What are The Differences Between TPE Dolls & Silicone Dolls?

TPE and Silicone look similar, they are both soft to the touch, many people have been confused about the difference between the two.

The processing method of the TPE doll
The raw material (granular) is heated (about 200 degrees) and dissolved into a liquid state > poured into a mold > condensed into a mold.

The processing method of silicone dolls
Raw material (platinum Silicone, liquid, two kinds of liquid A and B) mixed and stirred>poured into the mold>formed by a chemical reaction at room temperature.

1. Softness Comparison

The softness of TPE adjusted to be very soft, the hardness of TPE material used in adult products is about Shao's hardness A minus two zeroes. Such softness for Silicone is not reached in the early stage, but by our continuous improvement of silicone material formula, now our silicone material is even softer than TPE!

2. Stretching rate

The stretching rate is how many times a material can stretch to the original material size. Let's say the stretch rate of TPE is ten times; it represents a length of 1cm material that can stretch to 10cm before breaking.TPE stretch rate is better than Silicone; silicone doll hands can not raise to the head in the early stage (similar to the Viva action), if the hands are raised too high, the armpits will be cracking, or the feet can not open too wide (similar to thwart split). TPE sex dolls do not have these problems at all, which is one of the reasons why TPE dolls were so popular at that time, because they could toss in various positions, but our silicone formula has been improved to overcome these problems gradually, and now our silicone sex dolls can do these poses, but do not let the dolls maintain these poses for a long time (try not to exceed 30 minutes). Such postures (try not to exceed 30 minutes), otherwise there will have the same cracking issues (TPE dolls will crack if maintain these movements for a long time, but it still has relatively better stretching rate than Silicone)

3. Anti-tear

"Tearing" is different from "breaking" after stretching. "Tear resistance" refers to the material’s ability to withstand damage from sharp or blunt objects. In this regard, TPE performs quite well, while silicone performs poorly. The surface of a TPE doll, when damaged, is less likely to develop further tears. In contrast, damage to a silicone doll can quickly spread along the wound, becoming unmanageable. Therefore, it's crucial to be especially careful with silicone dolls! Always avoid contact with sharp objects, and be cautious of any impacts that could cause damage.

4. Odor

If TPE material uses a good quality white oil (one of the formulas), the odor will reduce; if you use a bad white oil or the heating time is too long during the cooking process, it will cause TPE to have a bad odor. (TPE can be recycled and used again after heat dissolution), in this regard, Silicone is completely superior to TPE; firstly, Silicone does not carry any smell. Secondly, there is no heating during the molding process. Thirdly, Silicone cannot recycle and reuse, which is why the production cost of silicone dolls is relatively high. Because the material itself is more expensive than TPE. Once the doll is broken, it must be scrapped, and the material cannot reuse). ), overall, odor silicone dolls are superior to TPE dolls.

5. Material aging speed

In this regard, silicone dolls are also better than TPE dolls if both under the same conditions (the same storage environment, the same to maintain the normal storage position). TPE dolls may be aging faster than silicone dolls, and they have the deterioration of the phenomenon earlier than Silicone (color deterioration, tear-resistance deterioration, material deformation, etc.

6. Detail performance ability

The higher density of the material in the molding has better performance of the details of the modeling after molding. (such as the various structures of the human face modeling and fine lines, varied body texture, etc.), and the material density of Silicone is about 1.2 to 1.3, TPE is about 0.9, so this aspect is also silicone doll beats TPE doll.

7. Makeup adhesion ability

Silicone dolls have a higher adhesion of makeup than TPE dolls, which can show the richness and realism of the doll's facial makeup and body makeup. The material characteristics of TPE dolls make them easy to dye, and once dyed, it is difficult to remove. Dyeing not only affects the appearance, but may also cause oil stains and stains on the surface of the doll, affecting the user experience.

8. Anti-deformation ability

This item silicone dolls also outperform TPE dolls. as mentioned in previous item 5, when both in the same storage environment, also maintain the normal storage posture, TPE dolls may deform earlier than silicone dolls (chest sagging, eye frames become larger, face deformation, etc.) In addition, TPE dolls are most afraid of being placed directly on a hard surface, which will result in the doll's buttocks being completely flattened, or even the entire back flattened. Still, silicone dolls do not have this concern; if the silicone doll is placed directly on a hard surface for too long will also produce the same situations. Still, the extent will not be as serious as TPE. If both make a slight deformation, silicone dolls will rebound back to normal shape better than TPE.

9. Oiling

In the early days, the degree of oiling is similar for both TPE material and Silicone material; the higher the oil content to control the softness of the material. But our silicone material formula has been improved not only soft, and oil has been substantially maintained.

Comparison Criteria	Silicone	TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer)
Material Safety	Food-grade silicone, non-toxic, eco-friendly, and body-safe.	Industrial-grade material, primarily used for adult products and other low-cost items.
Touch & Softness	Extremely soft, with some high-end silicones even softer than TPE. Feels more like real skin.	Soft overall, but some lower-end TPE may feel sticky or tacky.
Stretchability	Less stretchable, prone to cracking or damage when posed at extreme angles.	Highly stretchable, can maintain various poses without breaking.
Tear Resistance	Weaker tear resistance; can easily be torn by sharp objects, and once damaged, it can't be repaired.	Better tear resistance; can be repaired if damaged, but repairs may leave visible marks.
Odor	No odor, safe for use with no risk of unpleasant smells.	May have an odor, especially if low-quality TPE is used, and it secretes oil over time.
Maintenance & Oil Secretion	No oil secretion, easier to maintain, and doesn't attract dust.	Secretes oil, requires regular powdering and maintenance to maintain the best feel and appearance.
Detail & Realism	Higher material density (1.2–1.3), allowing for finer details such as skin pores, veins, and wrinkles.	Less detailed, with weaker skin texture. Makeup doesn't last as long, and details are less fine.
Temperature Resistance	Resistant to high temperatures, suitable for heating functionality, and won't deform easily.	Not resistant to high temperatures; can soften or deform if exposed to heat for extended periods.
Damage Repair	Irreparable if damaged; once broken, the product needs to be discarded.	Repairable if damaged, though repairs may leave noticeable marks.
Price	More expensive, due to the complex production process and higher material costs.	More affordable, simpler production process, and lower material costs.
Target Audience	For users seeking high-end experiences, durability, and realism in long-term use.	For users on a budget who still want a soft feel and are willing to maintain the product regularly.

Some doll factories will launch the so-called "wax head," in fact, are made of Silicone, but the use of harder Silicone to produce, hard silicone doll head can be made of hair, eyebrows, and eyelashes if the softness of the Silicone to be close to TPE, it is not possible to plant these hairs.

✅ Choose a Silicone Doll if you:

• Want the ultimate in realism — more detailed skin textures, natural makeup, and a soft, lifelike feel.
• Plan to use it long-term — silicone is more durable, resistant to tearing, and won’t deform easily.
• Don’t want frequent maintenance — silicone is almost oil-free, resists dust, and is easy to clean and maintain.
• Have a bigger budget and want a premium experience — high-end silicone dolls offer more advanced features like implanted hair and lifelike skin.

✅ Choose a TPE Doll if you:

• Want extreme softness — TPE is more elastic and bouncy, offering a stronger rebound when pressed.
• Have a limited budget but still want good value — TPE dolls are more affordable, perfect for beginners.
• Prefer a more natural skin feel — TPE has a softer, warmer touch, ideal for users seeking comfort.
• Are okay with regular maintenance — TPE requires regular cleaning and powdering to keep it feeling and looking its best.