I'll admit, I didn't know how soft a plush pillow was until my daughter came home from a day out with her grandma with one. While we try to keep new toys to a minimum, her grandma pulls the grandma card and she'll sometimes come home with a new toy (or, ahem, two). Well, with this one I have to admit...it was the cutest plush pillow I think I've ever seen, and my daughter's eyes completely lit up when she showed it to me. About a year and a half later, she still sleeps with it. So if you're on the fence about snagging yourself a plush pillow friend, don't be. If my daughter is any judge, they'll be a favorite snuggle friend for years to come. These 5 are the ones we are especially loving lately. Squishmallow 16″ FIFI The Fox The Sweetest Fox PillowThis adorable fox just screams "cuddle me," and we're happy to oblige. Best OverallFind on Amazon We don’t know what it is, but lately we’ve been seeing foxes everywhere. Not just in real life, but in books, toys, television, names, and the like. So it was no surprise that the most lovable Squishmallow on this list was a pink little fox. Featuring a dashing fox face mask, two perky ears, whiskers, lashes, and sharp black nose, this fox Squishmallow is the perfect cuddling companion. At 16″, it’s an ideal sleeping pillow or large stuffed toy…or both. Pros: Durable fabric that holds up to washing and drying. Vibrant colors that’ll last after repeated washes and lots of love. Cons: This Squishmallow is a bit on the pricier side. Squishmallows 16″ Plush Tristan The Green Triceratops Who Knew Dinos Were Cuddly?Tristan the Triceratops is the cutest little Triceratops we've seen...the perfect cuddle companion for a dinosaur loving person in your life. Best DinosaurFind on Amazon Tristan The Green Triceratops is a lovable 16-inch Squishmallow that’ll satisfy any dinosaur-loving, cuddly kiddo out there. The lime-and-olive green contrasting face features cute, round black eyes that’ll bring your child’s imagination to life. This is the perfect gift idea for the person in your life who has a tough exterior and soft interior. Complete the gift with a stack of favorite dinosaur books. Trust us, they’ll cozy right up to Tristan for an afternoon of reading and snuggling…he may be a dinosaur, but he’s downright cuddly. Pros: Color combination is eye-popping. Excellent as a travel buddy, as both a stuffed animal toy and a familiar pillow in one. Cons: If you’re using this guy as a pillow, you will have to move this Squishmallow about to find the perfect sleeping position. Otherwise the Triceratop horns will poke you a bit. Auspicious beginning Stuffed Animal Shiba Inu The Dog Days of SnugglingThis sweet dog plush toy is the cutest plush pillow...and sizable enough to sleep with or on, too. Best DogFind on Amazon Even if you don’t consider yourself a dog person, this pillow might convince you otherwise. We may or may not have bought a few of these for ourselves. Made of super soft, plush fabric and a perfectly squishy inside, you can cuddle with this sweet pup to your heart’s content. With options of 15.7 inches high or 19.6 inches high, it’s the perfect size for a cozy couch sesh. Available in 3 adorable color options, why not get all of them? Pros: Feather PP cotton filler. Two size options available. Great for lumbar support. Cons: If your kiddo takes this companion pillow with them everywhere, you may end up having to spot clean it frequently: it’s light color means every spec of dirt or grime shows up. Squishmallow Tye Die Unicorn Toy Bright and Sweet, Esmeralda OutshinesA trending animal at the moment, no matter how mythical, this sweet unicorn has stolen our hearts. Best UnicornFind on Amazon Unicorns are all the rage lately, from pool floats to clothing items to makeup. So it’s only natural that unicorns would pop up as a sweet, comfy Squishmallow. Esmeralda the Unicorn is an ultra-plush, marshmallow-like pillow that has the cutest little features on its adorable pink face. At 8 x 6 x 8 inches, this is the perfect size for snuggling up with. Made of soft spandex EF and polyester stuffing, you can toss Esmeralda in the wash and dry for easy cleaning. Pros: Simple, cute features make Esmeralda a super lovable Squishmallow. Easy to clean. Perfect size for sleeping with as a small travel pillow, a cozy couch pillow, or as a support buddy. Cons: We wish there were multiple size options available for Esmeralda. We love a giant Squishmallow, and this one only comes in a small size option. Squishmallow Kellytoy bugs Life 8 inch Sunny The Bee Cute-sy and Fun Little Bee PillowThis sweet little bee is an inviting mini Squishmallow to cozy up to. Best BeeFind on Amazon While real bees might pack a sting, this little bee is the sweetest little bundle of happiness. This darling Sunny The Bee Squishmallow features a round yellow face with a striped belly and two little shiny wings on the side. Add in the little black antennae, and you’ve got the sweetest plush snuggle buddy around. At just 8 x 4 x 8 inches big, this is the ideal size for a young preschooler or toddler just getting into the world of Squishmallow. Sunny is so cute, we’re hard-pressed to come up with a reason not to get this for ourselves. Pros: Machine wash and dry in cool water and medium heat dryer cycle. Durable seams hold up even when well-loved. Cons: The yellow of the bee can show dirt easily. Frequently Asked Questions What’s the best way to clean a well-loved plush pillow? The best way to clean your pillow is with either a quick and easy spot clean, or by washing in cool water with your bedding. You can dry your plush pillow in the dryer as long as the heat setting is not too high. Are plush pillows safe to sleep with? For older kiddos, sleeping with their favorite plush pillow is just fine. However, if you have a baby or young toddler, the best sleeping practices are to keep the bed free of any extras. Although there aren’t necessarily clear guidelines for sleeping safely with a plush pillow, the longer you wait to allow your child to sleep with a hugging pillow, the better. For best sleeping practices, check with your pediatrician on recommended guidelines.