Head to head
BenQ ScreenBar Plus vs ScreenBar Pro (2026)
BenQ ScreenBar Plus vs Pro: desktop dial against motion sensing, brightness, and which BenQ bar suits your desk.
#1 in our rankings · Best overall
BenQ ScreenBar Plus
Best for: Most desk workers who want proven glare-free light with a physical dial on the desk.
#3 in our rankings · Best brightness
BenQ ScreenBar Pro
Best for: Buyers who want the brightest BenQ bar with hands-free motion sensing for shared desks.
Our recommendation
Buy the ScreenBar Plus if you want a physical dial on the desk and proven optics at a slightly lower price. Buy the ScreenBar Pro if your desk is large or shared, since 1000 lux output and motion sensing suit bigger spaces and hands-free use. Both are front-only bars with no backlight, so the choice is controls and brightness, not lighting philosophy.
Controls
The Plus uses a wired desktop dial, which is tactile, precise, and always where you left it. The Pro uses touch and motion sensing, which is cleaner on the desk but less deliberate: the bar decides when to switch on as you approach. Dial lovers should take the Plus; minimalists should take the Pro.
Brightness
The Pro reaches 1000 lux, noticeably brighter than the Plus on large desks and in dark rooms. On a standard single-monitor desk the difference is smaller, since both bars concentrate light on the work area rather than flooding the room.
Power and modernity
The Pro runs on USB-C at 8.5 watts with a time-of-flight motion sensor, the newer package. The Plus uses an older USB setup with its dial cable. Neither difference affects light quality, but the Pro integrates better with a modern USB-C desk.
Choose BenQ ScreenBar Plus if…
- You want a physical dial you can twist without looking
- Your desk is standard size and well lit already
- You prefer manual control over sensors
Choose BenQ ScreenBar Pro if…
- Your desk is large or the room is dark
- You share the desk and want hands-free switching
- USB-C and motion sensing appeal to you
Spec-by-spec comparison
| Spec | BenQ ScreenBar Plus | BenQ ScreenBar Pro |
|---|---|---|
| Price tier | Premium | Premium |
| Control | Desktop dial with auto-dimming | Touch and sensor controls |
| Material | Aluminium | - |
| Weight | 1.5 pounds | - |
| Dimensions | 3.54"D x 17.72"W x 3.62"H | - |
| Power | USB powered | 8.5 watts, USB-C |
| Brightness | - | Up to 1000 lux |
| Sensor | - | Motion sensor (time-of-flight) |
| Part number | - | 9H.W4KWT.US2 |
| Best for | Most desk workers who want proven glare-free light with a physical dial on the desk. | Buyers who want the brightest BenQ bar with hands-free motion sensing for shared desks. |
| Skip if | You want a backlight glow behind the monitor, or you need wireless controls. | You want a backlight, or you prefer a physical dial to touch and sensor controls. |
Strengths and limitations
BenQ ScreenBar Plus
Strengths
- 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.
Limitations
- 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.
BenQ ScreenBar Pro
Strengths
- 1000 lux output lights larger desks and darker rooms better than the older ScreenBar models.
- Motion sensor switches the bar on as you sit down, which suits shared desks and forgetful owners.
- USB-C power keeps the cable modern and matches laptop and monitor chargers.
Limitations
- No backlight glow, so it cannot soften the contrast between a bright screen and a dark wall.
- Motion sensing can surprise users who prefer a bar that only changes when told to.
- Premium pricing without the wireless controller of the Halo 2.
How they fit the wider field
- BenQ ScreenBar Plus: ranked #1 (Best overall) in The Best Monitor Light Bars. Read the full BenQ ScreenBar Plus review.
- BenQ ScreenBar Pro: ranked #3 (Best brightness) in The Best Monitor Light Bars.
Neither one quite right? The full rankings cover 10 picks matched to different buyers.
Questions, answered
Can the Pro's motion sensor be turned off?
Yes, the sensor can be disabled so the bar behaves like a manual touch-controlled light. Check the manual for the control sequence, since it varies by production batch.
Which is better for a small desk?
The Plus: its dial is more useful than extra brightness on a small desk, and its output is ample for a single monitor setup.