Disclaimer: This is my honest Yoto v Tonies review: I was sent this Yoto Player free of charge, but words and pictures are mine. The tonies Toniebox which I have compared it to was also gifted for a previous review. This post contains affiliate links, see more information here. Post first written in September 2020 and updated May 2024. GET 5% OFF A YOTO PLAYER OR YOTO MINI USING THE CODE AFF-WHINGE5 HERE.
Recently there has been an explosion of intuitive, screen-free audio players for children on the market. We have reviewed several of these; the tonies Toniebox, the Jooki and the Timio. The latest is the Yoto Player.
Similar to the tonies Toniebox, the Yoto Player is a box-shaped speaker system which plays audio content from pre-loaded cards. So what did we think, and which one would we recommend in the battle of tonies v Yoto?! Read on!
You can find a review of the Yoto Mini HERE and the newer third generation Yoto Player here. To skip the tonies comparison and head straight to the Yoto player classic review, click here.
Yoto v Tonies: How does the Yoto Player compare to the tonies Toniebox?
You can read a thorough review of the Yoto and its functions below (click here!), but first thing’s first – which is better? The Yoto v tonies Toniebox? And which one should you buy for your kids?
We rated the tonies Toniebox highly, and have recommended it as a great gift for toddlers and young kids. But how does the new Yoto Player compare to the tonies, and which one would be a better purchase? Which should you get your kids, the Yoto player v tonies Toniebox?
This a question that has been asked in my parenting group, so I thought I’d answer it here as well as I can!
Firstly, they come in similar price brackets. The Toniebox starter set costs £69.95 for the box and one Creative Tonie, with most tonies costing around £15. The Yoto Player, which comes with an overwriteable welcome card, has an RRP of £79.99. The story cards for the Yoto Player cost around £10.
The Yoto Player has a good range of story cards available, and more are released on a regular basis. This includes stories for older children (my daughter is now ten and there are plenty of stories she enjoys listening to!), including classics such as Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton. The kids have also particularly liked ‘The Week Junior Podcast’ – a topical podcast. You can listen for free online but the Yoto Card, available for a few pounds gives easy access to the weekly podcast.
Although the cards might not be as cute and collectible as the tonies characters, they are around half the price per story as well as being much easier to store.
Both ‘boxes’ are easy to use and intuitive for smaller kids. The toniebox is softer, so good for toddlers. It also looks nice and comes in a range of colours to suit any child’s bedroom.
However the Yoto Player does everything that the toniebox does, and more.
It can also be used a nightlight, as a clock with day and night mode (which is exceptionally handy as the next stage after a gro clock) an alarm clock for school mornings, and as a bluetooth speaker connected to a phone or tablet to stream music. The free content (yoto music, Jake’s daily podcast and other podcasts) are great features which my kids have really enjoyed and used for four years!
The longevity puts the Yoto Player above the toniebox for all but very young children in my personal opinion. We have been using the Yoto player for four years, meanwhile the tonies have been passed on.
The software is constantly being updated and improved meaning it has just got better over time, for free – as I’ve said, we’ve now had ours for four years.
I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them, and have done to my own family and friends. My partner’s children each have them, as done my nephew.
First impressions of the Yoto Player
The Yoto Player box is fairly compact, made from hard plastic with a rubber bottom and a simple pixel display on the front. It can be positioned in a number of ways – on the base, tilted or down on its front as above.
It comes with a magnetic charger which connects to the charging port easily with a pleasing snap. NB The third generation players which are now on sale also have USB-C charging, which is very handy.
The Yoto Player can be used whilst charging and once fully charged the battery will last approximately eight hours.
The Yoto Player is easy to set up; switch it on, pop in the credit-card sized ‘welcome card’ and listen to the instructions which will lead you through the different features (in a pleasingly British accent – I’m not a huge fan of toys which come with American voices so I liked this!). There’s an app which gives you step by step instructions for pairing it to your home wifi and we managed this first time.
Features of the Yoto Player
The Yoto Player has cards which come pre-loaded with stories, music and sounds. To listen, pop the card in the slot at the top. As long as the Yoto Player is connected to the internet, it will download the content and play it automatically. It does not need to be connected to the internet to play once content has been downloaded and has space for up to 140 hours of audio – there is a headphone jack so it can be used on the go.
It can also be paired with bluetooth headphones via the app, which is constantly being updated to bring new features.
