Labubu craze: why teens are obsessed and how not to get scammed

Wondering what a Labubu is and why your teen wants one? We break down the buzz, where to buy, what fakes to avoid, and whether prices will ever drop.

If you’ve got a teenager glued to TikTok, chances are you’ve already heard them whisper the name “Labubu” like it’s some mythical gremlin sent to drain your wallet.

Mine certainly has.

Our 13-year-old has gone from “What’s for tea?” to “Can I have a Labubu?”

And I had no idea what she was talking about.

Turns out, Labubu isn’t a new slang term or a made-up word. It’s a real (very collectable) character. And if you’ve seen the grinning little goblin with sharp teeth and big eyes, you’ll know why it’s caused a buzz.

Here we cover what a Labubu is, where it’s from, why it costs that much, and how not to get scammed with a dodgy dupe called “Lafufu”.

What even is a Labubu?

Labubu is part of a collection of weird and wonderful figures made by POP MART, a company from China that specialises in designer blind-box toys. Labubu was created by artist Kasing Lung, who clearly looked at a fluffy monkey, added some vampire teeth and chaotic energy, and thought – yep, perfect.

Each series has a theme: pirates, forest monsters, circus vibes, you name it!

And, because it comes in a “surprise box”, you never know which one you’ll get until you open it. Which means if your teen wants just one specific Labubu, you’ll probably end up buying four.

Who are they for?

Officially, POP MART says Labubu is for anyone aged 15+, but honestly, tweens and teens are their core fanbase. It’s become a whole social media trend, with kids unboxing them, swapping duplicates, and reviewing each design like they’re art critics.

That said, a lot of adults (especially collectors) are fully obsessed too. There’s a whole resale market where certain rare Labubus go for £100+, sometimes more.

So don’t be surprised if your kid suddenly becomes very interested in “investing”. (Nice little side hustle, if you can get hold of any stock.)

Why is everyone suddenly talking about them?

Labubu has been big in Asia for a while, but the UK hype exploded in 2024, helped along by TikTok, Instagram Reels, and kids saying, “Look at this one! It’s got bunny ears and a chainsaw!”

It’s part FOMO, part trend, part genuinely cool design. And unlike most toys, they don’t look “babyish,” which makes them perfect for teens who want to collect something but feel too old for dolls.

Add in the thrill of not knowing what you’ll get until you open the box, and boom – it becomes a viral sensation.

Where can you buy real Labubu figures?

Here’s where to look:

1. POP MART UK website

• Blind boxes start at £17.50 – but are pretty much always out of stock!
• Ships from within the UK
• You can sign up for stock alerts

2. Amazon UK – via official POP MART

• Occasionally has stock from the verified seller
• Lots of off brand ones too
  • Be cautious of the prices. Some of the very low prices are for outfits/clothing, not the toy. And PLEASE check the reviews – you’ve been warned.

3. In-store POP MART vending machines (“Robo Shops”)

• Found in some shopping centres (e.g. London, Reading)
• Bit of fun for kids if you’re out and about

4. eBay (UK-based sellers only)

• You’ll find open-box or resale figures from around £40 and often much higher!
• Just be extra cautious, check seller reviews and photos

5. Independent UK shops

• Slightly higher prices, but often have rare stock

What about fakes?

This is where it gets tricky.

Because Labubu is in high demand and hard to get hold of, fake versions have flooded sites like eBay, AliExpress, TikTok Shop, and even local corner shops.

People are buying “Lafufu” instead, which are basically dodgy knock-offs that look almost right, until you realise the paint’s smudged, the teeth are off, and it smells like regret.

Why not just get a fake “lafufu” if it’s cheaper?

We thought about it too. If it looks the same, who cares, right?

But here’s the problem…

1. They’re not the same

A real Labubu is high-quality vinyl, with clean paint lines, weight to it, and proper detail. A Lafufu (aka a fake knock-off) often arrives with:

• wonky paint
• funny smells
• bent arms
• in a plastic bag, rather than a collector box
• and eyes that look like they’ve seen too much.

Kids can tell the difference, and if they’re into collecting or swapping, they’ll clock a fake straight away.

2. They fall apart

Cheaper plastics mean limbs can snap, joints loosen, or paint peels.

It’s the kind of toy that looks fine in the eBay photo, but arrives looking like it’s already done two tours of a car boot sale.

3. No resale value

Labubu collectors will pay £40 to £100+ for certain rare figures.

Lafufu? Worthless.

If your teen’s hoping to build a collection or swap with mates, fakes won’t cut it.

4. It’s supporting shady sellers

Most fakes come from mass production factories using stolen designs. No licence, no rights, just knock-offs that infringe on someone else’s work.

That might not bother everyone, but it’s worth knowing where your money’s going.

5. Is it safe?

It’s not just about looks or value; safety’s a big deal, too.

When you buy a genuine Labubu from POP MART or an official UK seller, it’s gone through proper checks. You’re getting:

• Non-toxic paints
• Safe materials
• CE marking to show it meets EU/UK safety standards

But with a fake Lafufu? That’s a wild guess.

Not saying it’s always the case, but with no checks, you may get a toy with:

• Toxic plastic: Cheap fakes are often made from low-grade materials, which could contain things like lead or phthalates (the nasty stuff banned in proper kids’ toys).
• Choking hazards: Arms, ears, or heads can snap off more easily, especially if it’s being handled by a younger sibling who wants a go.
• No age guidance: Fakes won’t always have safety info or warnings printed on the packaging because they’re not legally required to.

So even if it’s “just for the shelf”, a fake still comes with risks. And once you factor in dodgy paint jobs, zero resale value, and the possibility of it smelling like melted rubber, it’s not the bargain it might seem.

If you want peace of mind, it’s worth spending the extra few quid for a legit one.

To avoid fakes:

• Only buy from official POP MART stockists or trusted UK resellers
• Be suspicious if it costs under £10 with free shipping, especially from abroad
• Look for the POP MART logo and box seals
• If the character’s name is spelt wrong or it looks “off”, it’s probably not real

Will prices ever come down?

Honestly? Not anytime soon.

Labubu is limited-edition by design. POP MART only makes so many per series, and once they’re gone, they’re gone. That’s what keeps collectors interested and drives up resale prices.

That said, not all figures are rare or expensive. Some common ones sell for around RRP on eBay, especially if people are clearing out duplicates.

You’re unlikely to find a genuine one for a couple of quid, but if your teen just wants a Labubu, and not a specific one, there are slightly more affordable options around.

Are they worth it?

If you’re a parent thinking, “It’s a tenner for something that looks like it came free with cereal”, I get it.

But if it keeps your kid happy, helps them socialise, and doesn’t end in slime stuck to the carpet, there are far worse fads to get behind.

And who knows…that £17.50 Labubu might be worth £100 in a year. Stranger things have happened (remember Pokémon cards?).