Gamers and collectors have been trying to catch them all since Pokémon sprang to life in the 90s. The popular franchise has collectibles of all types and sizes, from lunchboxes and life-sized figures to designer vinyl. That includes figures from Funko, and the best Pokémon Funko Pops are just as varied as the characters themselves.
While Funko is known for digging deep into franchises, there are hundreds of missing Pokémon in Pop format. We expect that to improve over time, but, at the moment, these five figures are widely considered the best around, and we’ve included three bonus figures.
- Hardest to Find: Metallic Charizard #843
- Best Super-Sized Pop: Pokemon Pikachu #01
- Best ECCC Diamond Collection: Vaporeon #627
- Best Comic-Con Edition: Mewtwo #581
- Best NYCC Exclusive: Growlithe Flocked
- Bonus: Leafeon
- Bonus: Flocked Eevee
- Bonus: Flocked Squirtle
The Best Pokémon Funko Pops
You may be disappointed if you have your heart set on a particular Pokémon Funko Pop. The main characters are all represented, however, and the series as a whole provides more than 80 characters to choose from.
1. Metallic Charizard Funko Pop #843
Our list of the best Pokémon Funko Pops kicks off with a bang courtesy of the hard-to-find figure Metallic Charizard. Released in 2022, this version of Charizard isn’t the oldest figure from the series, but it is the most expensive.
Charizard #843 shows the fire-breathing Pokémon in a classic pose. This large Funko Pop! was introduced during WonderCon, and while it’s new, it quickly became a grail. This limited edition figure frequently brings between $800 to $1,000 through eBay and collectible sites online.
2. Pokémon Pikachu Super-Sized Pop! #01
- 18 inches tall
- Recommended age: 3 years and up
- Weighs 12.13 pounds
Vinyl figures tend to top out at around a few feet, and this giant Pikachu falls into that category at 18 inches. Whether you want a pint-sized Lapras or a 4-foot-tall stuffed version of Alakazam, there is a collectible out there for you.
Funko Pop! Pikachu #01 is an 18-inch figure from the company’s Super-Sized Pop lineup. This popular character was the first giant Pokémon Pop from Funko. It also has incredible staying power on the secondary, even if it is still in stock through Amazon and other retailers.
Check out Pokémon Pikachu #01 on Amazon.
3. Funko Pokémon Vaporeon #627 ECCC Diamond Collection
Water Pokémon, like Vaporeon, have always been popular with fans, going back to Squirtle in the original game. Vaporeon wasn’t something you could obtain out of the gate, but you could start a collection with this exclusive figure.
Emerald City Comic Con has long been a great place to pick up exclusive collectibles. Funko Pop! figures have made several appearances at the con, but the Vaporeon Diamond Collection figure is at the top of every collector’s list. It’s pricey, but accessible and pairs perfectly with other Diamond Collection Pokémon characters.
Check out Vaporeon #627 on Amazon.
4. Funko Pop! Pokémon Flocked Mewtwo #581 Comic-Con Edition
Flocked Funko Pops are a niche, and Flocked Mewtwo #581 is one of the rarer flocked Pops! in the line. Popularity varies among Pokémon fans as to which character is their favorite or the best. Well, no matter who you prefer, nobody can deny the power of Mewtwo, a legendary Pokémon from the first generation.
This figure was released for San Diego Comic-Con in 2020 and usually sells for $80 to $120 unboxed and in mint condition. As an alternative, there is an unflocked 3.75-inch version of Mewtwo in the same pose, along with a larger 10” variant.
Check out Mewtwo #581 on Amazon.
5. Funko Pop! Growlithe Flocked NYCC Exclusive
Flocked Growlithe is Pokémon #597 from Funko’s Pop line. The last top Pop! on our list of the best Pokémon Funko Pops prefers fire to water. If you’re a dog lover, you’re probably partial to Growlithe, the cute canine Pokémon that’s loyal to its owner and fierce in battle.
It’s a dead ringer for the regular figure, but this one is flocked and was not easy to get initially. The price tag has become more budget-friendly over time, making this one of the best exclusives for collectors with a tight budget.
Check out Growlithe Flocked on Amazon.
More Great Pokémon Funko Pops!
With more than 80 figures to choose from and only a handful of exclusives, we kept our list of the best Funko Pops! short and sweet. That’s also due to the sheer number of Pokémon characters, which makes it impossible to choose something for every collector.
With that in mind, Funko has plenty of alternatives to the figures on our list, including some newer characters. One example is Scorbunny, a Pokémon that didn’t arrive until the 8th generation and is set to debut in vinyl form this summer. It’s up for pre-order, but you can pick up Leafeon Funko Pop! #866 right now.
This grass-type Pokémon would be a welcome addition to any collection, along with characters like Piplup. He’s just as cute, but water-based, whereas Glaceon loves colder climates and ice. Glaceon Funko Pop! #921 is a flocked exclusive along with flocked versions of Eevee, Vulpix, and Pikachu. Looking for something from the classic line?
The first three Pokémon are available in vinyl form with Bulbasaur, Pikachu, and Charmander. These Funko Pops! rolled out in 2018 in the first wave. Multiple variants were released over the next few years, including a Diamond Pop! Bulbasaur. We’re also big fans of this flocked #504 Funko Pop! GameStop exclusive Squirtle.
Interested in more super-sized and jumbo Funko Pop Pokémon figures? Pikachu is the only 18-inch character, but Lucario, Bulbasaur, Mew, Charmander, Eevee, and Charizard are available as double-size 10-inch figures. There’s even a pint-sized Funko Pokémon Advent Calendar to help collectors ring in the holiday cheer.
The Wrap-Up
Classic Pokémon figures from Funko are available in standard poses or shimmering exclusives, depending on your tastes. While Funko has only scratched the surface of the Pokédex and its catalog of more than 1,000 characters, they’ve certainly gotten off to a great start with their Pops!
More Funko Pop Coverage
- The Best Funko Pops Ever Made — If you think the word “best” is subjective, think again. We stand by these being the best Funko Pops of all time!
- The Most Expensive Funko Pop In the World — In some parts of the U.S., you can buy a house for what this Funko Pop cost!
- The First 8 Funko Pops Ever Made — You’ll never guess what the first eight Funko Pops were.
- The 12 Best Anime Funko Pops Worth Collecting — If you love anime, you won’t want to miss our curated selection of the best 12 anime Funko Pops.
- The Most Rare and Exclusive Funko Pops — Find out what makes these Funko Pops so rare and exclusive.
- The Largest Funko Pop Collection — See why David Mebane’s Funko Pop collection will put yours to shame.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Maria Ruiz Perez/Shutterstock.com.
