Best Audio Players for People with Sight Loss (including blind and partially sighted people)

Audio Content for Children & Adults with sight loss (including blind and partially sighted people)

Audio players can open up a whole new world for people with sight loss (including blind and partially sighted people). Being able to be independent is such an important thing for children and adults alike.

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My Nan loved her audiobooks. She’d borrow audio cassette tapes from her local library and play them on her HiFi in her lounge or on a personnel cassette player with a pair of headphones if she was in the garden or upstairs. She’s always loved books and reading but she’d prepared herself for still being able to escape in books as she knew her sight was failing. Her blind mother-in-law had taught her about being prepared. This post will go through the players I’d recommend for people with sight loss and top tips. If you have a top tip to share please do drop a comment or get in touch.

Overall Benefits of Audio Players for People with Sight Loss

• Screen-free storytelling – Ideal for those who find touchscreens inaccessible or fatiguing.
• Tactile interaction – Many of these players rely on physical cards, figures, or blocks, offering clear tactile cues.
• Encourages independence – Users can choose stories or music without needing to navigate complex menus.
• Accessible listening – Good for relaxation, learning, and entertainment without visual strain.
• Portable and durable – Easy to carry around the house or outdoors.
• Supports mental wellbeing – Audio stories and music can reduce loneliness and boost mood.
• Inclusive for families – Sighted and non-sighted children or adults can share the same device and content.

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Five and Under

Toniebox 2

Kids audio players are perfect for not only fictional words but non-fiction content and songs. If a child is around 5 and under then my recommendation would be a Toniebox 2. This is because each Tonie Character is unique due to the moulding for that specific character. These means that children can select their character they would like by feel.

The Toniebox 2 is also very ‘touchy-feely’ to use. You have two squishy ‘ears’ that are used to control the player (you squeeze them) and you knock the sides to change track.

6+ and Adults Recommendation

If a child is 6+, you’re an adult or buying for an adult then a Toniebox 2 may still be the right player depending upon the type of content you’re looking for. However, at this age I would consider looking at a Voxblock or Yoto Player/ Yoto Mini due to the content available for these players.

Both Voxblock and Yoto Player/ Yoto Minis are ideal for content to grow with children and into teens/ adulthood. Something very important to consider when choosing between a Voxblock and a Yoto Player (or Mini) is who will be setting up the player? You need to use an app and connect to WiFi to set up the Yoto Players whilst the Voxblock literally comes straight out of the box (no WiFi required) and can be played – check out the video below.

Voxblock Simplicity

Not only is Voxblock incredibly easy to set up it needs no ongoing WiFi or technology. You simply place an audiobook ‘Block’ onto the player and off it goes. You can use headphones (I think the sound quality is actually better using headphones) but only wired ones can be used. The Voxblock headphones are cosy but, in my opinion, only suitable for little ears. If purchasing for a teen/adult I would look at other wired headphone options.

Voxblock has a great range of ready to go audiobook Blocks. They have an increasing selection of books for young adults and adults. Voxblock are looking to bring out more content for this age range too.

Buttons on the Voxblock are very easy to navigate with raised symbols for ease of use.

Where to Buy Voxblock Players and Voxblock discount codes

Discount Code: BUSYBUSY for 20% off one purchase – limited to one transaction per customer

Yoto Player Content Possibilities are Endless

Yoto have a good range of content for older children with a card library that expands each and every week. Yoto also has the ability to add your own content. Yoto Make Your Own Cards can have music, podcasts and audiobooks added to them. They are a great way to curate your own content for any age.

Using borrowing services like BorrowBox gives access to library audiobooks for limited rental times. You can find out more about free content options here. The limitation to this is that WiFi is needed and access to the Yoto app or Yoto through a web browser is needed to be able to create your own content to a card. You can also use the app to play content without needing a player.

Both the Yoto Player and Yoto Mini have simple controls – orange buttons that you push and twist. You can set them up in the app to do what you want them to do. They are easy to use but things like searching for specific chapters may be more challenging.

Both the Yoto Player and Yoto Mini can be connected to headphones either wireless or wired.

Is Portability Important?

The Yoto Mini is ideal if you want to be able to carry it around the home with you from room to room or take it out and about. I love that it can be connected to wireless (or wired) headphones.

Tip: Store cards in a Braille-labelled index box or wallet for easy access.

Where to Buy Yoto Players and Yoto discount codes

I frequently (several times a week) update offers – click on the button below to head to the dedicated page. You will also find year-round discount codes.

Last Chance Yoto Section – Yoto Discounted Card Deals

If the page defaults to the full library then click on the top right ‘clearance’ block.

Braille Stickers for Audio Content

I would suggest a modification to the actual cards (for Yoto) or Blocks (for Voxblock) if supporting independent use. I recommend using raised/ textured/ Braille stickers attached to the top of a Yoto card or on the front of a Voxblock Block. You can come up with your own key to be able to identify books.

Yoto Card Braille Stickers

On a Yoto card it doesn’t matter which way around the card is when it is inserted or whether it is put in forward or backward facing. Just ensure that the end with the sticker remains outside the player. The top centimetre or so doesn’t go into the player and it doesn’t matter which side it goes on.

Voxblock Braille Stickers

For Voxblock Blocks you put the block into the player with the top facing up so ensure the sticker is anywhere on the front. Three sides of the Block are rough, the final side (left side) is a smooth spine of the book. You will also feel a small ‘port’/ dip on the back of the Block; this is what connects to the player. Therefore, make sure the port is on the bottom and apply your sticker to anywhere on the top.

Toniebox Pocket/ Book Tonies

There is increasing content for older children but in my opinion the Tonie offerings aren’t anywhere near the level of Yoto and Voxblock for the older age range yet. However, if you do choose to go for some of their Pocket and Book Tonies these are not individual characters and the moulding is generic. Therefore, you’ll need to add stickers like with Cards or Blocks to be able to determine different audiobooks.

A Peep at the Players