Yoto Mini 4th Gen review: I tried the £89.99 screen-free player for kids
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The new 4th Gen Yoto Mini aims to make screen-free listening easier for families.
Finding ways to keep kids entertained without reaching for a tablet or switching on the television can be a challenge, particularly when you're travelling, waiting for an appointment or trying to get through a long car journey. That's one of the reasons the Yoto Mini has caught my attention. The latest 4th Gen model promises hours of screen-free entertainment in a compact, portable player designed for little hands and busy family life.
What I liked about the Yoto Mini 4th Gen
One of the biggest attractions of the Yoto Mini is its straightforward approach to entertainment. Rather than handing a child a device with a screen full of apps, the idea is to let them choose what they want to hear by inserting a Yoto Card into the player.
That simple interaction is a major part of its appeal. Children can pick a story, song or other audio content themselves.The Mini is designed to go wherever family life takes you, whether that's a long journey, a weekend away or some quiet time at home. The battery life is particularly useful on paper. With up to 16 hours of listening from a charge.
Then there's the choice of audio content. Yoto's range includes familiar favourites and original material, with options such as Harry Potter, K-Pop Demon Hunters and Yoto Originals. This variety means the player can appeal to different ages and interests, although the content available will depend on the cards you choose to buy.
What I didn't like about the Yoto Mini 4th Gen
The main drawback is the £89.88 price for some families with two or three children this can become quite expensive. Families may also want to build up a collection of Yoto Cards, so it's worth factoring in the price of additional content before committing.
It's also worth considering whether you need the latest generation. The original Yoto Mini (2024 edition) is only £64.99. Before spending more money, compare the specifications and check exactly which improvements matter to you.
Overall verdict
The Yoto Mini 4th Gen has plenty going for it. Its portable design, simple card controls, offline audio storage and advertised battery life make it an interesting option for families who want to give children more opportunities to listen to stories and music without a screen.
My verdict is that the Yoto Mini 4th Gen looks like a promising option for families who want stories and music to become part of everyday routines, from car journeys to bedtime. Before publishing this as a hands-on review, however, I'd want to put the player through its paces with my son and establish which features he genuinely enjoys, what frustrates him and how it compares with the original model in everyday use.
Natalie Dixon is our Lifestyle reporter, if you liked this article and want to read more about lifestyle you can follow Natalie Dixon on X here