In addition to the Toniebox, there are now a number of alternatives when it comes to radio play boxes for children. A popular variant is the Tigerbox Touch. But what distinguishes it from the Toniebox? And what can be improved? The test showed advantages and disadvantages.
The Tigerbox Touch is an 11.5 centimeter audio play box with which children can independently click through the audio play world. The box must first be set up by the parents, but then the little ones can operate it independently using the touch display. With a so-called “Tigerticket”, which works like a streaming subscription, young listeners have access to thousands of radio plays and songs without advertising. There are also more than 80 “Tigercards” with individual radio plays. The Tigerbox Touch is suitable for children between the ages of two and twelve. In addition to the accessories (manual, charging cable and tips), the starter set also includes a radio play and a “Tiger Ticket” with a free month for streaming.
Visually, the box makes a very good impression: it is attractive and modern in design and not kitschy at all. The LED strips, which offer a subtle light show adapted to the audio playback, are also appealing. There is also a night light so the kids can listen comfortably in the evenings. There is knotted fabric around the box, it has a bamboo front and is otherwise kept very simple. There is a single button to turn the box on and off. My son was also enthusiastic about the display and the selection. After setting it up, he was able to work on it himself immediately. But it took a little while to get there.
As with the Toniebox, the Tigerbox Touch must first be set up with the help of the parents. However, it is not that easy. First it has to be connected to the WLAN. And it took us at least three attempts before it worked – even if the box tries to guide the user step by step: You have to download the app and connect to the WiFi and the smartphone. Once that’s done, however, the rest is self-explanatory and is then also fun for the little ones: There is music and audio books to click through and the user can already use the covers for orientation and switch back and forth very easily. You can also insert a “Tigercard” and thus make the box sound. There is also a “wild card” with which you can play messages you have recorded yourself, mp3 files or stories from the “Tigertones” media library.
Setting up the Tigerbox Touch was a bit more complicated than with the Toniebox, but overall the operation is easier to understand at first glance: you know exactly where to click. With the Toniebox, you first had to get used to tilting, slapping and operating it. However, operating the Tigerbox’s touch display is not ideal for very small children.
The parent area in the respective apps is very helpful for both providers. Settings can be made there: for example, to limit the volume or the playback time of the Tigerbox Touch or Toniebox. The “Tigertones” app also has cool extras, such as an advent calendar at Christmas time with jokes, stories or Christmas music.
While the Toniebox works with figures that you place on the box, with the Tigerbox you either need a card that you put in the slot provided. If the “Tigercard” is inserted into the box, the content is downloaded and stored on the device. Or you can use the streaming subscription via the so-called “Tigerticket”, which can be bought for three, six or twelve months. This allows children to stream thousands of radio plays or songs – without any advertising.
The cards are not as visually appealing as the Tonies, which can also be used as pawns. But they are cheaper: They cost between around six euros and ten euros – Tonies, on the other hand, usually between around twelve and 16 euros.
A big advantage of the Tigerbox Touch is its sound. It is very clear and the real wood provides a really great sound experience. This is particularly noticeable in adults and older children and is certainly not so important for smaller children.
Compared to the Tigerbox Touch, the Toniebox is very soft and completely covered with a water-repellent fabric. All edges are rounded, making it ideal for small children, as it can withstand heavier falls without damage. It has two “ears”: a small one to turn down the sound and a large one to turn it up and turn on the box. The Tonies ensure that music or radio plays sound. You just place the cute figures on the small field and off you go. To fast forward or rewind, you tilt the box, with a tap you get to the next chapter or song: left back, a tap on the right lets the listener jump forward. It’s easy to play and most children really enjoy it. And collecting the figures is also fun for many children.
In the end, both boxes are definitely recommended, but from my point of view the Tigerbox Touch is a little ahead of the Toniebox – also because I find it so visually appealing and of high quality. My son is enthusiastic about the sound, loves to click through the selection of music and radio plays and sometimes listens to new stories or formats if the cover appeals to him. Being almost four years old, he doesn’t have any problems with forwarding or fast-forwarding. But I think the Toniebox is more suitable for smaller children and I think it’s great that they can also play with the Tonies like with toy figures and collect them.
Characteristic
Tigerbox Touch
Toniebox
Price
that. 88 euros
that. 80 euros
Dimensions
11,5×11,5×11 cm
12x12x12 cm
weight
ca. 550 g
ca. 600 g
Colours
purple, black, green, gray, blue, red
red, green, light blue, berry, pink, grey
playback options
Tigercards (individual radio plays/songs)
Wildcards (playable cards)
Tigerticket (Streaming-Abo)
Tonies (recorded figures)
Creative tonies (playable figures)
Prices Tigercards/Tonies
about six to ten euros
about twelve to 16 euros
battery life
about seven hours
about seven hours
Storage
8GB internal flash memory (for more than 80 radio plays)
Flash memory for approx. 400 hours of material (but nothing will be played without Tonies)
Number of audio books/songs
approx. 6000 audio books/songs in the subscription
ca. 80 Tigercards
that. 300 Tonys
Account required
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Volume and playing time limitation possible
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Offline-Modus
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