WM doll: TPE vs silicone
The material decides how your WM doll feels, how much work it is to keep, and how long it looks new.
Updated: October 20, 2026 · Official WM Doll site
WM is best known for TPE, but it also makes full silicone bodies and silicone heads. Neither material is simply "better". They suit different people, and the right choice depends on what you value most.
Quick comparison
| TPE | Silicone | |
|---|---|---|
| Feel | Softer, squishier, more give | Firmer, smoother, holds shape |
| Surface detail | Good | Finer pores, veins and creases |
| Care | Porous: needs powder, stains easily | Non-porous: easier to clean |
| Heat | Deforms in heat | Tolerates warmth better |
| Smell when new | Slight oily smell | Almost none |
| Durability | Can tear at stress points | More tear-resistant, but harder to repair |
| WM list price | From $2,850 full size | From $3,250 full size |
How they feel
TPE is the reason many people choose WM. It compresses easily and springs back slowly, so hands sink into it. Silicone feels closer to firm skin over muscle: smoother, a little cooler at first, and it keeps a pose without sagging. If softness is your top priority, TPE wins. If you want the doll to look and feel "solid" in photos and when posed, silicone does.
Care and cleaning
This is the biggest practical difference.
- TPE is slightly porous. It absorbs dyes, attracts lint, releases a little oil over time and needs a dusting of powder after each wash. Our TPE cleaning guide takes about twenty minutes.
- Silicone is non-porous. It can be washed with mild soap, does not need powder and resists stains far better. It is also more tolerant of warm water.
Weight
Silicone is a little denser than TPE, so a silicone doll of the same size is often a few kilograms heavier. Still, height and body shape matter more: full-size WM TPE bodies range from 33 to 42 kg. If weight is the problem, a torso helps more than switching materials.
Detail and makeup
Silicone takes finer moulding and holds paint better, which is why many buyers order a silicone head on a TPE body: the face gets silicone's detail and durability, the body keeps TPE's softness and lower price. See WM doll heads for how this works.
Durability and repairs
TPE can tear at high-stress points such as fingers, armpits and the inner thighs if joints are forced. Small TPE tears can often be repaired with heat and a TPE repair kit. Silicone resists tearing better, but when it does tear, repair needs a silicone adhesive and more skill.
Price
On the WM factory store a full-size TPE body lists at $2,850 and a full silicone body at $3,250 or more. Torsos and heads follow the same pattern. Check the price guide for the full table.
WM models in each material
| Model | Material | Height | Net weight | List price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 166 cm C-cup · head #370 | TPE | 166 cm | 33 kg | $2,850 |
| 164 cm D-cup · head #390 | TPE | 164 cm | 35 kg (without head) | $2,850 |
| 168 cm F-cup · head #198 | TPE | 168 cm | 42 kg | $2,850 |
| 174 cm G-cup · head #421 | TPE | 174 cm | 39 kg | $2,950 |
| 175 cm silicone · head #142 | Silicone | 175 cm | not published | $3,250 |
| 164 cm F-cup AI robot · head #1068 | Silicone + AI module | 164 cm | not published | $3,099 |
| WM silicone head | Silicone | — | — | $650 |
Three ways to get silicone at WM
A full-silicone body
The 175 cm silicone body at $3,250 is silicone from head to toe: the most detail and the least maintenance, at $400 more than a standard TPE body.
A silicone head on a TPE body
The most popular compromise: the face gets silicone, the body stays soft and cheaper. A spare silicone head lists at $650; on a new doll it is an order-form option.
The MetaBox AI robot
WM's AI line uses a silicone body, so the MetaBox at $3,099 is also a way into silicone, with a conversation module and a subscription after the first year.
The cost of care over time
TPE costs less up front, but it needs renewal powder after every full wash and, from time to time, a stain-removal cream if it touches dark fabric. Silicone needs only mild soap. Over several years the difference in care products is small; the real difference is time: a TPE wash with drying and powdering takes noticeably longer.
Which should you choose?
Choose TPE if softness matters most, your budget is closer to $2,850, and you do not mind a regular care routine. Good starting points: the 166 cm C-cup or 168 cm F-cup.
Choose silicone if you want the most realistic surface, less maintenance and a doll that keeps its look longer, and you can pay more. See the 175 cm silicone body or the MetaBox AI robot, which is also silicone.
FAQ
Updated: October 20, 2026 · Official WM Doll site
Is TPE or silicone more realistic?
Silicone shows finer detail and holds makeup better; TPE feels softer. Realism depends on which you value more.
Is silicone heavier than TPE?
Slightly: silicone is denser, so a same-size silicone doll is often a few kilograms heavier. Height and body shape still matter more.
Which lasts longer?
Silicone usually keeps its look longer and resists stains; TPE lasts years with regular care.
Can I mix the two on a WM doll?
Yes. A silicone head on a TPE body is a common WM option; a spare silicone head lists at $650.
Does WM make full-silicone dolls?
Yes. The 175 cm silicone body with head #142 lists at $3,250, and the MetaBox AI robot has a silicone body at $3,099.
How much more does silicone cost at WM?
A full-silicone body costs $3,250 against $2,850 for a standard TPE body: $400 more.
Which needs less care, WM TPE or silicone?
Silicone: it is non-porous, needs no powder and resists stains. TPE needs drying, powdering and protection from dark fabrics.
More WM Doll guides
How to clean a WM dollHow to clean a WM doll step by step: which soap to use, washing the TPE body, head and inner channels, drying, powdering and the mistakes that ruin TPE.
WM doll headsHow WM doll heads work: head numbers, TPE vs silicone heads, the ROS movable-jaw option, implanted hair, fitting a new head and what a spare head costs.
WM MetaBox AI robotic dollWhat the WM MetaBox robotic doll really does: AI chat in six languages, memory, touch sensors, the subscription after year one and how data is stored.
WM doll pricesHow much a WM doll costs in 2026: factory list prices by body type, what options add, how WM sales work, shipping and import costs, and how to avoid copies.
WM dolls reviewWM Dolls review: range, build quality, TPE durability, weight, price and after-sales risks, with a checklist for the day your doll arrives.
WM doll sizes and body codesWM doll sizes in one chart: 162 to 175 cm bodies with weight, bust, waist and hips, how WM body codes work and how much space each size needs.Ready to compare WM Doll offers?
List price on the brand store on October 20, 2026. Final price depends on options and the seller.