Update: She’s now 9 and listens to her Yoto Mini regularly, especially when she gets gifted a new chapter book. I think any older children would enjoy a Yoto, but especially those who don’t already use screens at home. Inside the box you’ll find the player, one make-your-own card and USB charging cable. Other cards are sold separately. The sound quality is brilliant and the tiny screen shows cute digital illustrations that bring the stories to life. You’ve got to remember that Yoto isn’t going for picture quality. This is a toy that’s meant to reduce screen time, not increase it! Does Yoto Mini need WiFi? In our family, both devices get daily play, and I’m glad I’m not forced to choose! Do I Need Yoto Accessories? Use the sleep training feature by adjusting sleep time and wake time on the original Yoto (not a feature of the Mini)

Alongside the Toniebox and Echo Dot Kids, the Yoto is one of the most popular audio devices on the market right now. To find out whether this cute and eye-catching gadget is worth the hype, we asked our parent-tester, May, and her 4- and 2-year-olds to put the Yoto Mini to the test. Here’s what they thought… Our verdict at a glance The player comes highly recommended by Mumsnetters - often mentioned in discussions about the best toys for two-year-olds and three-year-olds. But with parents’ smartphones able to play audiobooks and kid-friendly music, is it really worth investing in a piece of tech specifically for young children? The Yoto Mini only plays cards and podcasts from the app; it doesn’t have a nightlight or some of the other features on the original Yoto.Looking for a safe, fun and easy-to-use audio player for young children? The Yoto Mini could be just what you need. With its simple design and range of age-appropriate content, the device is designed with little ones in mind.

Full disclosure: we don’t currently own any of these accessories above, and we LOVE our Yoto player and Yoto Mini. We have an older zip-up carrying case for our cards that’s pictured throughout my post about our favorite Yoto cards. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to find it anywhere for you guys. I thought it was a great product.We love Yoto Mini and after 8 months of using one so often we bought another so the kids have one each. Absolutely no regrets. We will have to wait and see but with the range of cards available and the simple aesthetics, I feel there is longevity in this product.” The difference between a Yoto Mini and the slightly more expensive Yoto Player is size - the Yoto Player is simply a larger version with all the same functions. Kids can wear headphones with them, which makes it a great tool for long car rides or flights. At the same time, we use ours for daily use at bedtime and bath time.

The only downside is that only a handful of their cards are part of Yoto Club each month. Many times, I’m really itching for my kids to enjoy a particular card and we have to pay extra for it. Usually, I just make them choose from the selection in the Club. It’s a great way to serve up great entertainment to your kids without putting a screen in front of them. Our kids listen to the Yoto mini in the bathtub, while doing chores, and on long car rides. What is the difference between Yoto and Yoto Mini? Yoto Mini has a battery life of 20 hours, whereas the Yoto original has a shorter battery life of 10 hours. These long hours of battery life make it perfect for long trips. How does Yoto Mini work? Another difference is how it’s charged. The original Yoto sits on a special charger; whereas the Yoto Mini uses a standard USB-C, making it easier to juice up anywhere you go (including the car).The Yoto Mini works like the original Yoto in this way. You need WiFi to set up the Yoto Mini at first, and then Wifi is needed anytime a brand new card is put in. After any physical cards have been played through once, you never need Wifi again. That’s what makes the Yoto Mini so cool! Kids can listen the first time at home, and then easily listen to stories on an airplane, in the car, or anywhere that WiFi is normally a barrier to entertainment!

Read next: Yoto Mini vs Toniebox: which is the best screen-free audio player? Where to buy a Yoto Mini and Yoto cards Gain access to free content, including podcasts and radio stations that can be streamed through the Yoto players A Yoto Mini is a screen-free smart speaker designed for children. It's a small, colourful device that can be used to play a variety of audio, including music, stories, and educational content. The device is controlled using physical cards that are inserted into a slot at the top of the player - each card represents a different story, music collection, activity, podcast or radio station. The Yoto Mini also has built-in WiFi connectivity, which allows it to access additional content from the Yoto app. I think it’s a great deal, if your family loves the toy half as much as we do. The Yoto app is always easy to use. Concluding Thoughts for this Yoto Mini Review The Yoto Mini is great looking, and we loved its minimalist design as soon as we laid eyes on it. In terms of getting it set up, as long as you have a strong WiFi connection, it couldn’t be easier.It’s a portable audio player that has been on many cross-country flights in our family. It’s truly the perfect size! So naturally, when my sweet sister-in-law gifted us with the Yoto Minifor our two year old’s birthday, I felt it necessary to write this Yoto Mini review .