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Original poster

Yoto or Tonie?

30 replies

namefornow88 · 20/11/2023 13:20

Afternoon

I want to get one of the above for my kids for Christmas, they're 5, 4 and 1 and it'll be shared. Wondered if anyone has any opinions on which is better?

OP posts:
mintich · 20/11/2023 13:34

Yoto!! Much wider range of stories, podcasts music etc. Tonie is aimed at young children whereas yoto can be used for any age so you will get a lot more use out of it. I also love that you can make your own cards so I've put lots of my old cds on there for my kids

Misspacorabanne · 20/11/2023 13:40

Yoto 100%
we have just purchased the yoto mini for my ds birthday I knew he would enjoy it but not as much as he does! He’s used it every day since! He’s 6! But my dc of 3 loves it too!
They have a huge selection of cards suitable for all ages!

mrssunshinexxx · 20/11/2023 15:48

Tonies, personally think the yotos look really cheap ( sorry)

IDontDrinkTea · 20/11/2023 15:55

Yoto - has a much wider age range of content compared to tonie which seems to aim for preschool content only

YourNameGoesHere · 20/11/2023 15:59

mrssunshinexxx · 20/11/2023 15:48

Tonies, personally think the yotos look really cheap ( sorry)

This seems like an odd reason to discount the yoto. It doesn't look any cheaper than the Tonie box but it does so much more!

Yoto has longevity which is just not there with a Tonie and the figures if lost cannot be recovered so you've lost the money whereas with a yoto if you lose a card you can still access the content on the app and transfer it to a make your own card.

Yoto also has podcasts, radio, a night light, a clock and content in multiple languages.

feelinhopeful · 20/11/2023 16:01

We went for a Tonie. My son loves playing with the little figures as much as he does listening to the stories and songs.

Caspianberg · 20/11/2023 16:04

I’m going to a Tonie.
The argument of Tonies being designed for younger children is perfect, how much younger than 1 year old can you go!

I think my 3 year old will use it because it looks like a figure not card. The already do many stories suitable for up to around 8 years, and I’m guessing by the time
mine and yours are 8 years, they will probably have added more ie Harry Potter vibe

Blixem · 20/11/2023 16:04

Another vote for the Yoto, DD has had one since she was 2 and loves it.

villamariavintrapp · 20/11/2023 16:05

Yoto

mrssunshinexxx · 20/11/2023 16:10

@YourNameGoesHere the op asked for opinions I think?

YourNameGoesHere · 20/11/2023 16:12

mrssunshinexxx · 20/11/2023 16:10

@YourNameGoesHere the op asked for opinions I think?

Yes she asked which you thought was better. An opinion on it looking cheap (still not exactly sure how it looks cheap) isn't actually helpful. It looking cheaper in your opinion than the Tonie doesn't negate from how much more it has to offer.

mrssunshinexxx · 20/11/2023 16:38

Some people might care what things look like?! I know I do. I prefer the figures to the cards and is age appropriate for years we love ours. Is that better ? @YourNameGoesHere

mintich · 20/11/2023 17:05

Yoto has a wide range of content for all ages. Everyone I know who has a tonie have stopped using it by age 4/5, which is what swayed my decision to get a yoto. All the tonie users have yotos now!

3WildOnes · 20/11/2023 17:14

They both seem quite expensive for what they are. What do they offer over an Alexa with an audible subscription? I have children of varying g ages and there are story tapes for every age on audible. Everything from Julia Donaldson to Northern lights.

Caspianberg · 20/11/2023 17:44

@3WildOnes - well my 3 year old can’t use Alexa. He wouldn’t have a clue what audio books we had on there so it relies on an adult choosing. These tonies/ yoto cars allow small non readers to choose own stories like they would a regular book.

I’m hoping Ds can start using his when he wakes at 6am instead of us getting up so early! 30mins with something he can set up and listen to himself will be amazing

Original poster
namefornow88 · 20/11/2023 18:25

Thanks all, lots of helpful advice. I didn't realise the Tonie was geared more towards younger kids. I was leaning towards that one as it's reduced for black Friday at the moment but will definitely reconsider the yoto

@3WildOnes we don't have an Alexa or any plans to get one. Alexa + audible requires an internet connection to work, so they can't take it out and about/use it in the car etc. And as pp said I'd rather get something they can use themselves/see what options they have etc

@Caspianberg I definitely see what your saying, but tbh my 1 year old isn't going to be using it for a while, it's going to be mainly my 5 & 4 year olds so the older target age might be beneficial

@YourNameGoesHere that's an excellent point about losing figures/cards. I didn't realise the cards were stored in the app so could be recovered. My kids will definitely lose the figures, they're a nightmare with stuff like that

OP posts:
HAF1119 · 20/11/2023 18:52

We have the Yoto, my son is 4.5 and we have had it since he was 3. He definately uses it, but his preference is the Tonie box if he visits friends. It always was to be honest but they play with the characters and when I speak to the 2 mums I've known with Tonie boxes they both said a few have gone missing and never been found, they end up having a bit of drama trying to convince them to leave it at home (you know when they just have a toy they want to carry about), and I just couldn't be bothered with all that!

The Yoto has fairly boring 'cards' you put in, but once in it has a pixilated display which would show what is being played (E.g peppa pig for the peppa card) which I think the children do like. We have some of the music cards which he puts on with friends round and they find it easy to switch between songs, and you can have the cards all on your phone on the app - you can select to play them via your phone, or through the player

DragonFly98 · 20/11/2023 18:55

Neither a kids echo dot ( or even the regular one) is cheaper and far more versatile. Really good deals on Black Friday.

NameChange30 · 20/11/2023 19:05

Yoto, most definitely. We have both (Toniebox was a gift) and infinitely prefer the Yoto. DC2 was always more interested in DC1's Yoto than the Toniebox, so she got her own Yoto for her second birthday.

I completely disagree that they look cheap but we have adventure jackets anyway (to protect them from the inevitable bumps and make them easier to carry around) and I think they look nice in the adventure jackets.

OP, if you decide to go for a Yoto, I have a referral code you can use for 10% off, or there will be deals on Black Friday. I think they only announce them on Black Friday itself rather than other retailers doing deals earlier.

3WildOnes · 20/11/2023 20:18

DragonFly98 · 20/11/2023 18:55

Neither a kids echo dot ( or even the regular one) is cheaper and far more versatile. Really good deals on Black Friday.

I agree. My three year old has no trouble asking Alexa to play things. My older two use theirs all of the time too.

NameChange30 · 23/11/2023 17:12

@namefornow88
Yoto now has 20% off the players for Black Friday.

sushiburger · 23/11/2023 17:15

Yoto

ArtichokeAardvark · 23/11/2023 17:19

Yoto, definitely. Much more range, and the cards are cheaper than the tonie figures. You can also play the yoto cards through the yoto via an app on your phone so it doesn't matter if you lose one, it's still saved in the yoto cloud!

Original poster
namefornow88 · 24/11/2023 07:50

@NameChange30 thank you! Will order today

OP posts:
Junibug · 24/11/2023 12:26

Yoto definitely - also have the use of it as a nightlight and a gro clock