If you are looking for the best dry erase board you came to the right place. This is a research based buyers guide with reviews of the best whiteboards available. I published this article to provide you the information you need to know prior to buying a dry erase board.
In this article, you will find reviews of several different types of whiteboards suitable for the following purposes:
- Home
- Office
- Home-school
- College dorm room
Pros and cons of each whiteboard is provided in bullet point format.
TL;DR: The OfficePro Ultra-Slim is my favorite dry erase board.
Comparison Table
The table below contains a side by side comparison of the top dry erase boards. Each of these whiteboards are offered through Amazon.
Click the respective links below for the most current pricing information. The link will take you to the Amazon product page. From there, you can also read customer reviews as you continue your research.
| Description | Price | Dimensions | Magnetic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| OfficePro Ultra-Slim Magnetic Dry Erase Board | Check Price on Amazon | 24” x 36” | Yes |
| Quartet Dry Erase Board | Check Price on Amazon | 17” x 23” | Yes |
| U Brands Contempo Magnetic Dry Erase Board | Check Price on Amazon | 8.5” x 11” 11” x 14” | Yes |
| Board Dudes 3-In-1 Dry Erase Cork Calendar Board | Check Price on Amazon | 17” x 23” | Yes |
| Universal Melamine Dry Erase Board | Check Price on Amazon | 36” x 24” | No |
| Navy Penguin Whiteboard Set | Check Price on Amazon | 12” x 12” 15” x 12” (Landscape) 15” x 12” (Portrait) 24” x 18” (Landscape) 35” x 24” (Landscape) | Yes |
| Kedudes Dry Erase Board | Check Price on Amazon | 11” x 14” | Yes |
| Universal Dry Erase Board | Check Price on Amazon | 36” x 24” | Yes |
| VIZ-PRO Dry Erase Board | Check Price on Amazon | 36” x 24” 48” x 36” 60” x 36” | No |
| Mead Classic Dry-Erase Board | Check Price on Amazon | 2’ x 1.5’ 3’ x 2’ 4’ x 3’ 6’ x 4’ 8’ x 4’ | No |
Table of Contents
Contents
- 1 Comparison Table
- 2 Table of Contents
- 3 About Dry Erase Boards
- 4 OfficePro Ultra-Slim Magnetic Dry Erase Board Review
- 5 Quartet Dry Erase Board Review
- 6 U Brands Contempo Magnetic Dry Erase Board Review
- 7 Board Dudes 3-In-1 Dry Erase Board Review
- 8 Universal Melamine Dry Erase Board Review
- 9 What to Consider When Buying a Dry Erase Board
- 10 Frequently Asked Questions When Buying a Whiteboard
- 11 Final Thoughts
- 12 Additional Resources
About Dry Erase Boards
A dry erase board, or whiteboard, is a simple solution for visual communication and helping you stay organized.
We have many different types of digital tools to help us keep track of all the events and tasks we juggle in our lives. However, the old-fashioned way of writing it down sometimes works better.
A dry erase board allows you to write down and draw out your thoughts, ideas, reminders, and schedules.
Dry Erase Boards at Home
At home, a whiteboard is great tool for keeping track of your family and all the activities that are going on.
A whiteboard is great for jotting down notes including the following:
- Grocery lists
- Work schedules
- School related events
- Notes to family members. For example, if you are out running an errand, you can jot down a note which lets everyone know where you have gone.
- Doctor appointment reminders
- Task lists
Dry Erase Boards at the Office
At your office, a whiteboard is an essential item. They allow for communication and collaboration across your team.
Whether you are leading a meeting or presentation, being able to draw out your ideas assists in effective communication. Your audience can visualize the point you are trying to get across.
If you run a service related business, a whiteboard is one of the best solutions to display daily schedules. It’s an easy way to keep your team on track as they come in and out of the office. At a glance, everyone knows exactly what they need to be doing.
Whiteboards for Homeschooling
If you are homeschooling your kids, a dry erase board is absolutely essential. Try to imagine teaching your kids math problems without one. That would be challenging to say the least.
For homeschooling, you will probably opt for a smaller whiteboard than you would find in a traditional classroom. You may find a 24” x 36” whiteboard is sufficient for your home classroom. This size is large enough to fit a significant amount of content while small enough to fit on your wall. If you need more space consider hanging two side by side.
OfficePro Ultra-Slim Magnetic Dry Erase Board Review
My top pick for the best whiteboard is the OfficePro Ultra-Slim magnetic dry erase board. If you are looking for a quality dry erase board, consider this one.
