Buying Guide
The Best Monitor Light Bars
Five monitor light bars compared, from the SAMPHON 15.7 inch to the BenQ ScreenBar, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A monitor light bar aims light at the desk rather than the screen, so the clamp has to fit your monitor and the beam has to be asymmetric. Every pick here sits on the monitor and takes USB power.
Our comparison rests on published figures for colour rendering (CRI), bar length and colour temperature; where a maker leaves out colour rendering (CRI), we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Highest CRI
Quntis Computer Monitor Light Bar (Ra98)
The highest colour rendering index here (CRI 98).
Best for: Colour-sensitive work next to a monitor.
Our take Check price for Quntis Computer Monitor Light Bar (Ra98) (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
YEELIGHT Monitor Light Bar (Ra95)
250 lumens.
Best for: Buyers who want 250 lumens.
Our take Check price for YEELIGHT Monitor Light Bar (Ra95) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
Quntis Monitor Light Bar IM 15.7 inch with RGB Backlight
24 RGB backlight modes.
Best for: Buyers who want 24 RGB backlight modes.
Our take Check price for Quntis Monitor Light Bar IM 15.7 inch with RGB Backlight (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
BenQ ScreenBar
Flicker-free, anti-blue-light-hazard LEDs at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SAMPHON 15.7 inch costs less.
Our take Check price for BenQ ScreenBar (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
SAMPHON Monitor Light Bar (15.7 inch)
The cheapest way into this group, below the YEELIGHT bar.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the YEELIGHT bar.
Our take Check price for SAMPHON Monitor Light Bar (15.7 inch) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Highest CRI1 of 5
Quntis Computer Monitor Light Bar (Ra98) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Quntis Ra98 bar stands out for 78 LED beads, and it adds IEC/TR 62778 and IEC/EN 62471 certification.
Best for
- Colour-sensitive work next to a monitor.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the SAMPHON 15.7 inch cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a CRI 98 colour rendering index. On colour rendering index it leads this guide at CRI 98, ahead of the YEELIGHT bar (CRI 95). It also comes with an ambient light sensor.
It is USB powered, so plug it into a monitor USB port or a powered hub. Check the clamp's stated monitor thickness against your screen, especially on thin or curved panels. It was priced above the Quntis IM 15.7 inch and below the BenQ ScreenBar at the time of writing. There is no published bar length figure, whereas the Quntis IM 15.7 inch comes in at 15.7 inches.
Key dimensions & specs
- Colour rendering (CRI): CRI 98
- Controls: Auto-dimming and stepless dimming
Pros
- A stated CRI of 98
- 78 LED beads
- IEC/TR 62778 and IEC/EN 62471 certification
- Ambient light sensor
Cons
- Costs more than the SAMPHON 15.7 inch at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
YEELIGHT Monitor Light Bar (Ra95) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The YEELIGHT bar is built around 250 lumens, with a full-metal body on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want 250 lumens.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the SAMPHON 15.7 inch, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a CRI 95 colour rendering index. It matches the Quntis IM 15.7 inch and the BenQ ScreenBar on colour rendering index (CRI 95). It also comes with a camera-friendly design.
It is USB powered, so plug it into a monitor USB port or a powered hub. Check the clamp's stated monitor thickness against your screen, especially on thin or curved panels. Its price falls between the SAMPHON 15.7 inch and the Quntis IM 15.7 inch, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed bar length should compare it with the Quntis IM 15.7 inch, which comes in at 15.7 inches.
Key dimensions & specs
- Colour rendering (CRI): CRI 95
- Controls: Touch control and stepless dimming
Pros
- A stated CRI of 95
- 250 lumens
- Full-metal body
- Camera-friendly design
Cons
- Costs more than the SAMPHON 15.7 inch at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
Quntis Monitor Light Bar IM 15.7 inch with RGB Backlight on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the Quntis IM 15.7 inch brings to the table is 24 RGB backlight modes, plus five preset brightness levels in the front light.
Best for
- Buyers who want 24 RGB backlight modes.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the SAMPHON 15.7 inch, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a CRI 95 colour rendering index and offers a 15.7 inches bar length. It also offers an asymmetric optical design. It is USB powered, so plug it into a monitor USB port or a powered hub. Check the clamp's stated monitor thickness against your screen, especially on thin or curved panels.
