Yoto is a game-changer for screen-free play – but is the 4th gen worth the upgrade?

Encouraging screen-free entertainment, the Yoto is a gadget thoroughly deserving of its place in family homes. The audio player’s concept is simple: children pop a card in to listen to stories, music and more. With more than 1,000 titles to choose from, there’s content to suit everyone from babies to older children. As a mother of a three-year-old boy, I’ve seen first-hand Yoto’s appeal to both parents and children alike. Launched as a London-based Kickstarter project in 2017, Yoto has helped make screen-free listening part of families’ everyday lives – and now frequently tops Christmas gift guides. I already have both the full-size Yoto Player and Yoto Mini 3rd Gen. They’ve become firm favourites in our house – and now, with both 4th Gen models in hand, I'm keen to see whether the latest models are worth the upgrades. How I tested The 3rd gen Yoto is a firm favourite in my family Danielle AttwaterEnlisting the help of my three-year-old, we put both the Yoto 4th gen player and mini through their paces, noting everything from ease-of-use to engagement and fun. I considered the value-for-money in upgrading, and any new features the fourth generation has introduced to the Yoto range. Ahead of Black Friday and Christmas, here’s your full lowdown on Yoto 3rd gen vs 4th gen. Yoto★★★★★What we love: Green Button feature offers quick, card-free access, and doubled storageTake note: Higher price tag, and less intuitive design may be confusing for younger usersThe biggest change with the newly released Yoto is the addition of the Green Button, which gives children quick access to their favourite stories and songs without rummaging through their card collection. You can set up custom daytime and bedtime playlists in the Yoto app, with up to 20 titles in each, then little ones simply twist the button to browse and press to play. The button also feels reassuringly firm, so it doesn't click too easily when little hands are exploring the controls. It's a handy upgrade that makes listening independently even easier.My son loves both of his Yotos, and we use the two players quite differently. The Mini comes with us to our local parkrun every week and keeps him entertained when we're out and about, while the full-size player has become part of our bedtime routine. He can choose his own stories and music, giving him a little independence, while I’m safe in the knowledge that, should I need to, I still have full control from the app.We also use the full-size player as a night light, which is one of its most useful features. The 3rd Gen has an ambient ring of light on the back, but the new 4th Gen takes things up a notch with a full-panel night light. It's a more substantial glow, with an additional handy feature being that the brightness can be adjusted by turning one of the dials, which makes the player feel even more like a proper bedtime companion.The 4th Gen has a softer, more rounded design, giving it a distinctly childlike aesthetic, which wasn’t initially to my taste, but it is designed for children, after all. There are also changes to the Adventure Jacket colours of the new model, with these having a brighter, more vibrant tone than their predecessors.I’ve compared both the Yoto 4th gen and 3rd gen mini and the larger players in depth – let’s get into it. Yoto Mini 3rd Gen vs Mini 4th GenDanielle Attwater/The StandardThe Mini is the one I'd recommend for families who are often on the move; it's useful for car journeys, holidays and keeping little ones occupied when you're out for the day.The biggest upgrade with the 4th Gen is durability. It has an IP67 water- and dust-resistance rating and has been drop-tested 30,000 times, making it better suited to the unpredictable reality of family life. The new Mini also doubles the internal storage from 32GB to 64GB, giving it space for more than 1,000 hours of audio once downloaded. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE 6.1 improve connectivity, while the new Green Button gives children quick access to their favourite audio without needing to find and insert a card. Battery life is rated at up to 16 hours, matching the newer full-size player and offering plenty of listening time for everyday outings and longer journeys. Yoto Mini 3rd Gen (2024 Edition) key specsStorage: 32GB, with around 500 hours of audio Battery life: Up to 14 hours Durability: No dust or water resistanceConnectivity: Standard Wi-Fi / Bluetooth Charging: USB-C Yoto Mini 4th Gen key specsStorage: 64GB, with more than 1,000 hours of audio Battery life: Up to 16 hours Durability: IP67 water and dust resistantConnectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE 6.1 Charging: USB-C Yoto Player 3rd Gen vs 4th GenDanielle Attwater/The StandardThe full-size Yoto Player is where the new generation makes the biggest difference for my household. Ours is used every night, so the improvements to the light and sound are particularly welcome.The 3rd Gen already does a lot; it plays stories and music, doubles as a night light and works as an OK-to-wake clock. It's a brilliant all-rounder, and although the ambient ring light is relatively subtle, it’s sufficient to keep the room dimly lit. The 4th Gen builds on this with a full-panel night light, acoustically engineered stereo sound and the new Green Button. The sound is a clear upgrade, whether we're listening to stories or music, and the larger light panel is a welcome addition at bedtime.As with the Mini, storage has doubled from 32GB to 64GB, while Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE 6.1 bring faster downloads and updated connectivity. Both full-size players support USB-C charging and wireless charging using the Charging Dock (£27.99, Yotoplay.com), making it easy to keep the battery topped up.Yoto Player 3rd Gen key specsStorage: 32GB, with more than 600 hours of offline audio Battery life: Up to 16 hours Connectivity: Standard Wi-Fi / Bluetooth Charging: USB-C and compatible wireless chargingAudio: 5W stereo speaker Night light: Customisable ambient rear ring Extra features: OK-to-wake clock, room thermometer and sleep sounds Yoto Player 4th Gen key specsStorage: 64GB, with more than 1,000 hours of audio Battery life: Up to 16 hours Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth LE 6.1 Charging: USB-C and compatible wireless charging Audio: Acoustically engineered 5W stereo speaker Night light: Customisable full-panel LED light Extra features: OK-to-wake clock, room thermometer, sleep sounds and day/night playlists Yoto 3rd Gen vs 4th Gen: is it worth upgrading?The larger light panel is a welcome addition at bedtime.Danielle Attwater/The StandardHaving used both generations, the 4th Gen is a clear evolution rather than a complete reinvention. The basic appeal remains the same: it's a simple, screen-free way for children to enjoy stories and music, with a library that can grow alongside them.The most useful general upgrades are the faster downloads, increased storage and Green Button, which makes independent listening easier. On the full-size Player, the improved speaker and full-panel night light are the standouts. For the Mini, it's the added durability that really makes a difference, particularly if your child takes it everywhere.The 3rd Gen full-size Yoto Player is no longer listed for sale on Yoto’s site, with the 4th Gen now taking its place. If you already own the older model, however, and it’s working well, there's no pressing need to replace it. The older models still offer plenty of listening time, good sound and access to Yoto’s huge audio library. The 4th Gen is more about improving an already useful product than fixing something that's broken.If you're buying your first Yoto, I'd lean towards the 4th Gen for its improved features and greater storage capacity. For my family, the Yoto has already proved its worth. It gets used every day, helps bedtime to run more smoothly and gives my son a way to choose his own entertainment. The 4th Gen upgrades make a good product even better, but the real selling point is still how easily it fits into family life.