There are two top audio boxes geared toward providing screen free entertainment for kids. But which one is right for you and your family? Let’s take a look at each and compare them apples to apples in this Toniebox Vs. Yoto showdown.
Keep in mind that I may receive commissions when you click links and make purchases. However, this does not impact any reviews, recommendations, or comparisons. This helps me to be able to keep this website growing in order to help you make the best choice for your children.
What is an Audio Box?
In case you are unfamiliar with audio boxes, lets start with a definition.
An audio box is an electronic device that only provides sound. In this case, children’s stories, songs, and in the Yoto’s case – soothing sounds. The idea is to keep children away from screens and allow their imagination to do the work while listening to stories and more.
Who are Toniebox and Yoto?
Toniebox was founded by Patric Faßbender and Marcus Stahl, a couple of parents who wanted to build on the entertainment and imagination of kids – without the screens. While the company started in Germany, it is now known and available in the US and UK markets.
Similarly, Yoto also got its start in Europe. Ben Drury, Filip Denker, and Tom Ballhatchet worked to develop a way to maintain connection to the modern world of technology, but without the screens and with child independence. Yoto continues to grow and use feedback from customers to make changes on future products.
Now to delve into the meat and potatoes.
At a Glance
|
|
|
|
$99.99
|
$99.99
|
$69.99
|
|
Description:
|
Description:
|
Description:
|
- Up to 7 hours of battery life
- 8GB of storage
- 4.7×4.7×4.7in
- Headphone jack
- Parental App: Volume controls and access rights
- Wifi Required: For setup only
- Additional Features: Bedtime story mode automatically shuts off after one bedtime story
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- 16GB of storage
- 4.3×4.3×4.1in
- Headphone jack
- Parental App: Plays all loaded cards; Access to kid podcasts; Record creative cards; Sleep sounds/nightlight controls
- Wifi Required: Only for setup, Yoto Radio/Podcasts, & Yoto Clock
- Additional Features: Pixel light display; Sleep sound, white noise, etc.; OK to Wake light; Nightlight; Bluetooth speaker capability
- Up to 20 hours of battery life
- 16GB of storage
- 2.8×2.8×1.6in
- Headphone jack
- Parental App: Plays all loaded cards; Access to kid podcasts; Record creative cards; Sleep sounds/nightlight controls
- Wifi Required: Only for setup, Yoto Radio/Podcasts, & Yoto Clock
- Additional Features: Pixel light display; Sleep sound, white noise, etc.; Bluetooth speaker capability
Specs
In the newest version of the Yoto, it seems to have the Toniebox beat.
With 16GB of storage in either the full size or mini, there is double the storage capacity in a Yoto than a Toniebox. While both claim to have the technology that will auto-delete old content to make room, a Yoto will be able to store a lot more content before having to remove anything.
Battery life is another area Yoto succeeds. Toniebox claims to be able to run for up to 7 hours, but Yoto boasts 10 hours for their full size and a whopping 20 for their mini. It is expected to have a larger battery capacity for the ability to run the added features in the Yoto. However, the amount you do will definitely have an impact on actual run time.
The size of the Toniebox and Yoto are very close – both around 4.5 inch cubes. Yoto Mini is half the size and more like a tape measure. Any of the audio boxes would be easy to take on the go, especially with the many cases and jackets available.
Parental App
In order for either device to work properly, their respective app will need to be downloaded to a device. Both apps allow for set up of the device and any new stories purchased.
Mytonies for the Toniebox allows users to scroll through their Tonie collection, record to the Creative-Tonies, add new Tonies, and change settings. Their app leaves a lot to be desired, though. Users only rate it a 2.7.
Yoto: Music, Stories, Learning provides access to all downloaded audio content plus podcasts, radio, activities, and more. The app is also needed for set up and to load Creator Cards. Parents can control volume, tracks, and multiple Yoto units. Users rate this app 4.2. It is noteworthy that the Yoto team directly addresses feedback and takes it into consideration to always improve their company.
