Lighting plays a bigger role in desk setups than most people think, especially when working late. Staring at a bright screen in a dark room puts unnecessary strain on your eyes and can make long sessions uncomfortable. The six options below are all clamp-on monitor light bars, meaning they’re easy to install, don’t require drilling, and won’t clutter your screen with bulky lamp arms. Whether you want something simple and functional or a premium, colour-tunable model that adds to your setup, there’s a solid pick here.
1. BenQ ScreenBar Halo
Best all-rounder for dual-screen rigs
BenQ invented the category and still dominates it. The Halo adds a dimmable back-light ring that washes the wall behind your monitor; that fringe glow further reduces contrast on giant dual screens. A wireless puck lets you dial brightness and colour temperature with one fingertip—no fumbling for touch buttons in the dark.
2. Quntis Pro+ Light Bar
Best budget pick
If you only care about a bright, even spread across your keyboard, Quntis gets it done for half the cash of premium bars. The clamp is sturdy, the LED strip covers 3000-6500 K, and touch controls sit right on the bar—handy for quick taps between calls. No back-light, no wireless extras, but at this price you won’t miss them.
3. Benq LaptopBar
Portable option for digital nomads
Working in hotel rooms or coffee shops after dark? The 28 cm ScreenBar Lite clips to the top bezel of a laptop without blocking the webcam. USB-C powered, folds into the sleeve of a 13-inch MacBook, and still manages an auto-dim sensor. Great for students who bounce between library and dorm.
4. Quntis RGB
Best for mood lighting & streaming
Quntis pairs a 550 lux white beam with addressable RGB back-glow you can sync to games or OBS scenes. The bottom light keeps documents visible; the rear floods your wall with any of 16 million colours. It’s USB-C powered, so it runs off a hub—no extra socket needed. Streamers get eye-comfort and a splash of on-brand colour.
5. Xiaomi Mi Monitor Light Bar
Best remote control on a budget
Xiaomi’s hockey-puck dial is glorious: spin to dim, tap to toggle colour temperature, long-press to switch off. 95 % of the time you never touch the bar itself. Beam is asymmetric—light hits your desk, not the panel—so there’s zero glare. Magnetic mount pops off for easy dusting.
6. Philips Hue Play Gradient Light Strip
Best if you already own Hue gear
Technically a strip, not a bar, but it mounts on VESA points behind your monitor and syncs with the Hue desktop app to match on-screen colours. The front of your desk stays illuminated by bias light, your eyes stay relaxed, and the entire wall becomes part of the movie or game. Requires a Hue Bridge—but if you’re already in the Hue ecosystem this is the immersive upgrade.
A Quick Comparison
| Model | Brightness Modes | Color Temp | Extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| BenQ ScreenBar Halo | Auto + Dial | 2700-6500 K | Back-light ring, wireless puck |
| Quntis Pro+ | Manual 10-step | 3000-6500 K | Touch strip |
| Benq LaptopBar | Auto + Buttons | 2700-6500 K | Travel sleeve |
| Quntis RGB | Manual Dial | 2900-6000 K + RGB rear | Sync RGB, USB-C |
| Xiaomi Mi Monitor Light Bar | Wireless Dial | 2700-6500 K | Magnetic mount |
| Philips Hue Play Gradient Light Strip | App-Sync | Multi-zone RGB | Hue ecosystem |
Which light bar should you buy?
On a tight budget? Grab the Quntis Pro+—eye relief for the price of takeaway.
Minimalist workspace? Xiaomi Mi gives you the cleanest control dial.
Dual-screen coder? BenQ Halo balances both screens and wall glow.
RGB-hungry gamer or streamer? Quntis RGB is the sweet spot.
Already deep in Hue bulbs? Stick with the Hue Gradient for single-app control.