American Girl dominate the market for 18-inch dolls, but if you are looking for a smaller price tag, or a different look, you’ll be pleased to know that there are alternatives to the classic AG.
Adora
Adora have two lines of 18-inch dolls – Girl Scout (officially licensed) and 4-EVER Friends.
The Girl Scout dolls are $80 each, with the generic 4-EVER Friends priced at $70.
Each doll comes with a complete outfit, and has poseable head and limbs, with a soft cuddly body.
The
American Girl
The most famous of all the 18-inch dolls, and most likely the brand your child will ask for.
The dolls have vinyl, moveable head and limbs, and soft bodies.
For $115 you get a doll, with a complete outfit, even shoes and underwear, and a storybook about her character.
The doll pictured is McKenna, American Girl’s Doll of the Year 2012.
The 18-inch American Girl dolls are sold as suitable for ages 6 years and up.
Carpatina
Carpatina make a range called Fantasy Adventures.
These are 18-inch dolls with poseable limbs, and solid bodies, styled in historical outfits. They are sold as collectors dolls rather than toys.
They cost around $100 each.
The same company also make ‘Friends Collection’ – a line of clothes suitable for 18-inch soft-bodied dolls like American Girl.
Gotz Precious Day Dolls
Made in Germany, by a company that has been producing beautiful dolls for more than 50 years, these dolls offer quality and an alternative look to the AG dolls.
At around $80, they won’t save you much money, but they do have the advantage of rooted hair that can be washed and styled.
Suitable for ages 3 years and up.
Journey Girls
This value-range of 18-inch dolls, is a Toys R Us exclusive. The dolls have soft bodies, and hard limbs, but cost just $33 each.
Madame Alexander
Fully articulated head and limbs with a soft body.
Beautiful delicately featured faces.
A Madame Alexander 18 inch doll and outfit cost betwen $65 depending on the model.
Our Generation
Non-poseable dolls come with one outfit and cost $25.
Deluxe poseable dolls have an additional outfit, and are priced at $38.49.
Exclusive to Target.
Find out more…
While I was researching this article, I came across this awesome Amazon customer review, from a mom who has looked into all the different types of 18-inch doll while trying to decide which one to buy for her daughters. She goes into lots of detail how the different dolls look and feel. Definitely worth a few minutes of your time to read what she has to say.
18-inch dolls in the UK
These larger sized dolls are harder to come by in the UK, but there are some specialist retailers stocking them. Check out and My Doll Boutique