How do they compare?
The Toniebox and Yoto are definitely comparable when it comes to start up price. Yoto also offers a smaller unit with a couple less features for about $30 less.
All of them have the ability to use headphones, require wifi for setup, and have a parental app for extra control. Both also use a charging base, but the Yoto mini charges via USB.
Controls are very basic, allowing for young children to be able to operate it independently.
This is about where the similarities end.
What makes them different?
While the Toniebox has a great feature that automatically shuts off after reading a single bedtime story, the Yoto does a lot more.
The Yoto can become a bedtime staple with its nightlight and sleep sounds feature. In addition, it has a clock thanks to the pixel display and an OK to wake trainer. This helps to let children know when it is too early to get up by showing a red light or a green light when it is okay to get up.
Though not a screen, the pixel display also serves an educational purpose with the First Words cards (Included in the starter pack). As it reads the words, a picture shows on the display. This makes it a great tool for young children who still need pictures while reading.
Both the Yoto and Yoto Mini can become a bluetooth speaker when you want to stream your favorite Pandora channel or iTunes playlist.
Tonies or Cards?
|
|
|
Description:
|
Description:
|
- Price: About $15 per figure
- Attaches magnetically
- Made from plastic
- Content Length: 15-120 min/45min average
- Creator Info: 90min max
- Price: $4.99-12.99 per card
- Attaches by inserting
- Made from credit card type material
- Content Length: 30-300+min /60+min average
- Creator Info: 1 hour per track/100 track per card
Tonie Figures
At around $15 per figure, the cost of adding stories to a Toniebox can add up.
Each figure comes with between 15 and 120 minutes of content. Most average about 45 minutes. They also come with a card with the tracklist. There are lots of Disney and other characters featured, which seems to still sort of promote screens in other avenues.
Figures attach to the top of the unit magnetically, making it easy for kids to use. They seem to be a bit more identifiable for younger children as opposed to searching for a picture on a card.
Tonies are made from plastic and can be difficult to store, especially when you have a number of them. However, they do make a cute display!
Yoto Cards
The price of Yoto Audio Cards vary between $4.99 and $12.99 for a single card, depending on the content. This can be comparable to the cost of a book.
Cards range from songs, to activities, to story collections, to novels. The average length of content was found to be over 60 minutes, but could go over 5 hours on music cards.
The cards are inserted into either sized unit, so it may take a bit of hand/eye coordination for smaller children to get it to work.
Yoto cards are made like credit cards so they aren’t likely to get ruined very easily. This also makes them very easy to store.
Creator Content
Either audio box you choose gives you the choice of purchasing a Creator Tonie/Card. These are blank content holders that allow children or others to add their favorite songs or stories.
Creator Tonies hold 90 minutes of audio, whereas the Creator Cards by Yoto can hold up to 100 60 minute tracks. Both will need the app to be created.
In my opinion, the best use for these creator pieces are to have loved ones record stories to play back for children. This is great for grandparents, long distant relatives, or military deployed parents. Children might even love to record themselves reading their favorite story or singing their favorite song.
Purchasing sets can be a cost effective way of building an audio box library. Both have plenty to offer depending on interests and story levels and allow you to preview the audio before purchasing.
Toniebox and Yoto: Who wins?
This really comes down to personal preference.
However, if you want more for the money, the Yoto has a lot more to offer. Cards that are about the price of a book are easy to store and can be accessed anywhere with the app. Yoto also has a number of choices for children older than 5 with books like Junie B. Jones, The Magic Treehouse, Marvel, Roald Dahl, and more.
Their full size unit provides many bedtime features that allow parents to consolidate devices.
If you just want a no-frills audio box with song and story options for children age 3-7 then a Toniebox may cost a bit more, but will better suit your needs.
1 comment
I got this site from my friend who shared with me regarding this web site and now this time I am visiting this web site and reading very informative articles here.|