What Are Refreshable Braille Displays?
A refreshable braille display is an electro-mechanical device that converts text displayed on a screen into raised braille characters by raising and lowering pins in braille cells. These devices vary in size (from around 12 to 80 cells), and may include keyboards, navigation buttons, notetaker functions, and multimedia capabilities.
Typical pricing for these devices ranges widely—from about $500 for basic models to more than $18,000 for advanced multiline and tactile graphic displays.
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Notable Companies & Products
- Human Ware
- Brailliant BI 20X: 20-cell display, ~US$1,899 (sale); originally about $2,199.
• Brailliant BI 40X: 40-cell display, price about US$3,199 (special) or up to ~$3,695 regular. Features Bluetooth 5, faster pairing, text-to-speech. - Orbit/APH (American Printing House for the Blind)
• Orbit Reader 20: Affordable 20-cell display around US$449.
• Orbit Reader Q20 / Q40: Q20 ~US$1,099; Q40 ~US$1,999.
• Orbit Slate 340 / 520: Multiline options, ~US$4,295 (Slate 340) and ~US$3,695 (Slate 520). - Selvas BLV / HIMS
• b.note 20 / 40 / 80: Range from ~US$2,695 to $11,489 depending on cell count.
• Actilino 3.0: ~US$2,795.
• QBraille XL (40-cell): About US$3,195; combines Perkins-style and QWERTY keys for intuitive use. - HumanWare / Focus Blue (Freedom Scientific)
• Focus 14, 40, 80 Blue (5th gen): Priced around US$1,622 (14-cell), $3,748 (40-cell), and $9,996 (80-cell). - Advanced Multiline / Tactile Graphic Devices
• Monarch (HumanWare & APH): 10-line × 32-cell display; includes tactile graphics, word processing, web browsing—around US$17,900 (subsidized down to $14,900).
• Dot Pad: High-resolution device with ~320 braille cells and graphics; priced above US$12,000.
• Braille e-books (Graphiti, Braille Pad): Graphiti ~US$24,666; Braille Pad ~US$4,400.
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Device Price Ranges at a Glance
Price Tier Examples Description
Budget (~$450–$600) Orbit Reader 20, Braille Me (~$515) Basic 20-cell displays
Mid-range ($1,500–$3,500) Brailliant BI 20X, BI 40X, Orbit Q20/Q40, QBraille XL Portable, more features, better connectivity
Premium ($3,500–$9,000) Focus Blue 80, Slate multiline models Large displays, advanced navigation
High-end ($10–25K) Dot Pad, Monarch, Graphiti, Braille Pad Multi-line/tactile-graphic devices with full PCs
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Browse Some Available Devices
Product Highlights
Brailliant BI 20X20-Cell Refreshable Braille Display by HumanWare
Compact and portable 20-cell display with thumb keys, text -to-speech, onboard apps, Bluetooth & USB. Great for students and mobile professionals.
• Brilliant BI 40X -40-Cell Braille Display from Humanware
Expands to a 40-cell display; boasts faster Bluetooth 5 pairing, extended range, and promising ergonomics with storage options.
• Q Braille XL Braille Display & Notetaker for Easy Navigation
A fresh take combining Perkins-style braille input with intuitive QWERTY and function keys—bridges traditional braille workflows with familiar keyboard commands.
• Braille Sense 6 Notetaker & Refreshable Braille Display Device
A standalone, Android-powered device with 32-cell display, Google apps, GPS, and media features—ideal for comprehensive on-the-go notetaking and productivity.
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Summary & Recommendations
• Need basic portability at low cost? Consider the Orbit Reader 20 ($449) or Braille Me ($515).
• Want a balance of price and functionality? Look at mid-range options like the HumanWare BI 20X/40X, QBraille XL, or Orbit Q series—they offer better navigation, connectivity, and comfort.
• Looking for a full notetaker or device with built-in apps? The BrailleSense 6 combines rich Android features with braille input/output.
• Need advanced layouts with tactile graphics for education or work? Devices like the Monarch or Dot Pad are powerful—but come with high price tags and may require funding or subsidies.
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