BenQ launched the iScreenBar, a monitor light bar designed specifically for iMac users, priced at $189 and compatible with 2021 and later models. The device uses asymmetrical optics to reduce glare and integrates with macOS for smart lighting adjustments.
BenQ has entered a niche market with the iScreenBar, a monitor light bar tailored for Apple’s iMac lineup. Announced on August 25, 2026, the device is marketed as the first of its kind to seamlessly integrate with the iMac’s design while offering advanced lighting features. Priced at $189, the iScreenBar is available on BenQ.com and Amazon.com, with blue and green finishes set for late 2026. The product leverages BenQ’s asymmetrical optical technology to minimize glare and eye strain, a key selling point for users prioritizing both aesthetics and functionality.
Design and Aesthetic Integration
The iScreenBar was engineered to mirror the iMac’s sleek, minimalist design. Constructed from unibody aluminum with a glass touch panel, it echoes the materials used in Apple’s all-in-one desktop. A custom magnetic clamp attaches the light bar to the iMac’s back, while a magnetic cable clip conceals wiring. BenQ emphasized that the design does not obstruct the iMac’s built-in camera, microphone, or rear logo, ensuring compatibility with 2021 and later models.
The product’s aesthetic alignment with the iMac is a deliberate strategy. Apple users, known for valuing design, are a target demographic. iMac users care deeply about aesthetics, and iScreenBar was built with exactly that in mind, driven by user feedback,
noted Yahoo Finance. The device’s silver finish, available immediately, is followed by blue and green variants—colors popular among iMac buyers—later in 2026. This customization reflects BenQ’s effort to cater to specific user preferences, a departure from the one-size-fits-all
approach of traditional monitor light bars.
Technical Features and User Experience
The iScreenBar includes several smart features to enhance user experience. It uses presence detection to turn on and off automatically, activates when the iMac wakes, and adjusts brightness based on ambient light. A macOS app allows users to fine-tune brightness, color temperature, and lighting modes, with custom profiles for applications like Photoshop or web browsing. Video call mode reduces glare on faces, improving webcam quality.
Power is drawn via the iMac’s USB-C port, enabling macOS app control and automatic webcam mode activation. The light bar illuminates a 33.5 x 19.7-inch area at 500 lux, with ASYM-Light technology preventing direct glare on the screen or user’s eyes. This feature is highlighted as a key differentiator, as traditional light bars often cause reflections or eye strain. Since inventing the monitor light bar category nearly 10 years ago, we've continued to lead with breakthrough design and user-focused innovation that redefines what great monitor lighting should be,
Hsieh reiterated in multiple sources.
Dual-Monitor Option and Broader Market Strategy
Alongside the iScreenBar, BenQ introduced the ScreenBar Max, a dual-monitor light bar. It uses ASYM-TriZone Light technology to evenly illuminate wide desk setups, including the gap between two monitors—a common oversight in single-monitor light bars. The ScreenBar Max features an adaptive fit mechanism with a sliding rail and three height options, as well as ambient backlighting to balance screen brightness with surroundings.
The dual-monitor product expands BenQ’s market strategy beyond iMac users. Until now, monitor light bars have been one-size-fits-all for most monitors and work environments. Breaking with tradition, the new ScreenBar products were designed for specific users and display preferences,
said Hsieh. This move targets professionals and creatives using dual-monitor setups, a growing segment in remote and hybrid work environments. The ScreenBar Max is available on BenQ.com and Amazon, reflecting a broader retail strategy.
Awards, Availability, and Future Plans
The iScreenBar has already garnered industry recognition, winning the Red Dot Design Award 2026 and the iF Design Award 2026. These accolades underscore BenQ’s focus on design innovation. The product’s availability on major retailers and its compatibility with iMac models from 2021 onward position it as a timely addition to the market. BenQ also hinted at future color options, with blue and green finishes slated for late 2026, aligning with Apple’s product color trends.
For users seeking an expanded setup, the ScreenBar Max offers a solution for dual-monitor workspaces. Both products reflect BenQ’s strategy to differentiate itself in a crowded market by focusing on niche, design-centric solutions. The company’s emphasis on user feedback and aesthetic integration suggests a long-term commitment to refining its offerings for specific user groups.
As of August 2026, the iScreenBar and ScreenBar Max are available for purchase, with BenQ’s design awards and feature set positioning them as competitive choices for users prioritizing both functionality and visual harmony. The next phase will depend on consumer adoption and potential future iterations, including color options and expanded compatibility.
