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Dolls are probably the oldest toy that humanity has ever known. And still, they’re still among the most cherished items in any child’s toy box. It doesn’t matter whether you’re young or old, male or female, and it doesn’t matter where you’re from, you’d still like to play with a doll.
Reborn dolls took this natural affinity a bit further with the hyper-realistic dolls. And a wide base of collectors is now hooked to these adorable lifelike baby dolls.
If you’d like to know more about these dolls read on!
Our Top Lifelike Baby Dolls at a Glance
Kaydora Reborn Baby Doll (Emma) – Prettiest doll and best overall
CHAREX Reborn Baby Doll (Lucy) – Best handmade doll
Aori Realistic Lifelike Reborn Baby Boy Doll (William) – Cutest boy doll with high safety standards
JC Toys Life-Like Smiling Newborn Doll – Best Value
JC Toys La Newborn Real Girl Baby Doll – Most anatomically correct
15 Best Lifelike Baby Dolls Reviewed
Here’s a roundup of the most unique and friendly lifelike dolls. We made sure to include a wide variety of sizes, styles, and features to suit every requirement.
1. Kaydora Reborn Baby Doll (Emma)

Emma is 20-inches from head to toe and just over 3lbs. She has an adorable face with hand-painted eyebrow and handmade glued eyelashes. She comes with a bottle and a magnetic pacifier.
Emily is a sweet baby with a healthy size that fills your arms as you hug her. This baby doll is 20 inches from head to toe, and she weighs 3.3 pounds. That’s pretty close to a chubby little baby. And she does feel soft to the touch, thanks to the cotton that mixes with the silicone in her limbs.
Her face is quite peaceful and adorable. And the hand-painted eyebrows and eyelashes definitely complement that mellow appearance. Choosing a pink outfit for Emma is spot-on. It goes perfectly with her healthful skin and curious blue eyes.
This lovely doll comes with an onesie, pants with heart prints, a pair of socks, and a naughty little hat. In addition to a baby bottle and a pacifier. Moreover, all this is delivered in a neat Kaydora gift box.
Pros
- Large size and realistic weight
- Lovely and amicable expression
- Nice rich hair
- Comes with some practical accessories
- Soft and cuddly
Cons
- A bit heavy for younger toddlers
- Her hair needs a lot of care and attention
2. CHAREX Reborn Baby Doll (Lucy)

The baby doll comes with the outfit as shown and including shoes, a toy, bottle, a pacify, and a certificate for your child to name her and put in her birth date, weight, etc. She is 22 inches, 3 lbs, 3 ounces.
Lucy is fully crafted by the loving hands of artists. She’s a big baby doll, as tall as 22 inches, and she pulls all the weight you’d expect from a healthy little baby. She has a soft cloth body and smooth vinyl limbs that are hand-painted to resemble real skin.
The wrinkles on her fingers, the eyelashes, and the dreamy eyes are also applied by hand. With that level of detail; it’s so easy to play pretend and care for her just like a real infant. She can sit or sleep, but either way, you’d need to provide some props.
Lucy has her own giraffe toy, plus a pacifier, baby bottle, a 7-piece outfit, a pair of shoes, and a crawling suit. All this comes in a gift box, and the whole package sells at a very fair price.
Pros
- Designed by artists
- Hand Painted and handmade parts
- Made from certifiably safe materials
- Flexible positioning
- Soft and huggy
- Several outfits and accessories
- Moderately priced
Cons
- Not suitable for kids under 3 years old
- Her eyes are always open
3. Aori Realistic Lifelike Reborn Baby Boy Doll

He fits great in newborn baby clothes or 0-3 months. His realistic looks will have people stopping and asking if he's a real baby. Over 400 reviews on Amazon.com!
When we buy toys for our children, we always need to make sure that they are safe. And this baby boy here conforms to ASTM F963 as well as EN71. It’s thus, one of the nicest lifelike dolls to have around your child.
The Aori little baby is a strapping childlike doll of 22 inches, and it weighs a good 3.4 pounds. The head is made from soft vinyl, whereas the hands and feet are made from a vinyl/cotton mixture. It’s soft and huggy, but it can sit on its own. It can’t stand, much like any infant can’t, but it can move its limbs.
This doll doesn’t have a specific gender, so your child can treat it as a boy or a girl. This cute little doll comes with an amazing little teddy bear toy, a drinking cup, a magnet pacifier, and an outfit that your kid can change.
Pros
- Safe for your kid
- Cute expression
- Hand Painted details
- Movable limbs
- Soft and cuddly
- Sits on its own
- Comes at a fair price
Cons
- Shouldn’t come near the water at all
- Suitable for older toddlers only
4. JC Toys Life-Like Smiling Newborn Doll