Its rear backlight adds ambient light behind the screen; switch it off if it reflects on your wall in a way you dislike. Worth noting: adjustable 3000K to 6500K. Its price falls between the YEELIGHT bar and the Quntis Ra98 bar, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- Colour rendering (CRI): CRI 95
- Bar length: 15.7 inches
- Colour temperature: 3000K to 6500K
- Controls: Smart memory of the last mode and brightness
- Rear backlight: Yes
- Monitor fit: A triangular counterweight clamp
Pros
- A stated CRI of 95
- Adjustable 3000K to 6500K
- A rear backlight that softens contrast with the wall
- 24 RGB backlight modes
Cons
- Costs more than the SAMPHON 15.7 inch at the time of writing
Premium Pick4 of 5
BenQ ScreenBar on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The BenQ ScreenBar stands out for flicker-free, anti-blue-light-hazard LEDs, and it adds 500lx across a 23.6 x 11.8 inch area.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SAMPHON 15.7 inch costs less.
Skip if
- Skip it if colour rendering index matters most to you; the Quntis Ra98 bar offers CRI 98.
Why we like it
It also offers a CRI 95 colour rendering index. It matches the YEELIGHT bar and the Quntis IM 15.7 inch on colour rendering index (CRI 95). You get a 0.4 to 1.2 inch thick monitor fit here, which sets it apart from the SAMPHON 15.7 inch and its a counterweight clip monitor fit.
It is USB powered, so plug it into a monitor USB port or a powered hub. Check the clamp's stated monitor thickness against your screen, especially on thin or curved panels. It was the highest-priced of the 5 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Quntis Ra98 bar and the rest.
Key dimensions & specs
- Colour rendering (CRI): CRI 95
- Controls: Touch controls and auto-dimming
- Monitor fit: 0.4 to 1.2 inch thick
Pros
- A stated CRI of 95
- Flicker-free, anti-blue-light-hazard LEDs
- 500lx across a 23.6 x 11.8 inch area
- Counterweight clamp for ultrawide monitors
Cons
- Colour rendering index trails the Quntis Ra98 bar (CRI 98)
- Costs more than the SAMPHON 15.7 inch at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
SAMPHON Monitor Light Bar (15.7 inch) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The SAMPHON 15.7 inch is built around 900 lux central brightness, with a 45-degree asymmetric beam on top.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the YEELIGHT bar.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its colour rendering index before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 15.7 inches bar length. It is the only pick here with a counterweight clip monitor fit; the BenQ ScreenBar has a 0.4 to 1.2 inch thick monitor fit instead. You also get stepless dimming across three colour temperatures.
It is USB powered, so plug it into a monitor USB port or a powered hub. Check the clamp's stated monitor thickness against your screen, especially on thin or curved panels. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the YEELIGHT bar was closest. If you want a confirmed colour rendering index, look to the Quntis Ra98 bar instead: it offers CRI 98, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Bar length: 15.7 inches
- Colour temperature: 3000K to 6500K
- Controls: A mechanical switch
- Monitor fit: Counterweight clip
Pros
- Adjustable 3000K to 6500K
- 900 lux central brightness
- 45-degree asymmetric beam
- Stepless dimming across three colour temperatures
Cons
- No published colour rendering index
How We Chose These Monitor Light Bars
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five monitor light bars on colour rendering index, bar length, colour temperature and controls, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out colour rendering index.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Quntis Ra98 bar to the SAMPHON 15.7 inch, state controls.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The SAMPHON 15.7 inch gives no colour rendering index; the Quntis Ra98 bar, the YEELIGHT bar and the BenQ ScreenBar give no bar length.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the SAMPHON 15.7 inch (under $50) to the BenQ ScreenBar ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in a Monitor Light Bar
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Colour rendering index
The Quntis Ra98 bar tops colour rendering index at CRI 98 and the BenQ ScreenBar sits lowest at CRI 95. The Quntis Ra98 bar is the pick for colour rendering index. The SAMPHON 15.7 inch gives no colour rendering index figure, so 4 of 5 picks are compared here.
Features beyond the spec table
The Quntis IM 15.7 inch: five preset brightness levels in the front light. The BenQ ScreenBar: 500lx across a 23.6 x 11.8 inch area. The SAMPHON 15.7 inch: a 45-degree asymmetric beam.
