Aug 15, 2025

Real vs Fake Labubu: The Ultimate Guide to Spotting Fake Labubu 3.0 Big into Energy Plush Pendants

Welcome, collectors and Labubu lovers!

The release of any new Labubu series sends waves of excitement through the community, and the Big into Energy Series 3.0 with its adorable plush pendants was no exception. Unfortunately, this popularity also attracts a less welcome group: counterfeiters. Fake manufacturers are getting better at mimicking the real thing, making it harder than ever to protect your investment and ensure you're getting an authentic piece of art.

Getting stuck with a fake is more than just a disappointment; it supports an illegal industry that devalues the creativity and hard work of the original artists. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive, side-by-side comparison guide. We’ll break down the subtle and not-so-subtle differences between a genuine Labubu 3.0 plush pendant and a counterfeit copy.

Arm yourself with this knowledge and shop with confidence!

Section 1: The First Line of Defense – Packaging & Box Details

Before you even touch the pendant, the box can tell you everything you need to know. Counterfeiters often cut corners here first.

1. The Laser Holographic Effect:

Authentic: The "Big into Energy" logo on the front of the sealed box has a brilliant, rainbow-colored holographic effect. When you tilt the box under light, the colors shift clearly and dramatically. Most importantly, the authentic laser effect has a distinct flame-like or fiery texture within the hologram. It's vibrant and high-quality.
Fake: The holographic effect on counterfeit boxes is often dull, muted, or barely visible. The colors may not shift as much, appearing darker or simply as a cheap silver shine. Crucially, it typically lacks the detailed flame texture, appearing as a simple, generic holographic stripe.

2. Embossed Texture & Quality:

Authentic: Run your fingers over the main artwork on the box. The outlines of Labubu and the other characters have a clear, pronounced, and sharp embossed texture. You can feel a significant raised effect.
Fake: The surface of a fake box is often too smooth. Any embossing will feel shallow, soft, or blurry. The printing quality might also be slightly pixelated or off-register.

3. Official Anti-Counterfeit QR Code:

Authentic: Every authentic box features an official POP MART security QR code. When you scan this code with your phone’s camera, it should directly and seamlessly open the official POP MART Mini Program within WeChat (or direct you to their official website in other regions). The link in your browser should clearly show a POP MART URL.
Fake: This is a major red flag. A fake box might have a QR code that:
- Does nothing when scanned.
- Redirects you to a suspicious, non-official website.
- Is a copied code that has been scanned thousands of times before.

Section 2: Inside the Box – Internal Components

If the box passes initial inspection, it's time to look inside. Authentic manufacturers pay attention to even the smallest details.

1. The Inner Plastic Bag:

Authentic: The plastic bag holding the pendant and its accessories isn't just plain. If you carefully tear it open and look inside the plastic, you will find faint letter or pattern印花 (impressions) printed on the inner lining. This is a subtle but effective security feature often overlooked by fakes.
Fake: The inner bag is almost always a plain, smooth, generic plastic bag with no internal printing.

2. The Desiccant Packet:

Authentic: POP MART uses a specific, standardized style of desiccant packet across their authentic products. Pay attention to its shape, the material of the packet, and the printing on it.
Fake: Counterfeit operations often just throw in any generic, cheap desiccant packet they can find. If it looks different from what you usually find in your blind boxes, it’s a warning sign.

Section 3: The Main Event – Examining the Plush Pendant Itself

This is where the most crucial differences lie. Train your eye to spot these key details.

1. The Waterproof Tag (The Most Important Tag!):

Authentic: The main white tag with the care instructions is made of a distinct mesh-like fabric. If you look closely, you can see the tiny holes in the material. The logo and text are printed clearly on this textured surface.
Fake: The vast majority of fakes use a smooth, flat, plain white cloth for this tag. The printing might also be poorer quality, with the POP MART logo font appearing thinner (font is too slim).

2. The Feet & Base Stamp:

Authentic: Turn the pendant over and look at the base of its feet. The stamped text (usually "POP MART" and other info) is clean, sharp, and precise. The paint is embedded and does not have a shiny, plastic-like reflectiveness. The font is correct and consistent.
Fake: The stamp on a fake is often a mess. You might see:
- Paint bleed or overflow, making the text look blurry.
- A cheap, glossy, shiny plastic feel instead of a matte, embedded stamp.
- Incorrect or misaligned font.

3. Facial Features & Overall "Vibe":

Authentic: Labubu has a very specific mischievous yet cute expression. The paint application on the eyes and mouth is flawless, with no smudges. The features are symmetrical and well-proportioned. The "energy" elements are neatly attached.
Fake: This is where many fails happen. You might encounter "instant tell" fakes with wildly off proportions, crooked eyes, or terrible paint jobs. However, higher-quality fakes might have a face that looks almost right. If you're unsure based on the face alone, always cross-reference with the waterproof tag and the foot stamp.

4. QR Code on the Hanger Tag:

Authentic: The QR code on the paper hang tag functions just like the one on the box. It should scan once and immediately take you to the official POP MART verification page. It will confirm the product is genuine, usually showing details like the first scan time.
Fake: The QR code here is often a dead giveaway. It might be a static image that does nothing, or it might redirect to a fake verification site. Most commonly, when scanned, a message will pop up warning that "this code has been verified multiple times" – a clear sign it's a copied code from a counterfeit production line.

Section 4: Smart Purchasing Advice – How to Avoid Fakes

Knowledge is power, but smart shopping habits are your best defense.

Buy from Official Sources: This is the simplest and safest rule. Always prioritize purchasing directly from the POP MART official website, their physical stores, or their official storefronts on authorized platforms like arttoyfamilia.com、Stockx.
Choose Reputable Resellers: If you're buying from a secondary market (like eBay, Mercari, or a local buy/sell group), only buy from sellers with long histories of perfect positive feedback specifically for POP MART products. Read their reviews carefully.
Avoid Too-Good-to-Be-True Deals: If the price is significantly lower than the market rate, it's almost certainly a fake. Counterfeiters lure buyers in with cheap prices.
The Golden Rule: RECORD YOUR UNBOXING! Whenever you receive a shipment, record a continuous, unedited video of you opening the package. Film the untouched shipping box, the unopened product box, and the entire process of opening it and inspecting the pendant. This video is crucial evidence for disputing a transaction with the seller or the platform if the item turns out to be fake.