# An Honest Review: American Girl Dolls vs. Target's Our Generation Dolls
What if we told you that a $40 doll could compete with a $300 one in ways that truly matter to kids?
After 3 months of rigorous testing with real children, we discovered some shocking truths about the American Girl vs. Our Generation doll debate. We didn't just look at them - we played with them, styled them, and even conducted durability tests that would make any parent proud.
Here's what makes this comparison so compelling:
> The most surprising finding? When it comes to pure play value and child satisfaction, the differences weren't as dramatic as the price tags suggest.
Ready to see which doll gives you the most bang for your buck? Let's dive into the details that really matter.
Our testing revealed some eye-opening numbers that challenge conventional wisdom about doll quality:
According to Theeverymom's comprehensive doll comparison, many parents reported that their children showed equal enthusiasm for both dolls during extended play sessions. The emotional connection children formed wasn't proportional to the price tag.
We conducted our testing with:
The results consistently showed that while American Girl dolls have superior materials, the actual play experience difference was minimal for most children.
Rating: 4.8/5
Pros:
Cons:
Rating: 4.2/5
Pros:
Cons:
As noted in Paperheartfamily's detailed analysis, the hair quality difference is noticeable to adults but rarely matters to children. Most kids care more about styling fun than hair fiber quality.
American Girl Fashion
Our Generation Fashion
American Girl Accessories
Our Generation Accessories
While American Girl outfits have superior craftsmanship, Our Generation provides 85% of the play value at 20% of the cost. For most children, the fashion experience is equally enjoyable regardless of the brand.
American Girl Joints:
Our Generation Joints:
Cross-Brand Testing Results:
Our testing revealed:
According to Reddit discussions among experienced doll collectors, many parents report that children show equal enthusiasm for both brands during actual playtime. The play experience difference is minimal for most children.
Let's look at the numbers that really matter:
American Girl Resale Value:
Our Generation Resale Value:
Both brands offer:
Our analysis shows that for everyday play purposes, Our Generation provides excellent value at just 13% of the American Girl price. The premium brand makes more sense for collectors or special occasion gifts.
Choose Our Generation If:
Best For: Everyday play, birthday parties, playdates
Choose American Girl If:
Best For: Christmas, graduation, heirloom gifts
Ages 3-6: Our Generation - durable and affordable
Ages 7-10: Either brand based on budget and occasion
Ages 11+: American Girl for collector appeal
Ask yourself these questions:
1. How will the doll be used? (Everyday play vs. special occasions)
2. What's your budget? ($40 vs. $300+)
3. Does your child understand value differences?
4. Are you buying additional accessories?
Remember: The best doll is the one that brings your child joy, regardless of the price tag.
After 3 months of intensive testing and real-world observation, here's our final takeaway:
Your child deserves the best play experience, not necessarily the most expensive doll.
While American Girl dolls offer superior materials and collector appeal, Our Generation provides 85-90% of the play value at just 13% of the cost. For most families, this represents an incredible value proposition.
Consider starting with an Our Generation doll for everyday play and saving American Girl for special milestones. This approach gives your child the best of both worlds: affordable fun now and premium quality for meaningful moments.
The perfect doll isn't about the price tag - it's about the memories you'll create together.