Budget
Under $50 buys the SAMPHON 15.7 inch, the YEELIGHT bar, the Quntis IM 15.7 inch and the Quntis Ra98 bar; $100 to $150 buys the BenQ ScreenBar at our last check.
Match the pick to your priority
Colour-sensitive work next to a monitor: the Quntis Ra98 bar. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SAMPHON 15.7 inch costs less: the BenQ ScreenBar. Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the YEELIGHT bar: the SAMPHON 15.7 inch.
The asymmetric beam is the point
A light bar aims light down at the desk and away from the screen. Check that the listing describes an asymmetric or anti-glare beam.
How to Choose a Monitor Light Bar
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Colour-sensitive work next to a monitor | Quntis Ra98 bar | The highest colour rendering index here (CRI 98) |
| Buyers who want 250 lumens | YEELIGHT bar | 250 lumens |
| Buyers who want 24 RGB backlight modes | Quntis IM 15.7 inch | 24 RGB backlight modes |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the SAMPHON 15.7 inch costs less | BenQ ScreenBar | Flicker-free, anti-blue-light-hazard LEDs at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the YEELIGHT bar | SAMPHON 15.7 inch | The cheapest way into this group, below the YEELIGHT bar |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Quntis Ra98 bar leads on colour rendering index at CRI 98, ahead of the YEELIGHT bar at CRI 95. "Not listed" marks colour rendering index where the SAMPHON 15.7 inch leaves the figure out.
| Monitor Light Bar | Colour rendering (CRI) | Bar length | Colour temperature | Controls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quntis Ra98 bar | CRI 98 | Not listed | Not listed | Auto-dimming and stepless dimming |
| YEELIGHT bar | CRI 95 | Not listed | Not listed | Touch control and stepless dimming |
| Quntis IM 15.7 inch | CRI 95 | 15.7 inches | 3000K to 6500K | Smart memory of the last mode and brightness |
| BenQ ScreenBar | CRI 95 | Not listed | Not listed | Touch controls and auto-dimming |
| SAMPHON 15.7 inch | Not listed | 15.7 inches | 3000K to 6500K | A mechanical switch |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
At our last check the cheapest pick, the SAMPHON 15.7 inch, sat in the under $50 tier, 2 tiers in all up to the BenQ ScreenBar at $100 to $150; Amazon prices move, so recheck before buying.
| Price tier | Monitor Light Bars |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | SAMPHON 15.7 inch, YEELIGHT bar, Quntis IM 15.7 inch, Quntis Ra98 bar |
| About $100 to $150 | BenQ ScreenBar |
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the YEELIGHT bar compare with the Quntis Ra98 bar on colour rendering index?
The Quntis Ra98 bar leads at CRI 98, with the YEELIGHT bar at CRI 95. The SAMPHON 15.7 inch doesn't state a colour rendering index figure, so it sits outside this comparison; 4 of 5 picks are ranked.
What makes the Quntis Ra98 bar the Highest CRI?
It earns the label for the highest colour rendering index here (CRI 98). The YEELIGHT bar is next on colour rendering index at CRI 95, so this pick's CRI 98 is 3% further out. It makes sense for colour-sensitive work next to a monitor.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Quntis Ra98 bar and the YEELIGHT bar apart?
The Quntis Ra98 bar: 78 LED beads. The YEELIGHT bar: 250 lumens. The Quntis IM 15.7 inch: 24 RGB backlight modes.
Who should choose the SAMPHON 15.7 inch?
The SAMPHON 15.7 inch carries our Lowest Price Here label for the cheapest way into this group, below the YEELIGHT bar. It ranks fifth of 5 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the YEELIGHT bar.
Should I pick the Quntis Ra98 bar or the SAMPHON 15.7 inch?
The Quntis Ra98 bar suits colour-sensitive work next to a monitor; the SAMPHON 15.7 inch suits buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the YEELIGHT bar.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Quntis Ra98 bar. Look at the YEELIGHT bar for 250 lumens, the Quntis IM 15.7 inch for 24 RGB backlight modes and the BenQ ScreenBar for flicker-free, anti-blue-light-hazard LEDs at the highest price in the group if those matter more to you.
Check your monitor's thickness and curvature against the clamp range before buying.