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The Best Stress Toy | 2023

Last updated on February 6, 2023

We looked at the top 13 Stress Toys and dug through the reviews from 32 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Stress Toys.

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Our Picks For The Top Stress Toys

Show Contents
Our Take
Experts Included
Pros
Cons
  Top Pick

Power Your Fun Handheld Stretch Stress Toy Balls, 3-Pack

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Power Your Fun

Handheld Stretch Stress Toy Balls, 3-Pack

Overall Take

Color-Changing DesignThis stress toy is not only designed for children who need to unwind. It's also perfect for adults who have trouble being still.

Experts Included
DWYM Health & Wellness Experts plus . Along with user reviews from Amazon.
  Runner Up

Boxer Gifts Squidgy Llama Stress Toy

Boxer Gifts

Squidgy Llama Stress Toy

Overall Take

Simply AdorableThis stress toy is excellent for gift giving and fits neatly inside a Christmas stocking.

Experts Included
DWYM Health & Wellness Experts plus . Along with user reviews from Amazon.
  We Also Like

CHUCHIK Multifunctional Fidget Cube Stress Toy

CHUCHIK

Multifunctional Fidget Cube Stress Toy

Overall Take

Small and PortableNot only is this stress toy small and portable, but it also comes in a variety of colors and shapes.

Experts Included
DWYM Health & Wellness Experts plus Experienced Mommy, Born Cute, Healthy Baby Happy Earth, Relax Like a Boss and 1 more. Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Pros
" Using this gadget helps little ones increase concentration and reduce stress as their minds can work better when their fingers are working."
Cons
"Cube is slightly larger than other standard fidget cubes"
  Strong Contender

YoYa Toys Beadeez Water Bead Stress Relief Calming Balls, 3-Pack

YoYa Toys

Beadeez Water Bead Stress Relief Calming Balls, 3-Pack

Overall Take

Great for Gift GivingThese stress toys are surprisingly satisfying to squeeze, making them a breeze to increase hand strength.

Experts Included
DWYM Health & Wellness Experts plus Aromatherapy Anywhere, USA TODAY Classifieds, Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support. Along with user reviews from Amazon.
Pros
" These premium stress squishy balls are filled with water beads the feel like lumpy playdoh. You squeeze and squish the ball to reduce stress, anxiety, and tension."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
20

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the stress toys available to purchase.
13

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

32

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Experienced Mommy, Aromatherapy Anywhere, Love Meditating, Born Cute, Happier Human.

19,825

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 13 Stress Toys and also dug through the reviews from 32 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Stress Toys.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Overall

Power Your Fun Handheld Stretch Stress Toy Balls, 3-Pack

User Summarized Score

8.2
8,745 user reviews

Our Take

Keep your hands occupied with this stress toy set. The box includes yellow, blue and pink squishy balls that slowly reduce anxiety as you play with them. Users will also enjoy how the color inside the balls changes with each squeeze.


The Best Bang For Your Buck

CHUCHIK Multifunctional Fidget Cube Stress Toy

Our Expert Score

9.5
5 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.4
878 user reviews

Our Take

Keep your mind off your troubles with this stress toy. This gadget is equipped with six different features, including gears, a flip switch and a spinner. Since the device is small enough to fit in the pocket of your jeans, you can easily take it anywhere you go.

What other experts liked

Using this gadget helps little ones increase concentration and reduce stress as their minds can work better when their fingers are working.
- Experienced Mommy
Features six sides of uniquely designed features
- Born Cute
Basically, they combine some of the most satisfying fine motor movements into one block - the spinning and clicking of padlock dials, the flipping of a switch, the glide of a thumb joystick, the spin of a little wheel, and the clicking of a pen.
- Mommy Hood 101
It has smooth corners so it is definitely friendly for kids while it is made with ABS plastic and silicone so that it won't contain harsh chemicals for your child while the rubber feeling also helps to keep it steady in place.
- Healthy Baby Happy Earth
A handy little product for aiding stress and helping you keep your concentration.
- Relax Like a Boss

What other experts didn't like

Make sure your kids are gentle as the toy can brake.
- Experienced Mommy
Cube is slightly larger than other standard fidget cubes
- Born Cute
Not all of the activities are silent and some of the features may stick and squeak.
- Relax Like a Boss

Overall Product Rankings

1. Power Your Fun Handheld Stretch Stress Toy Balls, 3-Pack

Overall Score: 9.7
Reviews Included: 1

2. Boxer Gifts Squidgy Llama Stress Toy

Overall Score: 9.6
Reviews Included: 1

3. CHUCHIK Multifunctional Fidget Cube Stress Toy

Overall Score: 9.5
Reviews Included: 6

5. Tech Tools Stress Buster Mini Punching Bag Toy

Overall Score: 9.0
Reviews Included: 8

6. MAXFLO Squishy Rubber Banana Stress Toys, 12-Pack

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 1

7. BunMo Stretchy String Stress Relief Fidget Toys, 6-Pack

Overall Score: 8.9
Reviews Included: 2

10. Stress Less Balls With Motivational Quotes Toys, 3-Pack

Overall Score: 8.7
Reviews Included: 5

11. LAOSSC Foam Animal Squishies Stress Toys, 3-Pack

Overall Score: 8.6
Reviews Included: 1

12. SPOLEY Brain Stimulating Desk Sculpture

Overall Score: 8.4
Reviews Included: 5

Our Stress Toy Findings


Power Your Fun Handheld Stretch Stress Toy Balls, 3-Pack

What We Liked: Keep your hands occupied with this stress toy set. The box includes yellow, blue and pink squishy balls that slowly reduce anxiety as you play with them. Users will also enjoy how the color inside the balls changes with each squeeze.


