yoto vs. toniebox: which player is best for audio stories and music? An honest review
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Are you wondering which audioplayer to purchase for your child but overwhelmed by the choices? We love our audioplayers not only as a screen-free option for entertainment but also as a super helpful bedtime and naptime tool. In our home we have both the Yoto and Toniebox players and love them both for different reasons. In this blog post, we'll compare three fantastic devices that bring the joy of audiobooks to children: the Yoto Player, Yoto Mini, and Tonie Box. So, grab a cozy blanket, curl up, and let's dive into the world of audio storytelling!
Yoto Player
Let's start with the flagship device, the Yoto Player. This enchanting little box is packed with features that will make any child's eyes light up. With its charming design and user-friendly interface, the Yoto Player is a perfect companion for storytime, bedtime- anytime! We’ve had a Yoto since my oldest was about 3, and we have absolutely loved it.
Price: $99.99 for device, cards range from just $1.99 up to $24.99 for multipacks
Pros:
Impeccable sound quality: The Yoto Player delivers crystal-clear audio, ensuring an immersive experience.
Expansive library: Yoto offers a vast collection of carefully curated content, ranging from classic tales to modern adventures. The original stories Yoto offers are awesome, and they have your child’s favorite characters as well, like Pout Pout Fish, Winnie the Pooh, Paw Patrol, Cars, Moana, etc. There are also lots of song-only card options like Kidz Bop, Classical, Lullabies, and World Music. My kids particularly love the Ladybird series of stories all about things like Dinosaurs and the Rainforest.
Child-friendly design: The device is thoughtfully crafted with intuitive physical controls and charming visuals, making it easy for even the tiniest hands to use.
Screen-free engagement: Yoto Player encourages imaginative play and listening skills without the distractions of screens.
Parental control: You can rest assured knowing that Yoto Player allows you to manage content and screen time, ensuring a safe and enriching experience for your child. Download the app to manage time spent on the Yoto, volume, etc.
Ability to load your own content onto blank cards
Languages available include English, Spanish and French
Cards are easy to store. We love our Yoto Case for easy storage and transport!
Cons:
Pricey compared to some other audio book options on the market, but the quality and features make it worth the investment.
Limited compatibility: The Yoto Player uses physical cards to load content, which might be less convenient compared to digital platforms. However, the Yoto is also bluetooth compatible, meaning you can use it to play audio stories from a third party app like Audible as well!
Buttons can be confusing for little ones to use, as they are identical but manage different controls.
Extra Features:
Clock and Alarm: The Yoto Player doubles as a charming clock with customizable alarms, helping children develop a sense of time and routine.
Podcast and Radio options without needing cards
Lost a card? No problem, you can still find it in the app Library and play it to any of your Yoto players or a bluetooth speaker
Headphone jack for quiet time
Story can be controlled through the app if your child is too young to operate the buttons independently
Sleep Features: With the Sleep Trainer feature (admittedly a terrible name) within the app, parents can play white noise or other sleep sounds, utilize timers, set up “night mode” with bedtime routines and gentle audio cues to help their little ones. You can also use this as an alternative to an “OK to Wake” clock, as a nightlight, etc. Lots of options all in one device!
Yoto Mini
Looking for a more compact and travel-friendly option? Enter the Yoto Mini! This adorable little sibling of the Yoto Player packs a punch with its delightful features and pocket-sized charm. We bought one of these for my niece and she loves that she can easily bring it along on her bike or in the car.
Price: $69.99, with cards ranging from $1.99 to $24.99 for multipacks (compatible with Mini or regular Yoto)
Pros:
Portability: The Yoto Mini can easily fit in your child's pocket, making it an excellent companion for road trips, bedtime stories, or outdoor adventures. Use with headphones for a private listening experience.
Affordable option: With a lower price point, the Yoto Mini is a more budget-friendly choice for parents without sacrificing quality or content.
Same great features: Despite its small size, the Yoto Mini boasts the same exceptional sound quality, engaging content, and parental control features as its bigger counterpart.
Cons:
Limited onboard storage: The Yoto Mini can hold fewer cards compared to the Yoto Player, requiring more frequent content swaps.
Smaller controls and display: The size of the device means that the buttons and visuals are more compact, potentially making it slightly less user-friendly for younger children.
Extra Features:
Clip-on Attachment: The Yoto Mini comes with a clip-on attachment that allows children to easily attach it to their clothes, bags, or strollers, ensuring their favorite stories are always within reach.
Story Creator: The Yoto Mini includes a microphone for children to record their own stories or messages, promoting creativity and self-expression.
Personalization: The device allows children to choose their own wallpapers, creating a personalized and captivating user experience.
Lots of cool carry cases are available to bring your Mini on the go, both from the Yoto brand and on Amazon.
Tonie Box
Next up is the Tonie Box, a whimsical audio device that brings characters to life through their enchanting figurines, or "Tonies."
Price: $99.99 for most basic starter set, shown here, which includes Player plus one “Creative” Tonie Character. You also may choose a starter set that includes several “Tonie” characters based on your child’s interests, for example the Disney Princess set, which starts at $154 and includes the Player, one Creative Tonie, and 4 Disney Tonies.
(If buying on the ToniesUS website, use code 20HEYSLEEPYBABY for 20% off your bundle- non affiliate)
Pros:
Magical interaction: The Tonie Box uses adorable figurines, each representing a different story or character, to play audio content. Simply place a Tonie on top of the box to start the story or music. Little ones will love these because they look like toys.
Great durability: The Tonie Box is built to withstand the joyful chaos of playtime, thanks to its sturdy construction and soft padded sides.
