The C-Pen Reader 2 is a handheld scanning pen that reads any printed text aloud in a clear, natural voice, designed to support pupils with dyslexia in primary and secondary classrooms and at home. Slide the tip across a line of text and the pen converts it to speech instantly using built-in AI optical character recognition (OCR), giving children independent access to books, worksheets and homework without needing an adult to read for them.

For dyslexic readers, the C-Pen Reader 2 reduces the cognitive load of decoding so children can focus on understanding what they read. The British Dyslexia Association recognises text-to-speech tools as one of the most effective forms of assistive technology for dyslexia, and reader pens are widely used as part of a child's normal way of working in UK schools.

For schools

The C-Pen Reader 2 is built for everyday classroom use. SENCOs, teaching assistants and class teachers use it to deliver text-to-speech support across reading, comprehension, science, geography and history lessons without taking pupils out of class. It is fully offline, so no Wi-Fi, login or filtering is required, and one device can be shared across a small group on a sensible rota.

• Supports SEN provision and graduated approach — fits naturally into Quality First Teaching, EHCP outcomes and intervention plans for dyslexic learners
• Lock Mode for primary tests — restricts the pen to reading-only functions for use in KS2 SATs and similar internal assessments, where permitted by your school in line with current Standards and Testing Agency (STA) guidance
• Robust enough for whole-class use — 8+ hours of battery life on a single charge covers a full school day of interventions
• Bulk-buy friendly — sensible price-point for SEN budgets, and class packs are available for whole-cohort access
• Compatible with British English voices — pupils hear text in a familiar accent, which improves comprehension and engagement

For parents and home use

For families, the C-Pen Reader 2 turns reading homework from a daily battle into something a child can do on their own. Because everything is built into the pen, there is no app to install, no subscription to pay and nothing to set up beyond charging the battery. Children scan a line, hear it read aloud and carry on, building confidence and reducing the frustration that often surrounds reading at home.

• Builds reading confidence — your child can read at their own pace and replay tricky words as often as they like
• Reduces homework battles — supports independent reading of textbooks, worksheets, instructions and recipes without you sitting next to them
• Suitable from age 7 upwards — simple icon-based menu makes it easy for primary-age children to use unaided
• Built-in dictionaries — Collins English and Oxford Primary dictionaries explain new words clearly, supporting vocabulary growth
• Voice memos — your child can record themselves practising spellings or capture instructions from a teacher to listen back later

What's new in the Reader 2

The C-Pen Reader 2 replaces the original ReaderPen with a faster 1.2GHz dual-core processor, AI-based character recognition, a sharper interface with larger icons, an audio boost for noisy classrooms and a new Library Mode that stores scanned text for review and revision. Onboard memory holds the equivalent of more than 600,000 A4 pages of text or 48 hours of voice memos.

The C-Pen Reader 2 is supplied by The Dyslexia Shop with a one-year manufacturer warranty, free UK delivery on orders over £100, and 30-day credit terms for schools and academies. If you are buying for use in formal GCSE or A-Level exam access arrangements, please consider the dedicated C-Pen Exam Reader 2, which is the JCQ-recognised exam version of the pen — exam use is decided by your candidate's exam centre in line with current JCQ regulations.

• AI-based OCR text-to-speech — scans printed text and reads it aloud in a clear, natural voice for dyslexic readers
• Library Mode — saves scanned text on the pen for review, revision or transfer to a computer as a .txt file
• Multiple voices and accents — British English, American English, Australian English, Irish English, Scottish English, Indian English, French, European Spanish, Latin American Spanish and Italian
• Built-in dictionaries — Collins English Dictionary (200,000+ headwords), Oxford Primary Dictionary (16,500 words and phrases), New Oxford American Dictionary, Cordial French Dictionary, Vox Spanish Dictionary
• Voice memo recorder — capture spoken notes, lessons or pronunciation practice with the built-in microphone
• Lock Mode — restricts the pen to reading-only functions for use in primary tests where permitted by your school, in line with current STA guidance
• Battery life — 8+ hours of use on a single charge, covering a full school day
• Storage — 16GB total memory including up to 5GB of user space (over 600,000 A4 pages of text or 48 hours of voice memos)
• Display — OLED 256 x 64 pixel screen with larger, sharper icons
• Processor — 1.2GHz dual-core CPU with AI-based character recognition
• Scan font size range — 6.5pt to 22pt printed text
• Connectivity — Micro-USB charging and data transfer, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Certifications — UKCA, CE, RoHS, FCC compliant
• Dimensions and weight — 135 x 33 x 19mm, 50g — pocket-sized and lightweight
• Age suitability — designed for ages 7 and upwards, including secondary pupils and adult learners
• Box contents — C-Pen Reader 2, carry case, micro-USB cable, earphones, quick start guide
• Warranty — one-year manufacturer warranty from date of purchase
• Wi-Fi — not required; the pen is fully offline and self-contained