This whiteboard is the perfect size for my home office. It is a larger board measuring 24” x 36”. That is 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide. It is much larger than the smaller whiteboards you put on your refrigerator and smaller than the big ones that are commonly found in classrooms. Those take up the entire wall.
It is a high quality dry erase board. It erases easily with limited ghosting. This is a result of a higher quality melamine surface the board is manufactured with.
As its name suggests, it is very thin. The thickness is about as wide as a dime. Don’t let its slim width fool you; it is a sturdy board of quality construction.
One of the most surprising things about this whiteboard is its weight. It is very lightweight which makes it easy to hang. Possibly even more surprising than its weight is how sturdy it is. Its light weight does not affect the quality of its build.
This whiteboard comes with the following accessories:
- 1 whiteboard
- 1 black dry erase marker
- 1 eraser
- 3 black magnets
- 1 storage tray
- 1 mounting kit
The board is magnetic. If you have paper notes you would like to post, just stick them on with a small magnet.
Both the marker and eraser have a magnet attached to them. Since the board is magnetic, you can stick them directly to the board’s magnetic surface. This makes storage easy and helps ensure you will never lose them. You can always keep them together with the board. You also have the option of simply setting them on the tray at the base of the board.
It is important to note that this whiteboard is designed to be mounted to the wall. The board does not fold up for mobility. Once you hang it up, it is there for good unless you remount it somewhere else.
Setting the board up is easy. It comes with a mounting kit. The mounting kit includes drywall screws and two plastic tabs. The plastic tabs attach to the back of the board. To hang the board, position the whiteboard where you need it and screw through the tabs to secure it to the wall.
You can expect it to arrive packed securely in a box and Styrofoam shell.
Pros
- Size. It measures 2 feet by 3 feet. This is the ideal size to hang on the wall in your office. It’s not so small that you have to write in tiny print and it’s not so large that it takes up your entire wall.
- Lightweight. This whiteboard only weighs about seven pounds. Its light weight also makes it easy to hang.
- Magnetic. The surface of the board is magnetic. There are 3 magnets included. Since it is magnetic, you can easily hang bills and other items that are needed for follow-up.
- Thickness. One of the key features of this board is its thickness. It is very slim. It is about the same thickness as a dime is wide.
- Lifetime guarantee. The manufacturer stands behind their product and offers a lifetime replacement guarantee.
Cons
- The tray is small. It is about half the length of the whiteboard and is centered across the bottom edge.
- Very glossy. The upside to its high gloss surface is that you can repeatedly write and erase and the board will stay white. The downside is that it throws a bright reflection. If it is near a window, expect there to be a significant glare from the sunshine.
- Weak magnets. The magnets included are a little weak. If you plan on hanging multiple pieces of paper from a single magnet, you may have to invest in stronger magnets than the ones that come with it.
Quartet Dry Erase Board Review
If you are looking for a standard whiteboard, the Quartet dry erase board is about as basic as it gets. It is a great option for your home, office, or cubicle. It’s not at all flashy, but has a modern and professional look.
The most popular model measures 17” x 23”. It can be hung with either a landscape or portrait orientation. In other words, you can hang it horizontally or vertically (long side up or side to side).
You can purchase it in a standard black or faux wooden frame which allows you to best match the space you are hanging it in.
The surface is magnetic. The board comes with two magnets. The magnetic surface is fairly strong compared to other whiteboards. Depending on the magnet you use, it can easily hold up several pieces of paper.
The surface is easy to wipe down. With some whiteboards, you really have to put some elbow-grease into erasing the ink off the board. Not this one. It has a high-quality surface that is easy to erase.
Additionally, ghosting is not an issue with this board. Ghosting happens when you write on a whiteboard, erase it, but you can still see some of the ink that did not completely erase. The melamine surface speaks to the quality of this whiteboard.
This whiteboard comes with the following accessories:
- 1 Marker (with eraser on cap)
- 1 Mounting Kit
- 2 magnets
The mounting kit contains brackets to mount it on your wall. If you had rather not put a hole in your wall, you can use several 3M Command Strips to hang it. They are an easy alternative to drilling holes.
Pros
- Orientation. You can hang it vertically or horizontally. This is one advantage of it being such a basic board. It looks good either way.
- Large. I didn’t realize how big 17” x 23” was until I saw it. It is certainly not a large as a board you would find in a classroom, but this is all most people will need for their home and small office.
