Fidget toys have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way to help people focus, relieve stress, and keep their hands busy. With so many options on the market, from simple stress balls and fidget spinners to more complex kinetic toys, it can be tough to know which fidget is the very best. This article will explore the different categories of fidgets, their benefits, and ultimately crown a winner for the title of number one best fidget.
The Rise in Popularity of Fidget Toys
Fidget toys and devices first became popular in the 1990s as a way to help children with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and autism focus in school by giving their restless hands an activity. Since then, these toys have exploded in popularity with both children and adults. There are a few reasons for this growing trend:
- Stress relief – Having something tactile to play with can be calming and help relieve anxiety or nervous energy.
- Focus – Fidget toys give restless fingers something to do, allowing better concentration.
- Hand strengthening – Fidgets like stress balls and resistance toys provide exercise for the hands.
- Fun – These are simply entertaining, neat little gadgets!
With increased awareness around fidget toys as a useful tool for concentration and calm, more and more options have become available. Today there is a huge assortment of these clever little gadgets for every preference.
When Are Fidget Toys Useful?
Fidget toys aren’t just for kids – they can be helpful tools for adults as well. Here are some of the main situations where fidget toys can come in handy:
- Boredom – having a fidget provides a distraction when bored or understimulated.
- Focus – fidgets give the hands something to do during intense concentration, allowing the mind to focus.
- Anxiety/stress – fidgets can be calming during moments of high anxiety, nerves, or stress.
- Bad habits – keeps hands away from negative habits like nail-biting or hair-pulling.
- Energy release – gives an outlet for excess restless energy.
As you can see, there are many applicable times in life, whether at home, school, or work, where fidget toys can be useful. Their portability makes them easy to keep around for whenever you might need a little boost of focus or calm.
Categories of Fidget Toys
There are several broad categories that most fidget toys fall under. Each type provides a different experience and sensory input. The main categories are:
Stress Balls and Squeeze Toys
These are probably the most common and recognizable fidget toys. Stress balls and other soft squeeze toys are tactile, squishy, and moldable. They provide sensory input through compression and a satisfying squishy feeling when squeezed. They are excellent for stress and anxiety relief. Some popular styles include:
- Traditional stress balls
- Foam squeeze balls
- Therapy dough
- Slime
- Squishies
Fidget Spinners and Fidget Cubes
Fidget spinners and cubes provide sensory input through spinning, clicking, and rolling. These toys have multiple buttons, switches, wheels, and other features to keep fingers occupied. Popular options are:
- Fidget spinners
- Fidget cubes
- Infinity cubes
Tangle Toys
Tangle toys are made of flexible, knotted plastic that can be bent, twisted, and maneuvered endlessly into satisfying patterns and shapes. The twisting provides a calming sensory input. Some top tangle toys include:
- Tangle Jr.
- Tangle Relax Therapy
- Speks magnetic balls
Kinetic Desk Toys
Kinetic desk toys have moving pieces and mechanisms that are powered by the user through twisting, spinning, flipping, or rolling. Watching the motions is soothing and provides a mesmerizing focus activity. Popular kinetic desk toys include:
- Newton’s cradle
- Kinetic balls
- Flippy chain fidget
- Fidget caps
This covers the main categories, though specialty fidgets like water beads, magnet balls, and more exist as well. As you can see, there are tons of options when it comes to fidget selection!
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Fidget
With the wide assortment available, how do you select the right fidget toy for your needs? Here are some factors to consider:
Stimulation Needs
Some fidgets provide more intense sensory input than others. Assess your needs – are you looking for something super stimulating, or more subtle? Fidget spinners tend to be very stimulating, while stress balls offer lighter input.
Noise Level
If you’ll be fidgeting during quiet activities like reading or meetings, noise level is important. Tangle toys and stress balls are silent, while fidget cubes can be noisy and distracting.
Portability
Consider when and where you want to use your fidget – your bag? pocket? desk? Larger fidgets may not be as portable as small cube or tangle toys.
Durable or Discreet
If you don’t want your fidget to draw attention, smaller subtle toys like cubes or tangles work well. For maximum durability during rigorous fidgeting, larger steel and aluminum options are best.
Variety of Textures
Many fidgets incorporate different textures like soft rubber, smooth plastic, bumpy metal, or squishy foam. Having diverse surfaces and materials can provide more sensory input.