Favorite Characters in the Content: Tonie offers an expanding range of captivating stories, and has a range of favorite characters from movies and TV shows. Tonies timing ranges from 15 to 120 minutes depending on the content. Typically, Disney content averages about 30 minutes. Musical content tends to range from 40-50 minutes. Choose from favorites like Frozen, Daniel Tiger, Paw Patrol, Finding Nemo, and the Laurie Berkner Band.
Ability to record your own content on a “Creative Tonie.” Similarly to the Yoto, this feature allows parents and children to share their own stories, songs, or messages, making the experience even more special.
Player comes in lots of fun colors
The Tonie is easy for little hands to use- no fumbling with cards in a slot. The volume and controls are also easy and not as confusing as the Yoto, which has 2 identical buttons and can be confusing.
Cons:
Limited content selection: While Tonie has a growing library, it might not be as extensive as that of Yoto. However, new Tonies and content are regularly released.
Cost: Each Tonie is over $15, with most between $17.99 and $19.99 regardless of length of content
Limited languages: The Tonies are mostly available in English with just a few Spanish options
Options for things like White Noise, Sleep Sounds, Meditations, etc. are all extra Tonies for purchase, whereas lots of those features are built into the Yoto
Characters take up more space than the Yoto Cards and aren’t as easy to store, though there are some fun carry cases available!
Extra Features:
Headphone jack for private listening
Tonie-App: The Tonie-App complements the Tonie Box by providing a platform where parents can upload and manage their personal audio content for Creative-Tonies.
Multi-Room Listening: Tonie Box offers the ability to connect multiple devices within the same Wi-Fi network, allowing synchronized playback in different rooms.
so which one should I pick?
Overall, these are all awesome products and you can’t go wrong. What you choose will probably depend on where you’re going to use it and for what purpose, plus what your little one is into. We’ve had our Yoto for a couple of years now and love it. We just got the Toniebox recently and my kids love that one too! I’d say for longevity, the Yoto is the better investment and has the most content options available. However, it's worth noting that all three devices prioritize child safety and parental control features, allowing parents to manage content, set timers, and regulate volume levels. All three also have great content available and make listening at bedtime or on the go a breeze.
using an audio player for nap or bedtime
One reason I love our audioplayers SO much is because they are so clutch when it comes to navigating nap or bedtime, especially with multiple kids or toddlers going through a tricky phase. Listening to songs or audiobooks is a VERY underrated tool- and these players make it easy and fun.
Here are some tips on how to incorporate these audio players into your child's nap or bedtime routine:
Set the Mood: Create a calm and cozy environment in your child's bedroom. Dim the lights, close the curtains, and make sure the room temperature is comfortable.
Choose Relaxing Content: Select audio content that is soothing and appropriate for winding down. Look for bedtime stories, lullabies, or gentle music that promotes relaxation. Both the Yoto Player and Tonie Box offer a wide range of sleep-focused content.
Time the Playback: Determine the ideal duration for the audio playback. Depending on your child's age and preferences, you can opt for a full story or set a timer for a shorter duration. This helps signal to your child that it's time to unwind and settle down.
Create a Ritual: Incorporate the audio player into your child's bedtime routine as a consistent step. For example, you can have a special "audio time" where you sit together and choose the content for the evening. This ritual helps establish a sense of predictability and comfort.
Adjust Volume and Controls: Set the volume at a comfortable level, ensuring it is not too loud or disruptive. Teach your child how to use the controls if they are old enough, empowering them to play and pause the audio as needed.
Use Sleep-Related Features: Take advantage of any sleep-related features offered by the devices. For instance, the Yoto Player's Sleep Trainer feature can help reinforce bedtime routines and signal when it's time to sleep with colored lights, timers, etc.
Parental Presence: While the audio player can provide comfort and entertainment, it's important to remember that your presence as a parent is still essential. Consider sitting with your child during the stories, engaging in quiet conversation or gentle physical contact to enhance the sense of security and relaxation. Over time, you may utilize the audioplayer to help your child gain more independence around going to sleep. If they have the story or music to focus on, you may be able to leave the room and come check in periodically rather than laying with them for the entire thing.
If you’re looking for more on how to set up a great bedtime routine or need help with your child because the evening is total chaos, check out the Better Bedtimes Guide from HSB. There are lots of other ideas for creating special, connecting bedtime rituals, including ones that utilize the tool of audio. Here’s what’s included:
How attachment in infancy and early childhood relates to bedtime
How to support your child through separation anxiety, fears, etc.
A deeper look at the 4 main reasons bedtime can be so hard for our little ones (and us!)
How to regulate yourself and coregulate with your child
How to handle bedtime with multiple children
How you can use routines, prep, play and connection with your child to set yourselves up for a calm and loving evening.
How to create the perfect evening routine for your family
Practical tools for bedtime battles you can start to implement right away.
Step by Step strategies for teaching your child to independently fall asleep
How to change the way your child goes to sleep (i.e. how to stop rocking or laying with your child)
How to support your child’s big emotions and what to do if there is crying
what to do during common scenarios like your child coming out of their room, taking an hour or more to fall asleep, visitng your bed in the middle of the night,
& SO much more!
Remember, every child is different, so feel free to tailor these ideas to suit your family’s preferences and needs. The goal is to create a peaceful and enjoyable experience that helps your little one drift off into dreamland.
So, whether you're captivated by the delightful Yoto Cards, the portability of the Yoto Mini, or the magical interaction of the Tonie Box, each device brings its own unique features to the world of audio storytelling. In the end, the choice boils down to your child's preferences and your family's needs. Happy listening and may every story take you on an unforgettable adventure!
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