I have been using a daily device since 2021 BenQ ScreenBar, the first version of this original accessory. Result of the races, I won't be able to do without it anymore. With this accessory, I really gained comfort in front of my computer screen… especially in the evening!
BenQ sent me a ScreenBar Pro for me to test it. So here is my opinion on this new version of this smart monitor lighting.
What is the point of a screen lamp?
The main interest of a screen lamp, as the BenQ ScreenBar Pro, lies in its ability to significantly improve visual comfort when using a computer. Unlike traditional desk lamps, a monitor lamp is specially designed to directly illuminate the workspace without generating reflections on the screen. This helps reduce the eye strain, a common problem when the room lighting is insufficient or poorly oriented.
By illuminating the desk evenly while preserving the screen, a monitor lamp ensures the perfect balance between ambient light and optimal visibility. In addition, some models, like the ScreenBar Pro, have smart features like automatic brightness adjustment, which adapts to the lighting in the room, ensuring consistent visual comfort, no matter the time of day.
Unboxing and presentation of the ScreenBar Pro
First good point for BenQ, the packaging of the ScreenBar Pro has made room for all plastics and unnecessary components. Made from paper materials it demonstrates the manufacturer's willingness to make an effort in terms of sustainable development.
The ScreenBar Pro and its accessories are delivered in a cardboard box and protected with a molded cardboard wedge that keeps the various elements in place. The sensitive parts (and in particular the lamp) are also wrapped in a kind of fabric/paper. In short, the packaging is convincing!
Box contents:
- the Screenbar Pro
- a wall power outlet
- warranty
- a quick start guide
Available in black or white, the Screenbar Pro is a little bigger than her little sister with its 50 cm width (45 cm for the ScreenBar). It has a 180 cm USB-C power cable that you can plug directly into a USB-C port or into the supplied power supply.
Once installed at the top of your computer screen, it will provide you with lighting of up to 115 x 60 cm on your desk. As shown in the image below, the brightness can reach a maximum of 1000 lux on the central part and fades to 500 then 300 lux as you approach the limits of the lighting area.
On the top of the lamp, a series of 8 tactile and illuminated buttons allow you to control it and a progress bar allows you to visualize the level of certain settings.
Finally, the ScreenBar Pro is equipped with a new patented clamp model allowing a high degree of adaptability to most screens. Indeed, it ensures compatibility with screens with a thickness between 0.43 and 6.5 cm, but also supports screens with a curvature between 1000 and 1800R.
ScreenBar Pro Features
No, the ScreenBar Pro is not a simple desk lamp. It is a smart accessory with some pretty cool features that we will detail here.
Food
When it comes to power, the ScreenBar Pro is pretty smart. You can power it by plugging it into a USB-C port on your display (or computer) or by using theadapter provided by BenQ.
My ScreenBar was plugged into the USB-A port on my monitor, but I don't have a USB-C port (BenQ doesn't recommend using a USB-C to USB-A adapter). You'll need a recent monitor for that. But luckily, my computer has USB-C ports, so that's where I plugged it in.
If it is possible to use the supplied power adapter, It is much more convenient to plug the ScreenBar Pro into a USB-C port on your monitor or computer. Indeed, the big advantage of such a connection is that the bar will turn off as soon as the screen or computer goes into standby mode. In practice, this is something particularly comfortable. No need to turn off your ScreenBar every time you turn off or put your computer into standby mode... Finally, this is not a deal-breaker because as we will see later, the ScreenBar Pro is equipped with a presence detector.
Presence detection
With presence detection, BenQ hits hard. Indeed, the ScreenBar Pro is equipped with an ultrasonic sensor that detects movements in a radius at a distance of 50 to 70 cm in front of the screen, allowing the bar to turn on as soon as someone sits down in front of the computer.
But the best part is that This allows the bar to automatically turn off when there is no one in front of it. So, after 5 minutes of absence, the bar turns off and you allows you to save energy when you are not in front of your computer!
Small downside, I would have appreciated the possibility of adjusting the time before going into standby, except here, it is 5 minutes and the option cannot be deactivated.
This feature, combined with using your computer/monitor's USB-C port, is particularly important given the ScreenBar pro's energy class which is rated G… the worst score.
Automatic dimming
The auto-dimming feature was already present on the ScreenBar and it is still there on the ScreenBar Pro and that's good, because it's really something very appreciable.
Indeed, if you activate automatic dimming, the ScreenBar Pro will rely on its ambient light sensor to adapt its lighting in real time. You will thus be able to permanently benefit from brightness adapted to your environment.
In auto-dimming mode, the ScreenBar provides 500 lx of illumination, which is the ANSI recommended level for extended use.
Lamp adjustment (intensity/heat)
If you are not satisfied with the automatic dimming or have particular preferences, it is also possible to manually adjust the intensity and warmth of the lighting.
These two sliders are adjusted by selecting one or the other option and then using the +/- arrows. The chosen level is materialized by a luminous progress bar at the top of the ScreenBar Pro. It's really well done... and very elegant!
The ScreenBar Pro offers 16 brightness levels and 8 color temperature settings ranging from 2700K (warm light) to 6500K (cool light).
“Favorites” mode
If you are a fan of manual settings, you will appreciate the “favorites” mode which allows you to save your favorite settings!
To save a favorite mode, you must first configure the brightness and color temperature settings of the lamp. Once you are satisfied, you must hold your finger for 3 seconds on the Favorites button (a heart) to save it.
Pressing the Favorites button will load your saved mode.
ScreenBar Pro Features
| Light source | Dual color LED | |
| Color Rendering Index (CRI) | Ra≥95 | |
| Color fidelity (Rf) | Rf≥96 | |
| Brightness | 1000 lux at 50 cm | |
| Lighting coverage (at 500 Lux) | 85cm x 50cm | |
| Color temperature | 2700K and 6500K | |
| Size | 50 cm x 13.5 cm x 9.2cm | |
| Weight | 0.62 kg | |
| Materials | Aluminum alloy, PC/ABS, Polycarbonate, Zinc alloy | |
| Cable length | 180 cm | |
| Monitor Compatibility (Thickness) | Flat / Curved: 0.43-6.5cm | |
| Food | USB Type-C | |
| Power consumption in operating mode | 9 kWh/1 h | |
| Energy class | G |
Price and availability
The ScreenBar Pro is available for €139.50. Very reasonable price considering the quality of finish and considering the service provided!
Conclusion
After several weeks of testing, the ScreenBar Pro has won my heart. It will have to be passed over my body for me to part with it. User of the old version of ScreenBar since 2021, The ScreenBar Pro, without being a revolution compared to its little sister, is a nice evolution.
Among its new assets, we will note a gain of 5 cm in width for even more extensive lighting and especially the appearance of a presence detector. The latter is a real game changer since it allows intelligent switching on of the device when you appear in front of the screen and above all, the lamp will turn off in your absence to save energy. Energy is also its main drawback since the lamp is in energy class G.
In short, it's difficult to understand the interest of such an object without trying it. I was quite perplexed before testing it a few years ago... but now, I couldn't do without it. One thing is sure, to try it is to adopt it!
Highlights
- Presence detector to automatically switch the bar on/off
- Real-time automatic brightness adjustment based on ambient brightness
- An elegant and discreet accessory
- A real gain in daily comfort
- Good value for money
Weak points
- Energy class G
- No possibility to adjust the time before the lamp automatically switches to standby when absent
- Only one favorite mode
