Review: BenQ ScreenBar Pro | AUSRETROGAMER

Let’s be real: I never thought I’d get this excited about a monitor light. But the BenQ ScreenBar Pro has turned out to be one of the best upgrades I’ve made to my work-from-home and gaming setup—and I didn’t even know I needed it.

💡 A Lightbulb Moment (Literally)

Before this sleek little marvel entered my life, my desk lighting situation was… well, non-existent. Just me, a keyboard, and the gentle glow of a monitor in an otherwise cave-like room. Not ideal for productivity—or my eyes.

Enter the ScreenBar Pro, and suddenly I’m wondering how I ever lived without it. Mounted effortlessly on top of my monitor (no clamps, no fuss), it throws an even, glare-free beam of light across my desk without casting a single reflection on the screen. It’s like mood lighting, but make it functional.

👨‍💻 Work-From-Home Approved

As someone who works from home full-time, I spend a lot of hours at my desk. Having consistent, adjustable lighting that doesn’t take up any space (seriously, not even a square centimetre of desk real estate!) has made a huge difference. Whether I’m writing documents, tinkering in dashboards, or just doing the usual Zoom (and MS Teams) dance, the ScreenBar Pro makes everything clearer and easier on the eyes—especially during those gloomy Melbourne mornings.

And here’s a great bonus: my camera fits perfectly on top of the ScreenBar Pro, which means I didn’t have to sacrifice lighting or camera placement. It’s rock solid, well-balanced, and makes me look far more presentable on video calls without any awkward shadows or glare.

Oh—and I absolutely love the auto-sensor. It turns the light on automatically as soon as I sit in front of the monitor, and even better—it switches off after 5 minutes of inactivity. It’s such a simple feature, but it’s perfect for when I wander off for a break or forget to turn things off. Smart, seamless, and seriously useful.

🎮 Ready for Game Time

When the workday ends and the games begin, the ScreenBar Pro keeps up without missing a beat. With adjustable brightness and colour temperature, I can dial it down for late-night gaming sessions or crank it up when I’m deep-diving into strategy games and need to take notes. It adds atmosphere without distracting from the action, and I never have to worry about fiddling with room lighting again.

✨ Bonus Features

Auto Dimming & Motion Sensor: Adjusts lighting based on ambient light—and automatically turns on or off based on presence. Set and forget.
Wireless Dial: The included controller is so intuitive and tactile, you’ll find yourself adjusting brightness just because it’s fun.
Camera-Friendly: Mounting a webcam on top is a breeze—no awkward angles or sacrifices to lighting.
Sleek Design: It’s minimal, modern, and blends into your setup like it was always meant to be there.

📝 Final Verdict

If you’re like me and spend your days working and nights gaming in the same space, the BenQ ScreenBar Pro is the ultimate dual-purpose peripheral. It’s one of those “why didn’t I buy this sooner?” products that genuinely enhances how your workspace feels—not just how it looks.

🔟 10/10 – A brilliantly bright idea, perfectly executed.