Sometimes it’s not just about the fastest speeds you can achieve, or upgrading your PC (particularly in today’s market). To maximize your setup, you need to think about how you use it every day. If you’re anything like me, you likely spend way too many hours seated at your desk each day, so even small tweaks to your surroundings can greatly improve your daily routine. For me, one of the most significant improvements to my setup was adding a monitor light bar—the model I use is Razer’s Aether Monitor light bar, which retails for $129.99.
Now, many people wonder what they actually do, but after trying several of them, it’s clear how one could be useful. For me, my PC desk isn’t merely where I work—it’s where I game, pursue my model-building hobby, and frequently labor deep into the night. So, how does a light bar enhance all of this?
Yeah, it’s just LEDs, but it delivers so much more
At its heart, a monitor light bar is just a strip of LEDs designed to sit atop your computer monitor. Many models let you control the direction of the light, typically with adjustable settings such as intensity or color tone. They brighten your space and lessen eye fatigue, particularly if you dislike switching on the main light in your office.
As the winter months drag on, keeping a convenient lamp on your desk is essential; it’s especially useful for those with cramped workspace. You can grab a lamp and clamp it to your desk to achieve similar results, but the lightbar’s design is better suited for cramped areas. The rule of cool always holds true, and monitor light bars appear exceptionally sleek, particularly when you're aiming for a minimalist look.
Not all monitor light bars consider biased lighting, where light shines both behind and in front of your monitor. Having a naturally brighter screen on both the front and back of your monitor can help lessen eye strain in dim lighting. Adding adjustable color temperature only improves this further. When I paint a model kit, I usually set the lightbar to be cooler and more intense. When I settle in to play a game for a few hours like Oblivion Remastered, I typically lower the lights a bit and turn up the heat to create a cozy vibe.
- BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 ($179) - Premium option, biased lighting, remote puck
- Xiaomi Monitor Light bar ($67) - Remote puck, no biased lighting
- Razer Aether Monitor Light bar ($129) - Biased light, on-bar controls
Not every LED light bar is identical
If that seems like a good fit for your setup, there are a few key elements to keep in mind. There are countless lightbars populating online marketplaces like Amazon, but not all provide identical features. The most crucial factor is considering your current setup. I use a dual-monitor setup, and the lightbar I rely on every day, the Razer Aether Monitor Light Bar, typically bathes my whole desk in illumination, so I don’t have to concern myself with how intense the lighting is or whether it’ll reach the full extent of my 79-inch Desk. Make sure you choose a lightbar that provides plenty of coverage.
Second, since the lightbar must be placed atop your monitor, you should consider whether your display has a curved surface. There are several curved light bars available on the market, so ensure your chosen light bar aligns as closely as possible with your R-curve. Most major-brand lightbars lack curved variants, so if you’re desperate, you might end up spending on something more questionable.
Not all light bars provide identical features. As I’ve said earlier, biased lighting with an extra strip at the rear is something you definitely shouldn’t overlook, unless your monitor already comes with an LED strip for that purpose. Additionally, adjusting brightness and color temperature is equally important. If you purchase a bar that’s only available in a cold, sterile K, it won’t suit every scenario, and you’ll probably grow frustrated with it over time.
Things can get extremely expensive
I tried my first monitor light bar a few years ago—the BenQ ScreenBar Halo—which delivered high-end build quality and a premium price, along with a wireless puck I needed to keep on my desk. The device’s MSRP came to $179, a fairly high price for what amounts to little more than a cluster of lights. While it was outstanding and packed with a vast array of features, it was largely matched by the far more affordable $60 Xiaomi Computer Monitor Light Bar, aside from its biased lighting capabilities.
So, definitely compare options to find what works best for you. This Razer Monitor light bar includes Matter support, but it demands finicky software and an app—I’ve never bothered using it, and you likely shouldn’t need to for a simple light strip. So, while some monitor light bars are packed with features, choose one that suits you best based on your own judgment.
So, where does that leave us? The market is highly divided, and you’ll need to search for something tailored to your setup. In my own experience, it has greatly improved the comfort of my desk, and many tend to overlook it. These days, I can confidently say I simply can’t live without one anymore, and if it stops working, I’ll probably just buy another instead of a regular lamp. Just avoid spending too much on one unless you’re a huge BenQ enthusiast or have plenty of money to spare.
Above, we’ve highlighted several well-known options for you to consider. Keep in mind that some manufacturers, like Quntis, also provide solutions for users with curved displays.
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