Toniebox 2 review: a meaningful upgrade to the popular audio player

Price on writing: £95 (bundles from £120) | Buy from Toniebox

Our verdict

The Toniebox 2 keeps everything parents loved about the original audio player - a brilliantly simple interface, robust design and cute character Tonies - but adds thoughtful upgrades that make it feel more futureproof. Charging is now via USB-C rather than a chunky base unit (hurray!), it loads much faster and battery life is improved. And I love the addition of the ring light which depicts battery life and functions as a sleep timer and alarm. 

The biggest change is Tonieplay, a new gaming mode for interactive play which offers a bit more in the way of entertainment (as well as more in the way of add-ons to buy). 

I’ve spent the last month testing the Toniebox 2 with my five-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son and it’s been a welcome addition to our home - from breakfast-time soundtracks to car journeys and wind-down bedtime stories. It hasn’t replaced books, but it’s a fun screen-free distraction that my kids enjoy and I feel good about using.

The biggest win is its longevity. The introduction of My First Tonies for babies, quiz games via Tonieplay and chapter books for older kids means it now spans a much wider age range. It feels like an investment that will grow with them, rather than something they’ll outgrow after nursery.

There’s still quite a bit of plastic involved and the Tonie figures aren’t cheap but if you're looking for a wholesome gift, a reading companion or some entertainment away from the screen, the Toniebox 2 is well worth buying. 

How we tested the Toniebox 2

I tested the Toniebox 2 over a month with my five-year-old daughter and eight-year-old son. We used it during breakfast, on car journeys, at bedtime and during quiet play at home to see how well it slotted into everyday family life. 

Toniebox 2: What’s in the box?

We reviewed a Toniebox bundle which allows you to build your own package depending on Tonie character and game preference. Mine included the following items:

• Toniebox 2 unit 

• USB-C charging cable

• Tonie (Paw Patrol’s Chase in our case) 

• Toneplay game and controller (Paw Patrol Adventure Heroes) 

What’s the difference between the Toniebox 1 and the Toniebox 2?

Both units look very similar - the padded cube design is the same but the Toniebox 2 now features a more modern curved look and is slightly larger than the original (13 x 13 x 13cm vs 12 x 12 x 12cm). And the new version brings several welcome upgrades including:

• USB-C charging: no more bulky charging base

• Dynamic light ring shows battery life status and doubles as a night light/sunrise alarm

• Tonieplay compatibility adds simple screen-free gaming to the mix 

• App controls: battery checks, content management and remote control via a simple parent-friendly interface 

• Age 1+ mode disables tipping controls and prevents play while charging

• New Tonies range including My First Tonies for babies and chapter book Tonies for older kids
  

It’s gone from a preschool-friendly audio box to a device that can see your child from babyhood up to primary school and beyond.

How easy is the Toniebox 2 to set up?

Very. The app walks you through everything in minutes - there’s a simple six-step process to set things up and the interface is really easy to navigate. There’s some power in the unit from the off so we could start using it straight from the box before fully charging, and being able to charge it with a regular USB-C cable is a huge improvement on the previous chunky base unit making it more versatile and portable. 

Bear in mind that the included cable is extremely short and didn’t really align with any of the sockets in our house so we switched to using a USB-C phone charger straight away. The short length is for safety purposes and makes the unit safe for kids aged 1+ to use. 

Once connected, you can check the battery level, adjust settings, buy new Tonies and games and set alarms or sleep timers without having to touch the box itself. 

My daughter grasped how to use the Toniebox 2 quickly and without too much intervention - the tactile controls feel intuitive and child-friendly. Just pop a Tonie - with its magnetic underside - onto the base unit and away you go. Volume is controlled by squeezing the rubber ears and audio can be skipped back and forth by tipping the unit to either side. 

What is the Toniebox 2 like to use day to day?

In our house, the Toniebox 2 has quickly slipped into our morning routine and has helped us avoid the usual breakfast-time bickering over screens. Instead of asking for tablets or the TV, the kids now head straight for the Toniebox 2 and switch on a story while munching their cereal. It’s become background entertainment without overstimulating them, which feels like a parenting win before the school run.

We’ve added a Creative Tonie to the mix which allows you to record your own content and play it back via the box unit and it’s been a standout feature for us. We now have a bank of stories from grandparents that the kids can play aloud and it’s such a sweet way for them to feel connected while living miles apart. My son has also taken to recording his beatboxing skills and playing snippets back on loop. 

I’ve enjoyed scanning through the app to take advantage of free content that can be downloaded via the Creative Tonie - the Joke of the Day is now a regular nightly fixture and the car games segment is handy for trips, although better suited to younger kids. 

We’ve yet to try the quiz games but I’m planning to invest for upcoming gifts alongside some chapter-book Tonies for my eldest.

One thing to be aware of: while the Toniebox 2 is certified for children from 12 months, some Tonies are only suitable from 36 months+, so you do need to double-check age suitability before buying. 

Both kids keep trying to use it as a smart speaker by saying “Hey Siri!” into the box then quickly remembering it doesn’t talk back. But that actually feels like part of the charm. It’s not trying to be a smart assistant, just a smart, screen-free companion.

What’s Tonieplay?

Tonieplay introduces a new gaming element using a separate Tonieplay Controller and special game Tonies. We tried the Paw Patrol: Adventure Bay Rescue Hereos a screen-free mix of scavenger hunts and quizzes that kept my five-year-old happily occupied. Once we’d run through a couple of the instructions I could leave her to get on with things. It’s simple to understand but engaging enough to keep little ones entertained for a while. 

The individual games aren’t cheap but they make the Toniebox 2 feel more versatile and helps it appeal to children in different ways.

Can existing Tonies be used on the Toniebox 2?

Yes, phew! Fans of the original Toniebox will be pleased to hear that existing Tonie characters can be used on the new unit. A welcome relief if you’ve already invested in a collection of characters. 

Is the Toniebox 2 better than a Yoto Player?

The Yoto remains a strong contender when it comes to audio players, especially for older kids and those who enjoy podcasts and radio-style content. But the Toniebox 2 is more tactile and toy-like, which makes it particularly appealing for younger children. The upgrade also narrows the feature gap - especially with the new alarm and sleep timer. If your priority is durability, intuitive controls and character-led stories, the Toniebox 2 may have the edge.

Is the Toniebox 2 worth buying?

Yes - especially as a birthday or Christmas gift. It’s robust, screen-free and genuinely entertaining. The ability to record your own stories via the app adds a lovely personal touch, and the expanding Tonie range means it won’t be left behind as your child gets older. It feels like a wholesome investment rather than another gadget to stash on a shelf. Even better if you can take advantage of a deal to justify the spend.

About the author

Rachel Erdos is an Editor at Mumsnet where she commissions, edits and writes content with a focus on product reviews, homeware roundups and family travel.

She’s written buyer’s guides for publications including Expert Reviews and Coach as well as reviews and features for the Guardian, TripSavvy and Visit London.

A mum of two, she’s always on the lookout for products that make life easier at home and loves putting toys, gadgets and appliances to the test to highlight best buys for families.

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Prices correct at the time of publication.