Boxer Gifts Squidgy Llama Stress Toy

What We Liked: This stress toy comes in the shape of a cute llama. Although it’s designed to resemble a familiar animal, it works the same way as squishy balls. Simply give the toy a squeeze whenever stress begins to creep in or you feel the need to keep your hands busy and relief will follow shortly after.


CHUCHIK Multifunctional Fidget Cube Stress Toy

What We Liked: Keep your mind off your troubles with this stress toy. This gadget is equipped with six different features, including gears, a flip switch and a spinner. Since the device is small enough to fit in the pocket of your jeans, you can easily take it anywhere you go.


YoYa Toys Beadeez Water Bead Stress Relief Calming Balls, 3-Pack

What We Liked: If you know any children who could benefit from improved concentration and reduced tension, consider this option. The balls are colorful, making them attractive to children, and fun to squeeze. They are also constructed from premium-quality materials, so they won’t fall apart like similar brands that are cheaply made.


Tech Tools Stress Buster Mini Punching Bag Toy

What We Liked: Created with a resilient spring, this stress toy is durable enough to be hit over and over again. The large suction cup keeps the punching bag attached to any smooth surface, such as a work desk or kitchen countertop. Included with every purchase is an air pump, so you can reinflate the bag as needed.

Our Stress Toy Buying Guide

According to the National Health Interview Survey, approximately 75% of people feel stressed about something at least every two weeks. Since it is well known that stress wreaks havoc on our bodies, it is important to do what we can to reduce our stress levels. One simple solution is to begin using stress toys on a regular basis. There are stress toys for both children and adults, so you’re sure to find one that fits your interests.

Simplemost Media

Determine who you’re buying the stress toy for. Something like the YoYa Toys Beadeez Water Bead Stress Relief Balls, 3-Pack is geared more toward children, as it is created using bright colors and offers additional sensory input in the way of the water beads.

Simplemost Media

Always check the product packaging when choosing a stress toy for a child. You want it to be hypoallergenic and free of toxins, like BPAs and phthalates. If your little one is allergic to latex, make sure that isn’t in the construction, as well.

Simplemost Media

Adults would benefit from a set of stress balls that is nice and firm. Not only are some sets made to fit in adult-size hands, but they also come with inspirational quotes on them. Others are sold in an attractive tube that makes for a great gift for friends, family members and co-workers.

Simplemost Media

If simply squeezing a ball doesn’t provide you with enough stimulation, you can opt for a fidget cube instead. The CHUCHIK Multi Function Fidget Cube Stess Toy has six different functions to keep your mind and fingers busy. You can flip a switch, thumb the gears or spin the circular disc.

Simplemost Media

Another option to reduce your stress levels is to set-up a small punching bag. Look for a model that has a large suction cup that can be attached to your work desk, kitchen countertop or living room coffee table. As soon as you feel the need to vent, give the punching bag a few hits. The durable spring will keep returning the bag to you until you begin to feel calm once again.

DWYM Fun Fact

Endocrinologist Hans Selye was the first person to use the word “stress” in a medical context. In the 1930s, He used the term to describe the responses he was seeing in the animals he was studying. Later, he also used the word to describe certain reactions he observed in humans.

Here are a few more interesting facts about stress:

  • One method the Ancient Greeks used to reduce their stress levels was to chew bubble gum.
  • Some jokingly say that their gray hair is caused by stress. This is a myth; however, stress has been proven to be one of the causes of hair loss.
  • One of the first sets of stress balls was created by the Chinese during the Ming Dynasty. They are sometimes referred to as Baoding balls and are believed to relieve stress as they apply pressure to the acupuncture points on your hands.

The Stress Toy Tips and Advice

  • Always read the recommended age for the stress toy you purchase, as some toys pose a choking hazard for children under the age of three.
  • The FDA does not evaluate the claims made by stress toy companies. They produce may or may not relieve stress, improve concentration or strengthen the muscles in your hands.
  • Find a stress toy that matches the size of your hand, otherwise, it may be uncomfortable to hold.
  • Keep in mind that some stress toys make a lot of noise. These models would not be good choices for use at school or in the office, where noises can be distracting to others.
  • If your stress toy has a suction cup on the bottom that doesn’t always stick properly, there are a few things you can do to fix that. Try wiping the suction cup and the surface you plan on sticking the stress toy to with a lint-free cloth. If that doesn’t work, wipe a little rubbing alcohol over the surface and the suction cup. You’ll also want to make sure you’re using the toy in a room that is cool and dry, as heat and humidity will affect the suction cup’s ability to stay put.
  • Stress balls benefit from occasional washing. A little dish soap and warm water is all you need. Afterward, set the balls out to dry naturally, as towels may leave lint on the balls. Once dry, rub a little baby powder over the surface of the balls and they will be ready to use once again.
  • Size and function play roles in the pricing of stress toys. For example, the CHUCHIK Multi Function Fidget Cube Stess Toy is pocket-size and among the most affordable stress toys. The YoYa Toys Beadeez Water Bead Stress Relief Balls, 3-Pack is moderately priced. Larger models are able to command the highest price.

About The Author

Alicia Bodine 

Alicia Bodine is a New Jersey-based writer specializing in health and nutrition. She enjoys spending time searching for the best all-natural products that will keep her and her family in optimal health. With more than 15 years of experience, her work has appeared on leading health and wellness publications. When she's not writing, you'll find her gardening, spending time with her kids, cooking in the kitchen or playing with her two kitties, Flitter and Otter. Alicia loves researching the latest and greatest gadgets, products and items that help her save time, energy and money.