BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 vs Elgato Key Light Air MK.2
Comparing BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 (a monitor light bar that lights your desk and the wall behind your screen without glare on the display) with Elgato Key Light Air MK.2 (a slim, soft led desk light that runs on usb-c and makes you look clear and evenly lit on camera). Here's how they stack up on price, features and user ratings.
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BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2
Rated0.0out of 5(0)A monitor light bar that lights your desk and the wall behind your screen without glare on the display
Read the full BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 review →Elgato Key Light Air MK.2
Rated0.0out of 5(0)A slim, soft LED desk light that runs on USB-C and makes you look clear and evenly lit on camera
Read the full Elgato Key Light Air MK.2 review →At a glance
| Attribute | BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 | Elgato Key Light Air MK.2 |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | Rated0.0out of 5(0) | Rated0.0out of 5(0) |
| Pricing model | Paid | Paid |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Category | Desk setup | Creator setup |
| Best deal | — | — |
| Plans | — | — |
BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 features
- Front light plus a tri-zone backlight that lights the wall behind your monitor
- Front light covers an 85 x 50 cm (33.5 x 19.7 in) area at 500 lux
- Stepless brightness on both lights; 2700K to 6500K color temperature
- Rechargeable wireless controller that BenQ says lasts up to 3 months per charge
- One controller can run two Halo 2 light bars
- Presence sensor turns the light on when you sit down and off when you leave
- Auto-dimming to a recommended 500 lux
- Clamp fits flat and curved monitors 0.43 to 6 cm thick, curves from 1000R to 1800R
- Webcam accessory included; powered over USB-C
Pros
- Backlight eases the contrast between a bright screen and a dark room
- Works on curved monitors as well as flat ones
- Wireless controller with a numeric display for exact settings
- Takes no desk space, unlike a regular lamp
- Webcam accessory in the box so your camera can sit above the bar
Cons
- Premium-priced compared with basic monitor light bars
- Needs its own USB-C power source, using the included adapter or a port
- The controller is one more thing to keep charged
- Presence sensor may switch the light off if you sit very still for 5 minutes
- Overkill if your room is already well lit
Elgato Key Light Air MK.2 features
- Up to 2,100 lumens, depending on the power source
- Color temperature from 2900 to 7000 K
- CRI above 94%
- Edge-lit panel with no visible LEDs
- Powered by USB-C, a PD power adapter or a PD battery bank
- Onboard touch controls with presets, no app needed
- Control from Elgato Control Center or any Stream Deck
- Desk clamp mount from 60 to 88 cm high
- Three 1/4-inch threads and a MagSafe ring on the back
Pros
- Runs off a computer's USB-C port for simple setups
- Touch controls on the light, so the app is optional
- Soft, edge-lit light with a wide color temperature range
- MagSafe ring and 1/4-inch threads for other mounts
- Works with Stream Deck
Cons
- Full brightness needs a 30 W or higher PD adapter, which isn't in the box
- Much dimmer when powered from a computer's USB-C port
- Less bright than Elgato's full-size Key Light
- Desk mount only reaches 88 cm, lower than the full-size Key Light's stand
- Wi-Fi control needs Bluetooth for first-time pairing
The verdict
BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 edges ahead with a 0.0/5 rating from 0 reviews. Choose BenQ ScreenBar Halo 2 if you value: backlight eases the contrast between a bright screen and a dark room. Choose Elgato Key Light Air MK.2 if you value: runs off a computer's usb-c port for simple setups.