Labubu Studio Editions ($49.90)
Full disclosure: we sell these. But they're on this list because they genuinely compete at this price point. At $49.90, the Duck Bubu, Snow Wing Bubu, and Pink Fang Bubu are 3D-printed, hand-finished figures at 18x16x10 cm — significantly larger than standard blind box figures. The finish quality is comparable to resin art toys that typically sell for $80-150.
The main advantage over other entries on this list is that you know exactly what you're getting. No blind box lottery, no hunting for specific colorways. Pick the edition you want, pay $49.90 plus $6.99 shipping, done. For the price of 3-4 blind boxes (where you might not get the figure you want), you get one specific, larger, hand-finished piece.
Bearbrick 100% ($15-40)
Medicom's Bearbrick in the 100% (7cm) size remains the entry point for designer toy collecting. At $15-25 for common releases and $30-40 for collaborations, they're affordable and the sheer variety of designs means you can always find one that fits your taste. The downside is size — at 7cm, they can feel underwhelming as standalone display pieces.
The 400% size (28cm) is where Bearbrick really shines visually, but those start at $80 and popular collaborations easily exceed $100. If you're budget-constrained, a few well-chosen 100% Bearbricks can create an interesting grouped display for under $100 total.
Superplastic Janky and Guggimon ($20-60)
Superplastic's vinyl figures offer some of the most distinctive designs in the sub-$100 space. Janky figures ($25-45) are wild, artist-collaboration vinyl pieces with excellent paint detail for the price. Guggimon figures ($35-60) are slightly more refined but equally weird. Both hold up well as display pieces.
The collector community around Superplastic is smaller than Bearbrick or Labubu, which means less resale competition but also fewer trading partners. If you're buying to display rather than invest, this is actually an advantage — you're buying what you like, not what the market tells you to buy.
Pop Mart Blind Boxes ($14-18 per box)
Pop Mart's blind box offerings including Labubu, Molly, Dimoo, and Skullpanda are the highest-volume entry in this price range. At $14-18 per box, you can build a varied collection quickly. The quality-to-price ratio is strong — Pop Mart's paint detail and vinyl quality have improved significantly since 2023.
The catch is the blind box format itself. You might spend $90 on six boxes and get three duplicates. If you want a specific figure, you're either buying the full case ($100-120) or paying resale premiums. For collectors who enjoy the surprise element, blind boxes are fun. For those who want a specific design, they're an expensive lottery.
How to Decide
Under $100, you're choosing between several smaller pieces or one substantial one. A single Labubu studio edition ($49.90) or a Bearbrick 400% ($80-100) gives you one strong display piece. The same budget spread across blind boxes or 100% Bearbricks gives you a collection of smaller figures. Neither approach is wrong — it depends on whether you want impact or variety.
The best advice for 2026: buy what you genuinely like looking at, not what social media says is hot. Hype-driven purchases in the sub-$100 range rarely appreciate meaningfully, so treat them as display pieces, not investments.