Decompression toys dominate the charts on TikTok, with multiple products experiencing strong sales

Author: TT123 Cross-border E-commerce

Image source | pexels

As Easter approaches, the top products in various categories on TikTok Shop are showing a new scene of "offensive and defensive position changes." Handmade Easter eggs, candy chocolates, and bunny dolls, as the "three golden pillars" that must be purchased during the Easter promotion, have already begun their annual comeback on the rankings. Recently, TT123 discovered that in the toy category of TikTok's US region, there is a "familiar face" coming to consumers with the rhythm of the holiday, recently topping the sales chart in the category.

Weekly sales exceeding 10,000 of the "familiar face"

According to FastMoss, the product that topped the TikTok Shop US toy category with weekly sales of 11,200 is the ever-popular and frequently seen smart hover ball.

Image source: FastMoss (screenshot taken on March 31)

Cross-border sellers familiar with the hot products in recent years are likely not unfamiliar with this product. Since its emergence as a phenomenon-level hot product in 2021, variants of the smart hover ball with a "family-style" appearance or function have repeatedly returned to the top positions on the rankings, especially during major holiday promotions like Easter and Christmas.

On Amazon's US site, searching for keywords like "hover ball" can yield a large number of similar products. Although there are slight differences in appearance, battery life, and disco-style lighting, it is not difficult to find that the fundamental reason this toy remains timeless is its endless playful essence.

Image source: Amazon

It is understood that this toy is designed using the principle of a spinning top, with a built-in highly sensitive sensing device and power system. Once thrown, it can hover and fly in the air, and can return like a boomerang. At first glance, it seems unremarkable, but once you handle it, you'll find this toy strangely addictive. Its ability to be thrown out and retrieved infinitely gives consumers an inexplicable sense of control, as if "with one ball in hand, I have the world." After countless cycles of throwing and retrieving, those who have played with it still express that they find it endlessly enjoyable.

Source: TikTok

Toys, much like the fashion industry, experience cycles of revival. The reason products can catch consumers' attention repeatedly is largely due to the creativity of internet users comparable to "product development."

The basic gameplay of this toy involves throwing and retrieving, while slightly advanced gameplay includes "dribbling" with the instep. The high-level gameplay involves mimicking anime characters' special skills like the Kamehameha and Rasengan while the ball is suspended in the air, adding some low-budget special effects for dramatic effect. TT123 found that the recent intensive video promotion of the product is a key driver behind its rising sales.

Source: TeKan

What seems like a toy with zero learning curve actually has some barriers. Some consumers reported that they couldn't successfully throw the same model back to their hands. In response to users' calls, bloggers made videos explaining the nuances: "First, trigger the sensing position, cold start, then swing your arm outward at a constant speed to throw it. Do not use excessive force, or you'll just end up with a rolling ball."

Source: TikTok

On 1688, TT123 discovered many top-selling similar products priced between 7-15 yuan. Given the current selling price of 8 dollars, this TikTok seller still has a profit margin. Additionally, these products are protected by patents, so sellers should prioritize checking the qualifications of their suppliers to avoid future disputes and troubles.

Source: 1688

Stress Relief is the Essence

The fast-paced life of modern society has led people to face stress and anxiety. Whether it's pet ownership, camping, cycling, or the toys discussed in this article, these are all ways for people to seek a moment of inner peace.

From the early fidget spinners and mouse traps to the recent hits like squishy toys, vomit balls, 3D printed revolvers, and now the resurgence of smart hovering balls on the best-seller list, the commonality among these popular toys is their ability to help users "vent" discreetly anytime and anywhere, achieving a brief but effective self-redemption.

According to Verified Market Research, the global stress relief toy market is expected to reach approximately 7.33 billion dollars in 2024, growing to 19.56 billion dollars by 2031. According to FastMoss, the #fidgettoys topic on TikTok in the U.S. has nearly 30 billion views

Source: FastMoss

TT123 discovered that stress relief toys have become a means for students and workers to vent their stress during their leisure time, showcasing a progressive side.

According to foreign media reports, stress relief toys can serve as attention training tools and help alleviate ADHD. ADHD, or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, was previously common among children, but the number of adult ADHD diagnoses has been steadily increasing. Experts state: After watching "5 Tips to Diagnose ADHD," if you rush to "10 Key Ways to Alleviate ADHD," you may have some underlying ADHD traits. This statement not only gives consumers a reason to buy beautiful waste, but also prompts businesses to cater to this demand, selling toys under the guise of "it's all for your good," revealing the deeper meaning behind the products.

Recently, two stress relief toys have surged into the top 10 bestsellers in the toy category on TikTok Shop in the U.S. market. One is a grenade-shaped squeeze toy, which resonates with the volatile mindset of contemporary people, and the other is an ice cube-shaped squeeze toy, with the business promoting the deeper meaning of "a calm heart can cure thousands of ailments." The weekly sales of these two products are nearly 2,000 units each, showing strong sales momentum.

Another plush toy shaped like a carrot and strawberry has also gained immense popularity among American consumers due to its healing properties and Easter-themed design, achieving sales of over 5,000 units in the past week.

Source: FastMoss

Among them, the grenade-shaped squeeze toy has a "hidden gem" inside. In its promotional video, which has over 3 million views, the influencer captures a 1-second still image that reveals another way to relieve stress with this "toy." The subtitle "the perfect gift for family and friends" brings knowing smiles from seasoned viewers, while the slower commenters worry about being seen by HR and called into the small black room (after all, it is grenade-shaped).

It is reported that this product was launched on March 22, priced at $14.59, and has sold 2,166 units so far. TT123 has not seen this product marked with body use qualifications, and TikTok Shop explicitly prohibits the listing of adult toys. Whether such borderline promotions, or suggestions that the product has alternative uses, will lead to official removal remains uncertain, and TT123 will continue to follow up.

In Conclusion

As a branch of the broader emotional economy, stress relief toys focus on "no skills required, purely emotional." In this fast-paced era, consumers' reliance on emotional value has reached unprecedented heights. Products that can quickly provide spiritual comfort and instant relaxation are being worshipped by dopamine addicts, and the good days for this market newcomer are still ahead