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Computer vision syndrome (CVS) or digital eye strain is caused by several factors related to long-term use of devices with bright screens, including computer monitors, smartphones, tablets and laptops. While this can happen for many reasons, like poor posture or uncorrected vision problems, the American Optometric Association explains that it can also be caused by poor lighting, unlike glare from a screen. In other words, you want to be in a fully lit room when working on a computer. You can brighten your office space with desk or floor lamps, overhead lighting, and fully illuminated keyboards. But one underrated method is to install a monitor light bar.
A light bar is a mountable light that runs the length of your screen, directing light toward the desktop. However, they are not equipped with any old incandescent or LED bulbs. They produce balanced, glare-free lighting that won’t cause eye strain or hinder your vision. This includes the use of flicker-free technologies. You use either a clip or bracket to physically attach the light bar to the top of your monitor, and some could nestle neatly behind the monitor frame.
They offer unique advantages over the average lamp. For starters, they don’t take up extra desk space. Instead, they attach to your monitor or use areas that are already occupied. They illuminate the desk, making it and everything on it, like your keyboard and mouse, easier to see without producing glare. Most light bars are customizable with color, brightness, and temperature settings. Many are also USB powered and plug into existing devices to reduce clutter, like your monitor’s USB port.
Desk lamp or monitor light bar: which is better?
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Ultimately, a desk lamp and a monitor light bar offer two different experiences. You might be hesitant to purchase a light bar if you already have a conveniently placed desk or floor lamp. It’s understandable. But a direct comparison is not the right way to look at things. It’s best to evaluate what type of lighting you need for your workspace.
Lamps are a general purpose option. A desk lamp is ideal for illuminating a large area and is also a good alternative to natural light in rooms without windows. Lamps can reduce eye strain, as can light bars, by improving visibility. They come in all shapes and sizes, and some include RGB and multicolor customization. At the same time, desk lamps take up more space. They require external power, so you’ll need an outlet and may need to run a power cord. If they’re battery powered, you’ll still need somewhere to charge them. In comparison, the type of light they produce varies and is generally not glare-free.
Monitor light bars are best suited for professional workspaces, but also ideal for small work areas, remote or work-from-home setups, and for anyone who needs to work long hours in front of a monitor. It’s also a must-have gadget to enhance your gaming space. Imagine installing a light bar on a monitor attached to an adjustable arm? You can then adjust the lighting. But overall, they save desk space, are anti-glare, improve visibility, have smart features like dimming and ergonomic brightness levels, and feature flicker-free designs.
What to look for when choosing a monitor light bar?
You’ll want to choose a bar that matches the dimensions of your monitor, and be sure to take into account its panel size and thickness. Not all monitors allow editing. If it is a curved monitor, that will also make a huge difference and you will need a curved monitor light bar. You’ll also want to think about the type of lighting you like, including temperature (white or warm), color options like RGB, and how your office lighting changes throughout the day. You’ll want to adjust the lighting temperature accordingly, so make sure that’s an option. If you have multiple monitors, you will need additional light bars.
Finally, don’t forget to note the lighting controls. The bar may have physical buttons or touch controls, which require you to get up each time to adjust the settings, while some bars include remote or smart app functionality.
When choosing, you’ll want to balance price and desired features, but there are many options. In BGR’s list of fun USB gadgets you can buy on Amazon for under $20, there’s an inexpensive under-monitor light bar from ABcidy. Other budget-friendly options include Quntis models on Amazon. A step up from these would be Honeywell’s LED floor lamp, which you can place behind a monitor, or BenQ’s ScreenBar Pro. There are premium options, such as BenQ’s upgraded ScreenBar Halo 2. Plus, among all the USB accessories from IKEA that are definitely worth buying, believe it or not, one of them is a monitor light bar called the LagergÃ¥ng LED lamp. He also has good grades.
