The BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 delivers and more

The BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 is the best monitor light bar on the market today. And I'd buy it if I don't already have two units of the ScreenBar Pro at my workstation.

Taking a good product and making it better is something that's sorely lacking these days. But BenQ successfully did it with the ScreenBar Halo 2. Here's my take on their latest monitor light bar.

Brighten up your workspace

The idea behind a monitor light bar is simple: add just the right amount of light to your work desk for a more comfortable work environment. I should know, because I've tried various options over the years.

Desk lamps take up space and are often too glaring. LED lighting panels hit at the wrong angle for reading. Room lighting? Too dim or harsh at night. In contrast, the flicker-free front light of BenQ's light bar directs lighting onto the desk with minimal screen reflections and direct glare, reducing eye fatigue.

The product family looks like this: the original ScreenBar, the ScreenBar Halo, the ScreenBar Pro (which I previously reviewed and purchased), and now the ScreenBar Halo 2. The Halo family stands out with its wireless controller and built-in backlight. BenQ says the backlight reduces the light contrast between the screen and surroundings. The science says it's better for your eyes.

Unwrap and done!

Like the ScreenBar Pro, the Halo 2 comes ready to deploy. No screws to tighten or components to assemble. Simply remove it from the box and place it on your monitor. Then plug the USB cable into the provided USB-C power adapter. That's it.

The ScreenBar's claim to fame is a patented design that BenQ says works with almost any monitor out there. It certainly works with my 40-inch curved ultrawide. I plugged mine directly into a spare USB-C port on my monitor, skipping the adapter entirely.

The package also includes a bundled webcam mount, unlike the original Halo where this is an optional purchase. I thought this is a thoughtful addition, though I didn't use it as my webcam worked just fine without it.

Highly intuitive controls

I must say BenQ has got the usability of the ScreenBar Halo 2 down to perfection. Despite not having used the original Halo, I was adjusting light intensity and colour temperature within the first minute.

The key features include the ability to save your current lighting state, an auto toggle that gives you precisely 500lx of light (it measures the ambient lighting), and a toggle to set front light, back light, or front and back lights together. I never referred to the quick start guide, which to be fair, was very well put together.

Like the ScreenBar Pro, the Halo 2 has a proximity sensor. This is my favourite feature. If enabled, it will turn off the light after five minutes of physical inactivity automatically.

If you're looking for a monitor light bar, I'll gladly recommend the BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 today. It's refreshing to see a company take what already worked well and make thoughtful improvements rather than change for the sake of change.

For those of us spending long hours at our desks, proper lighting isn't just about comfort – it's about maintaining productivity and protecting our eyes. The ScreenBar Halo 2 delivers on both fronts without any of the compromises that come with traditional desk lighting solutions.