Let's Rock Elmo

$70, Smart Toy

Teaches: music, rhythm

CTR Rating: 90%

CTR Review

Two years ago Sesame Street and Fisher-Price parted ways, ending a 15 year licensing agreement to make toys like Tickle Me Elmo. Rival toy maker Hasbro has continued robotic Sesame Street toy tradition, however. Hasbro's team is no stranger to the job, having made the FurReal line of toys, and Fisher-Price has continued to make updates to their Mickey Mouse robots. This all helps you understand how the two headliner toys for 2011 from both Hasbro and Fisher-Price both sing and dance. So how does Rock Star Mickey compare with Let's Rock Elmo? Powered by six AA batteries, Let's Rock Elmo comes with three small plastic instruments, two of which are playable (the drums and tambourine). Elmo's hands and feet have pressure switches that trigger songs related to the instrument he holds. We liked how he moves, and the music is clear. The fact that you can place any object in his right gripping hand opens the possibility for more play. Both are entertaining, but Elmo is more open ended, and has more generalized and lifelike motion with hinged arms. Plus, he can use different instruments that actually work. But Elmo uses more batteries and costs about $20 more. Children won't notice much difference. Other Let's Rock instruments (sold separately) include a guitar and keyboard. Let's Rock Elmo can sing six songs and requires six AA batteries (included).