This set includes a 14-inch baby boy, diaper, diaper cover, bodysuit, t-shirt, booties, hat, and two customizable hospital bracelets for baby and parent.
This 14-inch tiny infant weighs about 1 pound, and it’s so lifelike in its expression, supple movements, and the way its ‘skin’ feels. Its head and limbs rotate and can be set into different positions. You can move it about easily as you change its diapers, or dress it up.
This is one of the few lifelike dolls that are water-friendly, so you can give it refreshing baths as well. Its body and limbs are made from BPA-free, no-scented, and totally safe vinyl. It’s unbelievably soft, yet quite durable, and will stay with you for years to come.
This happy baby with cute toes comes with a birth certificate and a hospital bracelet. You’d also get a full change of clothing, including a reusable diaper and its cover.
Pros
- Suitable for young toddlers
- Happy expression
- Water-friendly
- Movable body parts
- Premium quality materials
- Amusing accessories
- Budget-friendly price
Cons
- Needs to be disassembled to get the water out after a bath
5. JC Toys La Newborn Real Girl Baby Doll

Includes baby doll dressed in a soft white outfit, a matching headband and booties, soft reversible blanket and plush bear, with a baby bottle, pacifier, rattle, and birth certificate.
This 15-inch little baby girl doll is as cute as they get. It’s the proud creation of a brilliant designer and a reputed company that’s been in the market for 3 decades. This newborn doll is full of details and it’s made to the correct proportions of a newborn.
It comes with its own birth certificate, blanket, plush toy, rattle, and pacifier. In addition to a white baby outfit, cute little booties, and the sweetest headband.
Pros
- Designer item
- Lifelike dimples, wrinkles, and folds
- Water-friendly
- Rotating arms and legs
- Plenty of accessories
- Safety-tested
Cons
- Not too soft to the touch
6. JC Toys La Newborn Real Boy Baby Doll

Includes baby doll dressed in a polka dot outfit, matching headband and booties, soft reversible blanket, plush dinosaur, a baby bottle, pacifier, rattle, and birth certificate.
This baby doll is almost exactly the same as the previous except, except for the fact that it’s a boy. It also comes with clothes and accessories of a different color. Blue seems to suit this little guy more, and as it turns out, its favorite toy is a dinosaur!
Pros
- Designer item
- Lifelike dimples, wrinkles, and folds
- Water-friendly
- Rotating arms and legs
- Plenty of accessories
- Safety-tested
Cons
- Not too soft to the touch
7. CHAREX Reborn Baby Dolls

Includes:
- 1 Magnet pacifier
- 1 Feeding bottle
- 1 Birth certificate
- 1 Pink giraffe
The dreamy blue eyes and cute little hands of this doll are absolutely riveting. This soft and huggy doll is lovely to care for, to keep around as a companion, and to teach a child a thing or two about life.
It’s one of the bigger-sized dolls, with a height of 22 inches, and a good weight of almost four pounds. That’s the reassuring size of a healthy baby! The CHAREX dolls are all specially designed, and the details on them are all handcrafted.
This doll also comes with safety certification, and it sells for a fair price.
Pros
- Adorable expression
- Large size and healthy weight
- Plush giraffe toy
- A practical set of accessories
- Moderate price
Cons
- The limbs are a bit unsteady and could need to be reattached while dressing up the doll
8. Kaydora Reborn Baby Doll

This sweet girl looks real and is heavy like a real baby. A great alternative to the more expensive Ashton Drake baby dolls.
Kaydora baby dolls are famed for their mellow looks, soft feel, and subtle realistic hints. Lucy here is a chubby little infant that could be two or three months old. She is 22 inches tall, and she’s weighted sufficiently to give the sensation of carrying a real baby.
This baby doll comes with a change of clothing, a pacifier, baby bottle, and a birth certificate. It arrives in a chic gift box, so you can give it as a birthday or Christmas present to someone dear.
Pros
- Realistic size and details
- Adorable doll
- Nice hair
- Generous accessory set
Cons
- The doll’s eyes are always open
- It doesn’t sit or move its limbs
9. Kaydora Reborn Baby Doll Girl In Pink Pajamas

