BenQ ScreenBar Halo Review: Better Desktop Lighting Gets Wireless Control

Way back in 2018, I reviewed BenQ's ScreenBar Plus. There was a lot to like about this LED workspace light. Unlike a traditional task lamp, the ScreenBar Plus attached to the top of your computer monitor. It provided a wide expanse of downward-firing LED lighting to bathe your working space in light without reflecting on the screen. BenQ's solution freed up desk space, offered a high degree of customization in light temperature and brightness, and it included a very cool control dial.

I’ve been testing the company's followup to the ScreenBar Plus, and it is an even more compelling solution to workspace lighting. Here's everything you need to know about the BenQ ScreenBar Halo.

The ScreenBar Halo arrives nicely packaged, and it's very simple to unpack and install. Its equipped with the same hinge attachment mechanism employed on the ScreenBar Plus, which is a clever and proprietary design that uses adjustable weight and a lip. There is no clamping or adhesive, although there are two extra pieces supplied for used with a curved monitor. I’ve used this design on both an iMac and a BenQ monitor (reviewed here) and it works very well – no accidental moving around, no interference with the display, and no marking.

Luxe packaging.

A flat, USB cable is wired into the light. This plugs into a powered USB Type-A port to supply power. I don't want to permanently take up a port on my hub or laptop (which only has USB-C anyway), so I plug the cable into a spare phone USB charger and that into a power bar. Fortunately the ScreenBar Halo's USB cable is nearly five feet long, so reaching power is not an issue.

Here's what's in the box. Two of the components are specific to use with curved monitors.

The back of the wireless controller attaches magnetically. Pop it off, insert the included three AAA batteries and touch the capacitive power button to turn the light on. It connects immediately and automatically. From there, rotate the light bar (it turns by 35 degrees) so the light is essentially shining straight down. Do it right and there will be no screen reflection and you also won't see the LED bulbs - just the glow.

The ScreenBar Plus came with an ergonomic wired controller. This was great as it allowed you to tweak all the lighting adjustments without having to reach over to the light itself. It added an undeniable "cool" factor to the desk top.

The ergonomic controller is wireless, so you can place it anywhere.

The ScreenBar Halo features an improved controller with more settings and wireless connectivity. I really love losing the cable. It means I can put the controller anywhere on my desk and it always appears neat and tidy. The controller looks premium and feels premium as well, with aluminum alloy, a seamless capacitative touch top surface, and bearings for smooth rotation.

The hinge weight includes an integrated LED back light.

When your finger is an inch or so from its surface, the controller powers up. From there, select a function (including brightness, colour temperature and combination of front and back lighting) and rotate through to the desired setting. When you shut the ScreenBar Halo off, it retains its last setting in memory.

My only complaint about the new controller is that the icons are not backlit until you touch them, so they can be difficult to locate until you figure out where they are.

My desk top in late afternoon is poorly lit and dim.

Compared to having no task lighting or a standard desk lamp, the difference with a ScreenBar Halo is night and day. It effectively illuminates the desk top in front of your monitor, with no hot zones. The brightness fades slightly at the edges, but a large area is uniformly illuminated, without any screen glare or eye strain.

The ScreenBar Halo effectively illuminates the entire desk top without taking up space or causing ... [+] reflections.

Compared to the ScreenBar Plus, the desk top area that is illuminated is larger, and you also get a brand new capability in the back light that's built into the hinge mechanism.

A back light is included, and it can be turned on or off using the controller.

If you are working at home with a PC and relying on room lighting or a traditional desk lamp, you might want to consider giving the BenQ ScreenBar Halo a try. It provides excellent workspace lighting that is highly customizable. And it does so without screen reflections and while freeing up desk space.

If you don't need the wireless control and don't care about having a secondary back light, BenQ still sells the excellent ScreenBar Plus for $139.

Disclosure: BenQ provided a ScreenBar Halo for evaluation purposes but had no input into this review.