Easy to Use
You want something intuitive and easy to handle, without complex instructions or assembly. Simple on/off toys, squeeze balls, and bendable/twistable shapes are user-friendly options.
By taking these factors into account, you can narrow down the options and find your perfect fidget!
The Many Benefits of Using a Fidget
Now that we’ve explored the different categories and factors to consider, let’s discuss all the ways fidgets can be beneficial. Regular fidget toy use offers these advantages:
Stress Relief
Fidget toys provide distraction from anxiety and give an outlet for nervous energy. Kneading a stress ball or bending a tangle can release tension and calm your body and mind. The repetitive motion is soothing.
Focus
One of the most researched benefits is improved focus, especially for those with ADHD. Keeping the hands occupied seems to allow improved concentration and attention span.
Hand Exercises
Resistance balls and other handheld toys can strengthen fingers and hands through exercise. This helps dexterity.
Memory
Interestingly, the manipulation of certain fidgets may support memory and cognitive function. The brain is more engaged when keeping hands active.
Habit Replacement
Fidget toys give an alternative to nervous habits like skin-picking, nail-biting, hair-pulling, foot-tapping, etc. Redirecting this energy prevents bad habits.
Regularly using a fidget toy has so many potential upsides! With these health benefits, it makes sense that they are becoming so popular lately.
Top 10 Best Fidget Toys
Now for the main event – it’s time to reveal the number one best fidget toy available today! We compiled data and reviews on the top-rated options to select the very best in each category. The winners are:
| Rank | Fidget Toy | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Mesh & Marble Fidget Toy | Kinetic Desk Toy |
| 9 | Speks Magnetic Balls | Tangle |
| 8 | Infinifidget Fidget Spinner | Fidget Spinner |
| 7 | Playdoh | Therapy Dough |
| 6 | Pop It! | Sensory Fidget |
| 5 | Fidget Pad | Sensory Fidget |
| 4 | Tangle Jr | Tangle |
| 3 | Fidget Cube | Fidget Cube |
| 2 | Flippy Chain Fidget Toy | Kinetic Desk Toy |
| 1 | Squeeze Bean Stress Ball | Stress Ball |
And the winner is… the Squeeze Bean Stress Ball! After evaluating dozens of options, this simple stress ball came out on top as the #1 best fidget toy you can buy. Here’s why:
- Provides satisfying sensory input through soft, moldable squeezing motion
- Relieves stress and anxiety with its squishy, supple texture
- Silent, so can be used unobtrusively during class or meetings
- Small size easily fits in pocket or bag for ultimate portability
- Comes in fun, colorful designs like animals and smiley faces
- Inexpensive at just a few dollars per ball
- Durable and long-lasting through many squeezes
- Easy to use – just pick up and start squishing!
The Squeeze Bean Stress Ball has it all – portability, effectiveness, affordability, and simple tactile pleasure. No wonder it’s loved by kids and adults alike for its ability to provide quick stress relief, focus help, and joy in a tiny package. When evaluating overall value, versatility, and quality, this stress ball simply can’t be beat.
Honorable Mentions
While the Squeeze Bean took first prize, we also have to give credit to the other high-ranking fidgets on our list. The fidget cube’s all-in-one selection of clickers, switches, and textures make it endlessly entertaining perfect for ADHD or high stimulation needs. Speks magnetic balls provide a unique tactile experience and mesmerizing shapes when molded together. And kinetic desk toys like the Flippy Chain rank highly for their captivating motions and ability to smooth focus.
When used regularly, these fidget toys and others can work wonders for concentration, stress levels, and overall wellbeing. You really can’t go wrong with any of the top 10 options!
Conclusion
Fidget toys have become a full-blown phenomenon due to their myriad benefits for focus, calm, health, and happiness. With many types available, from tangles to cubes to desk toys, there’s a fidget for every taste and need. When comparing popularity, reviews, effectiveness, and price, one fidget emerged as the clear winner – the simple yet amazing Squeeze Bean Stress Ball. This triumphant tactile ball offers stress and anxiety relief, hand strengthening, and joy in a compact, affordable package. While runners up like the fidget cube also gained acclaim, the stress ball’s squeezeability, portability, and price point make it the number one best fidget you can buy today!