This little cutie measures 16-inches from head to toe and almost 2.5lbs. Her head and 3/4 limbs are soft silicone, the body is cotton, and she feels like a real baby when you touch her and hold her.
This doll could be a one-month-old baby, with its cute little pajamas and amazed look. This baby is 16 inches tall and weighs approximately two-and-a-half pounds. It’s made from a silicone/cotton mix to give it flexibility and softness.
This baby doll comes with its own birth certificate. And to take care of it right away; there’s also a magnetic pacifier and a bottle. It’s suitable for older kids and as companions for dementia patients. It’s also perfect as a birthday present.
Pros
- Medium-sized doll
- Silicone and cotton mix for a soft feel
- Has a full safety certification
- Hand Painted details
- Comes with a Kaydora gift box
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Not suitable for kids under three
10. Ann Lauren Dolls 15-Inch Anatomically Correct Baby Girl Doll in Pink Bassinet

- 15.2 Inch All Vinyl Body Baby Doll
- Bassinet Included, Vanilla Scented
- Anatomically Correct- All Body Vinyl-Made in Spain - ASTM Tested
- Environmentally Packaged {Arrives in Clear Plastic Bag, No Display Box}
This tiny 15-inch doll captures the newborn appearance to the nines. It’s anatomically correct, to start with, and the details of its face and limbs complete the image. This doll comes with its own bassinet, so you already know where the doll needs to take her naps.
Pros
- Realistic proportions
- Comes with a bassinet
- ASTM tested
- All-vinyl body
- Scented like vanilla
- Environmental packing
- Moderate price
Cons
- The doll doesn’t have blinking eyes, and her limbs are static
11. Madame Alexander Lavender Baby Doll

This 16-Inch baby doll looks and feels like a real baby! Engage your child in imaginative, nurturing, tech-free play. Classic Lee Middleton sculpt. Fixed eyes, soft skin, and delicate features.
Madame Alexander has been making toys for more than a hundred years now. And the 16-inch tall baby Lavender here is a manifest of the premium craftsmanship of this company.
It’s a lifelike baby doll that looks rather drowsy and seems to really like her sleep. She comes prepared with her jammies, matching napping headcover, a little blanket, and plush pillow. She also has an adoption certificate, so you can easily welcome her to the family.
Pros
- Molded head and limbs
- Weighted body for a realistic feel
- Suitable for younger toddlers
- Detailed finishes
- It can sit
Cons
- The eyes are fixed, even though it’s a baby doll made for sleeping
- Not too many accessories
12. Aori Reborn Lifelike Weighted Black Girl Doll

- Weighted body gives this reborn doll a real feel.
- Hand-painted features.
- Stuffed bear and magnetic pacifier included.
- Recommended for ages 3+.
This African American baby is an absolute beauty, with its curious brown eyes and curly hair. She’s a large 22-inch doll, with soft limbs made from a vinyl/cotton mix. She’s soft and cuddly that you’d find it very hard to put her down.
She comes with her own pacifier, bottle, and teddy bear. This doll can sit, and she has a warm and friendly look. Thus, playing pretend with her wouldn’t be difficult at all.
Pros
- Friendly expression
- Soft body
- Posable hands
- Realistic handset eyes and hair
- Compliant with safety standards
Cons
- A bit expensive
- Not suitable for younger toddlers below 3 years of age
13. Paradise Galleries African American Black Reborn Baby Boy Doll

Enjoy a realistic warm embrace, thanks to his weighted cloth body, wrinkled little fingers, hand-set eyes. He has hand-painted details and hand-applied eyelashes. He is 20-inches from head to toe, so true to life, and is a dream to be cuddled.
This Reborn baby doll is a unique piece that’s designed by the American artist Karen Scott. It has realistic details from tip to toe, in addition to a charismatic yet adorable countenance. The looks aren’t the only stunning features of this baby doll. It’s weighted and soft, so it’s practically made for hugging and cuddling.
The 20-inch cute little boy weighs around 2.6 pounds, and it has the cutest tool-themed outfit. This doll also has a plush hammer and a tape with the adorable caption: “My MOM RULES”. Can you think of anything more heartwarming?
Pros
- Collectors’ item
- Special design
- Soft and cuddly
- Hand-painted and hand-applied details
- Crafted from GentleTouch vinyl
- Can sit in several poses
Cons
- It’s a pricey doll
- Suitable for collector over 14 years of age
14. Aori Lifelike African American Boy Doll

This reborn baby has realistic-looking, hand-applied brown eyes, handmade beautiful black rooted hair, and poseable arms and legs.
The folks at Aori are true experts in making lifelike dolls, and this one here has an incredible resemblance to the cutest little baby. It’s a strapping little boy with a tip-to-toe height of 22 inches, and more than 3 pounds of weight to give it a super realistic feel.
The curious-looking baby comes with his own plush toy giraffe, blue onesie, and matching cap. Plus a couple of essential care items, namely a pacifier and a bottle. It also has its own birth certificate, so it’s more than ready to join the family.
Pros
- Large doll with a healthy weight
- Realistic expression
- Hand-applied black locks
- Movable limbs
- Hand-painted lips, toes, and other details
- Vinyl/cotton mix
- Compliant with safety requirements
Cons
- The hair and eyelashes aren’t too solidly fixed in place
15. Kaydora Reborn Black Girl Silicone Laughing Doll

