We’ve used monitor light bars before but none are as premium as the BenQ ScreenBar Halo. The ScreenBar Halo retails for S$269, and with a premium price point comes high end features such as wireless controller, back light, auto-dimming mode to name a few.
Unboxing
In the box, you’ll find the following items:
- BenQ Screenbar Halo monitor light bar
- Wireless controller
- AAA battery x3
- Accessory brick
- User manual
User experience
If you’re not yet accustomed with monitor light bars, they are meant to sit on top of your monitor. The ScreenBar Halo clamps on well to any monitor, be like curved or dual monitors. BenQ provides an accessory brick which can be placed on the base or the counter weight to allow a firm placement on curved monitors. ScreenBar Halo is powered by USB, and should be able to be powered by the USB-A ports on most monitors.
Having a light source directly in front of a monitor’s screen can help balance out light glares emitted from the monitor to create a more balanced surrounding. I personally find monitor light bar can help create an aesthetically pleasing desk setup as well, especially with the BenQ ScreenBar Halo as it has the back light feature (we will get into detail below).
Using a webcam?
Most webcam sit atop the center of the monitor, and if you have the ScreenBar Halo attached, there is no place for your webcam. Well, that’s not the case if you have the BenQ webcam accessory for S$29.
Simply stick the thin metallic stick on the surface of the ScreenBar Halo, then magnetic adapter of the BenQ webcam accessory attaches one magnetically. The use of magnets allow for easy adjustment to your preferred position. The magnetic adapter now provides a ledge for your webcam to pivot itself on.
Main light
The main front light has quite a wide area of light throw. I’ve used cheaper light bars before and the light typically casts quite vertically downwards. On the ScreenBar Halo, light is more dispersed so the depth of your desk would be evenly lit. BenQ says you should get lighting coverage of 63cm * 40cm at 500lux. For my 160cm * 70cm desk, the main front portion gets nice and consistent light coverage.
ScreenBar Halo uses an asymmetric optical design so there is no screen glare or reflection on the monitor when being lit. Brightness is more than sufficient as it maxes out at 800lux.
The light bar itself can be rotated up to 35° so you can direct the light throw to where you want it to be.
Back light
The back light is my favourite feature of the ScreenBar Halo, simply because it softens the mood of my room instantly. You’d only benefit from this feature if your desk setup is up against a wall, as the light throw will bounce off the wall to create a gentle ambient lighting.
Personally, I like to turn on the back light whenever I’m watching movies or videos in the dark and want a soft light at the back to balance out the brightness from my monitor.
Wireless Controller
As there are controls onboard the light bar itself, all the controls are located on the wireless controller. It’s nice that the controller is wireless as you have freedom of where you want to place it on your desk. The controller is powered by 3x AAA batteries.
The wireless controller has a shape of a puck, and has an inclined angle so that easy to see the buttons. The wireless controller feature six touch-based buttons along with a dark grey outer ring that rotates like a knob. After inactivity, the buttons will not be backlit. But simply wave you hand over it the backlights will be activated.
The six buttons are:
- Power on/off
- Temperature control (2700K to 6500K)
- Brightness control
- Light Mode control
- Auto Dimming mode
- My Favourite mode
The first three buttons are self-explanatory so let’s go through the remaining three:
Light Mode control
There are two lights located on the ScreenBar Halo – (1) main front light, and (2) back ambient light. Tapping the Light Mode control will cycle through the following three light modes: Front light on > Ambient light on > Both lights on.
Auto Dimming mode
When triggered, the light bar will keep the current light mode but it will use its built-in light sensor to detect the surrounding light conditions and automatically adjust the brightness. Temperature will be set to 4000K as well.
I found this mode too particularly useful when I resume my work after dinner. One tap of the button allows me to get a more suitable lighting setup for evening work.
‘My Favourite’ mode
If you have a light setting you’d like to save as a shortcut, you tap and hold the button for 3 seconds to save it. Only one light setting can be saved as a favourite.
Pairing multiple ScreenBar Halos
If you happen to more than one ScreenBar Halo in your setup, you can actually put all of them with one wireless controller. This is a thoughtful feature by BenQ as it allows for consistent control for all light bar via a single source.
Conclusion
The BenQ ScreenBar Halo is the most suited for users want the best for your desk setup in terms of lighting productivity and aesthetic mood. Having a back lighting helps create a soft and cosy feel when you want to relax. Or you can turn on both lights for a widespread illumination for work. Admittedly, the BenQ ScreenBar Halo is quite expensive at S$269, but if you want the best monitor light bar this is probably it.