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Dolls & Accessories · Head to head

L.O.L. Surprise Tweens vs Barbie Pop Star Doll: Which Should You Buy?

A collectable fashion doll with surprises against a Barbie singer built for stage play.

L.O.L. Surprise! Tweens Core Doll - Freshest - Includes 1 Fashion Doll, Comes with Outfit and Accessories, 4 to Collect L.O.L. Surprise!

L.O.L. Surprise! Tweens Core Doll - Freshest - Includes

★ 4.6 / 5 4,932 reviews
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Barbie Pop Star Doll Dressed In Iridescent Skirt with Microphone and Pink Hair, Gift for 3 to 7 Year Olds, JCW42 Barbie

Barbie Pop Star Doll Dressed In Iridescent Skirt

★ 4.7 / 5 11,046 reviews
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Side by side

L.O.L. Surprise! Tweens Core Doll - FreshestBarbie Pop Star Doll Dressed In
PriceSee on Amazon →See on Amazon →
Rating★★★★★ 4.6★★★★★ 4.7
Review count4,93211,046
BrandL.O.L. Surprise!Barbie
Highlights
  • TWEENS CORE DOLL: Introducing L.O.L. Surprise! Core Tweens fashion dolls! Featuring exciting looks, these fan-…
  • UNBOX: Discover what’s inside and get ready to unbox a cute fashion doll with multiple surprises
  • ARTICULATED: This Tweens doll is articulated for tons of fabulous posing, making it easier and more fun to sty…
  • Dream big with Barbie career dolls!
  • Barbie pop star doll is ready for the stage in an outfit that will help her shine -- a sparkly silvery top, ir…
  • This musician doll can rock a performance with her microphone stand and removable microphone.

Our verdict

Pick the L.O.L. Surprise Tweens doll for a child who likes unboxing, collecting and restyling: the listing describes an articulated doll with outfits, shoes, accessories, a hairbrush and a journal, with four characters to collect. Pick the Barbie Pop Star for younger children or music fans: it is a classic Barbie with a microphone and stand, and the listing says it is for 3 to 7 year olds. Check the packaging for age and small-parts warnings on either.

Which one is for you?

What each doll is

The L.O.L. Surprise! Tweens Core Doll sits between the standard L.O.L. Surprise dolls and the larger O.M.G. range, per Toy World, which puts the Tweens at about 6.5 inches. The listing says this one, Freshest, is one of four characters to collect, along with Cherry B.B., Fancy Gurl and Olivia Flutter, and that the doll is articulated for posing.

The Barbie Pop Star is a pink-haired musician doll in a sparkly silver top, iridescent skirt and purple shoes, with a microphone stand and removable microphone, according to its listing. It's part of Mattel's Barbie career range.

Surprise versus straightforward

Toy World says each Tweens doll comes with 15 surprises and packaging that can be reused as a bedroom-style play set, while the product listing here describes the contents as one doll with outfit, shoes, accessories, hairbrush and journal. The exact surprises can differ between product versions, so treat the retail packaging as authoritative.

The Barbie has no surprise element. What you see on the listing is what's in the box, which some parents prefer.

Age guidance and safety

The Barbie listing says it's a gift for 3 to 7 year olds. We couldn't open a manufacturer page for either doll, so we can't quote an official age for the Tweens doll from the brand. Retailer listings we came across for dolls in this range carry small-parts warnings, so read the packaging before buying, particularly for under-3s.

Both come with small accessories. Supervise young children.

Who should skip both

If you want a larger fashion doll or a dollhouse set, look elsewhere in dolls and accessories.

Questions people ask

Is L.O.L. Surprise Tweens bigger than a Barbie?

No. Toy World says Tweens stand about 6.5 inches, smaller than a standard Barbie fashion doll.

What age is the Barbie Pop Star doll for?

Its listing says it's a gift for 3 to 7 year olds.

How many Tweens characters are there to collect?

The listing says four: Cherry B.B., Fancy Gurl, Freshest and Olivia Flutter.

Does the Barbie Pop Star come with a microphone?

Yes. The listing says it has a microphone stand and a removable microphone.

Is the Tweens doll articulated?

Yes, the listing describes it as articulated for posing.

Sources

Prices are pulled live from Amazon.

Prices move around, so always confirm on Amazon before deciding. Browse more options in Dolls & Accessories or see the whole Toys & Games department. New to the category? Start with our buying guide.