BenQ Screenbar Halo Review
Best Overall
Editors Rating: 5.0 /5
While desktop illumination is nothing new, the BenQ ScreenBar Halo reimagines how we light up our home office with a clever, bright, and sharp lighting design.
The ScreenBar is an LED monitor light bar that attaches to the top of your computer monitor and provides adjustable, natural-looking light.
According to the manufacturer, it should help out with reducing eye strain and fatigue.
While having less stuff on our desk is always welcome, is this monitor light bar worth the surprising price tag of $179?
Discover everything you need to know in this review about the BenQ ScreenBar Halo model before you buy!
- BenQ ScreenBar Halo is a clever and adjustable LED monitor light bar that reduces eye strain and fatigue.
- The device provides natural-looking light, avoids screen glare, and improves the working environment.
- It comes with a solid backlight, a wireless controller, and an auto-dimming feature.
- The product is of top quality and compatible with almost any monitor.
- Installation and controls are easy, with a few minor kinks.
- Overall, it’s a pricey but worthwhile investment for a more comfortable and efficient workspace.
How The BenQ ScreenBar Halo Works
The BenQ ScreenBar Halo works by providing natural, clear, and vibrant light that is adjustable to your needs.
It provides a more comfortable working environment whether you have a gaming desk setup, a work space, or even just reading something.
The light coming from the ScreenBar is directed away from the screen at a comfortable angle that avoids screen glare and evenly illuminates your entire desk environment.
The light is adjustable in several ways so that you can change the brightness and color temperature to suit your taste.
But if you can’t bother adjusting anything, one tap on the included wireless controller activates the auto-dimming feature thanks to the built-in ambient light sensor.
It brings a certain lightness and comfort to your desk!
Whether working on a study project late at night or just relaxing and watching a movie, the right light makes all the difference.
Notable Features Of The ScreenBar
Three things blew my expectations out of the water with the BenQ Halo.
You have a solid backlight coming out of the monitor mounting clamp!
This illuminates the wall behind your monitor like a TV with built-in LED lights would (no RGB, though).
The wireless control is a fantastic addition of high quality that also looks great on the desk with a nice feel and weight.
Since it’s so portable, you can place it anywhere on the desk without worrying about wires.
The monitor light bar can illuminate your entire desk set up without a single trace of screen glare, which is impressive.
See the difference with the monitor light bar turned off and on with different color temperature profiles.
What You Get In The Box
The packaging, the product itself, and the weight of the parts all tell a story of top quality.
When you unbox the monitor light bar, you’ll get to pick up the wireless controller, which feels fantastic to the touch.
It has some actual weight behind it, and the reason for this is that it sits steadily on your desk without moving around while you operate it.
The computer monitor light is of high quality and has a massive monitor clamp that will securely fit almost all screens in different shapes and sizes.
Is The BenQ ScreenBar Compatible With All Monitors?
I only have one monitor at home, so I can’t possibly answer for all the monitors on the market.
The BenQ ScreenBar will fit on almost any screen due to the sturdy clip and the clever design.
They even included information and additional accessories to use specifically for curved monitors, so you can rest assured that the device will fit without any weird mounting issues.
I would not mount it on a laptop display though, as the entire thing is too big and sturdy for an ultra thin screen, posing a stability problem.
How To Install And Position The Desk Lamp
The installation of the BenQ ScreenBar Halo was even easier than putting soft butter on toast, seriously!
You unbox the ScreenBar from the packaging and gently place it on your monitor.
You insert the USB cable into the back of your monitor (it will probably have 2 USB ports).
Put the included AAA batteries in the wireless controller, and press the On/Off button in the middle.
That’s it; I could cry with joy.
How The Controls Work
The controls are the most complicated part of the entire package, but the included instructions (which no one ever reads) explain them well.
To wake up the wireless controller, you hover your hand over it for 2 seconds.
Then you can press the on/off button, or any of the settings, which are:
- Brightness
- Color temperature
- Auto adjust
- Favorite settings
By tapping the on/off button several times, you can switch the illumination style of the light bar to either:
- Front illumination only
- Back illumination only
- Front and Back illumination
Turning the knob of the controller adjusts the strength of the selected setting, for example, brightness or colors.
Play around with it for a few minutes, and you’ll get the hang of it quickly.
What I Dislike About The Halo
From the installation to starting it up for the first time was all pleasing and easy, but there are just a few minor kinks with my specific order.
I love the wireless controller, but for some reason, the back plate that secures the batteries has the tiniest gap.
The entire controller moves down a tiny bit when you press a button as a result of this.
It’s not a dealbreaker as it doesn’t take away from the actual product, but it’s worth mentioning.
Besides that, everything works flawlessly.
The auto dimming kicks in at the right time, I can see my entire desk at night, and surprisingly my eyes stay fresh longer.
All while keeping my desk clutter-free from other junk and traditional desk lamps!
Is The BenQ ScreenBar Halo Worth It?
The BenQ ScreenBar Halo complements any desk set up for a YouTube content production studio, a gaming dungeon, or a minimalistic productivity home office.
With a fantastic illumination, increased productivity, and a sleek design, what more could you want?
Throw in a premium feel, no external powered source required, and an excellent wireless controller in one package, and you have something unique in your hands.
This monitor light bar fits most homes, and I think you’ll love it.
BenQ Screenbar Halo FAQs
Why Should I Bother With A Monitor Light Bar?
A monitor light bar is great for providing enough light to see your keyboard, desk, and monitor without being too bright or dim.
And the fact that you only have to plug it into your monitor to power the thing while saving space is a huge plus.
Does A Monitor Light Bar Actually Help With Eye Strain?
Yes, from personal experience using the BenQ ScreenBar Halo I would argue that it does help with eye strain.
How Is The BenQ ScreenBar Halo Powered?
The BenQ ScreenBar Halo is powered by a USB cable that plugs into a USB port directly into your monitor.
If your monitor is older and doesn’t have a USB port, it works just as well with your computer.
How Bright Is The BenQ ScreenBar Halo?
The BenQ ScreenBar Halo is rated at 500 lux brightness levels, which is significantly brighter than most other traditional desk lamps on the market.
What Are The Dimensions Of The BenQ ScreenBar Halo?
According to the manufacturer, it’s 50cm in (19.7 inches) with monitor compatibility or 0.7 to 6 cm bezel thickness.
The ScreenBar Halo works for a majority of curved monitors between 1000-1800R.
What Is The Color Temperature Of The BenQ ScreenBar Halo?
The color temperature for the BenQ ScreenBar Halo is between 2700K to 6500K.
BenQ ScreenBar Halo – Best Overall
Editors Rating: 5.0 /5
About the author, Chris