See Which Fidget Toys are Best: The Ultimate Matrix

Not sure which fidget toys are best for you and your group? See how each fidget toy measures up, based on these 10 criteria:

[NOTE: due to the COVID-19, we’ve added an 11th criteria (ease of sterilizing]

11 Criteria to evaluate popular fidget toys

Fidget Toy Matrix - Thumbnail

WHO will use it? Kids? Adults? Personal use? — Community use? The intended audience will help determine which other criteria are most important, such as size or material
MATERIAL – What’s it made of? — materials considerations are often a function of tactile preferences and audience. Some like rubbery, stretchy items, but not all of those can be washed. Wooden fidgets feel nice but can’t go through a dishwasher. They would need to be wiped down or cleaned in a UV Sterilizing Box.
MOTION – Do you like to twist, twirl, bend, flex, or squeeze? — Again, this is mostly a question of personal preference.
SIZE – Prefer pocket toys, one-handers, or bigger handfuls? — main considerations involve the size of the user’s hand and the preference for discretion (that is, the ability to put it in a pants pocket).
EYE-CANDY – Are good looks a plus or distracting? — some make like fidget toys that are visually dazzling or interesting, while others might find those features to detract from the tactile experience of fidgeting.
SOUND – Is silence golden or are simple sounds suitable? — for use during meetings, school, or religious observations, noise fidget toys could be a disaster. Be sensitive to your surroundings!
COST – Buy a bunch at a low cost or choose one snazzy favorite! — some may be less sensitive to cost if they’re purchasing one or a few special fidget toys. When purchasing for a group, low-cost may be preferable.
DURABILITY – Are users rough or gentle? — consider whether your fidgeters are going to put their toys to the test.
WEIGHT – Need some heft or is lightweight better? — personal preference here, again. Some like fidget toys that feel a bit weightier.
FUN FACTOR – Is your focus on fun or function? — fidget spinners are the biggest culprit here. They’re pretty cool to look at and they spin super fast, but you’re not fidgeting if you’re just watching it spin. I fear fidget spinners give fidget toys a bad name but welcome fidgeters to make the final call!
STERILIZATION – Did the toy fidget toy pass or fail the test? This has been especially top-of-mind during COVID, but the ability to clean and share fidgets is always an important consideration.