Today, I am excited to review the BenQ ScreenBar Plus, a futuristic monitor light bar that I personally selected for my own use. Priced at approximately 12,000 Rs ($150), this monitor light bar is way ahead of its competitors in terms of features and performance.
There is also an alternative variant available at a slightly lower cost, around 9,000 Rs ($100). The key difference is that the lower-priced variant lacks a control knob, with all controls conveniently located on the light bar itself. While the option without the control knob may be suitable for some, I opted for the version with the control knob as it offers good convenience in daily use and also improves my desk look (My mom said).
I know that the price of the BenQ ScreenBar Plus may seem a bit high to some people, and that’s completely understandable. However, by the end of this review article, you will be able to determine whether the BenQ ScreenBar Plus is worth investing or not.
Benefits of Using Monitor Light Bar
Most people are not aware of the use of a monitor light bar. It is often seen on the desks of YouTubers, gamers, and programmers. However, many believe that it is merely a decorative item or a desk lamp. But that is not the case. Let me explain the primary benefits of using a monitor light bar here.
If, like me, you spend more than 3-4 hours working on a computer or laptop during the day, engaged in activities such as programming, video editing, gaming, or other productive tasks, then you may often experience a problem called eye strain. This is also known as digital eye strain. It often causes dryness and watering of the eyes, leading to minor headaches. Over a longer duration, it can even impact the overall health of our eyes. Using a monitor light bar can significantly reduce this problem.
Furthermore, whether it’s a monitor or a phone screen, they emit high-energy light, commonly known as blue light. This type of light is much stronger than natural light and can have several side effects on our eyes. Although the exact extent of its impact on our vision has not been scientifically proven yet, most doctors believe it hurts our vision. It is also one of the main reasons behind eye strain, causes problems like insomnia, and is why doctors recommend avoiding phone or computer usage just before bed. A monitor light bar can help alleviate this problem to some extent as it filters out a considerable amount of blue light through its light projection.
In addition to that, there is another significant problem – screen glare. Whether it’s a small or large light source in the room sunlight coming in through windows, they all cause reflections on the computer screen. This affects our vision and makes it difficult for us to use the screen for long durations. It becomes even more problematic in tasks like video or photo editing because the screen glare often obscures the accurate perception of colors and details.
The easiest solution to this problem is to use a monitor light bar. It helps in reducing screen glare and allows for a clearer view of the screen, making tasks much easier.
Moreover, using a monitor light bar also adds a modern look to the desk.
BenQ ScreenBar Plus Specifications
- Light source: Dual-color LED
- Light bar size: 18 inches
- Color Temperature: 2700 – 6500K
- Brightness: 500 – 300 lumens
- Illuminance: 1000 Lux in the center (height 15-18 inches)
- Color Rendering Index: 2700K:Ra 82;6500K: Ra 87
- Power Input: 5V
- Power Consumption: 5W (max.)
- Weight: 0.68 kg
Box Content
This BenQ ScreenBar Plus comes in premium packaging, matching its premium quality. It consists of three parts: the main LED light component, a clamp stand, and a control knob accompanied by a USB Type-C to USB A power cable. Additionally, a user manual is also included.
Design, Features, and Performance
The lighting bar component is crafted from solid aluminum. Its length is approximately 18 inches. There is another component, the counterweight clamp, which also boasts a commendable build quality. Its universal design allows for easy installation on various sizes of flat-screen and curved monitors. Furthermore, it can even be attached to laptop screens.
The third component of BenQ ScreenBar Plus is the USB Type-C to USB-A power cable and control knob, which is noticeably bulky and well-built. Using it provides a satisfying experience. It features a large metal dial wheel, two buttons, and two LED indication lights. The dial wheel is responsible for adjusting the brightness of the light, with settings ranging from 500 lumens to 300 lumens, which is quite impressive. Additionally, the same dial wheel allows for adjusting the color temperature of the light, offering a wide range from 2700K to 6500K.
One of the standout features, and my personal favorite, is the inclusion of an ambient light sensor, which enables automatic dimming. With just a single click, the light adapts to the perfect brightness and temperature according to the surrounding environment. This proves to be highly beneficial for day-to-day use. Furthermore, it has onboard memory, ensuring that the last settings are saved. Thus, there is no need to reset the light each time it is used.
In terms of performance and user experience, I have been using the BenQ ScreenBar Plus for the past two weeks. I haven’t noticed any major drawbacks, but I did find one small issue with the cable length. It might not be sufficient if your PC is placed below the desk, as it may require an additional USB extension cable. However, if your monitor has a USB port, then there should be no problem, as the cable length is more than enough.
Performance-wise, the BenQ ScreenBar Plus review is excellent and can be considered one of the best monitor light bars in the market. I previously purchased a cheaper monitor light bar from Amazon, which you might have seen in some of my videos. However, it didn’t last very long as it quickly became faulty. In comparison, the quality of the BenQ ScreenBar Plus is impressive. It produces a bright light and can be rotated up to 20 degrees, effectively covering my entire desk vertically.
When positioned at a height of around 18 inches in the center, it easily covers an area of approximately 25 x 15 inches with an approximate lux reading of 500 lux. In the center, this light is capable of offering around 1000 lux, providing a wide coverage area.
BenQ ScreenBar Plus Worth Buy?
So yes, I highly recommend the BenQ ScreenBar Plus. However, it is a bit expensive, but when considering factors such as build quality, longevity, functionality, features, and performance, it is definitely worth the investment. I’m not sure how much you need a monitor light bar, as I don’t know how long you work on the computer or in what environment. But investing in a monitor light bar is worthwhile if you are a designer, writer, or someone who spends most of their time glued to the computer desk like me. This one is the only best option in the market, so you can buy it without any second thought.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the BenQ ScreenBar Plus. Please feel free to leave a comment below.
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