Toniebox 2 review: my verdict after testing it with my 4-year-old son

When I was offered the chance to test the new Toniebox 2, we were delighted at home. We have had the Toniebox 1 for a year and it found its place in our family straight away, so my 4-year-old son was able to compare the two. This is my Toniebox 2 review as a mum: what really changes compared with the first version, what Tonieplay and the sleep and wake-up features are worth, how much it costs in the UK, how to switch it on, switch it off and connect headphones, and how it compares with Yoto and the other screen-free players you can buy here.

A quick note on the photos: the boxes I received are French editions, so some of the packaging in my pictures is in French. In this review I use the UK names and the UK prices throughout, checked on 2 November 2026.

The Toniebox 1: a hit at our house

For a year now the Toniebox has come everywhere with us: at home, in the car, on holiday and even at the breakfast table!

If you do not know it yet, the Toniebox is a story box. You simply put a figure called a “Tonie” on top and it plays stories, songs or nursery rhymes. The volume is set with the ears, and a few simple gestures change the chapter. No phone, no tablet and no need to know how to read: everything is designed so that children can manage on their own. That is exactly why we adopted it.

Toniebox 2 at a glance

Sources: tonies UK (Toniebox 2 product page, accessories and support pages), Currys, MadeForMums, RNIB Shop (all checked on 2 November 2026).

Toniebox 2: what is new?

This new generation brings several interesting changes, for children and for parents alike.

Tonieplay: interactive stories and games

The Toniebox 2 is compatible with Tonieplay, which lets children take part in games, quizzes and interactive adventures. The principle: you put a game disc on the box and answer by pressing a small controller. You buy the controller once (around £12.99, and you only need one per Toniebox, suitable from age 3 according to Currys), then each game separately. Most games cost £19.99 on tonies.com, with a few reduced to £14.99 when I looked. tonies’ UK site lists 22 Tonieplay games.

Sleep and wake-up features

The Toniebox 2 also has features to help children at bedtime and in the morning. Sleep mode helps little ones drift off with a soft, adjustable light and a customisable timer: the story stops after the time you choose (from 5 minutes to 1 hour) and the sleep light can stay on all night. In the morning, the Sunrise Alarm brings the light up gradually, like a dawn simulator, then plays a tune at the time you set.

Good to know: you can start sleep mode from the tonies app, or without a phone by squeezing both ears for 5 seconds (the light ring turns orange, and the default timer is 30 minutes). The Sunrise Alarm is set in the app and only works in 3+ mode with the box plugged in, with no Tonie left on top and enough charge to last until the alarm time.

A more practical USB-C charger

This is one of the changes I appreciate most as a mum! Unlike the first version, which uses a dedicated charging station, the Toniebox 2 charges with a USB-C cable.

That is much more practical, especially away from home, because we often already have this kind of cable. The battery gives you several hours of listening without constantly recharging, and you can check the battery level in the app.

What tonies says about the short cable: tonies’ UK site explains that the shorter cable is a mandatory requirement to meet child safety standards for listeners aged 1 and over. For children aged 3 and over, you can use a longer USB-C cable. It explains the choice, even if the length is a practical constraint when charging.

Battery life: which figure should you trust?

tonies’ UK product page says up to 9 hours of listening. The launch presentation tonies gave to investors quoted up to 8 hours, and RNIB Shop’s listing says up to 10. As ever, the real figure depends on volume and use, so treat it as a day of listening rather than a weekend.

Bluetooth headphones: a real plus!

Being able to connect compatible Bluetooth headphones is another interesting new feature, especially for car journeys.

My son can listen to his stories in peace without everyone else joining in! And at home it can be a blessing too… especially after you have heard Paw Patrol on repeat all day!

Only one pair of headphones can be connected at a time. The tonies headphones (£27.99) pair simply by placing the ear cup with the buttons on top of the box. For other Bluetooth headphones, put them in pairing mode, turn the Toniebox upside down and hold one ear for 5 seconds. tonies cannot guarantee compatibility with every model. Wired headphones with a jack need a USB-C to AUX adapter, sold separately (£10.99).

New Tonies to discover

Besides the Toniebox 2, I received several pieces of content to try, including a Pokémon Pikachu Tonie and a My First Tonies set, the Construction Set.

Your existing Tonies still work

Good news: the figures from the first Toniebox also work with the Toniebox 2. No need to start your collection again! That is true for all Tonies, including Creative Tonies and My First Tonies. Only Tonieplay games are reserved for the Toniebox 2.