Simply remove the card to pause play. Even a very young child will be able to do this on their own giving them a sense of being in charge, which they’ll love.
Cards can be purchased via the website and cost between a few pounds and £10 per story, which is roughly similar or even cheaper than an Audible download (for instance The Witches is currently available from Yoto Play for £8.99, it is currently priced at £15.75 on Audible).
You can buy blank cards to load with your own content; these cost £8.99 for five cards and can be bought from the Yoto Card shop.
The Yoto Player is extremely easy for children to use as there are just three buttons; an on/off button on the side, and two on the top which you use to adjust the volume and move between chapters. You can also do it from the app on your phone, which make choosing content and setting sleep timers a doddle.
The Yoto Player can be used a nightlight by placing it on its ‘face. You can alter the colour of the nightlight in the Yoto App.
When switched on, it will show the time and daytime (sun and cloud) or nighttime (moon). It will switch off if not plugged in depending on the settings but if attached to the charger it will display this indefinitely. You can set the unit’s bedtime and wake up time and it will change the display accordingly, so it can be used as a more grown up version of the toddler favourite Gro Clock!
The Yoto App
Like the Jooki, the Yoto Player can be used as a bluetooth speaker to play music from a streaming service such as Spotify or Deezer via your mobile device or tablet.
You access the Bluetooth speaker by changing the settings in the Yoto Player app to allow bluetooth pairing and following the instructions (press left hand button in for three seconds to pair).
You can also use the app change the volume and display settings, visit the card store, read news and troubleshoot. Your library is stored in your app so that if you happen to snap a card (I would imagine this is very hard as they’re similar to credit cards, but you know kids…) or more likely, lose it down the side of the bed, you can play it directly from the app.
The Yoto App is improving all the time with new content being added to it. In the four years that we’ve had the Yoto players I have been constantly impressed with how much additional content and functions have been added. You don’t actually need to purchase your own Yoto Player to use the app – so if you want to try it out, you can! Check out the Yoto App on their website here.
Radio and daily podcast
One of my favourite features, unique to the Yoto Player, is the additional free content. The daily podcast and Yoto Radio can be accessed by one or two presses of the right hand button when the card slot is empty. (You can change how this is access via the app).
Press once for the daily podcast. It’s is only a few minutes long but it’s a nice touch and the kids enjoy listening to the riddles and child-friendly content which changes every day.
Press the button twice for Yoto Radio, their in-house music station playing all sorts of music from the 70s and 80s right up to date. You can be sure that it is all fun, safe, advert-free curated content. I’ve been listening to it myself actually, writing this and singing along to everything from Huey Lewis and the News and Smash Mouth to Lewis Capaldi.
Is the Yoto Club any good?
The Yoto Club has changed!
As of October 2022, the Yoto Club is now easier to use and you get more cards to pick from every month.
Each month on your billing date, Yoto will add two Club Credits to your account. Each Club Credit equals one Yoto Card, and instead of choosing from 10 pre-selected Yoto Cards, you’ll take your pick from a much wider Yoto Club collection within the Card Store. There are already over 100 titles to pick from!
You can choose your Yoto Club Cards whenever you want them, and keep the Club Credits for up to 12 months.
As well as this, you will get 10% off all cards and free shipping on everything, all the time.
It still costs £9.99 a month and with most cards costing around that much, it’s a much cheaper way to build you Yoto Card collection. See the website here for more details of how to join.
If you want to buy the Yoto Player, you can do so via their online shop here. GET 5% OFF A YOTO PLAYER OR YOTO MINI USING THE CODE AFF-WHINGE5 HERE.
The units are also available to buy on Amazon.
You can find out more on the Yoto website, and follow for updates on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.
See my list of best kids’ audio players for 2023 here!
Thanks for the review – really interesting and especially the comparison to Tonie box, as they are so similar. I think my kids would love either for Christmas 🙂
The comparison was specifically requested so I thought it might be helpful! I do love out toniebox, and I think it’s great for young kids and toddlers – but the Yoto Player is brilliant for my slightly older kids and they’ve had so much use out of it already!
Would this be ideal for a 5 year old? I am trying to avoid buying her a new tablet (as it is on it’s last legs) as we have had to massively restrict her screen time since lockdown. And tbh she uses story apps the most when on it but i would rather read tonher or let her listen to audible.
