My son loves his Yoto player and the new Mini 4th Gen is on his Christmas wish list

My son absolutely loves his Yoto player, which is why the new Yoto 4th Gen player and Yoto Mini 4th Gen have both made it onto his Christmas wish list. As a parent, I'm always looking for gifts that children will genuinely use beyond Christmas morning, and Yoto has become one of those things that can keep little ones entertained without handing them a phone or tablet.

But if you're thinking of buying one this Christmas, there's a decision to make. The Yoto Mini 2024 Edition costs £64.99, while the new Yoto Mini 4th Gen is £89.99. That's a £25 difference, which could instead go towards extra Yoto cards or another small present. So, is the latest model worth paying more for, or would I save the money and stick with the 2024 Edition?

Yoto Mini 2024 Edition: why I'd still consider the cheaper player

The Yoto Mini 2024 Edition £64.99 is the more budget-friendly option, and I wouldn't dismiss it simply because there's a newer version available.One of the things I like about the idea of Yoto is that it gives children an alternative to screen-based entertainment. Rather than watching videos, they can listen to stories, music and other audio content, making it an option for quiet time at home as well as trips out.

The Mini's portable design is another big selling point. If your child likes taking their favourite stories everywhere, having a player designed for travel makes sense. I can see it being useful on long car journeys, during weekends away or when you're trying to keep little ones entertained while visiting family.

The biggest consideration is what you're actually getting for your money. At £64.99, the 2024 Edition costs less than the new model, leaving £25 spare to spend on Yoto cards. And if your child already has a collection of favourites, you might find that adding a few new stories makes a more noticeable difference to their Christmas than upgrading the player itself.

I'd particularly consider the older Mini if this is your child's first Yoto or you're not yet sure how often they'll use it. You can get them started with a portable audio player without having to spend close to £90 straight away.

New Yoto Mini 4th Gen: is it worth the extra £25?

The new Yoto Mini 4th Gen costs £89.99 that's a noticeable difference when you're shopping for Christmas presents, particularly if you're buying for more than one child. The main new feature highlighted in the product description is Green Button playlists. This gives the newer Mini an additional playlist option, which could appeal to children who enjoy listening to their favourite audio again and again.

I can see the appeal of having more ways to access familiar listening choices. Some children love discovering new stories, while others are perfectly happy hearing the same one for the tenth time. If your child has favourite songs or stories they regularly return to, playlist functionality is worth considering.

The Mini 4th Gen also retains the portable format that makes the range appealing for families on the go. For me, that's important because a children's audio player needs to fit around family life, whether that means travelling, winding down at home or finding something entertaining to do away from a screen.

I'd be tempted by the new model if I were buying a Yoto Mini from scratch this Christmas. My son already loves his Yoto player, so I know the general idea appeals to him. Having the latest version on his wish list makes sense, and I can understand why children who are already fans might be excited about a new player.

Yoto Mini 2024 vs Yoto Mini 4th Gen: which is better value?

When I compare the two, I think the decision comes down to your budget and how much you value the newer model's features. The Yoto Mini 2024 Edition costs £64.99, making it the more affordable choice for parents who want to keep Christmas spending in check. The new Yoto Mini 4th Gen costs £89.99 and offers Green Button playlists, giving you another feature to consider before deciding whether the extra money is justified. Both are designed for portable, screen-free listening, so you don't necessarily need to spend more to give your child the basic Yoto experience.

I'd also factor in the cost of cards. If your child is new to Yoto, you might want to leave room in your budget for a few audio cards to get them started. If they already own a player and have built up a collection, it's worth checking which features and accessories will be most useful before buying another device.

For families who travel regularly, the Mini's portable design is a major attraction. For those who mainly use an audio player at home, it may be worth considering whether a Mini is the right format for your needs or whether another player in the Yoto range would suit your family better.

My verdict: I'd choose the new Yoto Mini, but the 2024 Edition is absolutely fine

As my son already loves his Yoto player, I can understand why the new Yoto 4th Gen player and Mini 4th Gen are both on his Christmas wish list. I like the idea of a present that encourages children to listen to stories and music, and that can come along on family trips without relying on a screen.

My advice is to think about what your child will actually use rather than automatically opting for the newest release. If playlists appeal to them and you can comfortably afford the extra cost, go for the fourth generation. If money is tighter, the 2024 Edition is still a lovely choice. And honestly, when Christmas morning comes, I think plenty of children will be delighted with either one, especially if there's a new Yoto card waiting to go with it.

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