What's the best value in visual aids 2026?

Lumyeye at £12.90/month offers the best value by combining 4 devices' functions for under £155/year, compared to £2,500–£12,500 to buy those devices separately.

COMPLETE GUIDE 2026

Low Vision Equipment 2026: The Complete Guide to Choosing the Right Device

Q: What equipment is available for visually impaired people in 2026?

In 2026, the main categories are: reading machines (£1,200–£4,200), video magnifiers/CCTVs (£400–£3,500), electronic magnifiers (£250–£1,200), smart glasses like OrCam (£3,000–£4,200), white canes (£25–£170) and AI smartphone apps like Lumyeye (£12.90/month).

Q: How to get insurance coverage for low vision equipment?

In the UK: Access to Work can fund assistive technology for employment. The NHS may provide some devices through low vision clinics. Local councils offer support through sensory services. RNIB offers guidance on available funding. Check with your local authority and the NHS.

Q: What's the difference between a reading machine and a video magnifier?

A reading machine has built-in OCR that reads text aloud (but only reads). A video magnifier enlarges images on a screen (but doesn't read aloud). Both cost £1,200 to £4,200. Lumyeye combines both functions + AI dialogue + GPS for £12.90/month.

Q: Can I try Lumyeye before committing?

Yes. Free trial (~20 requests), no credit card, no commitment. Download from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play (Android). Compare with your current equipment. Then £12.90/month, cancelable anytime.

Reading machines, video magnifiers, electronic magnifiers, smart glasses, AI apps… The assistive technology market has exploded. This guide covers every device category: how it works, real prices, insurance coverage, and AI alternatives in 2026.

Guide updated 02/20/2026. Prices from specialized assistive technology retailers. Lumyeye is the publisher of this website.

The 6 categories of visual aids in 2026

From traditional equipment to AI on smartphone — everything that exists for blind and visually impaired people.

Reading machine

£1,200 – £4,200

A dedicated device with built-in OCR that scans and reads text aloud. Excellent reading quality but bulky (desktop device), expensive and limited to reading only. No GPS, no dialogue, no scene description.

→ Detailed Reading Machine vs AI comparison

Video magnifier (CCTV)

£400 – £3,500

Camera + screen (portable or desktop) that enlarges text and images. Desktop models offer comfort with a large screen but only magnify. No voice reading, no AI.

→ Detailed Video Magnifier vs AI comparison

Electronic magnifier

£250 – £1,200

Portable version of the video magnifier. Small screen (3.5–7"), 2×–25× zoom. Practical on the go but small screen, single function (magnification) and high price for what it does.

→ Detailed Electronic Magnifier vs AI comparison

Smart glasses (OrCam, Envision…)

£3,000 – £4,200

Miniature camera mounted on glasses with OCR and object recognition. Discreet but very expensive, limited battery, less advanced than 2026 AI (no GPT dialogue, no GPS).

White cane

£25 – £170

The oldest and still essential mobility aid. Ground-level obstacle detection, signaling blindness to other people. No technology replaces it for immediate tactile obstacle detection.

AI App (Lumyeye)

£12.90/month

Your smartphone becomes a complete visual assistant: camera zoom (= magnifier + CCTV), OCR voice reading (= reading machine), GPT-4o AI dialogue, street sign reading, scene description, banknote recognition, voice web search. Combines 4 devices in one.

→ See the full comparison

Summary table: all devices face to face

Summary table of low vision equipment 2026
Feature	Lumyeye AI	Reading Machine	Video Magnifier	Electronic Magnifier	Smart Glasses
Price	£12.90/mo	£1,200–£4,200	£400–£3,500	£250–£1,200	£3,000–£4,200
Voice reading	✅	✅	❌	❌	✅
Zoom / Magnification	✅	❌	✅	✅	❌
AI dialogue	✅ GPT-4o	❌	❌	❌	❌
Street sign reading	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Scene description	✅	❌	❌	❌	⚠️ basic
Web search	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌
Banknotes	✅	❌	❌	❌	⚠️ some
Portability	✅ smartphone	❌ desktop	⚠️ heavy	✅ portable	✅ glasses

Comparison by product categories. Average 2026 prices from specialized retailers. Lumyeye is the publisher of this website.

Why AI on smartphone changes everything in 2026

One subscription combines the functions of 4 separate devices.

£155/year vs £8,500+

Buying a reading machine + video magnifier + magnifier + smart glasses = £5,000 to £12,500. Lumyeye combines all for £155/year.

AI that evolves

Physical equipment stays frozen. Lumyeye's AI improves every month: new features, better recognition, more natural dialogue — without changing hardware.

Zero extra hardware

Your smartphone — you already own it. No need to buy, carry or charge 4 devices. All in one, in your pocket.

Street sign & storefront reading

No traditional device offers walking navigation. Lumyeye guides you on the street, in the subway, in stores with step-by-step voice directions.

Intelligent dialogue

Ask questions about what you see, request a summary, a translation. No physical device dialogues — AI does.

Voice Internet access

Web search, news, schedules, weather — all accessible by voice. Traditional devices are disconnected from the Internet.

FAQ: low vision equipment

Answers to your most common questions.

What equipment is available for visually impaired people in 2026?

The main categories are: reading machines (£1,200–£4,200, OCR voice reading), video magnifiers/CCTVs (£400–£3,500, video magnification), electronic magnifiers (£250–£1,200, portable magnification), smart glasses like OrCam/Envision (£3,000–£4,200), white canes (£25–£170) and AI apps like Lumyeye (£12.90/month).

How to get insurance coverage for low vision equipment?

In the UK: 1) Access to Work — government scheme that can fund assistive technology for employment. 2) NHS low vision clinics — may provide some devices on referral. 3) Local council sensory services — support varies by area. 4) Disability Living Allowance (DLA) / PIP — can help fund daily living aids. 5) Charities like RNIB, Guide Dogs, and Thomas Pocklington Trust may provide assistance. Contact your local council's sensory services team.

What's the difference between a reading machine and a video magnifier?

A reading machine scans text and reads it aloud (OCR) — it only reads, doesn't magnify. A video magnifier (CCTV) enlarges images on a screen — it only magnifies, doesn't read aloud. Both are complementary but cost £1,700 to £7,500 together. Lumyeye combines both functions + AI dialogue + GPS for £12.90/month.

Can AI replace all these devices?

Largely, yes. Lumyeye combines reading machine functions (OCR), video magnifier (zoom), electronic magnifier (enlargement), plus unique features (AI dialogue, street sign reading, scene description, web search). Only the white cane remains essential for tactile ground-level obstacle detection — no technology replaces it today.

What's the best value in visual aids?

Lumyeye at £12.90/month offers the best value by combining 4 devices' functions for under £155/year (vs £2,500–£12,500 to buy them separately). The free trial (~20 requests) lets you compare with your current equipment risk-free.

Can I try Lumyeye before committing?

Yes. free trial (~20 requests), no credit card, no commitment. Download from the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android). Compare with your current equipment. Then £12.90/month, cancelable anytime.

Try Lumyeye free — about 20 requests included

No credit card. The equivalent of 4 devices in one app. On iPhone and Android.

Download for free See pricing plans

Starting at £12.90/month after the free trial. Cancel anytime.

Full comparison Reading machine vs AI Video magnifier vs AI Electronic magnifier vs AI