When the LumiBoard first crossed my radar, I was charmed by the idea of a glowing canvas — a mess-free, illuminated board where kids (or adults) could doodle endlessly without paper piling up. The ads made it look magical, but after owning it for a few weeks, I’ve realized that glow isn’t everything.
What Is the LumiBoard?
The LumiBoard is a USB-powered acrylic dry-erase board that lights up with LED illumination. As you draw with the included neon pens, your strokes glow brilliantly. According to the manufacturer, it comes with an adjustable stand, seven colored markers, and a design that encourages creativity, note-taking, memo writing… all in a reusable format. It’s available in several sizes (e.g., 15 × 15 cm, 20 × 20 cm, 30 × 20 cm) depending on the listing.
Why I Tried It
I bought it thinking it would be a fun, low-mess creative tool for my kids, something between a nightlight, a drawing board, and a message pad for my desk. I wanted the glow effect to feel both playful and practical, and I hoped it would keep their attention without risking ruined walls or endless stacks of paper.
My Experience Using It
Right when I plugged it in for the first time, I felt a little thrill. The soft LED glow made the board look like something from a futuristic kids’ movie. I set it on the stand, and my kids got to drawing right away with the bright pens.
But the excitement faded faster than I’d hoped. For starters, the board must stay plugged in, as there’s no internal battery. That tightly restricts where you can place it, and we had to keep it very near a USB port or charger. Not exactly “portable” in practice. Cleaning the glossy acrylic surface turned into a minor ordeal. The wipe cloth included was too small and ineffective… I ended up amplifying the streaks rather than removing them cleanly, and using a damp cloth left smudges that slightly dull the LED glow. Over time, that makes the board feel less magical and more like a chore.
Also, the glow itself wasn’t as vibrant as the marketing promised. In darker rooms, it’s decent, but in a brightly lit space it’s much harder to see the lines pop. For serious sketching or detailed work, the effect falls short.
When I left it out for kids to use during downtime, I noticed that markers dried out more quickly than expected… likely because of the acrylic surface and how often it was wiped clean. After a few sessions, a couple of the pens felt less juicy, which dulled the experience.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Very creative concept… glowing drawings feel fun and modern.
- Reusable surface, so no need to waste copious amounts of paper.
- Includes multiple bright neon pens and an adjustable stand.
- USB-powered, which means it can plug into laptops or power banks.
Cons:
- Requires constant power; no built-in battery makes it less flexible.
- Cleaning is tedious and streaky; the included cloth isn’t great.
- Glow can be weak, especially in well-lit rooms.
- Markers tend to dry faster than expected.
- Some parts feel cheaply made: the stand itself feels delicate and unsteady.
Product Claims vs. Reality
- Claim: “Writing glows vividly with LED light.” – Reality: Works best in dim rooms. In bright light, the glow is much more subtle.
- Claim: “Reusable and easy to clean.” – Reality: Erasing takes effort, and streaks remain if you don’t wipe carefully.
- Claim: “Fun, screen-free creative tool.” – Reality: Yes, to some extent, but limited by power and marker durability.
Is the Creative LumiBoard a Scam?
No, it’s not a scam. You do receive a genuine LED drawing board that glows and works as advertised in basic form. However, the expectations set by marketing are inflated. If you buy it expecting a robust, high-lumen, long-lasting “light-up sketchpad,” you’ll likely feel underwhelmed. The reality is more of a novelty or decorative toy than a serious art tool.
How to Use
- Connect it via USB to a wall adapter, power bank, or laptop.
- Place on the adjustable stand for stability.
- Use the neon markers to draw or write, the lines will glow when the LEDs are on.
- To erase, gently wipe with a soft cloth (damp if needed), but expect some streaking.
- Draw in a darker room if you want the glow effect to fully shine.
Alternatives to Consider
If you’re looking for other light-up drawing boards or tracing pads, here are some:
- Ultra‑Thin LED Tracing Board
- Lumi’Board Portable Drawing Station for kids.
- Huion L4S LED Light Box
Conclusion — Would I Recommend It?
If your goal is to give your kids a fun, glowing doodle board as a novelty or occasional creative tool, yes, you might enjoy the LumiBoard. But if you want it to be a serious art pad or long-term sketch surface, it’s probably not worth the hype.
Would I buy it again? Not likely, given the cleaning issues and weak glow. Would I recommend it? Only if you know what you’re signing up for: a cute, glowing board, not a pro-grade light pad.
Also read – Is the Niimbot B21 Worth It? My Honest Test & Brutally Honest Review