One of the primary considerations when it comes to purchasing a life sized or sex doll is whether to buy one made from silicone or thermopoly elastomer, or TPE. 

There are distinct differences between the two materials, with one being more suited to the other when choosing a doll for a specific purpose.

The benefits and drawbacks of both go beyond mere subjective preferences, and there are certain considerations that have to be taken into account when choosing. 

Silicone

Silicone is used to make higher priced, sturdier and more cosmetically detailed dolls.

Pros of Silicone Sex Dolls:

• Sturdiness – Silicone sex dolls are far hardier than their TPE counterparts, and are less prone to damage for the most part, when handled correctly.

• Ease of Handling – While still heavy, being up to 40 kg +, they are easier to handle than a TPE doll with the same height and measurements, because the relative stiffness of their limbs and body makes them more manageable (less “wobbly”).

• Fixed Appearance – For people who don’t want to reapply makeup, and instead keep their appearance, the painted on make up is far more resilient than that of TPE dolls, and is intended to be permanent, with proper care. 
• Chemical Resistance – Because silicone is a lot more inert and stable than TPE, the surface is compatible with more chemical based cleaners than TPE. Silicone is also not porous like TPE, so is less prone to chemicals sitting in the pores of the doll’s surface.
• Detail – The level of sharp detail that can be achieved with makeup and other body painting on a silicone doll is very high, and can mimic the appearance of highly realistic waxworks models. This may result in a very humanlike countenance, allowing deeper immersion for users.

Pros of Silicone Sex Dolls:

• Price – The silicone love dolls on this site are approximatly 25% more expensive than the TPE dolls, making them a more significant purchase.
• Firmness – The relative firmness of silicone dolls, when compared to TPE, makes them less suitable for sex acts, and general “niceness” of feeling. The lack of softness also makes them less feminine in physical feel.

  Because sex with a sex doll is meant to simulate a whole body sexual encounter, the firmness of silicone may be a distraction for some. Even the newer blends of silicone are still not as soft and pleasing as TPE.

• Longevity – Silicone blends are changing all the time, with improvements being made that increase their longevity, however silicone does lose its elasticity and pliable nature over time. This doesn’t mean that it will degrade, but it should be taken into account that silicone dolls do stiffen, with the material changing after several years.
• Difficulty to Repair – Silicone sex dolls are slightly harder to repair than TPE dolls, as there is no way to melt and “reflow” the material the same way that this can be achieved with TPE. 

  Some damage can be repaired with glues and other adhesives, but are not as effective as repairs carried out with learned skill on TPE dolls.

• Coldness and Feel – Silicone is not just firm, it can feel clammy and unnatural to touch, despite claims by its fans that it “is more realistic”.

  The surface of silicone dolls feels more “plasticky” than that of TPE, and it is more difficult to warm them up, with silicone unable to be warmed to a human like temperature simply from body contact.

Thermopoly Elastomer (TPE)

Sometimes referred to as thermoplastic rubbers, TPE is a soft, blended material that combines the properties of both plastic and rubber.

Pros of TPE Sex Dolls:

• Softness – TPE is often very soft, with a pleasing give, and some blends are soft enough that they can effectively mimic human fatty tissue.

  This makes TPE a superior material over silicone for dolls designed primarly for physical contact, including sexual acts. The softness is particularly noticeable in areas such as the thighs, and clothing a TPE doll with clothes made from soft fabrics can enhance the tactile illusion.

• Temperature – Like silicone, TPE takes on the temperature of its surroundings, and can initially feel cool to the touch.

  Unlike silicone though, TPE is very conductive, and warms up relatively quickly to your body temperature when you make physical contact.

  TPE dolls match and maintain your temperature without overheating, which makes them comfortable dolls to sleep next to, as they won’t become uncomfortably hot to sleep next to like a human might.

• Skin Feel – The already butter soft TPE can be powdered to achieve a very soft, silky feel, that is currently the closest feeling to that of human skin achievable with a love doll.

• Repairability – TPE, as a substance, is not as “fixed” as silicone, and its structure can be broken down more readily.

  This also means that heat, over a certain temperature, can be used to reflow the TPE, allowing a practiced user to make repairs to tears and other damage by heating the surface of the doll and reshaping it.

  This should only be carried out in a well ventilated area, and care taken to never inhale the vapours given off heated TPE, however this property may be key to extending the longevity of a TPE doll.

• Visual Adaptability – Makeup, and other surface painting, on a TPE doll isn’t permanent, as mineral oil can easily remove it from its surface. This makes a TPE doll a good prospect for users who wish to change the look of their doll periodically, and experiment with different makeup looks, colours and effects. 

Cons of TPE Sex Dolls:

• Porousness – TPE is porous, with mineral oil “sitting” inside the pores to make up the overall “flesh” of the doll. This mineral oil can be susceptible to staining, if the doll makes contact with clothes that are not colour fast, or other fabrics or surfaces with colour that can rub off onto the doll’s surface. 

  The porous material can also make a welcome home to mould spores or bacteria, so care must always be taken to ensure that the doll is clean and dry.

• Cleaning – TPE dolls are slightly more challenging than cleaning one made from silicone, as the material is more sensitive to harsh chemicals.

  Care must be taken to not dry out the doll, or break down the polymer bonds of the surface by using solvents or other cleaners that wouldn’t bother a silicone doll. 

• Vulnerability – TPE dolls are very soft and delicate, and prone to damage if not handled correctly.

  Some find that the combination of weight and delicate material makes it difficult to carry and/or manipulate them.

  While it is impossible to completely avoid scrapes here and there, it is possible to mitigate serious damage by being environmentally aware when moving your TPE doll, and exercising care when using them.

Best Material for Specific Uses:

Physical Contact: TPE

For a more tactile experience, TPE sex dolls are more suited to this – if you are wishing to replicate an authentic physical sensation.

Non Physical Companionship: Both

Both silicone and TPE love dolls may achieve a similar a physical presence, so in this case, the preference comes down to the appearance of the doll, and which one you like the look of.

Photography – Amateur / Point and Click / Snapshot: Silicone

Beginner photographers often find that the high level of detail on silicone sex dolls allows them to achieve results that they like, with all kinds of human like blemishes, skin texture and makeup – from a visual point of view.

For those who are new to photography, or for those who just want to take a plain picture of a doll, this makes silicone ideal for just pointing and clicking with no other effort required. The hardness/sheen of the silicone sex doll’s surface will always be visible, making them less realistic than a professional would like.

Photography – Professional / Creative: TPE

For experienced photographers who are good with lighting, posing and styling, TPE dolls present more opportunities for a natural, humanlike appearance when it comes to the finished photograph.

This is partly related to TPE dolls’ smoother, more matte appearance, which absorb light more like human skin might.

You can also easily change the makeup on a TPE doll with a little wipe of some mineral oil. 

This opens up vast possibilities with lipstick, freckles, eye makeup and anything else you may want to explore creatively.