Id say the bigger bodies would be a mix of both. I would consider them being bosses since they have a ton of health and I think the hands would be items, maybe some type of key item since equipping it in battle probably wouldn't do anything, kind of like trying to feed someone a pipis.
The Green hand is used to kill Catnap , the Conductive hand is used in an attempt to kill the Prototype , the Pressurized hand is used to kill Lily Lovebraids, the Flare hand is used against the Nightmare Critters and Ruined Critters as well as Doey .
I was thinking of it being the more goodish route, where Doey could be spared (could probably prevent Kissy Missy’s arm falling off, Yarnaby could be spared (potentially even join you), maybe Harley Sawyer could be spared? He does kind of come back in Chapter 5 though, so maybe it's unnecessary. Baba Chops could definitely be spared.
Spoilers for Poppy Playtime Chapter 4, and the ending of Chapter 5.
Doey: Spareable if you don’t crush him with the grinder, and didn’t kill a single non-boss toy beforehand. Instead of killing you he’ll monologue like normal, but instead will cry and revert back to his normal form. If you talk to him, he’ll tell you he’ll be fine, and to move on. He’ll rejoin you later in the vents with Poppy and Kissy.
Kissy Missy: Stall out a few turns, and Poppy will call her off.
Pianosaurus: Find the secret Pianosaurus Easter egg. After the dance, they’ll join your party.
Huggy Wuggy: Only spareable in Chapter 5, and if you spared Kissy beforehand. Stall out for long enough, and Kissy will stop Huggy from attacking.
Lily Lovebraids: Only “spareable” if you complied with everything she asked you to do. If so, you won’t even battle her at the end. She’ll join you, realizing the Prototype won’t take her to a Better Place.
These are the ones that I think could be spareable. Not sure about others though.