Toniebox Audio Player

Overall Score: 8.2/10

The Toniebox takes the physical media concept and makes it irresistibly tactile for young children. Instead of cards, you place figurines on a soft, padded cube. Kids instantly understand the interaction: put Elsa on the box, hear Frozen stories.

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2-5), the Toniebox is more intuitive than Yoto. The figurines are more engaging than cards, and the controls (squeeze ears for volume, tilt to skip) are genius for small hands.

The Verdict: The Toniebox is the best audio player for toddlers and young preschoolers. Yoto becomes better value as kids age up due to Make Your Own cards and larger library.

• Soft, padded exterior survives drops and throwing
• No small parts or choking hazards
• Tonies are solid, durable figures
• Screen-free audio-only content

• Squeeze left ear: volume down
• Squeeze right ear: volume up
• Tilt forward: skip track
• Tilt backward: previous track
• Remove Tonie: pause

Even 2-year-olds master this in minutes.

Tonies offers 400+ figures including:

• Disney characters (Frozen, Moana, Lion King)
• Classic characters (Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol)
• Educational content (National Geographic)
• Music collections

Blank figures ($12-15) let you record up to 90 minutes of custom content via the app.

Initial Cost:

• Toniebox: $100
• Starter Tonie (usually included): $0

Ongoing Cost:

• Tonies: $15-18 each
• Creative Tonies: $12-15 each

At $15-18 per figure vs $7-12 per Yoto card, the Toniebox library costs add up faster. There is no equivalent to Yoto subscription or library lending programs.

1. Families with toddlers (ages 2-4)
2. Kids who love character figurines
3. Parents wanting screen-free entertainment for young children
4. Families who value tactile, intuitive design

1. Budget-conscious families (expensive per-figure cost)
2. Kids over 6 (may prefer Yoto flexibility)
3. Families who want extensive custom content options

• Tonies Toniebox Specifications. Tonies.com. 2025.
• Wirecutter Audio Players for Kids. 2025.

Overall Score: 8.2/10

The Toniebox takes the physical media concept and makes it irresistibly tactile for young children. Instead of cards, you place figurines on a soft, padded cube. Kids instantly understand the interaction: put Elsa on the box, hear Frozen stories.

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2-5), the Toniebox is more intuitive than Yoto. The figurines are more engaging than cards, and the controls (squeeze ears for volume, tilt to skip) are genius for small hands.

The Verdict: The Toniebox is the best audio player for toddlers and young preschoolers. Yoto becomes better value as kids age up due to Make Your Own cards and larger library.

• Soft, padded exterior survives drops and throwing
• No small parts or choking hazards
• Tonies are solid, durable figures
• Screen-free audio-only content

• Squeeze left ear: volume down
• Squeeze right ear: volume up
• Tilt forward: skip track
• Tilt backward: previous track
• Remove Tonie: pause

Even 2-year-olds master this in minutes.

Tonies offers 400+ figures including:

• Disney characters (Frozen, Moana, Lion King)
• Classic characters (Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol)
• Educational content (National Geographic)
• Music collections

Blank figures ($12-15) let you record up to 90 minutes of custom content via the app.

Initial Cost:

• Toniebox: $100
• Starter Tonie (usually included): $0

Ongoing Cost:

• Tonies: $15-18 each
• Creative Tonies: $12-15 each

At $15-18 per figure vs $7-12 per Yoto card, the Toniebox library costs add up faster. There is no equivalent to Yoto subscription or library lending programs.

1. Families with toddlers (ages 2-4)
2. Kids who love character figurines
3. Parents wanting screen-free entertainment for young children
4. Families who value tactile, intuitive design

1. Budget-conscious families (expensive per-figure cost)
2. Kids over 6 (may prefer Yoto flexibility)
3. Families who want extensive custom content options

• Tonies Toniebox Specifications. Tonies.com. 2025.
• Wirecutter Audio Players for Kids. 2025.