BenQ ScreenBar Halo vs Elgato Key Light Air MK.2 Comparison

BenQ ScreenBar Halo

Dual-colour LEDs adjust from 2700 K to 6500 K, with a CRI of 95 or higher. BenQ rates illuminance at 800 lux at 45 cm, covering 63 x 40 cm at 500 lux. A rear backlight lights the wall behind the monitor, which acts as bias lighting and reduces the contrast between a bright screen and a dark room.

Elgato Key Light Air MK.2

Colour temperature runs from 2,900 K to 7,000 K. Matching it to the room avoids an orange or blue cast on camera. Elgato rates it at a colour rendering index of 94. Spec-based reasoning: a high CRI means skin tones render closer to natural, leaving the webcam's white balance less to correct.

BenQ ScreenBar Halo

The bar is aluminium, with an asymmetric optical design that throws light down onto the desk rather than onto the screen. A counterweight clamp holds it on the monitor. The clamp fits flat and curved monitors, including curved displays from 1000R to 1800R. The single USB-C lead is the only cable to the monitor; the controller is wireless.

Elgato Key Light Air MK.2

The 319 x 207 mm panel sits behind a frosted diffuser on a desk stand that tilts it toward you. Elgato lists three 1/4-inch threads and a MagSafe ring on the panel, plus a cable rail with clips. At 735 g for the light, it can move between a desk and a shelf.

BenQ ScreenBar Halo

There is no app: brightness, colour temperature, auto-dimming and the backlight are all set from the wireless controller.

Elgato Key Light Air MK.2

Control Center on Windows and macOS, the mobile app and Stream Deck all adjust it over Wi-Fi.

BenQ ScreenBar Halo

BenQ lists monitor thickness ranges of 0.7 to 6 cm for flat screens and 1.6 to 3.8 cm for curved screens. Because it sits on the monitor, it can block a webcam clipped on top. Mount the webcam on a separate arm or below the screen if both are needed.

Elgato Key Light Air MK.2

Power can come from a USB-C laptop port, a power adapter or a battery bank. Elgato says laptop power gives about 400 lumens, while the adapter allows the full 2,100. Because it is independent of the webcam, it works with any camera, from a laptop module to a Logitech MX Brio.

BenQ ScreenBar Halo

Installation is tool-free: place the clamp on the monitor and connect the USB-C cable to a port or adapter. Power draw is up to 6.5 W at 5 V 1.3 A. If a monitor's USB port can't supply that, a phone charger can power it instead. The wireless controller runs on three AAA batteries, and its dial adjusts brightness without reaching up to the monitor.

Elgato Key Light Air MK.2

Plug the panel into a USB-C port and it turns on; Wi-Fi setup through the Elgato app adds remote control. As general lighting practice, a key light sits slightly above eye level and about 45° to one side; pointing it straight at the face flattens it and shows up in glasses.