Toniebox 2 Review

But at an increased price of £94.99, we wanted to see if the new Toniebox is really worth the increased cost, especially considering the first generation Toniebox is still available to buy.

• Available from: Tonies, Amazon, Natural Baby Shower, Currys

What were your first impressions of the Toniebox 2?

The first thing you'll notice when you get the Toniebox 2 is the premium packaging. It might seem strange to hype up a box but the experience of unboxing the Toniebox 2 is a huge improvement on the original player.

Everything comes in cardboard packaging with little single use plastic beyond the wrap around the box itself and the plastic bag that contains the Tonie figure.

When you open the box you're immediately greeted with a QR code inviting you to download the Tonies app which you'll need for the setup (but more on that in a moment).

The new Toniebox is a significant improvement in terms of look and feel. It still feels soft, but the corners have been rounded and the base includes a soft, squishy plastic that adds to the characteristic ‘huggability’ you’d expect. It is smaller than the original, but the ears and magnetic base of the figures look and feel pretty much the same. The fabrics used feel slightly more premium, making the package feel like a nice refinement of an already excellent product as opposed to a total reinvention.

One thing I should note is that while the Toniebox 2 no longer uses a propriatary charger, instead charging using USB-C, the included cable is hilariously short. Honestly, unless you're planning on sitting next to the wall while it charges, you'll probably want to use a longer one you've got lying around.

TLDR: This is the Toniebox you love but better.

• Available from: Tonies, Amazon, Natural Baby Shower, Currys

How easy is the Toniebox 2 to setup?

If you read my review of the original Toniebox, you'll know I had some issues with the setup process. Originally, you needed to type in a long serial number found on the base of the Toniebox to pair it with the app and get everything set up. Sure, it's not the most difficult thing in the world, but it was a bit annoying.

That's all changed with the Toniebox 2, which uses a new bluetooth functionality to quickly pair the unit with the app.

Just plug it in (using the comically short cable) allow access to bluetooth through the Toniebox app, pair the device by pressing one of the ears, and then connect to your WiFi network. After it has completed a series of updates — you’re done!

Overall, the setup process was painless and took around 5 minutes to complete. You'll just need to make sure you've got WiFi to allow the Toniebox 2 to update.

• Available from: Tonies, Amazon, Natural Baby Shower, Currys

How does the Toniebox 2 compare to the original Toniebox in terms of functionality?

First things first, the Toniebox 2 does everything that the original Toniebox could do, including the ability to play all the existing Tonies in your collection. What they've done with the Toniebox 2, is add some new functionality and upgrade a few of the existing features.

For example, one of the first things you'll notice when you turn on your Toniebox 2 is the light ring that surrounds the magnetic circle where the figures attach. As the Toniebox 2 is still screen free, this light ring performs a number of useful functions such as acting as a battery life indicator when charging and showing the volume increasing or decreasing.

This might seem like a small thing, but one complaint I had about the original player was the lack of any indication that the box was charging or any sort of volume indicator beyond an annoying chirp that would play when you pressed the ears. Speaking of that chirp, they've also replaced the volume sound with something much more pleasing to the ear.

The ring light can be controlled within the Tonies app, allowing you to set the brightness or turn it off completely. Plus, it can act as a nightlight when your child is sleeping, making it a step above the original in terms of in-built multi-functional uses.

The one drawback is the controls. Like the original, you control the Toniebox 2 using 'tap and tilt' controls which are mostly pretty rubbish. They play a sound when skipping or rewinding audio but getting it to work can be very fiddly and difficult.

What are the new ToniePlay games and are they any good?

The other major innovation with the Toniebox 2 is the brand new ToniePlay games that expand the functionality of your Toniebox. We tested out the Paw Patrol: Adventure Bay Rescue Heroes game, but there are multiple other games on offer including a Disney Quiz Kingdom game.

Given that many of these new games retail for £19.99, we were keen to see just how much play potential they offered considering that higher price point. It's safe to say that we were impressed by what we saw.

The games don't feel cheap, continuing the detail and quality Tonies are known for with a colourful, thick cardboard game mat as well as an overlay for the top of the Toniebox. Then there's the button which magnetically attaches, similar to the way the Tonies figures do and acts as the primary input method for the games.

I played the Paw Patrol game which has you choose the best pup to help with a particular emergency using one of 6 pup cards and then help them out by using the dial and button to perform tasks. Considering the limited input methods available, it is remarkably varied in what you can do, keeping it from feeling stale. For example, one mission sees you helping the pups perform a rescue using a hovercraft, requiring you to press the central button to break a boat free from some rocks. The story then develops, making the game feel closer to an interactive novel than a traditional board game, while keeping the screen free benefits of the original.

They do take a while to download, even on fast internet, but they offer an exciting and new way to interact with your Toniebox.

• Available from: Tonies, Amazon, Natural Baby Shower, Currys

Is the Toniebox 2 worth the money?

At £94.99, the Toniebox 2 isn't cheap. It's £15 more than the original and that's without the additional cost for the Tonies figures and ToniePlay games.

That being said, like the original, this is a purchase that will last. Sure, that initial outlay is expensive but the play potential you get in return is fantastic. Given the massive array of content available including audio books, educational content and the new ToniePlay games, you'll never be short on content.

We should also mention that the new Toniebox 2 is now 1+ certified, meaning you can use it with children from the age of 1. To support the lower age range, Tonies have released a new range of nursery Tonies figures which feature audio suitable for ages 1-2. This means that the player now covers a huge 1-8+ age range, making it an investment that will literally grow with your child.

Should you buy a Toniebox 2 if you already have a Toniebox?

As we mentioned previously in our review, older Tonies figures are compatible with the new player, meaning any existing Tonies in your collection will play fine on the Toniebox 2. What you do get if you upgrade is the new design, the light ring, the ability to use the device with children ages 1-2 and access to the new ToniePlay games alongside a range of different quality of life updates.

Whether you upgrade will depend on if you want the latest and greatest features and how much the propratary charger annoys you. If you've recently bought a Toniebox, you're probably good to wait for a while before upgrading, but if your Toniebox is on the older side then you'll likely find the Toniebox 2 to be a fantastic upgrade.

Eitherway, this is fantastic product that provides everything we wanted from a second generation Toniebox — and more — so you won't be disappointed with an upgrade.

MadeForMums verdict:

Put simply, the Toniebox 2 is pretty much perfect. There aren't many devices that are suitable for such a wide age range and with as much play potential as the Toniebox 2, especially ones that don't include a screen. The Toniebox was already a great product but this new generation fixes most of the issues we did have with the older model, while adding some fantastic new features that make it a must-buy gadget for your home.

• Available from: Tonies, Amazon, Natural Baby Shower, Currys

Product Images: Tonies