If you’re raising a toddler or parenting a child with additional needs, you’ve probably come across Yoto and Toniebox. These screen-free audio players are becoming household names, and with good reason. They offer a structured, calm way for kids to engage with stories, music, and even white noise. But which one is best suited for SEND families?

As a mum of three young children, two of whom are autistic and both of whom are non-verbal, I’ve weighed this decision carefully. I haven’t owned a Toniebox myself, but I’ve tried other people’s Tonieboxes and watched countless YouTube reviews trying to make the right choice for our family. Here’s my honest, experience-led comparison of Yoto vs Tonie, tailored especially for families navigating special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).

What Is a Yoto Player?

The Yoto Player uses physical cards to play audio content. You insert a card, and it plays, from classic stories and songs to mindfulness tracks and educational content. It’s controlled by two simple buttons and has a pixel display.

✅ Pros:

• You can record your own cards, which is great for adding personalised content.
• Offers longer-term use, the library grows with your child.
• Has a wide variety of educational and calming content.
• Often cheaper overall, especially with frequent deals and club discounts.

❌ Cons:

• Slightly harder for very young or motor-delayed children to use independently.
• Cards are small and can get lost easily.

Read more about how we use Yoto as a SEND family here.

What Is a Toniebox?

The Toniebox is a soft, padded cube that plays audio when you place a Tonie character on top. Each figurine contains its own content: stories, music or recorded messages.

✅ Pros:

• Easier for toddlers and some neurodivergent children to use , place a toy on, and it plays.
• Ideal for children with limited fine motor skills.
• The characters are tactile and engaging, often part of the play experience.

❌ Cons:

• Limited content longevity, outgrown faster.
• Kids may treat the Tonies as toys rather than tools.
• Can be more expensive, especially as collections grow.
• No screen, but also no display or visual cues.

Why We Chose Yoto

We opted for Yoto because of its longevity. My two eldest children are non-verbal, and although they don’t yet engage with the player independently, we’ve found:

• The ability to create our own cards is incredibly useful.
• It fits well with our calm corner routines.
• The sound quality and variety of cards gives us more options.

We also liked that it’s more budget-friendly in the long run. The Yoto Player works with both the Mini (which we own) and full-size versions, and they hold their value well, which brings us to another point.

For Some Families, Neither Option Works

It’s important to say this: not every child — SEND or not — will take to an audio player. Some children prefer screens, others need more tactile engagement, and for some, the concept just doesn’t land. And that’s OK.

The good news is that both Tonie and Yoto products resell really well. Many parents swap with local SEND families or sell their lightly used items online. So if it’s not the right fit, it won’t be a total loss.

Quick Comparison for SEND Families

Feature	Yoto Player	Toniebox
Ease of Use (Motor Skills)	Moderate	Excellent
Longevity	Excellent	Moderate
Personalisation	Record your own cards	Limited to Creative Tonies
Tactile Appeal	Moderate	High (character figures)
Price Over Time	Lower	Higher
Resale Potential	Good	Good

Final Thoughts

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to SEND parenting. What works for one child may fall flat for another, and that’s absolutely normal.

For our family, the Yoto Player came out on top. It offers us flexibility, value, and longevity, and we’ve made it part of our calm, screen-free routines.

Whether you’re leaning Tonie or Yoto, it’s worth trying what you can, speaking to other SEND families — and remembering that there’s always the option to resell or swap if it doesn’t work out.

Where to Buy (Affiliate Links)

👉 Buy the Yoto Player here (affiliate link)
👉 Explore Toniebox options here (affiliate link)

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