The year was 2017, and the world witnessed a computer peripheral that didn’t seem like a big deal at that time, but once you used it, you could not get over the fact that it instantly became an absolute essential for daily work. I am talking about the BenQ Screenbar Halo, a product that, for many, was a godsend, especially in a world where computer screens have become a second home for a vast number of the population. Fast forward to the year 2026, almost a decade since its launch, and we have the all-new Screenbar Halo 2 with us. Will it be a worthy upgrade for you, or is it just an iteration of the original with no added value? Let’s find out.
What’s in the box?
- The Screenbar Halo 2
- 20W Power adapter with USB Type C connectivity
- Rechargeable wireless puck control
- Web Cam mounting bracket
First Impressions: BenQ Screenbar Halo 2
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There are certain products that do not seem like much at first, but it is when you use them that you get to see how much of an impact they have on your life. For me, the BenQ Screenbar Halo 2 is such a product. The screenbar looked straight forward; there was no mention of the terms ‘artificial’ and ‘intelligence’ for a change. Even without reading the user manual, one can figure out how exactly the screenbar works. It is quite intuitive. The control panel is what impressed me. BenQ left no stone unturned when it came to the build quality. This is even more impressive when you recall that BenQ pioneered this category.
Performance: BenQ Screenbar Halo 2
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The BenQ Screenbar Halo 2 hits a high CRI of 95+ and maintains zero flicker. The colour temperature range covers a warm 2700K up to a crisp white 6500K. The impressive thing? It manages to hold its lux and kelvin integrity. Even when you drop the intensity to under 30 per cent, there is no flicker as such.
The puck controller is just fabulous. It is wireless, you can recharge it via USB Type C, and it is able to give you numeric readouts for brightness, colour temperature, an option to switch between the back light or use both sides simultaneously, turn on presence detection or vice versa, and set the Screenbar Halo 2 to auto (which by default sets it to 4000K). This is a central control centre for the bar, and all you have to do is lift your finger to adjust the settings. The only gripe I have with this extremely well-built device is that you need to touch it once to wake it up. Would a motion sensor have been better? Perhaps, but that might also have jacked up the price.
The backlight or the ‘Halo’ is a nice touch to an already good product. The soft and widespread light offers contrast between the screen and the background. It is similar to killing birds with one stone, except the stone here is the Screenbar Halo 2, and the birds are lighting solutions. To add to this, BenQ’s patented 18-degree optical cutoff makes sure that the light from the screenbar does not reach your eyes directly, making sure there is no strain on your eyes.
How is it different from Screenbar Halo 1?
Well, for starters, the presence detection is awfully cool. The screenbar turns off automatically in your absence and turns back on automatically when it senses your presence. You can also toggle on and off this feature via the wireless control panel. Another new feature is that when you use both the front and back LEDs, the brightness does not dim. The original Halo, the brightness dipped a little bit when using both sides.
What Stood Out?
- Legitimate 1000 lux brightness with full diffusion
- Accurate colour temperature and CRI rating. Strong, usable ambient backlighting
- Rechargeable smart controller with live readouts
- Modern clamp design fits all monitors
- Webcam mount included
What Could Be Better?
- Auto-dimming locks to 4000K (no warm night mode)
- No time-based Kelvin shifting
- Puck wake-up requires a double-tap
- Premium price not for casual users
Verdict: Should You Buy The BenQ Screenbar Halo 2?
As a digital native and as someone who needs to sit in front of the screen for prolonged hours professionally, the BenQ Screenbar Halo 2 is a must-have for me. As mentioned earlier in the review, there are certain products that do not feel important until you actually use them, and once you do, they become indispensable. The Screenbar Halo 2 is such a product. It takes care of the lighting, sets the ambience, and adds value to your overall workflow.
The Halo 2 is the most refined and capable monitor light bar BenQ has produced. It fixes nearly all shortcomings of the earlier model, delivers professional-grade lighting performance, and integrates seamlessly into modern setups. While the fixed 4000K auto mode remains a limitation and I hope they fix it soon, the overall package is unmatched in comfort, accuracy, and usability.
If you think about it, it is a fairly simple setup and spend doesn’t offer something out of the box. Yet, this is something that is much needed on today’s work climate, given the long hours we spend at the desk for gaming, editing, coding, or working. For coders, gamers, and WFH professionals who sit for hours on end on their systems, this is hands down a must-have item.
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