ConsFirst / Desk lamps & monitor light bars / Compare
BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 Monitor Light Bar vs Uplift LED Desk Lamp E7 With Clamp
Which one has the downsides you can live with?
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The short answer
BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 Monitor Light Bar ranks higher (#1 vs #2 of 8) and scores better on light quality (no glare, cri), controls, no flicker or hum. Uplift LED Desk Lamp E7 With Clamp wins on adjustability & reach, build & reliability.
The biggest complaint about the BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 Monitor Light Bar is expensive; for the Uplift LED Desk Lamp E7 With Clamp it's some adjustments are limited. Pick the one whose catch bothers you less.
Side by side
| BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 Monitor Light Bar | Uplift LED Desk Lamp E7 With Clamp | |
|---|---|---|
| Rank in desk lamps & monitor light bars | #1 | #2 |
| Price tier | $$$ | $$ |
| Type | Monitor light bar | Desk lamp |
| Amazon 1–2★ share | 2% | 8% |
| Overall score | 4.3 | 4.1 |
| Light quality (no glare, CRI) | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Adjustability & reach | 3.5 | 4.5 |
| Controls | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| No flicker or hum | 4.0 | 3.5 |
| Build & reliability | 4.0 | 4.5 |
Price tiers: $ under $50 · $$ $50–150 · $$$ over $150. Highlighted = clearly better (a score gap of 0.3 or more, or a 1–2★ share at least 3 points lower). Scores are explained, with sources, on each product's page.
Top complaints
BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 Monitor Light Bar
- Expensive
Notebookcheck lists the price ($199 list) as its main con compared with ordinary LED desk lamps. Tom's Guide calls it the most expensive monitor light bar you can buy at $179 and suggests trying a cheaper one first. Amazon's review summary says opinions on value are mixed.
- Can sit loosely on smooth monitors
Notebookcheck lists 'a bit wobbly on smooth screens' as a con. It sat securely in the groove of a BenQ monitor but only somewhat loosely on a smooth 27-inch Samsung.
Source: Notebookcheck review - Almost everything runs through the puck
The bar itself has only an on/off switch; all other functions are on the wireless controller. The bar tilts only slightly forward or back, which Notebookcheck notes is meant to prevent glare.
Source: Notebookcheck review
Uplift LED Desk Lamp E7 With Clamp
- Some adjustments are limited
Wirecutter says the lamp can't tilt back at the base beyond a fixed angle, the head doesn't rotate to the sides, and the top arm can fling back with some velocity if pushed past 90 degrees.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) - Cheap switch and two-piece cord
Wirecutter found the plastic power switch cheap next to the metal body and calls the two-piece power cord an eyesore.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT) - Clamp-only unless you buy a base
It clamps to the desk edge; a desk base is an optional $20 extra (Wirecutter). The Amazon listing says the clamp fits surfaces up to 2.25 in thick.
Source: Wirecutter (NYT), Amazon.com product page
Who should pick which
Pick the BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 Monitor Light Bar if
Lighting a desk without glare on the screen
Night work in a dark room (front light plus backlight)
Webcam users (mount included)
Skip it if: You've never tried a light bar (start cheaper); Your monitor has a very smooth, flat top edge; You'd rather spend under $100
Pick the Uplift LED Desk Lamp E7 With Clamp if
Lighting a large desk from a clamp
Simple one-button control
A long warranty
Skip it if: Your desk edge can't take a clamp (base is extra); You want the head to swivel side to side; You care about premium-feeling details
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