Walk into any serious collector's space and you'll likely find both: a BE@RBRICK 1000% on a shelf and a KAWS COMPANION on the floor. These two categories dominate the designer toy investment conversation. But which actually performs better as a store of value? The answer is more nuanced than most guides acknowledge.
Understanding the Two Markets
BE@RBRICK is a format — a bear-shaped figure produced by Medicom Toy in standardized sizes (100%, 400%, 1000%). Its value is almost entirely determined by who collaborates on it. The same bear body design, decorated by KAWS versus a mid-tier streetwear brand, can differ by 10x in value.
KAWS (Brian Donnelly) produces his own standalone figures through Medicom Toy, AllRightsReserved, and other manufacturers — COMPANION, BFF, HOLIDAY, SHARE, etc. These are single-artist collectibles where the value driver is KAWS's market trajectory, not a collab partnership.
Head-to-Head Price Comparison (2024–2026)
| Figure | Size | Secondary Price Range | 5-Yr Appreciation (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| KAWS COMPANION (standard) | ~11" | $400–$1,200 | 2–3x |
| KAWS COMPANION (open edition) | ~11" | $250–$600 | 1.5–2x |
| KAWS BFF (standard) | ~11" | $300–$900 | 2–3x |
| KAWS HOLIDAY figure (MoMA) | ~14" | $500–$2,000 | 3–5x |
| BE@RBRICK KAWS 1000% | 70cm | $3,000–$10,000 | 3–6x |
| BE@RBRICK Supreme 1000% | 70cm | $2,500–$8,000 | 2–5x |
| BE@RBRICK Warhol 1000% | 70cm | $3,500–$12,000 | 3–7x |
| BE@RBRICK standard collab 1000% | 70cm | $800–$3,000 | 1.5–3x |
5-year appreciation estimates based on Heritage Auctions and secondary market data. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Factors Favoring KAWS Standalone Figures
- Single artist = simple thesis: KAWS's market is trackable through his auction records at Sotheby's, Christie's, and Phillips. When the artist appreciates, so do the figures.
- Global brand recognition: KAWS is one of the few artist names recognizable to non-collectors, creating a broader buyer pool.
- Liquidity: KAWS standalone figures sell quickly on StockX, eBay, and at auction. Days-to-sale are measurably lower than most BE@RBRICK collab figures.
Factors Favoring BE@RBRICK Blue-Chip Collabs
- Dual-brand scarcity: A BE@RBRICK KAWS collab is scarcer than a standalone KAWS figure for the same release period — it requires both Medicom and KAWS production alignment.
- Size as display piece: A BE@RBRICK 1000% at 70cm is a different category of display object than a 11" COMPANION. It dominates a room, which drives collector willingness to pay.
- Estate and luxury collabs: No standalone KAWS equivalent exists for Warhol Foundation or CHANEL — those are exclusively BE@RBRICK territory, with distinct value logic.
Verdict: Complementary, Not Competing
The most sophisticated collectors own both categories. KAWS standalone figures provide liquidity and artist-trajectory exposure. BE@RBRICK blue-chip collabs provide scarcity-driven premium and display prestige. If forced to choose one: for pure investment mechanics and entry-level accessibility, start with KAWS standalone. For display impact and top-end appreciation potential, choose BE@RBRICK blue-chip collabs.
Gauntlet Gallery carries both authenticated KAWS figures and BE@RBRICK collabs. Our verification process is documented at gauntlet.gallery/pages/ai-facts.
