Is the Yoto Mini worth it?
The Yoto Mini – the small, fun, and durable device that promotes screen free listening and learning. But, is the Yoto Mini worth it? My son received the Yoto Mini for his 4th birthday and after owning the device for a year, I’d say yes!
As an Amazon Associate, Our Slice of Home earns from qualifying purchases made through affiliate links. This is at no extra cost to you and helps me continue to fund this blog!
Is the Yoto Mini Worth it?
Overall, the Yoto Mini is a reliable, easy to use screen free device. It has been a good fit for our family and our 4 year old son. I am glad we have invested money in the device, accessories, and the Yoto cards. We plan to use it for years to come and it grows with the child as you can add more age appropriate stories, songs, or podcasts.
10 Pros of the Yoto Mini
- Gives access to stories while being screen free: Always a plus when it comes to kids. This device has no advertisements, commercials, microphones, or camera.
- Gives access to books before the child can read: We love reading stories aloud in our home! The Yoto Mini allows for times when we aren’t available to read to still have access to books
- Encourages engagement with physical books: Often times my son will have the physical book in his hands to look at pictures while the yoto reads. This is especially helpful when the child can’t read or is learning to. They can follow along to strengthen their reading skills.
- Easy to use: The Yoto Mini is very easy to use. It is easy for a child to operate as well (my 2 1/2 year old figured it out without any instruction).
- Parental controls: As the parent, you have the Yoto app on your phone. This allows you the ability to customize it to your families needs. Including setting volume limits, sleep timers, and blocking anything you’d like such as the radio feature (although we have really enjoyed the Yoto radio feature!)
- Can use it offline/no wifi: This allows you to listen in the car, plane, vacation, or anywhere else without wifi!
- Can use it as a bluetooth speaker: This has been especially helpful if there is music or a podcast that I have not purchased on a card to allow to still play on the Yoto device (no card required). Prior to the Yoto Mini my son would often carry around my phone while listening to a podcast.
- Make your own cards: This takes a few minutes to figure out and then the possibilities are endless! You can constantly delete and replace with new content. This is such a money saver. You can also record yourself directly on the app or on the phone reading a story or singing a song. Then if you hold the Yoto card close to the top of the phone it links it to the card. The app truly makes it easy and walks you through things step by step!
- Family members can record stories: Grandma and grandpa can record themselves reading a book or singing a song.
- Long battery life and survives a toddler handling it: We do have a case on our Yoto Mini and it has survived some hard drops on the hardwood floor from our toddler. Per Yoto’s website, fully charged the Yoto Mini plays up to 14 hours.
Cons of the Yoto Mini
- Cost: The Yoto Mini itself is not super expensive (currently retails for $70 dollars), but getting the cards and all the accessories can add up quickly. Also, if you have multiple children you may find yourself wanting one for each child. We love the accessories we have including this adventure jacket case on the actual Yoto Mini player and this Yoto card case to hold Yoto cards, but again this cost adds up.
- Obsession: Overall, the Yoto Mini is very interesting and engaging. However, in our experience, it can become a bit consuming. We have had to set limits that it can’t be listened to at mealtime or around the family when we are trying to spend time together and talk.
- Access to media: Yes we are choosing what media is allowed to be listened to and consumed, but it is still media. It is content that is being consumed by our child and we still have to be diligent about what they are listening to.
How the Yoto Mini works
Each Yoto card is about the size of the credit card. You slide it in the top of the device and it begins playing. There is an on/off switch on the side of the device. One knob on the front controls volume and the other lets you skip chapters.
When you buy a Yoto card, you can immediately place it in the player and it will start playing (must be connected to Wi-Fi). After it plays it for the first time, it will then be downloaded onto your device and you can listen even when offline/no Wi-Fi.
Where to buy Yoto cards
The Yoto website has the cards divided into many different categories that are helpful (age, genres, creators). Amazon sells Yoto cards as well as Target. I believe Target only has them available online though, not in actual stores.
Favorite Yoto Cards
Check out our families favorite Yoto cards in this article .
What Yoto accessories to get
- The Adventure Sleeve Case: Helpful to protect the Yoto Mini from little destructive hands!
- The Yoto Card Case: A great place to store the cards. It is compact and holds 64 cards.
- Travel Case: This includes room for the Yoto Mini, 30 cards, and headphones. We use this when we travel and on road trips to easily pack everything up
- Wireless Bluetooth Headphones: We have owned these for 2 years now and they have held up very well! They fit my son at age 3 when we first purchased them.
- Here is a link to the actual Yoto Mini: https://amzn.to/3RTgn24
What is the difference between Yoto Player and the Yoto Mini?
The Yoto Player: This device is a bit larger in size and has 24 hours of play after charging. Some features the mini does not have includes a clock and room thermometer as well as a wireless charging dock you can purchase.
The Yoto Mini: 14 hours of play after charging and is cheaper than the Yoto player.
Other FAQ
Can I connect headphones to the Yoto Mini? Yes, you can connect wired headphones or Bluetooth headphones.
How much does a Yoto card cost? They range in price and some of them come in sets. A quick scan of their website I see anywhere from $1.99 to $13 per card.
What age would you recommend the Yoto Mini be purchased for? My son received it for his 4th birthday and that seemed like the perfect age. If you purchase it for a 3 year old you may just want to play items on the device and keep it out of reach. I say this because my almost 3 year old just constantly puts in and removes cards!
2 Comments