Orbit Speak Plus

The verdict

The Orbit Speak Plus is Orbit Research's answer to the notetaker for people who read and write braille but want speech output instead of a braille display: a Perkins-style braille keyboard with scissors keys, synthesized speech in over 70 languages, and a full set of onboard apps — note-taking and file editing, a book reader for DAISY, PDF, ePub, and DOCX files, calendar, address book, calculator, clock and alarms, plus a music player, internet radio, podcatcher, and voice recorder. It connects over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB, reads from Bookshare and NFB-Newsline, and turns on instantly back to exactly where you left off.

Orbit Speak Plus — about $749 at Orbit Research · star rating unverified in our research · Blind pick — the pocket-sized speech-based braille notetaker: type in braille, hear everything back in speech, and carry a book reader, music player, and internet radio in a device smaller than most phones.

An onboard braille translator lets students share classwork with teachers as text.

Specs

  • Weighs less than 8 ounces
  • Smartphone-sized, pocket-friendly
  • Perkins-style braille keyboard
  • Speech output in 70+ languages
  • Octa-core Android platform, 3 GB RAM, 32 GB storage
  • Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and USB connectivity
  • Full-sized SD card slot
  • Fast-charging lithium-ion battery over USB-C
  • Built-in speaker, headphone jack, and haptic feedback
  • Bookshare and NFB-Newsline access

Blind details

Pick this over a full braille display when speech output is what you actually want and budget matters: at $749 it costs far less than a 20- or 40-cell display, and it pairs naturally with the Orbit Reader family rather than replacing it. It also works as a connected keyboard and controller for a phone or computer over Bluetooth or USB, so it doubles as the input device for texting, email, and browsing. The original Orbit Speak ($599) is the older model — the Plus is the current one to buy.

Honest caveats: this is speech output only — there is no refreshable braille display on board, so if you need to read braille under your fingers rather than hear it, look at the Orbit Reader 20 Plus or Brailliant BI 40X in this catalog instead. It is a specialty purchase, so confirm stock and any current promotions with Orbit Research before ordering; at this price it is also worth asking a state VR agency, school, or employer about funding, since notetakers are a standard accommodation purchase.

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Last reviewed: October 2026.