Yoto Player: for Christmas, this screen-free audio storyteller becomes the favorite gift for digitally conscious parents
Yoto Player 3rd Generation
Introductory price €100
How the pricing table works
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The race for Christmas gifts is on and the dilemma often remains the same for families: how to offer a fun technological device to children without having them riveted in front of a tablet or smartphone? It is in this niche “without harmful waves and without screen” that the Yoto Player (3rd generation) is positioned. If its launch price of around €100 places it in the high range of toys, our test reveals a device whose functional richness justifies the investment, provided that you accept a few compromises on mobility.
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1. A real audio Swiss army knife for the bedroom
What is immediately striking about the Yoto Player is its desire not to limit itself to simply reading stories. Where the competition is often limited to telling stories, this device aims to add rhythm to the child’s day, openly inspired by Montessori pedagogy. It serves as an educational alarm clock, a bedroom thermometer and even a customizable night light in seven soft colors. This versatility is a major advantage: even when it says nothing, the object remains useful and lit on the bedside table. It also offers very relevant “lifestyle” content, such as radio suitable for children or a daily mini-newspaper mixing anecdotes and quizzes. It is an evolving object that will grow with the child, from simple white noise for toddlers to educational podcasts for pre-teens.
2. A mature but sedentary “Tech” design
On a purely technical level, the manufacturer delivers an almost perfect copy which contrasts with the “plastic” appearance of certain toys. The audio quality is there with warm and intelligible stereo sound, outperforming many rivals. The Yoto even has the luxury of serving as an additional Bluetooth speaker and integrating a universal USB-C port, greatly facilitating recharging for autonomy capable of lasting an entire day.
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However, this robustness comes with a weight: with its 780 grams, the Yoto Player is a beautiful baby. Unlike a “Story Factory” by Luniithat you slip into a backpack, the Yoto is designed more for sedentary use. It is portable, of course, but it is not the lightest travel companion for young people.
3. Ergonomics that requires a little adaptation
If the retro design with its pixel display (which is not a video screen, rest assured) is an aesthetic success, the user interface blows hot and cold. Navigation is based on two buttons and dials, a system which allows numerous interactions but which can be complex for toddlers.
Where typical magnetic figurines Tonies are immediate, the Yoto will require parental support during the first uses so that the 3 or 4 year old child assimilates the single and double clicks. It’s a helping hand, but it can frustrate the most impatient when unwrapping gifts.
4. A rich and somewhat expensive ecosystem
The business model is based on the purchase of physical cards to insert, a gesture that children love. The catalog is dense and qualitative, ranging from the great Disney classics to children’s literature such as Roald Dahl. The device also comes with a blank card, allowing parents or loved ones to record their own stories, a great feature for personalizing the gift. However, we must keep in mind the cost of this ecosystem: at around €10 per card, building a varied library represents a significant budget in the long term. The companion application does allow access to digital content, but we regret the presence of advertisements in the free audio library, a somewhat damaging commercial intrusion into this childish universe.
The verdict
If you are looking for a durable all-in-one device (alarm clock/night light/storyteller) and the budget is not your main obstacle, you can go for it with your eyes closed. On the other hand, go your way if you are looking for a lightweight device that your 3-year-old child can carry everywhere alone or if you are against using your smartphone to use the device.
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