Introducing the Yoto Mini NEW 4th Gen – faster, more capable and more resilient with a new rounded aesthetic!
Norah has had a Yoto player for four years; we use it daily, and it is one of my top recommended products to other parents (see our original review HERE).
If you are new to the Yoto family – inspired by Montessori principles, the highly popular, award-winning Yoto Player is a creative, interactive screen-free audio device marketed towards children aged 3 – 12 years. Key features include simple, child-friendly controls, a pixel display, a built-in speaker, Bluetooth and headphone connectivity, and a nightlight on selected models. The Yoto plays ad-free fun and educational audio content using physical Yoto cards, the Yoto app and via Yoto Radio. As well as a large audio library (1,000+)- from audiobooks and music to podcasts, educational subjects and soundscapes, children can also create their own audio cards using compatible content. The FREE app also allows you to setup/manage players, access content, control audio settings, record stories, customise the night light and clock, along with parental settings for limiting time (and much, MUCH more), making it the perfect parental tool to support a positive, secure listening environment. The Yoto Mini audio player is the compact sibling of the Yoto, with fantastic functionality that fits in the palm of your hand, ideal for in the car and out and about.
The Yoto players are ingeniously designed to be child-controlled, and the opportunities for listening, learning, and play are endless; 3 years in the making the new 4th Generation release has even more features for promoting independence.
What’s New With The Yoto Mini 4th Gen?
Yoto has just launched the 4th generation Yoto Player and Yoto Mini with exciting new features and the biggest hardware upgrade yet, with faster processors, increased memory, Wi-Fi 6 (for faster download speeds, better range and improved compatibility), Bluetooth 6.1 and 64GB storage included (providing space for more than 1,000 hours of offline listening) across the new generation. The 2024 Mini has 32GB for comparison.
The core identity remains intact, but the Yoto Player and Yoto Mini (7.5 × 7 × 5 cm) have been redesigned with smoother corners, which I feel is improved in terms of practicality for little hands, looking less angular and like a box speaker. It has a smooth, tactile finish and is designed to be more resistant to spills (IP67 rating), dust and the occasional tumble – being drop-tested! There are new Adventure Jacket colours and an improved accessory attachment – available in Sunny Side Up (yellow), Dancing Flamingo (pink), Penguin Blue (blue) and Fresh Frog Soup (green). Although I find our Yoto player easy to wipe clean, I do love the protective silicone cover options for personalisation and that extra protection from knocks and scuffs.
Say HELLO To The GREEN BUTTON.
Physical cards still offer the fun and independence of choosing and inserting a card, but the new Green Button adds a new, convenient way for children to access their favourite audio. An adult sets up the Green Button shortcut selections through the Yoto App. Each Yoto Player or Yoto Mini has a Daytime and Nighttime playlist with up to 20 titles. These are set up per device, so within the same family children can have their own selections, tailored to each child. This feature also helps reinforce family routine. For Daytime activities, Yoto Daily and Yoto Radio are included by default, and we added lively short stories, music games and podcasts. For bedtime, load calmer content – Sleep Radio, Toothbrush Timer, Guided Meditations, white noise, and a smaller collection of bedtime stories.
Operation is very child-friendly. You can turn the Green Button to browse the available titles, then press to play or pause. Pressing and holding the button ejects the audio and returns the player to the clock. If nothing is playing, a single press starts the first item in the day nighttime playlist. The new display shows full-colour artwork, including images that resemble the covers of the corresponding physical Yoto Cards. The Green Button is particularly useful with the Yoto Mini. Ideal for travel, in the car, pushchair, out and about, children can access their favourite content without needing to carry or search through a bundle of Yoto Cards. Green Button playlists also work offline once the content has downloaded, so children can access their selected audio without Wi-Fi while travelling.
Better Sound, Longer Listening.
The Mini keeps its compact, single-speaker design with noticeably improved sound quality and clearer audio. The 3.5mm headphone jack remains for quiet car rides or shared bedrooms, and Bluetooth pairing has been added, so the Mini can connect to a separate speaker or headphones wirelessly.
Battery life has increased — 16 hours on the 4th gen compared to 14 hours on the 2024 model, taking approximately 2 hours to fully charge via USB-C, offering a generous battery life to comfortably cover a long car journey or several shorter listening sessions.
Getting Started: What’s Included & Setup.
You will receive a Yoto Mini 4th Gen player, charging cable, Welcome Card that can be reused as a Make Your Own Card, Stickers, QuickStart Guide and digital Journey James Yoto Original Audio.
Getting started with the Yoto Mini is quick and straightforward. First-time users simply need to download the free Yoto App (iOS + Android) onto a smartphone or tablet and create an account, plug the Mini in to charge, switch it on and follow the step-by-step instructions in the app. You’ll be asked to connect the player to your Wi-Fi network and pair it with your phone. Once setup is complete, the Mini is ready to use! Insert a physical Yoto Card to start listening, or explore the available digital content and customise the new Green Button playlists through the app. I would recommend the Yoto Club (with different subscription options that offer monthly credits and discounts on purchases). It’s also worth allowing time for audio to download before heading out, so favourite stories can be enjoyed offline on car journeys, holidays and days out. If you already have a Yoto family account, you can add the new Mini to your existing setup.
Price & Value for Money.
The Yoto Mini 2024 Edition is currently listed at £64.99, making the new Mini £25 more. For an extra £25, the combination of the Green Button, new display, IP67 protection, 64GB storage, improved connectivity, better sound and redesigned hardware makes the new Mini the perfect choice for new buyers or those ready for an upgrade. As a bonus, all 4th Gen devices now ship with a standard two-year warranty.
The Benefits of Buying a Bundle.
Yoto offers multiple bundles on their website, which offer value-for-money deals and ideal gift options. The Yoto Mini 4th Gen + Bluey Card Case Bundle retails for £124.97, currently on sale for £112.47. For Bluey fans, included is the 4th Gen Mini, 64 Card Carry Case (available in 3 colours) and Bluey: The Beach and Other Stories audio card, which features eight stories with narration from Miranda Tapsell, including Baby Race, The Pool and Magic Xylophone, with music and sound effects. It’s an easy way to get little Bluey fans excited about independent listening.
