Best of · Lighting
Best monitor light bars in 2026: BenQ ScreenBar vs Xiaomi and the rest
A monitor light bar lights your desk without glare on the screen. BenQ's ScreenBar Halo 2 and Pro lead on features; Xiaomi's bar is the value pick.
Our pick: BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 for the most features; BenQ ScreenBar Pro for auto on and off; Xiaomi for value
BenQ
ScreenBar Halo 2
8.6$199 list (~$169 on sale)
The most complete light bar: front light and backlight, auto-dimming, presence detection, and a wireless dial.
Pros
- • 1,000 lux, 2,700K to 6,500K
- • Backlight for evening gaming
- • Auto-dimming and auto-off after 5 minutes away
Cons
- • $199
- • Clamp can sit loose on smooth monitor backs (Notebookcheck)
BenQ
ScreenBar Pro
8.3$139
Bright, even coverage with an ultrasonic sensor that turns it on when you sit down.
Pros
- • 1,000 lux at center
- • Ultrasonic motion sensor
- • Fits curved monitors from 1000R to 1800R
Cons
- • No included remote
- • Touch buttons can be unresponsive
Xiaomi
Mi Computer Monitor Light Bar
7.4Varies (budget)
The value pick: a wireless dial for brightness and warmth at a fraction of BenQ's price.
Pros
- • Wireless remote
- • Even, monitor-focused light
- • Good value
Cons
- • May need a fix on thin or curved monitors
- • Less precise control
A monitor light bar clamps to the top of your monitor and shines downward onto the desk, not the screen. Specs here come from Notebookcheck's 2026 review of the Halo 2, Digital Camera World's review of the ScreenBar Pro, and user reviews of Xiaomi's bar; we have not tested them.
Monitor light bars compared
| Light bar | Brightness | Color temperature | Sensor | Control | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 | 1,000 lux | 2,700K to 6,500K | Auto-dimming, presence | Wireless dial | $199 (~$169 sale) |
| BenQ ScreenBar Pro | 1,000 lux center | Adjustable | Ultrasonic motion | Touch buttons | $139 |
| Xiaomi Mi Monitor Light Bar | — | Warm to cool | — | Wireless dial | Budget |
Best overall: BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2
The Halo 2 lights an area of about 85 by 50 cm at 1,000 lux, adjusts from 2,700K to 6,500K, and adds a backlight that washes the wall behind the monitor for evening gaming. An automatic mode adapts to room light, and presence detection switches it off five minutes after you leave. Its wireless dial charges over USB-C. Notebookcheck found the clamp a little loose on a smooth 27-inch Samsung.
Best for auto on and off: BenQ ScreenBar Pro
The ScreenBar Pro's ultrasonic sensor reliably turned the light on and off in Digital Camera World's review. It rates 1,000 lux at the center and fits curved monitors from 1000R to 1800R. There is no remote.
Best value: Xiaomi Mi Computer Monitor Light Bar
Xiaomi's bar includes a wireless dial for brightness and color temperature and is praised for even, focused light at a low price. Reviewers note it may need a fix on very thin or curved monitors.
Questions we get
Are monitor light bars worth it?
If you work at night or in a dim room, yes. They light the desk evenly while the asymmetric optics keep light off the screen, which reduces glare and the contrast between a bright monitor and a dark room.
Do monitor light bars work on curved monitors?
Many do, with limits. BenQ lists the ScreenBar Pro for monitors 0.43 to 6.5 cm thick and curvatures from 1000R to 1800R, and the Halo 2 for flat, curved, and domed backs. Very thin or rounded monitor tops may need a stand-mounted lamp instead.