This loving doll measures 22-inches from head to toe, and weighs in at 3.34 pounds; giving is a life-like feel. Her head and limbs are soft silicone, and her body is cotton. The package includes a doll, bear, cloth, pacifier, bottle, birth certificate, and gift box.
Naomi is one of the most cheerful Reborn baby dolls you’ll come across. The big laugh on her face will warm your heart instantly, and you would automatically return the smile. This is a large chubby doll of 22 inches and a matching weight of three-and-a-half pounds, so you’ll fill your arms and heart as you carry her.
She comes with an equally adorable teddy bear. And she has her own pacifier and bottle, which you can use as you care for her. She also has a birth certificate and will arrive at your house in a lovely gift box.
Pros
- Cheerful face
- Large size and realistic weight
- Soft silicone limbs
- Cotton body
- Comes in a gift box
- Compliant with safety standards
Cons
- Not suitable for kids less than three years old
The Story Behind Reborn Lifelike Baby Dolls
Reborn dolls started as an artistic movement in the nineties. Artists would collect and repurpose discarded dolls with a realistic appearance, then recreate them into a much more lifelike form.
They often remove the original finishes, then start over anew to repaint the dolls into a hyper-realistic baby-like resemblance. Making a Reborn doll is a process that needs finding the right resources. In addition to having the skills and patience to recreate these lifelike dolls.
Originally, creating a Reborn doll incorporated several people. So one would assemble the parts, one would sculpt the doll, and finally, another would give it its finished look.
That’s why Reborning was an almost closed club for a dedicated group of enthusiasts. However, in a few years, it gained a lot of popularity among collectors.
Naturally, what followed was letting in more interested groups. And from that point on Reborn Lifelike dolls became available commercially. Currently, there are also forums, clubs, and even conventions that exhibit the latest happenings in this artform.
What Are the Benefits of Having Lifelike Baby Dolls?
Whether a lifelike baby doll is for a child or a grown-up, there are far more benefits than just amusement. Here are some of the perks that come with having a lifelike baby doll around.
Emotional Balance
Nurturing another life is an extremely rewarding human experience. This is the reason why we like to take care of a plant or a pet. It’s also why a couple decides to start a family, despite the obvious effort and demands that these commitments bring about.
The trials and tribulations of life seem to be diluted when we care for someone else. This includes healing from a loss or other forms of grief.
Emotional balance is also something very young children learn about when they get the opportunity to be responsible for another being. You must’ve noticed this whenever a kid plays with a cat or dog. And the same happens when a child bonds with a doll.
Sometimes kids would also seek a sense of safety and security by hugging their toys. It’s what they feel when their parents hold them. And they repeat the same action when they have the need to feel loved.
Teaching Social Skills
Socialising typically happens when a group of children, or a child and a grown-up, come together in mutual play. However, social skills are gained just as much when a child observes how people deal, and then repeats these actions through role-playing.
In addition, caring for a doll teaches kids a lot about being responsible. This helps them later in life to take care of a plant, a pet, or a younger sibling. It also increases their self-confidence and their abilities to communicate with others.
Enhancing Linguistic Abilities
Pretend-play comes with creating scenarios wherein a child tells stories and responds to others. Sometimes this is done as an ongoing dialogue including an adult or other children. Other times, the child can hold a long one-on-one conversation with the doll.
In both situations, this playtime involves plenty of talking. And it’s not just a limited amount of vocabulary used for the usual daily matters. Often, children dive into fictional stories that require a wider set of words to describe.
Boosting Creativity
If you ever watched a child pretend-play with toys, you’d be amazed by the vividness of their imagination. Having a variety of toys helps in boosting the child’s creativity. And providing lifelike dolls opens up a wider range of possible stories.
Moreover, if the doll comes with several accessories, that too could stimulate the kid’s creativity. Some children make up their own accessories to fit the scenarios and roles they think up. That too is a great way to improve their creativity and problem-solving skills.
Improving Cognitive and Fine Motor Skills
Changing the doll’s diapers, giving it the pacifier, bathing it, dressing it up, then putting it to sleep, are all demanding activities. They require a high level of coordination and sequencing.
Kids observe grown-ups as they perform such activities. And then, they repeat what they saw with their dolls. Children gain a lot of control over their movements, and their dexterity improves over time.
Belonging to a Bigger Group
There’s a large community for the makers and owners of Reborn lifelike dolls. Sharing interests and having a lot in common is always nice.
