Buying a magnetic whiteboard sounds simple until you face the choices: wall or mobile, plain or glass, small or large. This checklist walks through the decisions in order, so you can describe exactly what you need when you ask for a quote.
Work through the sections below with your room in mind, and note the answers as you go. By the end you will have a clear brief instead of a vague idea.
Start with the room
Every good choice starts with the room. How big is the wall space, how far away will readers stand, and how much light falls on the board? A board that is easy to read from the back of a training room may overwhelm a small home office.
Note the wall itself: is it flat and clear, are there sockets or switches in the way, and will the board stay in one place? The answers decide whether a fixed wall board or a mobile board suits you better.
Who will write on it, and how often
A board used all day by a team needs to be robust and easy to clean. A board used once a week for family notes can be simpler. Think about the writers too: adults standing, children seated, or a mix of both will use the board at different heights.
Frequency also affects cleaning. A board written on many times a day needs a surface that wipes clean quickly and completely. A board used occasionally can tolerate a slower cleaning routine.
What will be displayed with magnets
Magnetic whiteboards earn their keep by holding things: plans, photos, cards, rotas and reminders. List what yours must hold, and how heavy those items are. A board that holds a single photo needs less from its magnets than a board carrying several laminated sheets.
Also consider how often the display changes. A planning board rearranged daily needs magnets that slide and reposition easily. A display that changes monthly can use magnets chosen for looks rather than speed.
Wall mounted or on wheels
Wall boards are always ready and never in the way. They suit rooms with a dedicated planning wall and a regular group of users. Mobile boards move between rooms and suit shared buildings, training providers and spaces that change purpose during the day.
If you are unsure, ask which rooms the board must serve. One room points to a wall board. Several rooms point to wheels, or to more than one board.
Plain surface or glass
A standard whiteboard surface suits most everyday planning, teaching and office work. A glass surface suits rooms where appearance matters: reception areas, executive meeting rooms and modern studios.
Glass boards need magnets chosen for glass, so factor the magnets into the decision rather than treating them as an afterthought. Describe your board when you ask about magnets.
Markers, erasers and care
Markers, erasers and cleaning cloths are part of the board system, not extras. Check that the markers you plan to use suit the surface, and keep erasers where writers can reach them. A board without its tools nearby quickly falls out of use.
Ask about care guidance for the surface you choose. Simple habits, such as wiping the board at the end of the day and using the right markers, keep it looking new for years.
Measure before you inquire
Measure the free wall space, the height at which users will write, and the distance from which the board must be read. Note doorways and corridors if a mobile board must pass through them.
Include these measurements in your brief and ask the supplier to confirm the specifications. Include them in your first message rather than adding them later.
Your inquiry checklist
Before you send an inquiry, gather these details: the room and wall space, the users and frequency, what the magnets must hold, wall or mobile, surface style, and the quantity you need.
Confirm minimum order quantity and lead time with the supplier when you request a quote. Send your required size, material and finish with your inquiry and confirm specifications before ordering.
Budgeting for the whole setup
Budget for the whole setup, not just the board. Markers, erasers, cloths and magnets are part of the system, and a board without its tools is quickly abandoned. Setting aside a small amount for consumables at the start avoids a board that sits unused for want of a marker.
Also budget for mounting. A wall board needs fixings suited to the wall, and a mobile board needs clear floor space. These are small costs, but they should be planned rather than discovered on installation day.
Boards for small rooms
Small rooms need boards that earn their wall space. A compact board beside a desk, or a fridge board in a kitchen, can carry the day's plan without overwhelming the room. The key is proportion: the board should fit the wall and the viewing distance, not the catalogue's largest option.
In a small room, a mobile board can be a drawback, because it needs floor space even when parked. A wall board, or a board on the fridge door, leaves the floor free and keeps the plan visible.
Boards for large rooms
Large rooms need boards that can be read from a distance. A board that looks generous in a shop can look small on a big training-room wall, so judge size against the room and the furthest reader, not against other boards.
Large rooms also suit more than one board: a main planning board at the front and smaller boards for group work around the room. Groups can work at their own boards and then share results on the main one.
Sketch the layout before ordering
Before ordering, sketch the room on paper: the wall, the board position, the seating and the light. Mark where writers will stand and where readers will sit. A five-minute sketch often reveals problems, such as a board facing glare or blocked by a door, that words alone would miss.
Include the sketch notes in your inquiry: the wall space, the viewing distance and the number of users. A supplier who understands the room can advise far better than one who only knows the board size.
Boards for shared desks
Shared desks and hot-desking areas use boards differently from dedicated rooms: the board must serve whoever sits there today, with no personal setup. A clean board, fresh markers and a simple layout help each new user start quickly.
For shared desks, a small board beside the desk or a fridge board in a shared kitchen often works better than a large wall board, because it travels with the user rather than belonging to one room.
Reviewing your choice after a month
After a month of use, review the board: is it wiped regularly, are its magnets the right ones, and does it sit in the right place? Small adjustments at this stage, such as moving the board or changing the markers, cost little and improve daily use.
If the board is rarely used, the cause is usually placement or missing tools rather than the board itself. Fix those first before concluding that the board type was wrong.