolls, silicone is usually a better choice.

Cleaning & Maintenance

If you want your sex doll to live longer, cleaning and maintenance are crucial.

Due to the porous structure of TPEs, the products tend to be more difficult to clean. Stains and dyes often dirty your love doll and she needs to be cleaned frequently; When cleaning, water can easily remain on the surface, which greatly increases the chance of mold formation. In addition, TPE sex dolls cannot be sterilized, so it is necessary to take care of them more diligently. You need to maintain good maintenance habits: regular cleaning combined with professional powder maintenance to extend the life of your doll. It is recommended to purchase a special TPE sex doll stain remover cream and cleaning agents for daily cleaning. Due to the natural oiliness of TPEs, oil leaks over time, so it is necessary to re-oil every few months and regularly apply a special powder to keep it dry.

Silicone, on the other hand, is inherently smooth and has no holes in the surface, so it’s easier to keep clean and dry, and mold rarely grows. So, all you need is some antibacterial soap and warm water for routine maintenance. If you’re looking for a doll that’s easy to clean and maintain, go for silicone sex dolls!

Daily Storage

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In terms of daily storage, TPE real dolls have many precautions, while silicone is simpler. Below I have sorted out the things you need to pay attention to in daily storage. I hope it will help you take care of your sex doll better.

Variety in Customization

In order to meet the individual needs of customers, manufacturers have also tried their best to add customization options and multiple features of sex dolls. Now, whether it is TPE or silicone sex dolls, they can meet a variety of customization needs. Due to the differences in the materials themselves, there are some differences in functions, such as the internal heating function described above. For more specific information, you can browse the Dachi-Wife Shop’s product interface, where we have set up customization options for each product.

Conclusion

This blog introduces in detail the two most common sex doll making materials, TPE and silicone. It introduces and compares the two products in detail from the perspectives of their development history, durability, simulation, and cleaning and maintenance. TPE sex dolls are cost-effective and soft, but they are cumbersome to clean; a silicone sex doll is more expensive, but it has a very realistic appearance, better durability, and is easier to clean and maintain.

I am sure that if you have read this blog carefully, you will definitely have a deeper understanding of these two materials and will quickly find the best sex doll in your mind. At Dachi-Wife Shop, we have selected a large selection of high-quality TPE and silicone love dolls for you. Click to visit our product page to discover your favorite boys and girls!