I review many tech products on my blog, and while some of the items I review are nice to have, only a few offer a game-changing solution. 

Not only is the BenQ ScreenBar Pro one of those nice-to-have items, but it also provides a game-changing solution to my desk setup. 

The BenQ ScreenBar Pro isn’t the first screen bar I’ve used over the years and until recently, I’ve been using the Xiaomi Mi Computer Monitor Light Bar. However, the BenQ ScreenBar Pro is better on so many levels.

I’ve also been using the BenQ LaptopBar with my MacBook Air when working away from my desk, and based on my experience of using it for almost a year, I think that it’s a must-have for people who work away from their desks.

But without any further ado, here’s why I think the BenQ ScreenBar Pro is a game-changer…

Disclaimer: While BenQ sent me this item to try out, they are not sponsoring this blog post. All views and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.

What is the BenQ ScreenBar Pro?

Many of us use a computer for work and personal use, in some cases, we spend over 11 hours sitting at our desks. 

With that being said, many of us forget the importance of having good lighting conditions at our desks. Having good lighting conditions is important as it helps prevent eye strain, reduces glare on screens, and creates a comfortable and productive working environment.

The BenQ ScreenBar Pro is a light bar that sits on top of your computer monitor and provides you with ultra-wide illumination, which works great with ultra-wide screens and dual monitor setups. 

It comes available in either black or silver, which gives you the option to choose a version that suits your desk setup more.

Monitor light bars are great as they sit out of the way on top of your monitor, so you don’t have to worry about losing space on your desk and they help you keep a clean, clutter-free working environment.

The Unboxing Experience

There’s nothing better than a great unboxing experience, it really shows how far a brand is willing to go to show the quality of their products. 

The unboxing experience of ScreenBar Pro didn’t disappoint. It arrived in a recyclable cardboard box and the product was presented incredibly well.

Inside the box, you’ll find the documentation, a mains plug socket as well as the ScreenBar Pro, which has a non-detachable USB-C cable. BenQ, claim that they decided to make the cable non-detachable to prevent internal wire breakage from frequent plugging and unplugging. 

As a whole, I was very satisfied with the unboxing experience. The box was easy to open and everything was presented nicely inside. 

The Features

The BenQ ScreenBar Pro includes some fantastic features that set it apart from the crowd. 

To begin with, I am a big fan of the clamp design. It’s designed in such a way that if your monitor has a webcam built-in, it won’t cover it up. The clamp has a bulge on the back which helps it stay in place. I like that the cable comes out from underneath the clamp, making it easy to cable manage and hide cables. 

The clamp also features a sensor which detects motion within a 60±10 cm range in front of the screen. In my view, this is the first game-changing feature, as when working I like to leave my desk to grab a coffee or go for a short break. In the past, I always used to forget to turn my lights off at my desk. But, the ScreenBar Pro will automatically turn off after 5 minutes of absence. 

The sensor also provides a real-time auto-dimming feature that provides you with the recommended illuminance, which is a nice touch. 

If you prefer to control the light manually, the ScreenBar Pro provides an easy way to do just that. At the top of the bar, you’ll find 8 touch-controlled buttons. You have the option to turn presence detection on or off, adjust brightness, adjust colour temperature, a favourite mode, an option to turn auto-dimming on or off as well as the main on and off button. 

I think that having the buttons laid out in an easy to control way on top of the device is a great idea. While I liked the idea of having a separate dial for controlling the Xiaomi Mi Light Bar, I always forgot the controls and I didn’t like the idea of it being powered by AAA batteries. Furthermore, I always misplaced the dial, which made the device inoperable.

One of the core features of the product is being able to adjust the temperature and brightness of the light. The ScreenBar Pro features 16 brightness settings and 8 colour temperature settings that comply with ANSI standards.

The ScreenBar Pro is also compatible with the BenQ Webcam Accessory, which comfortably allows you to mount webcams on top of the device.

A full list of features is available on the BenQ ScreenBar Pro product page.

My Thoughts after a week 

It’s been a week since I started using the BenQ ScreenBar Pro and so far, I think that it’s made a massive improvement to my desk setup. 

Not only does the ScreenBar Pro seem brighter than the Xiaomi, it also seems to cover a much larger area. In the past, I always had to use the Xiaomi with another light to get full coverage on my desk. But I no longer have a need for that, as the ScreenBar Pro does a decent job on its own. 

Based on my experience with the product so far, I believe it has significantly improved my desk setup. As someone who works a full-time 9 to 5 job and manages a side hustle, I often spend long hours at my desk. That’s why it’s crucial for me to have a comfortable and well-lit workspace.

Conclusion

To conclude this review of the BenQ ScreenBar Pro, I think that it is a game-changing desk accessory that not only looks clean on top of your monitor but also provides you with a comfortable working environment.

At the time of writing this review, the ScreenBar Pro costs £119, which I think, is a very reasonable price considering the quality of the product and the features you get. The Webcam Accessory costs £18, which I think is a bit pricey, but purchasing it is worth it, especially if you have a single monitor setup. 

Based on my experience with the product so far, I can definitely recommend it, particularly to those who work long hours at their desks and in the evenings.