In-depth review
BenQ ScreenBar Plus Review (2026)
In-depth review of the BenQ ScreenBar Plus: desktop dial, auto-dimming, aluminium build, and why it stays the default recommendation.
BenQ ScreenBar Plus
The classic ScreenBar with a desktop dial and auto-dimming.
Our verdict
The ScreenBar Plus remains the default monitor light bar because it gets the fundamentals right and adds the one control that matters: a dial on the desk. Auto-dimming handles changing daylight, asymmetric optics keep the screen clean, and the aluminium build feels permanent rather than gadgety. It lacks the backlight and motion sensing of newer BenQ models, but for most desks those are luxuries, while the dial is a daily convenience. Buy it unless you specifically need a backlight or the brightest output.
What we like
- Desktop dial puts brightness and colour temperature at your fingertips without reaching up to the bar or opening an app.
- Auto-dimming sensor adjusts output to room light, so the desk stays evenly lit as daylight changes.
- Asymmetric optics light the desk while keeping the screen reflection-free, the core ScreenBar advantage.
What to watch out for
- No backlight, so the wall behind the monitor stays dark compared with Halo models.
- Wired dial adds a cable to manage, and the dial needs desk space near the keyboard.
- Premium price for a bar without the motion sensing or backlight of newer BenQ models.
Who it is for
Desk workers, students, and home office users who want proven glare-free light with simple, physical controls.
The dial difference
The desktop dial is the Plus's defining feature. Brightness and colour temperature adjust with a twist and a press, without reaching up to the bar or hunting for a remote. Auto-dimming mode lets the sensor take over entirely, adjusting output as room light changes through the day. Owners who try the dial rarely go back to bar-top touch controls, which is why the Plus outranks the original ScreenBar despite sharing its optics.
Optics and build
BenQ's asymmetric optics angle light forward onto the desk and away from the screen, which is the whole category's reason to exist, and the Plus executes it with an aluminium body that feels substantial on the monitor. At 1.5 pounds it needs a monitor with a stable stand, but it will not flex or sag like plastic bars. The light is even across a standard desk, with dimmer edges on very wide setups where the Pro's extra brightness helps.
What it lacks
There is no backlight, so night contrast between screen and wall stays higher than on Halo models. There is no motion sensing, so the bar only changes when you tell it to, and no wireless control, so the dial cable must be routed neatly. None of these are flaws for most users, but buyers who want the full BenQ system should look at the Halo 2 instead.
How it stacks up
Against the ScreenBar Pro, the Plus trades brightness and motion sensing for the dial, and many users prefer the dial. Against the ScreenBar Halo 2, it is simpler, cheaper, and backlight-free, while the Halo 2 is the complete system. Against the Quntis ScreenLinear, the Plus is better built and better controlled at a higher price, while the Quntis wins on budget alone.
What owners report
Commonly praised
- Desktop dial puts brightness and colour temperature at your fingertips
- Auto-dimming sensor adjusts output to room light as daylight changes
- Asymmetric optics light the desk while keeping the screen reflection-free
Common complaints
- No backlight, so the wall behind the monitor stays dark compared with Halo models
- Wired dial adds a cable to manage, and the dial needs desk space near the keyboard
- Premium price for a bar without the motion sensing or backlight of newer BenQ models
Recurring themes from owner reviews on retailers and forums, summarised by our editors. Updated October 2026.
Key specifications
- Control
- Desktop dial with auto-dimming
- Material
- Aluminium
- Weight
- 1.5 pounds
- Dimensions
- 3.54"D x 17.72"W x 3.62"H
- Power
- USB powered
Also consider
BenQ ScreenBar Pro
The brighter, smarter ScreenBar with motion sensing and USB-C.
- Brightness: Up to 1000 lux
- Power: 8.5 watts, USB-C
BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2
BenQ's flagship: front light, backlight, wireless controller, and curved monitor fit.
- Front light: Colour rendering Ra 95 or better
- Illuminance: Centre illuminance over 1000 lux at 50 centimetres
Research-based assessment. ThePickLedger has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Does the ScreenBar Plus work with curved monitors?
With gentle curves, yes, using BenQ's clip system. Deeply curved ultrawide monitors are better served by the Halo 2, whose mount range is wider.
Can I use the Plus without the dial?
The dial is the control for this model, so it needs desk space near the keyboard. If dial space is a problem, the touch-controlled Pro or a remote Quntis model suits better.
Is the Plus bright enough for a dark room?
Yes for a standard desk: auto-dimming raises output as the room darkens, and the asymmetric beam concentrates light where you work. Very large desks benefit from the brighter Pro.