The online presence, as well as taking part in conventions and exhibitions, is also an enriching experience. The International Reborn Doll Artists (IRDA) held the first conference for these lifelike dolls in 2005, and since then, it’s been the main hub for enthusiasts and collectors.
What to Look for in a Lifelike Baby Doll?
There are 15 options on this list, and plenty more available in the market. So which doll should you buy? Here’s a checklist of the main features you need to consider as you look for the right one.
Size and Weight
These dolls come in various sizes that mimic the different developmental ages of babies. And to add to their realistic feel, they’re often ‘weighted’.
As you look at the different options, try to match the doll to your toddler’s physical capabilities. Thus, a younger child would feel more comfortable carrying a smallish lightweight doll. While an older kid wouldn’t have much trouble handling a larger doll.
Extra Details
Lifelike dolls come with a bunch of extra details that enhance the experience of having a real baby around. Some of them giggle or cry, some have quite realistic skin tones, while others have soft baby-powder smells.
Engaging the senses in more than one level adds a lot to the entertainment value of playing with the doll. It also helps the child in bonding with these toys, and in building creative scenarios around them.
Realistic Likeness
Kids often see dolls as an extension of themselves or others. And in this likeness, they learn to understand their existence and to empathize with the people around them. It’s easier sometimes to bond with a doll that resembles the child a bit more.
On the other hand, providing a different appearance might also have some perks. Basically, in furthering social skills.
Grown-ups also buy these Reborn dolls as an emotional release. Some might have experienced a loss that they’re trying to deal with. And having a doll in the likeness of someone they love could help in the healing process.
Accessories
Most lifelike dolls come with an accessory set. That often includes a pacifier, diapers, clothes, blankets, and even the doll’s own plush toys. These little baby-like toys also sometimes come with their own birth certificates.
Manufacturers are constantly looking for more fun stuff to add, and the kids seem to find these add-ons extremely interesting. The more accessories, the merrier!
Flexibility
Some lifelike dolls are quite flexible, and their poses can be altered with slight changes. But mostly these toys come with fixed postures, or with little ranges of motion.
There’s no right or wrong here. Some kids prefer the static posture, and they’re quite happy with the modifications they can achieve just by using the accessories. While others are more intrigued by changing the doll’s state, even if slightly. It seems to give more possibilities to their scenarios.
Hair, Skin, and Finish
Since the earliest days of making dolls, adding hair was always a challenge. And to some extent, it still is. Even with all the advancements of our day and age. It’s a process that needs a lot of time, patience, and money to do well.
A realistic doll with low-quality hair might not be that convincing. You might as well look for one with a soft head, or with a baby hat as a headcover.
The finishing of the skin is also a major feature to look at. If it looks too shiny, then the doll might’ve been treated with aggressive color remover like acetone. Also, the base color of the veins could be too obvious, and it doesn’t give an overall nice look.
In addition, make sure that the parts that make up the doll are all originals. Sometimes, the artist signs the body of the doll, and that gives it quite a lot of value.
Cleaning and Maintenance
Toys need cleaning, this is a fact of life. Since they’re not museum pieces, and they won’t be kept in pristine glass cabinets, then they’re bound to get dirty. Cleaning these dolls is sometimes a challenge since a lot of them aren’t waterproof.
Some are more water-resistant, and a few are actually designed for taking baths. They still maintain their supple feel, but they’re well-insulated on the outside, so the water wouldn’t leak into their padding.
The ones that aren’t waterproof, can only be spot cleaned. You’d need to use a slightly damp cloth with a bit of soap, then try to rub the spot that needs tidying up, then put it somewhere airy to complete drying. In a few hours, you can start taking care of your Reborn, or your child can resume playing with it.
Conclusion
There are so many benefits to having a lifelike doll. And the wide variety of appearances, sizes, and designs makes owning just one a hard decision! As collectors, we like to own as many as we can.
if you want to purchase a new Reborn doll, whether it’s your first one, or an upgrade to your collection, you won’t go wrong with our top selection. The Kaydora Reborn Baby Doll (Emma) is hands down the best. Its level of detail, meticulous design, and perfect accessory set to place it at the top spot with ease.
If you’re looking for an anatomically correct baby doll with the perfect appearance and feel, then look no further than the JC Toys La Newborn Real Girl Baby Doll. Its limbs move, it’s water-friendly, and it’s handcrafted with so many realistic details.