- Magnetic. The entire surface is magnetic. It comes with two magnets and there is room for plenty more if needed.
Cons
- Faux wood. The “wood frame” is not real wood. It is some type of manufactured material. This is to be expected at its MSRP.
- Cheap marker. The marker that comes with it is on the cheap side. This is going to be the case with most whiteboards you buy. I recommend buying a higher quality Expo marker separately.
- Shipping damage. It may be shipped in a large box with plenty of room to move around while in transit. Don’t be surprised if the corners are damaged upon arrival.
The video below, courtesy of Knosis on YouTube, shows the whiteboard in both black and wood trims.
U Brands Contempo Magnetic Dry Erase Board Review
If you are looking for a small whiteboard to hang on your refrigerator, the U Brands Contempo is a good choice.
It works great for keeping your grocery list and other to do’s. It isn’t so large that it looks awkward hanging on your fridge.
It comes in two different sizes – 8.5″ x 11″ and 11″ x 14″.
A black dry erase marker comes with the board. There is an eraser built into the cap.
The manufacturer makes an eraser for the board, but it is sold separately. There is really no need to purchase it since there is an eraser built into the marker that is included, especially if you are only using it for grocery lists. The exception is if you plan to write an excessive amount on the whiteboard. A damp paper towel also works well with erasing.
The entire writing surface is magnetic. This allows you to post paper notes on the board with a magnet.
Another feature unique to this dry erase board is its “pin-it” cork. This is a piece of cork with a magnet on the back. You can place it anywhere you would like on the board. Since it is cork, you can literally use a pin to tack a paper note to it. It’s a good concept.
The board comes with a mounting system that allows you to mount it to nearly any flat surface. The key to the mounting system is the four pieces of double sided Velcro that comes with the board. The Velcro attaches to the back side. You place another piece of the Velcro on the wall (or any other flat surface) and attach it that way.
Unlike larger, heavier boards, there is no need to put a nail or screw in the wall. For this reason, there are no hangers on the back to deal with. It hangs well with the Velcro that is included.
Pros
- No nails required to mount. The mounting kit that is included with this board is Velcro. It does not require you to nail holes in your wall.
- Mobile. It is small enough to move around. Since it uses Velcro to hang, you can easily pull it off the refrigerator or wall and move it from one location to another.
- Customizable. U Brands sells accessories that snap on to the border of the dry erase board’s frame.
Cons
- Magnets are not included. The front of the board is magnetic. However, you will need to purchase magnets separately if they are required.
- Doesn’t mount magnetically. This whiteboard is the perfect size for a refrigerator. In fact, most people who buy this whiteboard will likely mount it to their refrigerator. To that end, it would be great if you could mount magnetically. In other words, in addition to Velcro, I wish there were magnets on the back that allowed you to stick it to your refrigerator.
- A bit flimsy. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for. This is a great board to put up on the refrigerator and make grocery lists. It serves that purpose well. However, it is not a higher end whiteboard and is not as sturdy as some of the others reviewed in this article.
Board Dudes 3-In-1 Dry Erase Board Review
The 3-in-1 whiteboard by Board Dudes is by far and away the best multi-section whiteboard for the money. It is a great calendar-style whiteboard to help keep you organized!
As its name suggests, there are three main features I love about this dry erase board.
- It has a calendar section. You can fill in the dates for the current month and write in all of your appointments and events.
- There is a notes section. The notes section is pretty spacious taking up about ¼ of the board. There is enough room to jot down notes or a daily quote.
- A strip of cork along the bottom. You can use push pins or tacks to pin up paper items.
This board is great because you can plan out your entire month in one place. Like most folks, I use a calendar app on my phone. However, nothing really replaces being able to visualize my schedule hanging on the wall.
The calendar squares measure approximately 2” wide and 2.5” tall. This is enough room to make notes within the squares for the respective date. It is best to use a fine tip marker to fit the maximum amount of text within the calendar box. A fine tip marker comes with the dry erase board and works well for this purpose.
It comes in three different sizes (length x width) to best meet your needs. The available sizes are listed below.
- 11″ x 14″
- 16″ x 20″ (most popular)
- 17″ x 23″
As with many of the other whiteboards, the surface is magnetic. This excludes the cork strip along the bottom.
Speaking of the cork strip, it is great for posting paper notes with a push pin.
