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The best cutting boards for low vision are two-sided black-and-white boards, because you can flip them to put dark food on a light surface and light food on a dark one. The five picks below range from about $13 to $25 and differ mainly in size, thickness and whether they have a handle.
A pale onion on a white board nearly disappears if your contrast vision is reduced, and the same goes for a dark pepper on a black board. Contrast is the whole job of a low vision cutting board. I went through specialty low vision retailers and compared size, weight, handles and limits. I haven’t tested these boards myself, so everything below comes from the sellers’ own listings.
The 5 Best Cutting Boards for Low Vision
1. Low Vision Black and White Cutting Board, Large (MaxiAids)
Price: about $24.93
This is the largest and heaviest board here, at 9-5/8 by 15 inches and 1 inch thick. According to the listing, it is made of polyboard, with one black and one white surface, a built-in carrying handle, and a lifetime guarantee. The listing says it resists scratching and won’t dull knives.
Best for: people who cook often and want a large, stable board.
Limitation: it costs the most of the five, and the 1-inch thickness takes up more storage space.
2. Low Vision Black and White Cutting Board, Small (MaxiAids)
Price: about $16.95
This is a smaller version of the same design, at 8 by 12.675 inches and half an inch thick. It uses the same polyboard, has a built-in handle, and carries the same lifetime guarantee in the listing.
Best for: small kitchens, single servings and quick jobs like slicing a tomato.
Limitation: the smaller surface is awkward for big jobs like a whole cabbage.
3. Low Vision Black and White Cutting Board (Independent Living)
Price: about $12.95
This is the cheapest of the black-and-white boards. The listing gives the size as 14-1/4 by 9-1/2 inches and a quarter inch thick, and describes a washable plastic board. The black side is for light foods and the white side for dark foods.
Best for: a low-cost first board with a full-size surface.
Limitation: at a quarter inch thick it is lighter and more flexible than the polyboard options, and the listing doesn’t mention a handle.
4. Black and White Cutting Board (Vision Forward)
Price: about $18.00
Vision Forward describes a double-sided board with a heavyweight construction and a quarter-inch slim profile. It sells the board directly, and the proceeds go to the organization.
Best for: buying from a vision rehabilitation nonprofit.
Limitation: the listing doesn’t state the width and length, so check the dimensions before you buy.
5. Low Vision Non-Slip Flexible Cutting Board, Red (MaxiAids)
Price: check the current price
This one skips the two-sided idea. The listing describes a bright red, high-contrast board with a flexible surface and a non-slip back. MaxiAids suggests it for lighter foods like celery, hard-boiled eggs and mushrooms.
Best for: pale foods, and moving chopped food into a pan by bending the board.
Limitation: one color only, so it works poorly for red or dark foods, and the listing shows no price on the page I could check.
How to Choose
Start with the board’s job. If you want one board for everything, choose a two-sided black-and-white board (picks 1 to 4). Use the black side for light foods like onions and cheese, and the white side for dark foods like beets and eggplant.
Then look at size and weight. A heavier board with a handle (picks 1 and 2) stays put and is easier to carry to the sink. A thin quarter-inch board (picks 3 and 4) is cheaper and easier to store, but it can slide on a smooth counter, so put a damp cloth or a non-slip mat underneath.
Hadley’s cooking series says to pick a cutting board with contrast in mind: a dark board for light colored food and a white or light board for dark food. That is exactly what the two-sided boards do.
Contrast works best alongside other adaptive tools. Our guide to measuring cups and spoons for low vision covers the next step in the recipe, and if peeling is hard on your hands, see vegetable peelers for arthritis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best cutting board for low vision?
A two-sided black-and-white board. It lets you choose the surface that contrasts with the food. The large MaxiAids board is the sturdiest of these five.
Why is a black-and-white cutting board good for low vision?
Reduced contrast vision makes food that matches the board hard to see. Flipping to the opposite color makes the edge of the food stand out.
Are low vision cutting boards dishwasher safe?
It depends on the board, and the listings I read mostly describe the boards as washable rather than dishwasher safe. Check the seller’s care instructions first.
Should I put anything under the board?
A damp cloth or non-slip mat under a thin board keeps it from sliding while you cut.
Final Thoughts
For most kitchens, the small or large two-sided polyboard (picks 1 and 2) is the best long-term choice. The Independent Living board is a good low-cost way to try the idea. Pick the size that matches how much you cook, and keep a mat underneath.
Prices and specifications can change, so check the current listing before you buy.