The best monitor lamp in the test: The Benq ScreenBar Pro beats them all

Like all monitor lamps, the ScreenBar Pro sits on the top edge of the monitor and illuminates the desk from there. This has many advantages. It saves space on your desk and prevents you from being blinded due to the positioned and directed light. In addition, the Screen Bar turns on and off automatically with the monitor thanks to the USB power supply. We test whether the many features of the ScreenBar Pro are worth the higher price 139 euros Justify it on Amazon and who the purchase is worthwhile for.

The Benq ScreenBar Pro is currently priced at Amazon 139 euros,

Benq’s attention to detail is evident even when unpacking the ScreenBar Pro: the outer packaging is completely plastic-free. Instead, Benq relies on cardboard and paper. This protects the environment and reduces plastic waste.

The ScreenBar Pro itself is made almost entirely of metal and is available in silver or black. Matte silver is more likely to attract attention, while black looks more elegant and subtle. We have the black version, which is largely insensitive to fingerprints. The right side of the light bar has a subtle print embossed on it ScreenBar Pro,

With an impressive 50 cm length, the ScreenBar Pro is one of the widest monitor lamps on the market. For comparison: most screen bars are 40 to 45 cm long. The extra length allows the Benq lamp to better illuminate wider monitors and desks. The light bar is firmly attached to the clamp bracket.

A highlight is the monitor holder. Previous models from Benq use a counterweight to attach the ScreenBar to the monitor. The Pro, on the other hand, comes with a new type of clamp that attaches to the monitor lamp extremely flexibly and yet securely. It is suitable for very thin monitors up to 0.5 cm to extra thick monitors up to 6.5 cm. The clamp has a very narrow strip at the front so that even the webcam integrated in the monitor is not covered. Benq optionally offers a magnetic webcam adapter for retrofitting.

Thanks to the additional rubber coating in the clamp, the screen bar is also suitable for curved monitors. It can then be extended slightly beyond the display.

Despite all its perfection, the holder has one drawback: the 180 cm long USB-C cable is firmly attached to it. If the cable breaks, it cannot be easily replaced – you will have to send in the entire device.

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The Benq ScreenBar Pro connects directly to the monitor via USB-C, so it turns on and off automatically. Optionally, Benq includes a power supply.

Direct operation on the ScreenBar Pro is done very well. There are eight discreetly illuminated touch buttons on the front that are easy to reach and respond reliably. The left button activates the ultrasonic sensor. If it does not recognize anyone at the desk for five minutes, the Screen Bar automatically turns off. If someone returns it turns on again automatically. You must sit directly below the Screen Bar to do this. If a colleague passes by your desk, the sensor does not react. There is also a light sensor on the bottom of the light body. It detects ambient light and automatically adjusts the brightness and light color if desired.

The brightness can be adjusted in 16 levels and the colour temperature can be adjusted in 8 levels from warm white 2700 Kelvin to daylight white 6500 Kelvin. The high colour temperature has an invigorating and energising effect, while the warm light ensures more relaxation in the evening. The full spectrum LEDs achieve a colour rendering index of 96, which is said to improve colour representation compared to standard lamps.

What is surprising considering the price of the lamp: The ScreenBar Pro table does not come with a remote control. But we don’t miss it either, because thanks to the light sensor, ultrasonic sensor and easily accessible buttons, the remote control is hardly needed in everyday life. In addition, when connected to a monitor, the lamp automatically turns on and off with it.

The Benq ScreenBar Pro sets new standards in terms of light output. We determined a maximum brightness of an impressive 2350 lux at a distance of 50 cm. This is not a generally valid value, but it helps us to compare it with the brightness of others. This makes it the brightest screen bar currently on the market. For comparison: The brightest lamps to date, the Xiaomi Mi 1S monitor lamp (test report) and the Benq ScreenBar Halo (test report), make “only” about 1500 lux.

The ScreenBar Pro’s wide illumination is impressive. Due to its 50 cm length, it illuminates even large desks better than all other monitor lamps. The angle of the light cone can be adjusted to avoid reflections in the monitor. The demarcation remains sharp enough so as not to blind the user unnecessarily.

with the surrounding 139 euros (on Amazon) The Benq ScreenBar Pro is an expensive monitor lamp. But it offers features and light output that are currently unmatched. The second-best lamp in our comparison, the Xiaomi Mi 1S Monitor Lamp (test report), costs significantly less. It’s off 45 Euros Available on Amazon. If you have the budget and want the best of the best, you should opt for the Benq Screenbar Pro. If the extra features aren’t that important to you, you’ll also find an excellent monitor lamp at an affordable price in the Xiaomi Screenbar.

The Benq ScreenBar Pro is the best monitor lamp. It shines significantly brighter than any other screen bar. It also impresses with smart functions such as an ultrasonic sensor and a new clamp mount that sits securely on almost any monitor.

The light of the lamp is not only extremely bright, but also of high quality, thanks to the adjustable color temperature and the high color rendering index. The detailed illumination is perfectly suited for extra wide screens and desks. The operation directly on the lamp works perfectly, there is no remote control included, but it is not missed either.

The biggest disadvantage of ScreenBar Pro is its high price 139 euros on Amazon. But you get the best monitor lamp currently available, with excellent workmanship and light output. If money is no object, the Benq ScreenBar Pro is a monitor lamp that impresses in every respect. Budget lovers will also be happy with models from Xiaomi, Yeelight or Xlayer.