Have you been hunting for a child friendly MP3 player?
Look no further. The Yoto Mini offers easy to use controls and provides quality sound for all your child’s listening needs. I can’t possibly express how much I love this product. Our Yoto Minis have met and exceeded all of my expectations. Audiobooks, music and more can be played at home or on the go with this screen free device.
*This is a personal review. In no way am I sponsored by or affiliated with Yoto products, *
The Yoto Mini is a compact audio player designed for children. With pre-loaded and MYO (make your own) cards the device offers limitless options for audio entertainment. Popular books, music, podcasts and even personalized recordings can be played at home or on the go.
At first glance the Yoto Mini appears simple. I passed over many Instagram ads because I thought the large buttons meant it was a toy for toddlers. I was wrong! The basic button-dial design maximizes functionality while maintaining a screen free product. In addition the size makes it accessible for young children with chubby finger, yet durable enough to last through the years.
Parents manage each Yoto Mini through the Yoto app. Simply download, link the device and start creating a collection of audio adventures. Set up is quick and simple. Bluetooth and Wifi are required initially to load new files, after which the player can be used at home or on the go. Audio is linked to key cards making it easy to swap between stories or music.
Why do we love it?
The Yoto Mini is an answer to a google search I’ve been performing for years. We’ve tried other MP3 products, but nothing quite fit the bill. Here are a few of the amazing features that set the Yoto Mini apart from competitors.
No Screens, yet hours of entertainment
Our family recently discovered audio books after a long drive and car sick children. We sought out screen free entertainment to salvage our travels. The Yoto Mini made long or short drives a breeze.
No screens, buttons or internet browser means the player is used for it's intended purpose. The temptation to scroll or click to uncensored material is completely removed. Instead every time the Yoto Mini is turned on, it is because our kids are eager to hear a story, music or catch the latest episode of their favorite podcast.
The Yoto Mini is safe and provides child friendly access to literature. Parents can confidently let their child listen independently in bed or on a drive, knowing the audio files are of good quality.
Easy to use App
The Yoto App is incredibly easy to operate. I won’t detail how to navigate it in this post, but Facebook has a variety of helpful Yoto Player groups providing tips and tricks to maximize use.
Individual player settings are controlled directly through the App. This includes volume, default button controls, brightness and day/night settings. Playlists can be built or edited in the app or through their website.
Simple Controls and Durable
Two dials and an on/off button control the entire device. Listeners can advance or go back to previous tracks, adjust volume and switch between the integrated Yoto Daily podcast or bedtime music.
It took only a few minutes for my children to grasp the controls (ages 7 & 8). I believe younger children would learn just as quickly. Children will not need frequent intervention from parents, allowing them to use the product often and independently.
Maintaining a minimalistic style only increases the appeal of the Yoto Mini. There are no functional screens that would break when dropped or bumped and the dials are large enough to withstand fidgeting fingers.
Built in Podcast
My kids adore Yoto Daily, the built in podcast. It shares fun facts, jokes, riddles, words of the day and more. Every episode is engaging and positive. The podcast function is a special bonus, setting Yoto apart from competing products.
Long Lasting Battery
There is nothing more frustrating than getting a device which boasts about versatility and transportability only to find it needs charging after 30 minutes of use. Thankfully the Yoto Mini lasts! The battery does a wonderful job at maximizing play time. Our kids can listen multiple times a day or take it on a long drives without fear of it dying.
My kids love carrying it around the house or bringing it on trips. I can’t believe it took us so long to purchase our Yoto players. They have been a blessing for entertainment purposes and continue to encourage our children's love of literature.
Negatives? Are there any….
Honestly there is nothing I would change about the Yoto Mini. The company is constantly working on improving and protecting the integrity of the product. We think they are doing an incredible job!
Other users have mentioned interest in specific bedtime controls. This would appear as a setting to shut audio off after 10 mins etc. We get around this by setting the sound to zero at the time we wish it to stop. We have never had issues with doing this.
There is a fine line between improvement and spoiling something great. We are more than content with how the Yoto Mini functions, but trust the developers to continue creating positive changes and future products.
I would love to know your family favorite audio books, let us know in the comments below. We are always building our book list.
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