BenQ Middle East has introduced its ScreenBar Series to the regional market, marking a formal expansion of the company’s monitor-mounted lighting products in Dubai. The launch includes the ScreenBar Halo 2 as the top-tier model, alongside the ScreenBar Pro in black and silver finishes. The announcement reflects growing demand for workspace lighting that addresses eye strain associated with extended screen use, particularly among professionals, gamers, and content creators.
The ScreenBar Halo 2 has been in development for approximately four years and is built around a dual-light configuration designed to balance illumination in front of and behind the display. This approach aims to reduce the sharp contrast that often exists between a bright monitor and a darker room, a common contributor to visual fatigue. According to BenQ, the rear lighting system increases coverage significantly compared to earlier designs, helping to create a more even ambient environment rather than focusing solely on the screen surface.
The front-facing light uses BenQ’s ASYM-Light technology, which relies on an asymmetrical optical design intended to direct light onto the desk area without reflecting onto the display or shining directly into the user’s eyes. An 18-degree cut-off angle is used to limit glare, a design choice that aligns with broader industry efforts to make task lighting less intrusive during long work sessions.
BenQ states that the ScreenBar Halo 2 was developed with input from research conducted alongside the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. The resulting lighting balance reportedly adheres to ANSI guidelines, maintaining a luminance ratio of no more than 3:1 between the screen and its surrounding environment. While such standards are commonly referenced in professional lighting design, their real-world impact depends on individual workspace conditions and user sensitivity.
The ScreenBar Pro models focus more on physical adaptability and ease of installation. A gravity-based zinc-alloy clamp allows the light to attach to a wide range of monitor types, including ultra-thin and curved displays, without adhesives or permanent fixtures. Both the Halo 2 and Pro models include automated features such as ambient light detection, automatic power control, and memory settings that retain user preferences across sessions.
Design was also a consideration in the ScreenBar Series, with BenQ collaborating with MINIMAL Design, led by Scott Wilson. The resulting products emphasize restrained industrial styling, intended to integrate into home offices and studio environments rather than stand out as separate accessories. BenQ positions the lighting range as a complement to its existing monitor lines, including displays aimed at designers, general users, and gaming audiences.
Control is handled through a redesigned wireless dial that allows users to adjust brightness and color temperature across a wide range, from warmer tones suitable for evening work to cooler settings for daytime tasks. The controller features an anti-fingerprint coating and is intended to offer more precise adjustments than touch-based controls.
The BenQ ScreenBar Series is now available through Amazon in the UAE, with broader Middle East availability planned. As remote and hybrid work setups continue to evolve, products like monitor-mounted lighting are increasingly positioned as practical tools rather than optional accessories, though their value ultimately depends on how well they integrate into diverse real-world workspaces.
