309 g vs 130 g vs 100 g vs 102 g on the same scale. 300% more ball.
We put all four on the same scale
BuddyBall: 309 g. Speks Gump: 130 g. Coconut squishy: 100 g and 102 g. Same shop scale, November 2026. That makes BuddyBall more than double the gel of a Speks and three times a coconut squishy, and at 3 inches across it fills an adult hand instead of disappearing into it.
BuddyBall vs. Speks vs. Coconut Squishy: Which Stress Ball Wins?
Founder Brian Fisher compares the Squeez'M Buddyball to the Speks Gump and the generic coconut squishy and answers questions we get most about our new BuddyBall squishy stress ball.
Four stress balls, one kitchen scale, one bowl of water. BuddyBall weighs 302 g. Speks Gump weighs 130 g. The two "coconut squishies" weigh 100 g and 102 g. We bought them, weighed them, measured them, squeezed them for a week, and dropped them in water to find out what is actually inside. Here is what we found.
Side by side
| BuddyBall | Speks Gump | "Coconut squishy" #1 | "Coconut oil squishy" #2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 302 g (10.7 oz) | 130 g (4.6 oz) | 100 g (3.5 oz) | 102 g (3.6 oz) |
| Diameter | 3.0 in (76 mm) | 2.1 in (53 mm) | 1.9 in (48 mm) | 2.0 in (51 mm) |
| What's inside | Maltose gel (water-soluble) | Maltose gel | Maltose gel, despite the name | Oil-based fill (it floats) |
| Firmness | Extra-firm, slow-rise | Very soft | Super soft | Extremely soft and pliable |
| Surface | No stick, no smell | Slightly sticky | Sticky | Very sticky |
| If it breaks open | Rinses off with water | Rinses off with water | Rinses off with water | Oil spill: soaks into fabric and carpet |
| Safety testing | Lab-tested to ASTM F963, ages 3+ | Rated 13+/14+ by most retailers | None published | None published |
| Who stands behind it | Squeez'M, Belmont, CA — text a photo within 30 days, free replacement | Speks (retailer return policy) | Unbranded marketplace seller | Unbranded marketplace seller |
| Price | $22.95, free 2–3 day shipping | About $8–10 | About $4–8 | About $4–8 |
Weights and diameters measured on our shop scale and calipers, November 2026. Fill type determined by a water float test: maltose gel sinks, oil floats.
BuddyBall: the heavy, firm one
BuddyBall is built for a full-hand squeeze. At 302 g it carries more than twice the gel of a Speks and three times a coconut squishy, and the gel is extra-firm: press it flat and it slowly pushes back instead of oozing. It is the same water-soluble maltose gel and thick TPR shell as our BigBlok stress cube, in a 3-inch ball. The surface is dry to the touch with no odor. Every ball is checked for leaks, odor, and stickiness before it ships, and the material is lab-tested to ASTM F963.
Best for: adults and teens who want real resistance, grip work, and a ball that survives daily use.
Speks Gump: the soft, small one
Speks Gump is a well-made, palm-sized squishy: 2.1 inches, 130 g, with a silky shell that is slightly tacky to the touch and a very soft, slime-like maltose gel. It is designed as a desk toy and feels closer to kneading dough than squeezing a ball. Speks is a real brand with real packaging, but note that most retailers list it for ages 13 or 14 and up.
Best for: anyone who wants a gentle, low-resistance fidget rather than a workout.
"Coconut squishy" #1: maltose with a trendy name
The first viral "coconut squishy" we bought has nothing to do with coconuts. It sank in water, which means it is ordinary maltose gel — the same family as Speks and BuddyBall, just one-third the weight at 100 g and 1.9 inches. The shell is sticky out of the bag and the gel is super soft. The listing we bought from showed roughly 35% one-star reviews out of about 800, mostly for splitting and stickiness, and published no safety testing. There is no brand to contact when one fails.
Best for: a party-favor price when durability does not matter.
"Coconut oil squishy" #2: the one that floats
The second one is different: it floated, so the fill is oil-based, not gel. That gives it an extremely pliable, almost liquid squish and the stickiest surface of the four. It also changes what happens when the thin shell gives out. Maltose gel is water-soluble and rinses off hands, clothes, and carpet. Oil does not — a burst oil squishy is a stain-removal project. At 102 g and 2 inches it is the lightest-feeling of the group, with no published safety testing and no brand behind it.
Best for: adults who want the softest possible squish and are willing to risk the cleanup.
The verdict
If you want the biggest, firmest squeeze with a dry surface and a replacement promise, BuddyBall is the only one of the four built for it. If you prefer soft and gooey, Speks is the better-made small option. Skip the coconut squishies unless price is the only thing that matters — and if you do buy one, drop it in water first so you know what you are holding.
FAQ
What is a coconut squishy actually made of? It depends on the seller. Of the two we bought, one was maltose gel (sank in water) and one was an oil-based fill (floated). Neither contained anything coconut.
Why does the float test matter? It tells you what the cleanup looks like. Maltose gel is water-soluble and rinses out. Oil soaks into fabric and carpet.
Is BuddyBall softer when warm? Yes. Maltose gel is firmer when cool and softer when warm. That is the gel, not a defect.
Can kids use BuddyBall? Yes, ages 3 and up with adult supervision. Never microwave, heat, or puncture any gel ball.
Why is BuddyBall more expensive? Two to three times the gel, a thicker shell, third-party lab testing, and a 30-day replacement promise, shipped free in 2–3 days.
What if mine arrives damaged? Text a photo to the number on the box within 30 days and we send a new one.
