Quick verdict: Buy the BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 if you work in a dim room at night and want an ambient backlight behind your monitor plus a wireless dial for adjustments. Buy the BenQ ScreenBar Pro if your priority is bright, wide desk coverage and you are happy adjusting the light with buttons on the bar itself. Both use BenQ's glare-free asymmetric optics, both clamp onto the monitor, and both include a motion sensor; the real choice is backlight and controller versus a simpler front-light-focused design.
- Front Light
- ASYM-Light, 18° anti-glare angle
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- Color Temperature
- 2700K–6500K
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- Backlight
- Adjustable ambient backlight
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- Control
- Wireless dial with display
- Motion sensor
- Sensor
- Motion sensor
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- Type
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- Monitor light bar
- Mount
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- Clamp (top of monitor)
- Power
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- USB-C
- Color Temp
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- 2700–6500K
- Adjustable rear backlight reduces contrast between a bright screen and a dark wall
- Wireless dial with a display for brightness, color temperature, and modes
- Motion sensor plus clamp that fits flat and curved monitors
- Significantly more expensive than the standard ScreenBar
- Rear glow is only effective on lighter walls — dark walls absorb most of the ambient effect
- Asymmetric optics light the desk without casting glare on the screen
- Motion sensor turns the light on and off as you sit down or leave
- Reclaims desk space entirely—no base, clamps to the top of the monitor
- Premium price for a desk light
- Curved-monitor fit depends on the bezel and curvature
The Core Difference: Front Light Plus Backlight vs Front Light Only#
Both bars light the desk in front of your monitor using BenQ's ASYM-Light optics, which aim the light downward at an angle so it falls on your keyboard and papers instead of reflecting off the screen or shining into your eyes. BenQ specifies an 18° anti-glare angle for the Halo 2's front light.
What sets the Halo 2 apart is its rear-facing backlight. It washes the wall behind your monitor with soft ambient light, which reduces the contrast between a bright screen and a dark room. That contrast is a common source of eye fatigue during late-night sessions, and the backlight is designed to ease it. The ScreenBar Pro does not have a backlight; it puts all of its effort into the desk in front of you.
The backlight's effect does depend on your room. Owners report it looks best against a light-colored wall close behind the monitor; a dark wall absorbs much of the glow.
Coverage and Brightness#
The ScreenBar Pro is built around wide, strong front lighting. BenQ rates it at over 1000 lux at the center and 500 lux across a 33 by 20 inch area, which is a large enough footprint to cover a full keyboard, mouse, and notebook on a deep desk. If you use an ultrawide monitor or spread paperwork across your desk, that coverage is the Pro's main selling point.
Both lights offer stepless brightness and a 2700K to 6500K color temperature range, so you can run warm light in the evening and cooler, crisper light during the day on either bar.
Controls: Wireless Dial vs On-Bar Buttons#
The Halo 2 ships with a wireless controller: a desk dial that adjusts brightness, color temperature, and modes, with a built-in display that shows exact values. Because it sits on your desk, you never have to reach up to the top of the monitor, and it is easy to return to the same setting every day.
The ScreenBar Pro uses function buttons built into the bar. That keeps your desk completely clear, but every adjustment means reaching up to the monitor. If you set the light once and rarely touch it, that is no hardship; if you tweak it through the day, the Halo 2's dial is more convenient.
Motion Sensing, Power, and Monitor Fit#
Both bars include a motion sensor. On the ScreenBar Pro, BenQ specifies an ultrasonic sensor that detects movement within roughly 24 inches, turns the light on when you sit down, and switches it off after 5 minutes of absence. The Pro is powered over USB-C or with an included adapter, so it does not have to rely on a monitor or laptop port.
Fit is close. The Halo 2 clamps onto monitors 0.17 to 2.36 inches thick, while the Pro accepts 0.17 to 2.56 inches, and BenQ says the Pro's patented clamp handles monitors with unusual back designs or non-flat top bezels. Both support curved monitors from 1000R to 1800R. If your monitor has a thick or oddly shaped top edge, the Pro is the safer bet.
Who Should Buy Which#
Choose the BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 if you:
- Work late in a dark or dim room and want to soften the contrast around your screen
- Adjust brightness and color temperature often and want a wireless dial with exact readouts
- Have a light-colored wall behind your monitor to make the most of the backlight
Choose the BenQ ScreenBar Pro if you:
- Want the widest, brightest front lighting for a deep desk or ultrawide monitor
- Prefer a clean desk with no separate controller
- Have a thick monitor or one with an unusual top bezel
Frequently Asked Questions#
Does the BenQ ScreenBar Pro have a backlight?#
No. The ScreenBar Pro lights only the desk in front of the monitor. The ScreenBar Halo 2 adds a rear-facing ambient backlight that illuminates the wall behind your screen, which is the main feature separating the two.
Which BenQ ScreenBar is better for curved monitors?#
Both support curved monitors from 1000R to 1800R. The ScreenBar Pro accepts slightly thicker monitors, up to 2.56 inches versus 2.36 inches for the Halo 2, and its clamp is designed for non-flat top bezels, so it is the safer choice for unusual monitor shapes.
Do both ScreenBars turn on automatically?#
Yes. Both include a motion sensor. BenQ specifies that the ScreenBar Pro lights up when you are nearby and shuts off after 5 minutes without detecting movement.
Is the ScreenBar Halo 2 worth it over the ScreenBar Pro?#
It is worth it if you often work in a dark room, because the ambient backlight reduces the harsh contrast between a bright screen and its surroundings, and the wireless dial makes frequent adjustments easy. If you mainly work in daylight or a lit room, the ScreenBar Pro's wider front coverage is the better use of your budget.
The Verdict#
The ScreenBar Halo 2 is BenQ's most complete monitor light, and it is the one to get for evening and night work: the backlight eases contrast around the screen and the wireless dial makes fine-tuning effortless. The ScreenBar Pro is the better pick for people who want maximum desk coverage and a clutter-free setup, with a clamp that fits a wider range of monitors. Decide based on when and where you work, and see our full desk lighting reviews for more options.
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