When it comes to kids’ audio players, the Yoto Player and the Toniebox are two popular options. As a mom of young kids and a homeschooling parent, we’ve had the chance to try both. While both are designed to give children screen-free entertainment, I’ve found that the Yoto Player suits our family’s needs much better. Here’s my honest Yoto Player vs Toniebox comparison, highlighting the pros and cons of each.
What Are the Yoto Player and the Toniebox?
Yoto Player: The Yoto Player is a screen-free audio player that works with cards. Each card represents a story, music, or learning track, and it’s as simple as inserting the card into the player to start listening. There’s also a Yoto Mini for portable use, and both players use the same cards. Yoto also has an app which you can pair with your players, that gives you remote control of each device. You also have access to the audio of all of your cards on your phone through the app!
Toniebox: The Toniebox is a soft, cube-shaped audio player that uses figurines called “Tonies” instead of cards. Kids place the figurine on top of the Toniebox to start playing its corresponding audio content.
Why We Switched to the Yoto Player
Here’s why the Yoto Player has become the winner in our household:
- Compact and Portable Cards: Yoto cards are small, easy to store, and portable. Unlike the larger Tonie figurines, which can be bulky and hard to manage on the go, the Yoto cards fit neatly into a card carrying case!
- No Temptation to Play with Cards: My kids used to treat the Tonie figurines like toys, which often led to misplacing them. With the Yoto cards, this isn’t an issue—they’re functional, not playthings.
- Remote Control of Each Player: If your children need help switching cards or adjusting the volume, you can switch it up using your phone to control their device! It is a lazy parenting win lol.
- Ease of Customization: The “Create Your Own” cards for Yoto are a homeschooling game-changer! I use them to load memorization songs from our curriculum, and our meditations and affirmations!
- Yoto Mini for Portability: The Yoto Mini is a lifesaver for car rides or trips. Since it uses the same cards as the standard Yoto Player, we don’t need a separate collection for our portable device. You could also just play the yoto audio on your phone through the app.
- Homeschooling Use: For us, the Yoto Player is more than an entertainment device—it’s a learning tool. We’ve used it for memorization songs, audiobook listening during quiet time, and even for some fun language lessons.
- Grown Up Use: My husband and I surprisingly LOVE the yoto. We actually intend to get a full-sized one for our bedroom for our sleep meditations and morning affirmations. We are going to buy the Make Your Own cards and record our favorite audios on it. There is SO much room on each card!
Toniebox: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Durable and Kid-Friendly: The Toniebox is soft, squishy, and practically indestructible, which is great for toddlers.
- Kids get SO excited about it: Getting a toy is always fun!
- Interactive Design: Kids love the fun, collectible figurines, which double as characters from their favorite stories.
- Simple Operation: Younger children can easily place the figurine on top and enjoy the content without adult assistance.
- Functional and Fun App: I LOVE the Yoto App. You can control the audio volume and content of your children’s yoto without having to get up from your seat. You also have access to the audio of all of your cards on your phone at all times. AND You can easily use your phone to record any audio onto the Make Your Own Cards.
- Make Your Own: We use the Make Your Owns SO MUCH! We have like 15 of them! I have also recorded morning specific music/affirmations, night specific music/affirmations, and homeschooling memorization. You can download free Yoto audio from their app onto these cards, too!
Cons
- Bulky Figurines: While adorable, Tonie figurines take up a lot of storage space. They’re also not ideal for travel. If you plan on traveling with it, you MUST get their specific carrier otherwise it is a nightmare.
- High Cost: Tonies can get expensive, especially if you want to expand your library. Each one is close to $20!
- Easily Lost: In our experience, the figurines are tempting for kids to play with, leading to misplaced or damaged Tonies. If you lose the Tonie, it is GONE. No mobile backup of the audio or anything.
- Bulky Charger: I don’t know why the charger takes up so much space. It really isn’t a big deal, but it was not a fan fave.
Yoto Player: Pros and Cons
Pros
- Compact Cards: Easy to store, travel-friendly, and less likely to get lost.
- Customizable Content: The “Create Your Own” cards open up endless possibilities for personalizing the experience.
- Two Player Sizes: The Yoto Mini is perfect for on-the-go use and works seamlessly with the regular Yoto Player cards.
- Homeschool-Friendly: Perfect for playing educational content, audiobooks, and even calming music during breaks.
- Built-In Features: The Yoto Player includes a nightlight, clock, and sleep timer, making it multifunctional.
- Amazing App: I cannot rave about the app enough. All of your cards are on the app, and if you lose a card, you can still play it onto the Yoto remotely. You can also change the volume and audio selection on each device remotely. You can also use it to record audio for your Create Your Own Cards! I. love. it.
Cons
- Less Durable for Younger Kids: The Yoto Player isn’t as soft or indestructible as the Toniebox, so supervision is a good idea for very young children.
- Slight Learning Curve: Setting up the player and syncing cards takes a little time, but it’s worth the effort.
Interested In Buying A Yoto Player or Toniebox?
Interested in purchasing a Toniebox or Yoto Player? I’ve provided links below! I have recently qualified to be an Amazon Associate, and I may receive a small compensation for qualifying purchases through my links. I would help me a lot, at no extra cost to you!
Yoto Player
Full Disclosure: I buy ALL of my Yoto stuff directly from the website. They have reward programs, and a membership program which gives you a free card each month and access to a free library of audio content! However, shipping takes longer. So if you want it NOW (lol), Amazon may be the way to go.
- Yoto Player and Adventure Jacket
- Yoto Mini and Headphones (I used to think the headphones were extra, but they ended up saving my sanity during car rides)
- Yoto Card Case (holds 64 cards and is a lifesaver)
- Llama Lamma Card Collection
- Preschool Cards Collection
- Make Your Own Cards (couldn’t find them on Amazon, so linking to yoto website)
Toniebox
Final Thoughts: Which Is Right for You?
In this Yoto Player vs Toniebox comparison, both devices have their strengths. The Toniebox is great for toddlers who want something simple, durable, and fun to handle. However, for older kids, homeschool families, or anyone looking for portability and customization, the Yoto Player is a clear winner.
For our family, the Yoto Player has become an everyday essential. From homeschooling songs to bedtime stories, it fits seamlessly into our lifestyle. And the portability of the Yoto Mini ensures we can take this screen-free entertainment wherever we go.
If you’re debating between the two, think about your family’s needs: Do you prioritize compact storage, educational use, and portability? Or do you need a super-durable device for little ones to explore independently? Either way, both are excellent options for introducing screen-free fun into your home.
What about you? Have you tried either of these players? I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Leave a Reply