Screen-free audio players: Yoto, Tonies, Storypod, Qubitunes

Third-parry review by Kevin Lu

There’s a lot of tactical, screen-free audio devices coming on the market for kids of all ages, so let’s get into it:

• Yoto Player is an analog audio device that kids can control by inserting physical cards, available for purchase on their site or by subscription. You can choose between a wide range of audio books, music, or buy blank cards to customize your own. I have personally used one for years (purchased when child was 2) and it’s still a much-loved device for audiobooks when screens are not available.

• Tonies offers a more tactical box for younger kids, which supports different kinds of audio but also games. A subscription service is also available.

• Storypod is a screen-free audio learning system for babies and kids, combining spoken content (stories, songs, quizzes, etc.) with tactile physical items like little characters that sit on top of the device. It also doubles as a nightlight or a white noise machine, but only plays authorized content, not arbitrary music or streaming.

• Qubitunes is a box with a platform on which kids can stick first a card to play stories, music, and audio-based games. Wooden blocks that use RFID add audio layers or further interaction.

This review compares Yoto and Tonies products, going deep on each company’s history. The video above breaks down the pros, cons, and costs of all three options.

$80+ for Yoto Player Mini; $109 for Yoto Player (cards sold separately)

$108+ for Toniebox 2 (cards are bundled)

$95+ for Storypod (accessories sold separately, or bundled)

$130 for Qubitunes (card bundles sold separately)