When you set up your workstation, lighting is key. Eye strain leads to inefficiencies. We often gravitate toward one of the thousands of desk lamps for sale, but should you consider a monitor light bar instead? I was sent a BenQ ScreenBar Pro LED Monitor Light to review, so let’s see how it shined.
BenQ ScreenBar Pro LED Monitor Light — Unboxing
When an item is packed with care, it usually speaks to build quality. No surprises here… the light arrived well-protected in sustainable packaging, and my first impressions were that it seemed durable, modern, and fully capable of being my go-to light.
BenQ ScreenBar Pro LED Monitor Light — Mounting
It easily and securely clamps to the top of a monitor thanks to a patented design. The top of the clamp mount has a sawtooth design for stability, which also allows the mount to not block webcams on narrow bezel monitors. The rear of the clamp can securely attach to monitors that have a wide variety of curvatures. It supports monitors with a thickness range of 0.43-6.50cm.
Power is provided via USB-C port on a monitor or through the included power adapter.
BenQ ScreenBar Pro LED Monitor Light — Lots of light
This is the feature that matters most, and yes, this light is capable of high output. It appears to exceed a desk lamp. My eyes were comfortable viewing the screen because the light offers a perfect balance of providing brightness while minimizing glare. BenQ calls it Third-Generation ASYM-Light™ Technology. I call it an upgrade to my lighting.
Specifically, the center of the light is providing over 1000lx at full power. What I like most is the ultrawide spread of the light. There is a smooth drop-off, with the light still providing 300-500lx at the ends of my desk (and I have a wide desk). This means I have great light spread over my workstation, illuminating my keyboard, area around my second monitor, notepads and papers, and more.
BenQ ScreenBar Pro LED Monitor Light — Automation
How much light is right for you? ANSI states that 500lx is a recommended working illuminance to reduce eye strain. This light has an auto-dimming button that you can press to achieve that level, thanks to a build-in light sensor.
ScreenBar Pro also features an ultrasonic sensor that detects moving objects within a close range of the screen. This means the light will turn on automatically when you sit, but its smart enough to not trigger when just walking by. It also can turn off after 5 minutes of absence, saving energy.
BenQ ScreenBar Pro LED Monitor Light — Using the Light
Aside from auto-dimming mode, the light has handy buttons for powering on/off, brightness, color temperature, setting a favorite mode, and toggling the presence detection function discussed earlier. So, it’s convenient to make quick adjustments.
Need to get technical? ScreenBar Pro’s color temperature range has you covered. Cool color temperatures of up to 6500K are available, which I use to provide comfort and improve focus during extensive periods of work. The light also can adjust to warmer color temperatures of 2700K, which I sometimes use for relaxation.
There are 16 levels of brightness available. Full-spectrum LED chips (Rf>96) offer highly accurate color reproduction.
BenQ ScreenBar Pro LED Monitor Light — Durability
BenQ has done impressive testing on these lights. Besides being certified for blue light safety, the components have been put through extreme conditions and haven’t bent, cracked, or stopped working. Read more about the extensive testing here.