• What is the C-Pen Reader 2 and who is it for?
  The C-Pen Reader 2 is a portable scanning pen that reads printed text aloud, designed mainly for dyslexic pupils, students and adult readers. It works fully offline, so no Wi-Fi or computer is needed. It is suitable for primary and secondary schools, home learning and adult use, and supports independent reading of books, worksheets and printed documents.
• Is the C-Pen Reader 2 suitable for dyslexic readers?
  Yes, the C-Pen Reader 2 is designed specifically to support dyslexic readers. It removes the decoding burden by reading printed text aloud, looking up word definitions instantly, and letting children replay words as often as they need. The British Dyslexia Association recognises text-to-speech tools as one of the most effective forms of assistive technology for dyslexia.
• How does the C-Pen Reader 2 help in the classroom?
  The C-Pen Reader 2 lets pupils read independently without pulling a teacher or TA away from the rest of the class. It supports reading across the curriculum — English, science, history, geography and beyond — and fits naturally into SEN provision, EHCP outcomes and the SEND graduated approach. One pen can be shared across a small group of dyslexic pupils.
• Can my child use the C-Pen Reader 2 at home for homework?
  Yes, the C-Pen Reader 2 is ideal for home use from age 7 upwards. There is no app, subscription or set-up beyond charging the battery. Your child scans a line of text and hears it read aloud in a clear voice, which helps with reading homework, worksheets, instructions and books. It is a one-off purchase that builds independence at home.
• Can the C-Pen Reader 2 be used in exams?
  Exam use is decided by your child's or student's exam centre in line with current JCQ regulations. The C-Pen Reader 2 includes a Lock Mode that restricts the pen to reading-only functions, which schools can use in KS2 SATs and similar internal assessments where permitted by current STA guidance. For GCSE, A-Level and BTEC access arrangements, the dedicated C-Pen Exam Reader 2 is the version recognised by JCQ. See JCQ access arrangements for full guidance.
• What age is the C-Pen Reader 2 suitable for?
  The C-Pen Reader 2 is recommended for ages 7 and upwards. The simple icon-based menu suits primary pupils, while the wider feature set, larger dictionaries and Library Mode work equally well for secondary students, college learners and adults. It is genuinely a long-term tool that grows with the child from KS2 through to GCSE study and beyond.
• Does the C-Pen Reader 2 work without Wi-Fi?
  Yes, the C-Pen Reader 2 is completely offline and self-contained. All voices, dictionaries and OCR processing happen on the pen itself, so no internet connection, computer, app or account is needed. This makes it ideal for school networks with strict filtering, exam-style classroom use and homes with limited Wi-Fi coverage.
• How long does the battery last on the C-Pen Reader 2?
  The C-Pen Reader 2 lasts 8+ hours on a single charge, which is enough for a full school day of interventions and lessons. It charges via the supplied micro-USB cable. The 16GB onboard memory holds the equivalent of more than 600,000 A4 pages of scanned text or up to 48 hours of voice memos.
• What is the difference between the C-Pen Reader 2 and the C-Pen Exam Reader 2?
  The C-Pen Reader 2 is the everyday reading pen, with dictionaries, Library Mode, voice memos and a Lock Mode for primary tests. The C-Pen Exam Reader 2 is a stripped-back, exam-only version with no dictionary or extra features, which is the version specifically recognised by JCQ for GCSE and A-Level access arrangements. Most schools buy both.
• What is included in the box with the C-Pen Reader 2?
  Each C-Pen Reader 2 comes with the pen itself, a fabric carry case, a micro-USB charging and data cable, a pair of earphones and a quick start guide. It is supplied with a one-year manufacturer warranty from date of purchase. Schools ordering multiple pens may wish to consider the C-Pen Reader 2 class pack of ten units.