Toniebox 1 or Toniebox 2: the differences

Here is a summary of the differences between the two generations, which we have both at home.

Sources: tonies UK support (Toniebox 1 vs Toniebox 2 comparison and FAQ), tonies’ launch presentation for investors (all checked on 2 November 2026).

Should you replace your Toniebox 1? If it works well and your child is over 3, there is no rush: all your figures will keep working. The Toniebox 2 is mostly worth it for a first purchase, for a child aged 1 to 3, or if Tonieplay, Bluetooth and the bedtime features appeal to you. MadeForMums reached a similar conclusion in its own comparison, calling the upgrade worth it mainly for Tonieplay and the wider age range.

How to switch the Toniebox 2 on and off and set it up

These are the questions I asked myself when unboxing it, with the answers from the tonies help centre:

• First use: plug the box in with the USB-C cable, download the tonies app, log in, tap “Mine”, then the “+” next to Tonieboxes, and connect it to Wi-Fi.
• Switching off: the Toniebox 2 switches itself off after about 5 minutes without playing. To switch it off yourself, lay it face down on its speaker holes and squeeze either ear for four seconds. This is not possible while the Sleep Timer is active.
• Changing chapter: tap the box. The volume is set with the ears, and you can limit the maximum volume in the app.
• Restarting if there is a problem: with the box unplugged, squeeze both ears until it enters the sleep light setting, keep squeezing for a full 60 seconds, then plug the charger back in. The welcome lights and music show it has worked.
• If the Toniebox 2 will not turn on: restart it, give it a full recharge (about 4 hours) with a compatible charger, and contact tonies customer support if it still does not respond.

Toniebox 2, Toniebox Lite, Yoto and more: how do they compare?

The Toniebox is not the only screen-free story player. Here is how the Toniebox 2 compares with the main alternatives sold in the UK, at prices I checked on 2 November 2026.

Sources: tonies UK (Toniebox 2 and Toniebox Lite pages), Currys, Amazon UK, Yoto and our Yoto Mini 4th Gen review, Learning Bugs (all checked on 2 November 2026). Prices change often, especially around Black Friday.

Pros, cons and who each one suits

What I take from it: the Toniebox 2 is the only one designed for children from age 1 and the only one with interactive games. Its figures are also the easiest for a toddler to handle. In return, every new piece of content means buying another figure, while Yoto cards are usually cheaper. I have not tested the Yoto players myself, so for hands-on impressions of the Yoto Mini and a closer comparison, read our Yoto Mini 4th Gen review.

Toniebox 2 or Toniebox Lite?

The Toniebox Lite, which tonies put on sale on 5 October 2026, is the cheaper way into the Tonies world at £59.99. It plays every Tonie, has a sleep timer and works with Bluetooth headphones, but it has no Tonieplay, no Sunrise Alarm, a shorter battery life (up to 6 hours) and no charging cable in the box. I have not tested it. If you want the games and the bedtime features, or you are buying for a one-year-old, the Toniebox 2 is the one to choose.

Toniebox 2 price in the UK: how much does it really cost?

The Toniebox 2 costs £104.99 box only on tonies.com (2 November 2026). The Starter Set with a Creative Tonie is £109.99 at Currys, which lists free standard delivery on orders over £40 and next-day delivery from £5.99. The launch RRP was £94.99, and the Pokémon Starter Set in Lightning Yellow, with the Pikachu Tonie, is £109.99 on tonies.com.

But as with any story player, the real budget is the content. Here is an example for a first year with a 4-year-old:

• Toniebox 2 Starter Set: £109.99
• 4 Tonies (birthday, Christmas and so on): 4 × £14.99 = £59.96
• Tonieplay controller and one game: £12.99 + £19.99 = £32.98
• A plug and 1m cable if you need them: £12.99

That makes about £216 in the first year with Tonieplay, or about £183 without it. You can bring the bill down with the Creative Tonie included in the Starter Set, on which you record your own stories or the voice of the grandparents, and with the free content in the app.

Toniebox 2 review: is it worth it? My verdict

At our house the Toniebox has become a real everyday companion, at home, in the car or on holiday. My son loves it and never gets tired of it!

The Toniebox 2 keeps what we like about the first version, with a few well thought-out additions. I particularly like the USB-C charger, the option of connecting Bluetooth headphones and the bedtime and wake-up features.

I also enjoy discovering new content and being able to vary things between classic stories and interactive games. There really is content for every age, from toddlers aged 1 to children of around 10, and for every taste. Everyone can find stories or games that fit their age and interests.

The Toniebox 2 is still simple to use, with new features that are genuinely useful for children and parents alike.

