
Our method
To facilitate learning or to make exhibitions and notes in a corporate environment, the blackboard is a tool that has not yet gone out of fashion.
Since its creation, it continues to evolve, but its use remains vital, especially in the school environment. If you are a little older than that, you may remember the famous blackboards.
Today it is possible to find whiteboards, glass blackboards and even digital models. To understand a little better about the product, its functionality and evolution, check out our review.
Contents
Summary
- Chalkboards are not suitable for people who have allergies or respiratory problems.
- In whiteboards or glass slates, it is important to check the type of marker that will be used, because some are not removable.
- Nowadays, it is possible to find paints or wallpapers that simulate the effect of a chalkboard so that you can use them as decoration in your home or office.
The best Board: Our Picks
Buying guide
Now that you've checked out a few models, it's time to learn more about the product overall. Slates offer a number of benefits to help with learning or outlining large business projects.
But how do you know which is the right type of blackboard for each environment? To get the answer to this and other questions, check out our buying guide.
What is a board?
They are also known as blackboards as the first models were made of a thin layer of dark slate. Since then the blackboards have evolved to the models we know today.
It is now even possible to find digital blackboards that are touch sensitive and have many of the functionalities of a common computer, such as the ability to save the content used and even surf the internet, making learning much more fun.
What are the different types of boards?
Whiteboards and glass slates use removable markers and are easier to clean, are in an intermediate price range and offer greater visibility and durability.
But if you want a modern and fully computerised model, for a little more money, you can use digital whiteboards, which are completely interactive. To understand better, see the table below.
Greenboard | Whiteboard | Glass slate | Digital whiteboard | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Benefits | They are easy to maintain | They offer a clearer and brighter surface | They are easier to clean and last longer | They are more interactive |
Type of markers | White or coloured chalk | Removable markers | Removable markers | They work through touch screens |
Price | They are the cheapest blackboards on the market | They are in an intermediate price range | They can cost a little more | They are still new and, because they are digital, they cost a lot more |
What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a board?
However, there are also some disadvantages. In models that work with chalk, the dust that forms when cleaning can be harmful for people with allergies or respiratory problems.
With continuous use, chalk can also dry out the hands and cause cracks. An option to this are whiteboards or glass boards, but they require special markers. For more details, check our table.
How much does it cost?
Whiteboards or glass blackboards can be found from £50 to £1,000. And as for the digital blackboards, they range from £2,000 to more than £10,000.
All the blackboards shown in this review can be found in a range of £20 to £40.
Buying criteria: What to consider before buying a board
Blackboards are widely used in school environments, to make it easier for students to view information, to help develop projects in corporate environments and are excellent for menus or advertising promotions in retail.
However, before buying your blackboard, it is important to observe some criteria so that you choose the right model and that offers more cost/benefit to your activities.
- Material
- Size
- Colour
- Additional Functionality (magnetic)
Take a close look at each of these topics to choose the best board for your education, your business or even to decorate your home with a more interactive touch.
Material
The blackboards can be made of different metals. Even today it is possible to find wooden models, but the most common is that they are made of MDF, a type of plywood which is lighter and cheaper.
It is also possible to find models in plastic, such as PVC, or in metal, the most common being aluminium. You can even find slates made of glass, adhesive or in the form of wallpaper.
Size
The size of the blackboard is also a very important criterion when buying. If you intend to use them in a very large environment, a bigger blackboard will make it easier to see and the amount of information that will be available to the spectators.
Smaller blackboards are ideal for commercial environments, to announce promotions or menus. They can also be used at home, especially for children's entertainment.
For decorative use, you can choose the size you want, depending on the size of the surface where you want to place it.
Colour
When the blackboards first appeared, it was most common for them to be black, grey or green, as this made it easier to see the information using white chalk, creating an excellent contrast.
Today it is possible to find whiteboards, which are brighter. In addition, they can be used with coloured markers, so you can highlight different types of information.
Additional features
With the evolution of blackboards, they have gained some additional functionalities. In metal models, for example, they can be magnetic, where you can use small magnets to attach additional information.
On digital whiteboards these functionalities become even more evident as, in addition to displaying information, they can interact with interactive applications and connect to the internet, transmitting the information directly to one or more computers.
This is transforming ordinary whiteboards into amazing learning and working tools.
(Image source: Karygrabovski / Pixabay)