The BenQ ScreenBar is a responsive lamp that sits on your monitor while providing illumination that also helps to address issues related to eye strain. This $90 accessory aims to protect your eyes during extended use while doubling as a space-saving desk lamp that requires minimal setup. Let’s find out if the BenQ ScreenBar is worth its questionably hefty price tag.
BenQ ScreenBar Design and Features
First off, we must say that the BenQ ScreenBar went to extreme lengths to provide a product with fantastic packaging for that premium unboxing experience. The device ships in three parts which are the LED bar, the clamp, and the micro USB cable. Assembly is as comfortable as sliding the bar into place, plugging in the USB cable, and placing it at the top bezel of your monitor.
Build quality for the BenQ ScreenBar feels precise and well worth the money. The aluminum casing for the product is lightweight without forgoing a sense of durability and outstanding craftsmanship. The gadget only comes in matte-black which fits a lot of monitors, but the aesthetics fans might want other options.
The BenQ ScreenBar is almost 18 Inches long, making it perfect for 19-inch to 27-inch monitors. The larger variants such as ultrawides, even the curved ones, are physically compatible, however, the spread of the light might not be able to cover the width of the panel.
The controls for the BenQ ScreenBar can be located at the center of the bar itself. You will find a button for manual dimming, light temperature, and the ambient light sensor to the left of the clamp, while the other two on the opposite side represents the auto dimming and main power switch. All of these are touch sensitive, so for some, it may take some getting used to make each control respond instantly.
The BenQ ScreenBar is held together by a weighted adjustable clamp that latches on to your monitor easily. The mechanism offers a hint of adjustability by allowing users to tilt the bar or raise the height a bit to get a perfect spread of illumination of a desk. Assembly is easy, and once you’ve attached the BenQ ScreenBar to your monitor, you can leave it there save for pressing the controls.
One disadvantage we see from the BenQ ScreenBar is it will eat the space on the upper bezel entirely. Adding webcams or microphones will be next to impossible if this gadget is in place. For the price, we think BenQ could have included basic iterations of these two peripherals since the bar’s size is already sufficient.
BenQ ScreenBar Performance
The BenQ ScreenBar is a fantastic alternative to desk lamps since it allows you to declutter your desk for that clean and satisfying look. The LED’s 800 Lux of lighting is more effective than a typical lamp’s circular glow which usually only covers one spot. The ability to adjust the angle of projection is also useful so you can correctly position the lamp to light up your keyboard and mouse.
Another selling point the BenQ ScreenBar is trying to spread is the product’s ability to avoid eye strain and glare. The gadget achieves this by adding a curtain of gentle lighting to your screen which further deflects unwanted glare while lessening the impact of the screen on your eyes. While we have not encountered optical issues from today’s flicker-free monitors, we can say that this is a viable solution for those who use monitors and suffer from pain or irritation.
The ability to tweak lighting temperature from 2700K to the ideal 6500K is also a key feature in the BenQ ScreenBar’s effectivity. The bi-colored LEDs can match crisp white lights from fluorescent and LED bulbs, while the 6500K feels as natural as the light from outside. Users can forget about low blue light features or unnecessarily dimming the monitor’s backlight when needed.
The automatic adjustment via the ambient light sensor on the BenQ ScreenBar also comes in handy, so you can assemble, attach, and forget the gadget on your monitor. It also only takes eats up of 5 Watts of power via your monitor’s USB port, so charging or swapping batteries are not a concern.
Thoughts on the BenQ ScreenBar
The BenQ ScreenBar is a very nifty addition to your gaming or professional display is desk lighting and eye comfort are a significant concern. People usually sit in front of a desktop PC for an average of six to seven hours, so having a gadget that helps protect your peepers can be considered essential. The brand’s quality is also apparent in the product, ensuring that you are getting a premium and well-crafted addition to your setup.
However, the BenQ ScreenBar’s has a premium price to go with its premium quality. You can get a USB LED lamp for as little as ten bucks, so justifying the cost can be troublesome. However, if you do decide to splurge on the BenQ ScreenBar, you will discover that you are paying for convenience, build quality, durability and adequate protection.