Business

I tried BenQ’s new monitor light bar and its ultrasonic motion sensor made my desk feel like the future — here’s how

AnyFans 2025-09-20

By Anthony Spadafora

Tom’s Guide

Newsletters

View Profile

Search Tom’s Guide

You may like

I reviewed this monitor light bar, and I’d easily pick up another in this last-minute Prime Day deal

I just gave my home the ultimate smart light upgrade — and I can control it all with my phone

I test monitors for a living — here’s the 3 I recommend for every budget

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.

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
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.

BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2: $179 at Amazon
This pro-level monitor light bar illuminates your entire desk and the wall behind it at the same time. It also works with both flat and curved displays, plus you get a webcam mounting kit in the box. The Halo 2’s wireless controller has a very premium feel to it too, and it now features a rechargeable battery.

Automatically lit or dialed in

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
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.

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
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

(Image credit: Tom’s Guide)
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.

BenQ ScreenBar Halo: was $179 now $152 at Amazon
The original ScreenBar Halo is still a great option, especially when you find it on sale. It features an integrated back light and a wireless controller to help reduce eye strain. Likewise, it also works with both flat and curved displays thanks to the adapter that comes in the box. However, to install your webcam above it, you will have to buy BenQ’s webcam mounting kit separately.

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.
Follow Tom’s Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button!
More from Tom’s Guide

I found the perfect monitor light bar to illuminate your desk and add a splash of color to your walls
I ditched my ultrawide display for this dual-monitor setup — here’s what happened
I took my gameplay to the next level with AI-synced lighting and it’s just what my desk setup was missing

Today’s monitor light bar deals

Quntis Monitor Light Bar

$49.99View Deal
See all prices

Xiaomi Mi Computer Monitor Light Bar

$61.99View Deal
See all prices

Quntis Monitor RGB Light Bar Pro+

$61.99View Deal
See all prices

Quntis Monitor Light Bar Pro+

$69.99View Deal
See all prices

Razer Aether Monitor Light Bar

$129.99View Deal
See all prices

ASUS ROG Aura Monitor Light Bar

$199View Deal
See all prices

BenQ ScreenBar Halo

$152.15View Deal
See all prices

We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices

Anthony Spadafora

Social Links Navigation
Managing Editor Security and Home Office

Anthony Spadafora is the managing editor for security and home office furniture at Tom’s Guide where he covers everything from data breaches to password managers and the best way to cover your whole home or business with Wi-Fi. He also reviews standing desks, office chairs and other home office accessories with a penchant for building desk setups. Before joining the team, Anthony wrote for ITProPortal while living in Korea and later for TechRadar Pro after moving back to the US. Based in Houston, Texas, when he’s not writing Anthony can be found tinkering with PCs and game consoles, managing cables and upgrading his smart home.

You must confirm your public display name before commenting

Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.

I reviewed this monitor light bar, and I’d easily pick up another in this last-minute Prime Day deal

I just gave my home the ultimate smart light upgrade — and I can control it all with my phone

I test monitors for a living — here’s the 3 I recommend for every budget

I just tested this QD-OLED monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate — and it’s the ultimate gaming upgrade

I tried a foldable triple-display portable monitor — and it’s the ultimate mobile accessory for power users

I upgraded my social content with this budget ring light — and now I can’t take a selfie without it

Latest in Computing Peripherals

NuPhy Air75 V3 review

This Foldable Keyboard and Mouse Combo Helped Me Stay Productive in a Busy Hostel — and It’s the Best Choice for Students

I review keyboards for a living — here’s the fastest ones I’d buy with my own money

Grab a budget keyboard for even less for back to school at Amazon right now – these are my top 3 picks under $50

I just got my first gaming keyboard — here’s why I’ll never use a regular board again

My partner almost left me because my keyboard was too loud — so I got this silent one that just hit its lowest ever price

Latest in Opinion

Apple Watch SE 3 — 6 reasons to buy (and 2 reasons to skip)

I tried BenQ’s new monitor light bar and its ultrasonic motion sensor made my desk feel like the future — here’s how

I knew standing leg extensions could boost mobility, but this was the most surprising benefit for my hip strength

I’ve waited 15 years for a new Skate game — here’s my verdict on Skate 4 after playing more than 20 hours

I’m a weightlifting coach — here are 3 exercises I prefer over push-ups to build strong and stable shoulders

I’ve been testing these Edifier PS5 gaming speakers, but the sound quality isn’t the only reason you should buy them

Construction Anchors Industry Report 2025-2030: Expansion Of Tunnel, Metro, And Bridge Projects Generates High-Volume Demand

AnyFans 2025-09-18

Hot News_tariffs news_big country news_anyfans news

I tried BenQ’s new monitor light bar and its ultrasonic motion sensor made my desk feel like the future — here’s how

Prince and his secret child are seen for the first time together in newly surfaced photograph

Odell Beckham Jr. Responds to Backlash Over His Viral Video Dancing to Drake’s ‘Family Matters’: ‘I Know Who I Am’

September 15 Advance Tax Payment Deadline: Charge 1 % a month on the shortfall for three months

Construction Anchors Industry Report 2025-2030: Expansion Of Tunnel, Metro, And Bridge Projects Generates High-Volume Demand

I tried BenQ’s new monitor light bar and its ultrasonic motion sensor made my desk feel like the future — here’s how

You Might Also Like

Prince and his secret child are seen for the first time together in newly surfaced photograph

Odell Beckham Jr. Responds to Backlash Over His Viral Video Dancing to Drake’s ‘Family Matters’: ‘I Know Who I Am’

September 15 Advance Tax Payment Deadline: Charge 1 % a month on the shortfall for three months

Construction Anchors Industry Report 2025-2030: Expansion Of Tunnel, Metro, And Bridge Projects Generates High-Volume Demand