You can expect to receive the following items with your Board Dudes dry erase board:
- The whiteboard itself
- 1 fine tip black dry erase marker
- 2 magnets
- Screws and drywall anchors (can also be hung with 3M Command Strips without drilling holes in your wall – not included!)
It is lightweight because of its aluminum frame. It is about like hanging a large picture frame. To hang it, your best bet is to use 3M command strips (or a similar product).
Pros
- It is a 3-in-1 whiteboard. You get an erasable calendar, notes section, and cork board all in one.
- Fine tip marker included. It comes with a fine tip marker. Since the calendar squares are small, this marker allows you to maximize the amount of text in each square.
- High quality. It is a sturdy board made of high quality materials. It retails higher than some of the other boards reviewed in this article. You get what you pay for!
Cons
- Cork strip is shallow. The cork strip along the bottom is not very thick. For best results, you will need to use short tacks or push pins because the cork is so thin. If you use standard size push pins you will need to stick it in at an angle.
- Eraser is not included. If you require an eraser it will need to be purchased separately. Alternatively, a wet paper towel does a great job at erasing.
- Does not fit well on a refrigerator. If you are looking for a whiteboard to stick on your fridge, the larger versions of this one may not be your best option due to their width, especially if your refrigerator has double doors. The smaller version (11” x 14”) would be your best option to put on the refrigerator.
- The back is not magnetic. The front of the whiteboard is magnetic; however, the back is not. It does not stick to the refrigerator magnetically. You will need Command Strips or a similar product to hang this whiteboard.
Universal Melamine Dry Erase Board Review
If you are looking to buy a large whiteboard, but are on a budget, this Universal whiteboard is a decent option. It’s not the best option by any means, but it is good for the MSRP price point.
It is a larger board measuring 24” x 36”.
The surface is made of high quality melamine. As long as you are using a quality marker, you can write on it and wipe it off with minimal ghosting. Be sure to use a cleaner that is made specifically for whiteboards.
It has an aluminum frame which gives it a little character. Other than that, it is a standard (and very plain) whiteboard.
It is intended to be mounted with screws. There are two holes at the top (one on each end) where you can screw it down. If you cannot or choose not to drill holes in your wall, the solution is to use a product like 3M Command Strips. This will allow you to hang it without causing any damage to the wall.
As previously mentioned, this is a good dry erase board if you are on a budget. However, keep in mind as with most things in life, you get what you pay for. Do not expect this board to be an exception.
Pros
- Shelf included. There is a shelf that runs along the bottom of the dry erase board. This will hold your markers, an eraser, and other small items.
- Lightweight. It only weighs a few pounds and is light enough to pick up and move around if need be.
- Large. It measures 2 feet x 3 feet. If you are using it in a classroom or office setting, it is large enough for your audience to see it if they are sitting across the room.
Cons
- Not magnetic. Most of the whiteboards mentioned in this article are magnetic. However, this one is not.
- No accessories. Most whiteboards come with a marker and in some cases, an eraser. This board does not come with either. They will need to be purchased separately.
- Warping. Don’t be surprised if the board you receive does not fit flush against the wall.
What to Consider When Buying a Dry Erase Board
There are several considerations when purchasing a whiteboard. The main considerations are size, whether or not it is magnetic, and if it comes with any accessories. Each of these topics are discussed in more detail in the following sections.
Whiteboard Size
You want a whiteboard that is large enough to fit all the content you need to write down. If you are using it in your home, small office, or cubicle, you obviously do not need one as big as those you would find in a classroom.
In my house, I have found the 24” x 36” works great. It is large enough to fit all the notes I need to keep my busy life in order, but small enough to fit neatly on my wall.
You may also want to consider a smaller whiteboard (8.5“ x 11“ for example) to hang on your refrigerator to keep a grocery list. When it is time to go to the grocery store, just snap a picture of it with your phone. It is very convenient.
Magnetic Whiteboard
Some dry erase boards have a magnetic surface and others do not.
Magnetic whiteboards are useful because you are able to easily attach paper items such as receipts directly to the surface of the board.
With all things equal, I would recommend buying a magnetic whiteboard. Even if you do not plan on using it now, you may find it will come in handy one day.
Whiteboard Accessories
Some whiteboards come with accessories such as a pen, eraser, and magnets. Usually, the pen that comes with the whiteboard is made specifically for the board. In some cases, they do not “ghost” quite as badly. Additionally, the pen may have the recommended tip size. For example, the Board Dudes 3-in-1 comes with a fine tip marker. The fine tip is perfect for the smaller print that is required to fit in the calendar blocks.
