Mini Brands Capsules - Which Ones Are Worth It?

Zuru Mini Brands has taken the miniature world by storm. They have so many to choose from - one for every type of collector, it seems. Some are better than others, I think. Let's take a look at the variety, shall we. 

Here are some of the types you might find...

Disney Store                                        KFC                           My Mini Baby

Kawaii                                                 Home                          Ulta

Netflix                                                 Retro                          Toys

Books                                                  Foodie

Create                                                 Garden

Fashion                                              Sneakers

Or just straight up, the originals - Mini Brands!  

I got into Mini Brands through my search for doll-sized items. I was making things for my daughters to play with their Barbie dolls. And a good amount of the Mini Brands items seemed to be the perfect size. If they were too large for the 1/6 scale world, they could often fit the 18" dolls instead, which we also had at the time. 

But then they were something we couldn't really afford to get. I would wait to get them on clearance or get them as gifts. There was a time when I was wish-listing them so hard! Especially when I would watch vloggers like My Froggy Stuff or Delightful Dolls. Talk about dangerous channels... 

Now, however, I am much pickier when it comes to getting them. I love the Retro collection. Mostly because they are things I grew up with that I have to explain to my kids. The Disney Store ones fit well for 1/6 scale in my toy section of the doll store I made. 

So, let's rank them for doll enthusiasts!

If you want a straight-up doll-sized selection in every bag - Books are the series. They all fit in the doll scene as far as I have seen so far. 

The Fashion collections of the first series were just a single purse and some accessories. The handbags were made for the dolls as far as I am concerned! Even the accessories were perfect. However, the newer series included shoes that don't really fit. For the price point and some of the 'purse' options, I don't see it worth bothering with. But that is just me. 

But what about usefulness? 

As a doll collector who enjoys photographing them and sharing things with my girls, I want things that are more realistic and useful to the doll scene. I also want something worth the price. So the more things inside that fit, the better. 

Mini Brands is such a mixed bag of sizing, but the items are more likely a good enough fit. These are a bunch that I loaded into a shopping cart. 

Disney Store toys are also usually a great fit. They have a pretty large variety in these as well. I would love to get more of these for the VHS movies they have too. Like the Beauty & the Beast one... that was my favorite movie as a kid! 

The Toys capsule are also on par like the Disney Store capsules. I have found the majority to work just fine and look great in doll photos.  

The Netflix ones are so narrow in their offerings, but from what I have found my have a 50% chance of being doll-sized. 

The Create cake I have done was perfectly sized. The price is a no for me, though. And so is the overwhelming smell from the chemical elements that are included. This something I would have to put together outside and only bring in once 100% set.  

KFC and Foodie are usually pretty good as far as sizing. I hate that the Pizza Hut ones seem to be in the capsules more than anything. At least for me. You have to a real fan to want these collections. But they make for some fun photos too. 

Retro is a collection that is more fun for those of us in the age range that grew up with the items included. Like a VHS you could record on or a Floppy Disk! I wrote stories on those things. However, the sizing can be off for 1/6 scale sometimes. Like the film capsule, for instance. Or the Campbells soup cans that look more economy-sized than Barbie-sized.

My final input is for the Mini Baby ones. The babies themselves are totally the right size. I love the little flexible, rubber babies! But their accessories are more for Chelsea's playroom than for Barbie to use. The bouncer seat was the best one for me. And I have seen that the newer ones are so much more detailed. But is paying $12 for a rubber baby worth it? Not sure it is for me... 

Now we have a couple other options, but these are ones I actively avoided buying. I watched capsule openings and comparisons to dolls. What I came to realize is, these are mostly for show in the background of a doll scene, instead of useful. 

Kawaii is cute (literally), but mostly huge in the hands of a doll. 

Home items are insanely detailed! But they are also incredibly too small. These are better for maybe a 1/12 scale world. 

Garden looked good for the scale, but you have to be a plant person. I'm not big on plants. I can also make my own with scraps from my crafting bin. Maybe not as pretty, but saves money for the collections I prefer anyhow.  

Sneakers are way too big. They are just a pair of shoes with maybe a hat and a sticker? I think some can fit Ken dolls, but I don't think it worth my time. Too much risk in things that won't fit my scenes. 

And lastly, Ulta collection. This one has a lot that fits the 1/6 scale. Maybe about half of them? But this is more for the fashionable dolls out there. My doll is a nerd. So make up products don't come into play as much with my photos. 

Now to finish up with a video of my latest unboxing and testing of products! Let me know what your favorite collection is. And why! See ya next time.