Available 
"DesignAfriend Big Sister 18"" & Little Sister 14"" Doll Set"
from £34.
£34
Buying guide
Best toys > dolls and doll accessories > dolls to compare
A cautious Argos dolls shortlist for comparing character-led and baby-doll styles by age guidance, play fit and budget, with prices from £7 to £80.
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Last verified: 2026-11-07
Quick verdict
This is a compare-first shortlist rather than a single universal winner. Start by separating the £7 Gabby's Dollhouse The Movie Garden 6" Gabby Doll, the £9.38 BABY born Funny Bunny Doll, and the £34 DesignAfriend Big Sister 18" & Little Sister 14" Doll Set by play style, then see whether the two £80 Baby Born Real dolls justify the jump in price for your child and occasion. The useful question here is not which doll is “best” in the abstract, but which one fits the stated age guidance, character appeal and space you have in mind.
Top picks to compare
Start with "DesignAfriend Big Sister 18"" & Little Sister 14"" Doll Set" (£34), "Gabby's Dollhouse The Movie Garden 6"" Gabby Doll" (£7), BABY born Funny Bunny Doll (£9.38) because they give you a focused set of current retailer options to compare. The visible price range is £7-£80, so check whether the extra spend buys a useful specification difference rather than only a different brand or finish. The shortlist includes DesignAfriend, Gabby's Dollhouse, BABY born, Baby Born Real, which helps you compare familiar brands against specification, delivery and value.
Available 
Available 
Available 
BABY born Real Hand-Painted Realistic Reborn Baby Doll Boy with Open Eyes, BL
from £80.
£80
Available 
BABY born Real Hand-Painted Realistic Reborn Baby Doll Girl with Open Eyes, GL
from £80.
£80
At-a-glance comparison
Use this table to scan the shortlist quickly before opening individual product pages. It covers Dolls and playsets, so compare like-for-like where possible before deciding which toy best fits your priorities, budget and available space. Age range differences include Baby and toddler; Age range differences can matter as much as headline price when you are matching a product to a specific need.
| Product | Type | Age range | Options | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "DesignAfriend Big Sister 18"" & Little Sister 14"" Doll Set" | Dolls and playsets | Check retailer | Check retailer | £34 |
| "Gabby's Dollhouse The Movie Garden 6"" Gabby Doll" | Dolls and playsets | Check retailer | Check retailer | £7 |
| BABY born Funny Bunny Doll | Dolls and playsets | Baby and toddler | Check retailer | £9.38 |
| BABY born Real Hand-Painted Realistic Reborn Baby Doll Boy with Open Eyes, BL | Dolls and playsets | Baby and toddler | Check retailer | £80 |
| BABY born Real Hand-Painted Realistic Reborn Baby Doll Girl with Open Eyes, GL | Dolls and playsets | Baby and toddler | Check retailer | £80 |
What the research shows
Argos’s dolls category is broad, so a shortlist like this works best when you compare dolls by how they are meant to be played with, not just by title or price. The five shortlisted products come from four brands — DesignAfriend, Gabby's Dollhouse, BABY born and Baby Born Real — and they split neatly into character-led play and baby/toddler-style dolls. Visible review details are limited on this shortlist, and some live product details were unavailable during checking, so price, brand positioning and the retailer’s own age guidance carry more weight than ratings on this page.
Trade-offs to compare before buying
Age guidance is the first check: one shortlisted item is explicitly marked for baby and toddler use, while the rest should be matched to the retailer’s stated guidance on the product page. After that, compare whether the child is likely to prefer a familiar franchise character such as Gabby’s Dollhouse, a softer baby-doll style like BABY born Funny Bunny Doll, or a more realistic reborn-style option. Also think about accessories and add-ons, because Argos’s dolls category includes prams, dollhouses and doll accessories that may matter as much as the doll itself.
Why these picks made the shortlist
The shortlist is useful because it turns a very large Argos category into a manageable set of five dolls with a wide price spread and four different brand names. That spread helps shoppers compare entry-level character play at £7, mid-price sets such as the £34 DesignAfriend bundle, and premium realistic dolls at £80 without assuming one type suits every child. It is not definitive, though: the narrow product variety means the best comparisons are about age fit, theme, scale and intended use case rather than broad product superiority.
What the shortlist shows at a glance
Prices run from £7 to £80, which is wide enough to make value a real part of the decision. The visible brand mix is DesignAfriend, Gabby's Dollhouse, BABY born and Baby Born Real, and the only explicit age cue in the available product information is baby and toddler on some BABY born items. Review coverage on this shortlist is thin, so a low price, clearer age fit or stronger brand appeal may be more useful than waiting for a big ratings signal that is not visible here.
How to choose between these dolls
If the gift is for a character fan, the Gabby’s Dollhouse doll is the most theme-led option on the shortlist and also the cheapest at £7, which may suit a smaller add-on gift. If the child likes baby-doll role play, the BABY born range is the more relevant place to compare, with the Funny Bunny Doll at £9.38 and the realistic Baby Born Real dolls at £80 sitting at very different value tiers. For shoppers who want a more traditional set-based gift, the DesignAfriend Big Sister 18" & Little Sister 14" Doll Set at £34 gives a different scale and play pattern, so check current stock and delivery or collection options before choosing.
Value buying notes
Value here is about what the extra spend buys in practical terms, not just the logo on the box. Moving from £7 to £34 or £80 may make sense if the child wants a more specific play style, a larger set or a more realistic baby-doll look, but it may not be worth it if you mainly want a small character gift or an everyday toy. Compare each option against the retailer page for the latest price, stock status and any included parts so you do not pay more than necessary for a feature set that will not be used.
Retailer details used
Last checked 2026-11-07. Use this as a shopping aid rather than a substitute for the live retailer listing. Always confirm the latest price, delivery cost, stock status and product details with the retailer before buying.
Helpful next reads
Keep comparing with related reviews and buying guides before checking the latest retailer prices.
Buying questions
How did you choose these dolls?
They were chosen from Argos’s dolls category using current price, brand spread, age guidance where visible, and the limited review information available on the shortlist. The aim is to help shoppers compare play style, value and gift fit rather than claim a single winner.
Which is better for a younger child: a character doll or a baby doll style?
It depends on the child and the retailer’s stated age guidance. A character doll such as Gabby’s Dollhouse suits theme-led play, while baby-doll styles like BABY born are more relevant if the child prefers nurturing or role-play formats; always check the product page age range first.
Is the most expensive doll automatically the best value?
No. The £80 Baby Born Real dolls may suit shoppers who want that realistic style, but a £7 or £9.38 option can be better value if the aim is a smaller gift, a franchise character or a simpler play pattern. Value depends on fit, not price alone.
Do I need to check age guidance before buying?
Yes. Age fit is one of the most important checks on this page, especially because the shortlist includes baby/toddler-oriented items and products with different play styles. Stick to the retailer’s own guidance and verify it on the live product page.
Are accessories and compatibility important for dolls?
They can be. Argos’s dolls category includes prams, dollhouses and accessories, so a doll that works with add-on pieces may offer more play options than a standalone item. If you already own accessories, check whether the doll’s size and style fit them.