Toniebox or Yoto Player or neither?

[orchidsunrise]

I'm looking at buying something that can play audiobooks for my kids (5&3). I've seen the Toniebox and the Yoto Player and can't really distinguish between them online.

I like the fact that the Yoto now has a travel size option which would be good... but then part of me wonders if both of them are kind of pointless/expensive and the kids could just listen to audible or something on their iPads.

Any experiences and opinions welcome!

So, I bought a toniebox for home as that’s what their cousins had and they had at grandmas. It’s nice, very easy to use, but each story is £15. So, it quickly adds up.

I’ve just bought a Yoto player for my cousin’s two girls, and I’ve got one for home too. It’s the same sort of size, it doesn’t look quite as attractive “off”, but it’s got a lot more features when it’s on. They love having Yoto radio on, and the daily podcast.

With Yoto, if you’ve got a family account, but don’t have the physical card with you, you can “cast” to the player, which is a nice feature. Yoto also had a clock that does night time and wake up (like a gro clock) and a nightlight.

They use both a bit during the day, but they’re great in the evening/bedtime as it’s screen free time (their tablets are auto-off at 1900).

I’d personally say the yoto just edges it, with the display, cheaper stories and nightlight, but it’s a close call! I’ll be keeping the toniebox as the youngest (4) really likes it, but going forwards, yoto has a much bigger age range of cards and stories.

Yoto has much more longevity than the Toniebox. Toniebox is good for younger kids

The Yoto player seems to have more longevity, more diverse content, cheaper ongoing costs with cards rather than the figurines, more space for content on create your own cards, and more features (such as nightlight, radio, podcast).

The Toniebox is softer and more tactile, cheaper for the box, and very small children might find the figurines more appealing and easier to use.

Yoto.

Ok thanks! Quite unanimous! And you think Yoto is better than just trying to use audible etc? Do the cards get expensive?

I was the same as you in dithering between the two. Ultimately we went for a Yoto because it has more features such as the grow clock and the night light.

The cards are cheaper generally speaking and you can make your own (I know you can with Tonies too but I mean in the sense of keeping costs down it's helpful). Cards are also easier to transport and store (we use a credit card case).

I think you can also link Audible content to a MYO Yoto card (I've never done it because I don't have audible but I think I've seen it mentioned)

We have a yoto too and love it. In terms of keeping the cost down, I buy the make your own cards (they work out at about £2 each) and have previously borrowed audiobooks from the library and put those on the cards.

The Yoto won for us because of its longevity and the range of audiobooks. I think the toniebox characters won't appeal to an older child.

I love that family we don't see often can record cards for DS to listen to, helping develop his second language too.

I've got a referral link with 10% off if you're ordering a Yoto player

Yoto player

My 4 year old loves his Tonies box and the little figures are nice presents when family wants suggestions for bday/Easter/Christmas presents. They hold their value well. The figures sell for £10 secondhand.

Another vote for the Yoto. Since you can keep buying age appropriate books (or load them in to make your own cards) I think the Yoto has a lot of longevity.

Happy to share my referral discount of 10% off your first purchase of £59.99 or more if you decide to get one 😊

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