From the computer and monitor to the keyboard, mouse and other accessories, a lot of thought goes into putting together the perfect desk setup. But just like with a Windows license after a new PC build, there’s one crucial finishing touch a lot of people (myself included) tend to forget: lighting.
There are many ways to light your desk setup from having one of the best desk lamps off to the side to my previous personal favorite, attaching a lightstrip to the back of your monitor.
Adding one of the best smart lights to the back of my monitor was a real game changer for me, as I liked how biased lighting made what was on my screen more immersive while also reducing eye strain.
Given that I build desk setups for a living as part of my work reviewing the best standing desks, I’m constantly switching between monitors and accessories. As such, I can’t always take the time and effort needed to carefully install a lightstrip on the back of every monitor. I had come to terms with having a less brightly lit desk setup than I would have preferred until I bought a monitor light bar on a whim last year.
The great thing about monitor light bars is that they just light your workspace and not an entire room, which really comes in handy for night owls like myself. Whether I’m writing a story late in the evening like this one or finding a few moments to play some games before bed, a good monitor light bar has become a fixture in all of my desk setups.
While I started with a budget model and then tried out a few midrange ones, it wasn’t until BenQ reached out to me about trying its ScreenBar Halo that I saw how much of a difference a more high-tech one could make in my desk setup. Now though, the company has released the follow-up to its pro-level monitor light bar with a unique feature that makes me feel like I’m living in the future every time I approach my desk.
Here are my initial thoughts on the BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 and how one major upgrade makes it the ultimate monitor light bar for any desk setup.
Now with a mount and motion detection
Compared to the original ScreenBar Halo, you get a few more goodies in the box this time around. For starters, it now comes with an AC adapter to ensure it always gets the right wattage. While a seemingly small addition, this one is actually really important. While both the original and the new ScreenBar Halo 2 will work with any USB port, they won’t function properly with insufficient wattage.
At the same time, what was once an optional accessory now comes standard in the box, as BenQ includes a webcam mounting kit that attaches to the top of the ScreenBar Halo 2.
Given that this and most other monitor light bars are designed to be used with a desktop and a monitor instead of a laptop, chances are, you’re likely using one of the best webcams for video calls. While you could have your webcam off to the side with one of these accessories on top of your monitor, you won’t be centered in the frame which is important if you’re taking work-related video calls at your desk.
Besides the AC adapter and the webcam mounting kit, you also get a wireless puck to control the ScreenBar Halo 2’s brightness and color temperature. It’s a big upgrade over the original wireless controller which used three AAA batteries, as it now has a rechargeable battery with USB-C around back for charging.
In order to accommodate both flat and curved displays simultaneously, BenQ has redesigned the ScreenBar Halo 2’s clamp. Previously, you needed an adapter to use the original with one of the best curved monitors but it does come in the box.
The biggest upgrade is visible directly under the light bar in the picture above — that’s the new built-in ultrasonic motion sensor, but more on that later.
Having tested both, I can easily recommend this newer model over the original. Not only are you getting more features and accessories in the box, the rear light on the Halo 2 is now wider and brighte,r and the front light has been upgraded too from a max of 800 lux to 1,000 lux. Plus, that front light also illuminates a wider and deeper portion of your desk.
Likewise, although the original ScreenBar Halo was on the expensive side at $179, I like how BenQ hasn’t raised the price with the ScreenBar Halo 2 even though there are a number of improvements and upgrades all around.
So what was it like to use the upgraded version of the first monitor light bar ever? Impressive to say the least, especially now that it knows exactly when I’m at my desk.
Automatically lit or dialed in
To test out BenQ’s new ScreenBar Halo 2, I mounted it on top of my ultrawide monitor, and as I’m currently using the Hexcal Elevate as my main desk for work, I also installed a Lenovo webcam on top.
This desk is located in a corner of my game room where there isn’t a window close by, so even during the day, I really appreciate the extra light. However, it’s even better at night as I can have just my desk lit while I’m working without having to light up the whole room.
The extra brightness and the wider illumination are immediately noticeable when comparing the Halo 2 to BenQ’s original pro-level light bar. However, there’s one feature that I still can’t get over, and that’s the built-in motion sensor.
Normally with a monitor light bar, I just leave it on while I’m working even when I step away from my desk. On the Halo 2 with motion detection enabled, it turns off when I leave and springs right back to life as I approach my desk.
I know I could set up something similar with a smart lightstrip and a separate motion sensor like I did with the Govee lightbulb in my pantry but I like how I get this same functionality in a single device. Likewise, I don’t have to worry about messing around with an app, and the Halo 2 still turns on and off automatically even when my Wi-Fi goes down.
Getting motion detection set up on the Halo 2 is a breeze too. You just tap on the icon that looks like a person to the left of the BenQ logo on its wireless controller, and you’re good to go.
Another neat feature that you’ll find on the original Halo and the Halo 2 is real-time auto dimming which can be enabled with a tap on the button underneath the motion detection one. This switches the light bar’s brightness to 500 lux, which is the recommended brightness for working to reduce eye strain during extended use.
Unlike some of the other wireless controllers I’ve tried on previous monitor light bars, BenQ’s has a much more high-tech feel to it. Alongside the current brightness percentage of the back light and light bar, you can also see the current color temperature in Kelvin. A lower number here is for warmer, more yellowish light, a mid-range number is for neutral white light and a higher number is for cooler, bluer white light. To switch between various light temperatures, you just tap on the thermometer icon and turn the wireless controller’s dial left or right.
Overall, I’m very impressed with the BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 so far, but I’d have to say the new motion detection feature is my favorite. If you’ve ever tried one of the best monitors with a built-in motion sensor that turns on the display as you approach it, this monitor light bar works in a similar way. However, having your desk instantly become illuminated when it’s time to get some work done has really motivated me, especially now that I have the Halo 2 set up at a desk in a darker room.
Light your desk like a pro
Now would I recommend the new BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 to everyone? Not necessarily. Just like with the best office chairs, I’d suggest trying out a cheaper monitor light bar first, especially if you’ve never used one before.
At $179, the Halo 2 is the most expensive monitor light bar you can buy. For those that like its design but don’t necessarily need motion detection, you can still get the original ScreenBar Halo, too. In fact, it often goes on sale for $30 less than the newer model.
If you want to give your work from home setup the ultimate upgrade and have the budget for it, then I’d easily recommend the Halo 2 over similar offerings from Quntis, Xiaomi, and so on. The fact that BenQ has taken into consideration both flat and curved displays and how most people use a webcam with their desk setups is really useful, too. This way, you won’t have to jerry-rig a solution on your own or have your webcam off to the side of your display with your camera off centered.
Now if you’re trying to add some extra light to your battle station where you play games instead of work, you won’t find any RGB lighting or effects here. For that, the Razer Aether Monitor Light Bar and Asus’ ROG Aura Monitor Light Bar are the best options; they can sync up with one of the best gaming PCs. Likewise, if you’re on a tighter budget and want a splash of RGB lighting on the wall behind your desk, the Quntis RGB Pro+ is a great, more affordable option.
At the end of the day though, figuring out whether a monitor light bar works for your setup is the most important thing. And after trying a cheap one for myself and then testing out both the BenQ ScreenBar Halo and the upgraded Halo 2, paying more does make a big difference.
From how you can dial in the perfect color temperature or set it to auto dim or even turn on when you approach your desk, the Halo 2 is a fantastic monitor light bar, and after using it, I’m already excited to see what upgrades BenQ brings to the inevitable Halo 3.
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