Hi – yes, my kids are 5 and almost 7, and they have it in their shared room and put it on every night for stories. I am happy to recommend it to anyone to be honest, it really is fantastic and means I don’t have to leave the tablet in the room playing audible.
Fantastic, thanks for the quick reply…..off to the website i go 😊
Haha no problem, I hope she loves it! We are so impressed with it
Hi! Very useful review, thank you!
I understand you maybe would recommend the Toniebox for a smaller toddler (my daughter is turning 2 in 1 month time and I am looking for ideas for her birthday but also Christmas…!)..?
x
They’re both great, and we get a lot of use out of both but for younger children I do think the Tonies has the edge unless you’re looking for it to last many years as it will probably be outgrown around 5.
My daughter is newly 3 and I’m torn! You say the Yoto is good for older children, do you think it’s still a good choice for younger?
The benefit of the Tonies is that it is soft so can be snuggled up to in bed safely, however if it is to sit on a shelf out of the way I would probably go with the Yoto for longevity.
Thanks for your review. I went for a Yoto.
Does the 5% discount work for anyone?
It should be, but I’ve checked and it doesn’t appear to be at the moment. I will follow this up!
Hi,
Are the stories available in various languages?
I’m afraid I don’t know, you would have to refer to their website.
Hello, can I ask..what benefit does this have over, say an Alexa or smart home device that can read books to you? I really want to get one for my kids but apart from the cards, I can’t see the unique-ness for the amount of money.
Well I guess primarily you have complete control over what they listen to. I don’t know whether you connect an Alexa with an audible subscription or how you get the books but this is so easy for them to use with the credit card sized story cards. It also has functions like night light and clock which an Alexa doesn’t have, and a free daily podcast and radio station. Also, no voice commands so any kid can use it 🙂
Thank you so much for a wonderful review. I have a 4 year old that loves books and technology. I also have a 7 year old that really struggles with reading but loves stories. I think this would be perfect
I’m glad you found it useful Rachel. I am a huge fan of these and have recommended them to a lot of my friends; my daughter uses it every day still
Really great, informative review which has made me really want to get the yoto for my 4 & 5 year olds – thank you!
Honestly it’s brilliant. We’ve been using it every day, and we’ve now joined the Yoto Club and my daughter has had more stories for her birthday. Of the things we’ve reviewed this year it is definitely the one I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to anyone! I hope they love it.
Hi, trying to order a Yoto player after reading your review and can’t seem to get the 5% discount. Is there something I need to do? Thanks
It seems this isn’t currently working, so I’ve removed it and will look into it. Sorry!
Great write up, love our new Yoto.
Welcome to the Yoto family have fun! x
Thanks for this review.
I have a 2.5 year old and a 5 year old which would you say would be best for now and in future toniebox or Yoto?
Thanks
I would probably say if they’re sharing then go with a Yoto. The five year old will probably outgrow the tonies soon x
Thank you for this review!! I have a 6 year old and I think we will go with the Yoto instead as it has more variety and the cards are cheaper than the cute characters.
Thanks for the great review. We bought a Yoto player for our daughter and she loves it!
Thank you for the review, I’m an American grandmother to a almost two year old in UK. I think this will be wonderful for me to read stories into and then mail the card and book to them. I’m ordering it now and am so excited. Thanks!
Can you connect headphones to the Yoto? If so, what type of jack is it?
Thank you for the comparison, really helpful. Can you buy yoto cards in different languages? We ended up going for the toniebox as we’re a bilingual household and the English and German tonie characters both work with the box.
I’m afraid I don’t know – I haven’t seen any though.
What about sound quality and battery life? I’ve heard that being the biggest complaint that it’s not as good as advertised on Yoto website. Did you have any issues? It’s the only thing holding me back for now. Thanks!
No problems here at all – we still use it every day and think it is every bit as good as it is advertised.
I am now persuaded to buy a Yoto for my soon to be 5 grandaughter but was wondering what would be the best card package to attach to to as a gift from her great grandad? Thanks in advance.
Obviously it depends on the kind of stories they enjoy but the Roald Dahl ones are favourites here!
We are leaning towards the yoto for our soon to be 2 year old who will be sharing it with their soon to be 5 year old sibling, thank you so much for the review!
Do you know what the durability of the yoto is? Just from small falls basically. We currently use my Bluetooth speaker connected to my phone and use Spotify for music; I often hear it drop from time to time, luckily my speaker is pretty robust and I am hoping the yoto is too 🧐
Also @jennifer the American Grandma thank you so much for the idea to record stories read aloud by yourself, our grandparents all live far away and I think this could be a fantastic idea!
