"I'm one of those people who struggled with themselves forever before finally buying a Toniebox. Years later, the same thing happened with the Tigerbox. I just didn't see the point in spending so much money and then having to pay for the subscription and constantly buy new Tonies. And now, eight years later, we can't imagine our everyday lives without them." Find out why Caro wrote that in this blog post. We take a closer look at the Toniebox and the Tigerbox for you.

Which box is suitable for which age?

Tigerbox: From 2 years - 12 years
Toniebox: From 3 years

Why Tigerbox and how does the box work?

You select your favorites and themes in advance on your phone. Feel free to do this together with your child(ren). There's still a lot to choose from, but not the overwhelmingly overwhelming selection you get on Spotify. It has EVERYTHING, and it's fun to scroll through the box for new episodes.

There are no moving images, which I think is great. After all, the kids should be listening, not glued to the small screen.

So there are no videos or games. The "regular" USB-C charging cable is also convenient. The Toniebox only has this "plate" with the pin on it. 

Tigercard and Tigerticket

The Toniebox works with figures that you place on the box. The Tigerbox uses cards that you insert into the designated slot – the so-called " Tigercards ." These download content and save it on the box. Or you can use the Streaming subscription about the "Tiger Ticket," which can be purchased for three, six, or twelve months. This allows children to stream thousands of radio plays and songs completely ad-free.

The cards aren't as visually appealing as the Tonies, which children also use as toy figures. However, they're cheaper: They cost between about six and ten euros, whereas Tonies usually cost between about twelve and 16 euros.

Advantages of the Tigerbox for you at a glance:

• intuitive operation

• Daily limit adjustable

• Sleep function (switches off after 15 minutes or after the radio play)

• Integrated night light

Disadvantage of the Tigerbox:

You need a subscription. So, you buy the box once (approx. €90), and then, like with Spotify or Netflix, you'll have to pay an additional €85 each year for the subscription. It's a steep price, but in our opinion, it's a great gift idea for Grandma and Grandpa, for example, at Christmas.

Advantages of the Tigerbox:

• very attractive and high-quality design
• great sound quality
• Individual audio plays are cheaper than Tonies
• curated streaming service with only child-friendly content and no advertising
• a wide range of music and radio plays for every taste

Disadvantages of the Tigebox:

• Streaming only with a subscription, which must be renewed again and again - but is therefore not mandatory and does not need to be canceled
• Not intuitive enough for small children and too "breakable"

In comparison: The Toniebox

Compared to the Tigerbox Touch, it's much softer and completely covered with a water-repellent fabric. All edges are rounded, making it ideal for small children , as it can withstand even serious falls without damage. It has two "ears": a small one for turning down the sound and a large one for turning it up and turning the box on. The Tonies play music or audiobooks.

The Toniebox is still in daily use at Caro's family, but if we had to choose one, it would still be the Tigerbox.

HOW TO: Simply place the figures on the small upper area and off you go. To fast-forward or rewind, tilt the box; a tap takes you to the next chapter or song; a tap to the left goes back; a tap to the right skips ahead. It's incredibly easy, and most children really enjoy it. Many children also enjoy collecting the figures.

Table & overview of the facts:

An alternative: The Wobie Box

The Wobie Box is the music box for children who want to listen to and discover music independently. If you, as a mom or dad, find Spotify's variety just right for that, this box might be an alternative for some of you, because the Wobie Box can play seven audiobooks or albums from Spotify.

Conclusion: Our favorite

Leaving aside the Wobie Box for a moment, as that's not the focus here: In the end, both boxes are definitely recommended, but in our opinion, the Tiger Box has a slight edge over the Tonie Box – also because it's so visually appealing and high-quality. Caro's son Oskar is thrilled with the sound, loves clicking through the selection of music and audio books, and occasionally listens to new stories or formats if the cover appeals to him. Since he's not quite so small anymore, he has no trouble skipping or fast-forwarding. For younger children, however, we find the Tonie Box more suitable. After all, they also play with the Tonies, just like with toy figures, which they can collect. But still: For us, the Tigerbox remains our favorite, especially for children starting from elementary school age . Fans of The Three Investigators, What's What, Eldrador, or Disney can listen to their favorite radio plays without limits. What about you? Let us know in the comments.

Best regards,
Your Anna & Oskar Team