HIMS Braille eMotion 40

The verdict

The Braille eMotion pairs a smooth 40-cell refreshable braille display with standalone notetaker apps: a notepad for writing, a DAISY and document reader, a media player, a voice recorder, and calculator and time tools. It connects over USB and up to five Bluetooth connections at once, so you can hop between a phone, a computer, and a tablet without re-pairing, and built-in Wi-Fi handles firmware updates — version 1.5 (April 2026) added a braille practice app, language profiles, and direct embossing.

HIMS Braille eMotion 40 — about $3,595 at New England Low Vision · star rating unverified in our research · Blind pick (no sight needed) — the 40-cell braille display and notetaker that replaces the Braille Edge, for braille readers who want one device for reading, writing, and switching between phone and computer.

It runs on a 5,000 mAh battery charged over USB-C and carries 64 GB of internal storage plus a microSD slot.

Specs

  • 40-cell refreshable braille display with Perkins-style input
  • Standalone apps: notepad, DAISY/document reader, media player, voice recorder, calculator and time tools
  • 1 USB connection plus up to 5 simultaneous Bluetooth connections
  • Built-in Wi-Fi for firmware updates
  • 64 GB internal storage (about 43 GB available to user); microSD card slot
  • USB Type-C device port and USB Type-A host port
  • Internal stereo binaural microphones
  • 5,000 mAh battery; USB-C charging
  • 12.6 x 3.5 x 0.8 inches; 1.6 lb
  • 2-year limited parts and labor warranty

Blind details

For a blind reader, 40 cells is the sweet spot between portability and real reading: a full line of braille at once instead of the choppy 14- or 20-cell fragments of a pocket display, in a device that still weighs just 1.6 pounds and fits in a bag. The standalone apps matter as much as the display — you can take notes, read a book, or record a memo without any host device at all, then switch to display mode when you sit down at a computer. Before buying, confirm your screen reader pairs cleanly (JAWS, NVDA, VoiceOver, and TalkBack are the expected set) and budget for the learning curve of a new key layout if you are coming from a Braille Edge.

Support: Reachable by phone and email — Selvas BLV (HIMS) at 888-520-4467 or support@selvasblv.com.

Honest caveats: At $3,595 this is a major purchase, typically funded through vocational rehabilitation, a school, or an employer rather than out of pocket — ask your VR counselor or AT program before paying retail. It is a braille-first device: if you do not read braille, a speech-only notetaker or a phone with a screen reader covers the same ground for far less. Firmware updates require the battery above 40% and AC power connected, so plan updates at a desk, not on the go.

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Last reviewed: October 2026.