I can’t vouch for durability as we haven’t dropped it yet, it’s designed for children so I would be disappointed if it broke from being manhandled or dropped from child-height!
What accent does the Tonibox have? Is it American or British? Thank you!
Mara
Stories are all available separately so you’d have to look at the individual tonies 🙂
Looking to replace my turning 3year old slumber elephant that projects stars and plays a lullaby. She tends to put it in bed with her so after reading your review it sounds like the tonies box may be better as softer but just wondered if the figures stay on whilst in bed?! Also I read that the yoto had a built in grow clock feature and night light do you know If the tonies box does too?
They are magnetic, but won’t stay on if it is knocked on to its side etc. There is no LED screen or lights on the toniebox.
Hi!
Thanks for a good review. I’m interested in the features that comes with the blank cards, did you get a chance to try making your own cards?
I’m asking since I’d like to use it for something like Norwegian fairytales and kids songs or something like that.
I think my two-year old would love to have this available and master it herself, but I’m not sure how far one can take the creativity using the blank cards?
Thanks a lot!
Yngve
You can add any sound file as far as I’m aware – so downloaded audio files, or your own
We’ve had the YOTO player since Christmas, and it’s great! Our three kids love it. You can control it all from the app too, so you can still listen to the cards even if they get lost. And the night time radio function is a real winner in our house – it plays really relaxing music and helps them get to sleep. I honestly couldn’t recommend it highly enough.
3rd Yoto broken in 4 months. We bought this for Christmas from my son. First one didn’t work out of the box and we were sent a replacement. 2nd one worked just long enough for him to love it (about a month) and then stopped charging. We were sent a replacement which lasted about 2 months. Then all the cards stopped playing correctly. Skipping from chapter to chapter. I’ve just got in touch with Yoto requesting a full refund for the player and the cards as I’m sick of this now. Toddlers are hard enough to put to bed without having this stress.
That is a shame – ours has been in daily use now since the post was written before Christmas, and we have had no problems at all. It sounds like you have been very unlucky! Do you mind me asking how old your son is? The only reason I would recommend a Tonies over a Yoto is for children too young to understand how to treat technology as the Tonies is padded, and the Yoto isn’t going to stand up to the same treatment.
NB I don’t work for Yoto, nor do I have an ongoing relationship with them, however I do genuinely love the product and we are happy paid up members of the Yoto club so it makes me sad when people are disappointed!
Our two oldest (7 and 6) absolutely love their Yotos! Favourites are Story Shed and Yoto Daily (they’ve already had shout outs on both – thanks Jake!).
You can customise the devices via the app for daytime and nighttime e.g. limit max volume, brightness, set a switch off time, colours etc. You can also reconfigure the buttons. We’ve set the second press of the right hand button as Yoto Radio during the day and Yoto Sleep Radio at night.
Sounds like the poster above has had some bad luck, but ours have been solid from the start (used indoors / outdoors / by the paddling pool, dropped a bit – not in the pool thankfully!!).
If, like us, you occasionally lose the cards, you can Bluetooth the audio instead. Hold down the left button to start pairing mode.
Hoping that the kids will migrate to some of the audio books at some point as they’ve barely used the other cards yet 😅
Hope this helps someone sitting on the fence.
We currently have a Yoto for our 3.5 year old & 2 year old. But then I found the Tonies and thought “oh no! They would love the characters!” Thinking of switching devices. Thoughts?! Am I crazy? 😂
You would likely get a few years out of it, then want to switch back to the Yoto based on my experience. Up to you 😉
Hi!
I have almost 6 year old twins, a 4 year old and a 1.5 year old. Is it necessary that each child has their own or can one unit be enjoyed by multiple children? They share a bedroom (2 sets of bunks) and I thought it might be nice to listen to before bed but wondering if it’s more of a personal listening device that would be better suited if it were right next to them.
Mine share!
Hi, I have a 2 and half year old that loves music. Would you recommend the Tonies or the Yoto? Not sure what one to get it’s going to mainly for music but hoping to get her to listen to stories eventually. I’m in Australia
I would go with the YOTO as you have the option to listen to the radio music or use it as a bluetooth speaker for spotify etc. If you want to listen to music on the Tonies you would have to download MP3 versions of the music then put it onto a creative Tonie.