Be sure to check out our reviews of additional office accessories including chair mats and desk pads!
Recommended Dry Erase Boards Based on Use
Taking into account the considerations listed in the previous sections, these are the recommended whiteboards based on each respective intended use.
| Best for Use At | Recommended Whiteboard | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Home | Quartet Dry Erase Board |
|
| Office & Cubicle | OfficePro Ultra-Slim Magnetic Dry Erase Board |
|
| Home School | Universal Melamine Dry Erase Board |
|
| College Dorm Room | Board Dudes 3-in-1 |
|
Shop Related Products on Amazon
The links below take you directly to each product on Amazon.
Frequently Asked Questions When Buying a Whiteboard
Q: What is the best fabric to wipe down a whiteboard?
A: Try a microfiber cloth. It is soft and does a great job with getting all the ink off the board.
Q: What is “ghosting” on a whiteboard?
A: Ghosting is another word for ink staining. If you have ever erased a whiteboard, but the ink did not completely come off, that is called ghosting. You can buy cleaner designed specifically for whiteboards that will remove these ink stains.
Q: After erasing dried ink from my whiteboard multiple times it appears to be stained. How do I clean it up so it is pure white again?
A: Staining, or “ghosting,” is a common problem for dry erase boards. The severity of ghosting is determined by the quality of melamine the whiteboard’s surface is made of. Over time, the layers of dried ink from markers can be stubborn to clean. If elbow grease and water does not work, try a cleaner that is made specifically for cleaning a whiteboard. If you don’t mind a chemical smell, I recommend the Expo whiteboard cleaner. It is cheap and it works well.
Q: What are dry erase boards made out of?
A: The most common whiteboard writing surface is melamine. Most whiteboards you find in office supply stores have a melamine surface. Melamine is essentially a resin infused paper applied over fiberboard. Higher quality melamine whiteboards have more resin, which limit the amount of “ghosting” on a whiteboard over time.
There are several other whiteboard surfaces including porcelain and laminate. For further reading on whiteboard writing surfaces, visit Wikipedia’s page on whiteboards.
Q: In addition to writing notes, I need a dry erase board where I can pin paper notes and receipts. Basically, I am looking for a hybrid between a whiteboard and cork board. Does such a product exist?
A: Yes, I recommend the “Board Dudes 3-In-1 Dry Erase Board.” It contains three sections. A section where you can write notes, a calendar section where you can write in your schedule, and lastly a cork strip where you can pin pieces of paper with push pins.
Q: My child is going off to college. What is the best whiteboard for a college dorm room?
A: I recommend the Board Dudes 3-in-1 whiteboard. It is the ideal size for a college dorm room. It has calendar blocks printed permanently on the writing surface which will help in keeping up with schedules. There is also a notes section where general notes can be written down and a cork strip where paper items can be tacked to.
Q: What is the best dry erase board for homeschooling my children?
A: I recommend the Universal Melamine Dry Erase Board. It measures 24” x 36” which is plenty large enough for a small room. If you need additional coverage, consider hanging two side by side.
Q: My whiteboard came with a mounting kit, but I do not want to drill a hole in my wall. Is there another solution?
A: If your dry erase board is small and lightweight, 3M Command Strips are a great solution. They are relatively inexpensive and do a great job. If you have a heavier board, there are mounting kits that can be purchased separately which are designed specially to hang whiteboards.
Q: My whiteboard does not stick to my refrigerator magnetically, but I would like for it to. What is the best way to hang my whiteboard with magnets?
A: You can glue magnets on the back. The weight of your whiteboard will depend on the quantity and strength of the magnets you will need. You can glue the magnets on the back with Superglue or Gorilla Glue. This is a great DIY way to hang your whiteboard on the refrigerator with magnets.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully this article is of some assistance as you search for a whiteboard that best meets your needs. My goal in publishing this buyer’s guide is to provide in depth product research, making it a one stop article containing all the information you need to purchase the whiteboard best for you.
Before buying a product, I like to thoroughly do my research before finally clicking the buy button. I trust this article helped make your buying decision a little easier.
If you found this article helpful and believe others may benefit from it, please share it on facebook.
Thanks for reading and best of luck with the whiteboard you decide to purchase!
Additional Resources
- How to install a whiteboard in your office
- Tips for cleaning a dry erase board
- Wikipedia article on whiteboards
- Web Whiteboard – collaborate online through a virtual whiteboard
Image Credits: Amazon