The only downsides: the budget, which climbs quickly with figures and Tonieplay games sold separately, and the lack of a plug in the box. Buyers’ reviews go the same way as ours: tonies’ UK site lists ratings between 4.4 and 4.6 out of 5 depending on the colour (4.6 from 1,427 reviews for Sunset Red on 2 November 2026), and the Starter Set has 4.8 out of 5 from 13 reviews at Currys.

In short, the Toniebox 2 stays simple to use and offers extra features that are interesting for children and parents. A lovely evolution to accompany little ones through their everyday stories! I recommend it for a first purchase, from age 1. For more ideas for children, browse our pick of kids subscription boxes and book subscription boxes.

Toniebox 2: your questions answered

What is the difference between the Toniebox 1 and the Toniebox 2?

The Toniebox 2 charges over USB-C instead of a station, works with Bluetooth headphones, has a Sleep Timer with Light, Bedtime Mode and a Sunrise Alarm, works with Tonieplay games, has 32GB of storage instead of 8GB and shows its battery level in the app. It is also certified from age 1, compared with 3 for the Toniebox 1.

Is the Toniebox 2 worth it?

For us, yes. It is simple for a 4-year-old, practical with USB-C and Bluetooth, and useful at bedtime. The main complaint is the cost of figures and games. I score it 9 out of 10.

What is the Toniebox 2 UK price?

£104.99 box only on tonies.com, and £109.99 for the Starter Set with a Creative Tonie at Currys (2 November 2026). The launch RRP was £94.99.

When was the Toniebox 2 released in the UK?

It went on sale in September 2025. MadeForMums reported it as officially available on 15 September 2025.

Do old Tonies work on the Toniebox 2?

Yes. All Tonies, Creative Tonies and My First Tonies work on the Toniebox 1, the Toniebox 2 and the Toniebox Lite. Only Tonieplay games are reserved for the Toniebox 2.

Which games are available on the Toniebox 2?

Tonieplay games: interactive stories, quizzes, scavenger hunts and board games such as Monopoly Real Estate Rush (age 7+), Guess Who? Monster Mysteries and The Game of Life (age 5+), plus Paw Patrol, Bluey, Peppa Pig and Disney titles. You need the Tonieplay controller (£12.99) and most games cost £19.99.

How do I turn off the Toniebox 2?

It turns itself off after about 5 minutes without playing. To switch it off manually, lay it face down on its speaker holes and squeeze either ear for four seconds. This is not possible when sleep mode is active.

How do I connect Bluetooth headphones to the Toniebox 2?

For tonies headphones, switch both on and place the ear cup with the buttons on the box: a tone confirms the pairing. For other headphones, put them in pairing mode, turn the Toniebox upside down and hold one ear for 5 seconds until the light ring shows a steady blue. Only one pair can be connected at a time.

Does the Toniebox 2 come with a charger?

Only a 22cm USB-C cable is supplied, with no plug. tonies says the short length is a child safety requirement for listeners aged 1 and over. Use a certified Class II charger delivering 5V DC (1 to 1.5A); tonies sells its own for £12.99 with a 1m cable.

My Toniebox 2 will not charge, what should I do?

Restart it: unplug it, squeeze both ears for a full 60 seconds, then plug the charger back in. If that does not help, give it a full recharge (about 4 hours) with a compatible charger, then contact tonies customer support.

How long does the Toniebox 2 battery last?

Up to 9 hours of listening according to tonies’ UK product page. Earlier tonies material quoted up to 8 hours, and one UK retailer lists up to 10. A full charge takes about 4 hours, and 10 minutes of charging gives up to 45 minutes of playtime.

Does the Toniebox 2 work without Wi-Fi?

Yes, once the content has downloaded. Wi-Fi is needed for setup and for the first play of each Tonie or game, and a phone hotspot is enough on holiday.

What age is the Toniebox 2 for?

It is certified from age 1, and tonies says it suits children up to 12 and over. For the youngest, choose the 1+ mode in the app and content such as My First Tonies. Stories and games then cover children up to about 10.

Do you need a subscription for the Toniebox 2?

No. You buy figures one by one, and the app offers some free content. The Creative Tonie lets you record your own stories, up to 90 minutes.

Toniebox 2 or Yoto: which should I choose?

The Toniebox 2 is the best fit for toddlers (from age 1), with easy-to-handle figures and Tonieplay games. Yoto uses cards, is rated from age 3, and the Yoto Mini is smaller and more rugged for travel. We go into that match-up in our Yoto Mini review.