Monitor Light Bar vs. Desk Lamp – Complete Beginner’s Guide
Let’s be honest. Most of us spend our time working on computers and staring at screens. Because of this, it is really crucial to invest in a good monitor light bar or desk lamp. But there’re so many desk lighting options on the market. Determining which one is best is pretty daunting.
Monitor light bar or a desk lamp? This just keeps getting more challenging. While both serve the same purpose of illuminating your desk, each has unique features and benefits.
Well, no worries! Let me help you out…
What is a Monitor Light Bar?
A screen bar (or a monitor light bar) is a piece of hardware that attaches to the top edge of your display. It lights dark areas on your desktop while reducing glare from other lights. It’s a fantastic approach to improving the ergonomic lighting at your workstation.
You can say that this is simply a modernized version of a “desk lamp.” Its purpose is to direct light downward onto your desk without using a surface.
Monitor light bars have become increasingly common as computers have become an important part of our daily lives. Perhaps you’ve questioned yourself why people buy computer display light bars.
Perks of a Monitor Light Bar
If you have difficulty viewing your screen because of poor lighting, consider a monitor light bar. These screen bars are especially beneficial late at night while using computers. It is because they relieve your eye strain caused by prolonged exposure to bright displays.
There are five main uses of monitor light bars-
- Improves screen visibility in poor lighting conditions
- Reduces eye strain caused by bright displays
- Provides adjustable light levels to suit different lighting needs
- It can be easily attached to most monitor or laptop screens
- It helps improve overall work productivity and comfort while using computers
What is a Desk Lamp?
A desk lamp is similar to an overhead fluorescent bulb. However, it contains a reflector that directs light downward onto a surface below. These bulbs are frequently placed on table tops or desks to illuminate certain portions of your workstation.
Desk Lamps are available in several shapes and sizes. You may either choose a rectangular, square, round, or triangular. In addition, some models include moveable arms. It allows you to adjust the height of the lamp’s shade.
How can I use a Desk Lamp?
As I’ve mentioned, desk lights are useful for brightening small areas such as your work desk. But it is pretty versatile. You may even use these lights to brighten certain areas of the room too.
Here are some key benefits of owning a desk light:
• Provides focused light– desk lights send light down into a specified area. It ensures that anything within that area receives proper lighting. A desk lamp, for example, placed over a bedside will provide enough light for you to read bed-time stories.
• Creates a favorable setting for concentration– We know that lighting affects our mood and emotions. We tend to perform better when we are at ease in a certain environment. After a long day, lighting can also help us rest and unwind.
Monitor Light Bar VS Desk Lamp: Which one to pick?
A desk lamp allows for flexibility and customization regarding lighting direction and intensity. A monitor light bar is typically fixed in place and cannot be easily adjusted or repositioned. Desk lights and monitor light bars serve different purposes. Both are aimed at similar goals, but each has its strengths. But, they differ in various ways. Let’s compare a few scenarios-
(a) Space Economy
Both these powerful and reliable lights deliver enough light to brighten your workspace. While functional and serving their job, desk lights may be cumbersome and take up a lot of space. Desk lights are fine if you have a huge desk. But I’m assuming that most of us don’t.
On the flip side, Monitor light bars are very thin. It will go unseen when set on top of your monitors. So, they will provide you with enough working space on your desk.
(b) Glare reduction
The most common myth about screens is that glare is unavoidable. But it is not fully true. It may be impossible to completely avoid glare from TVs, computer displays, tablets, and other electronic devices. But this is where monitor light bars come as your savior. They are designed to reduce glare on your monitor’s screen.
In this department, the bars beat desk lamps by a long shot.
(c) Better reach & illumination
Have you heard of e-reading led bulbs? These desk lamp- alternatives provide the best illumination for your workstation. Also, it is pretty affordable.
However, if you require versatile illumination, desk lights may be a better option. A desk lamp can fulfill your requirements, whether you want more reach or light. They are also more adaptable in terms of lighting options than a monitor light bar.
To highlight some added benefits of a monitor light bar over a desk lamp, I have listed the following benefits:
• They save energy. Monitor light bars save electricity since they use so little of it. In truth, most monitors only use 1-5 watts of power. On the other hand, standard incandescent lights would require a lot more watts of power to shine brightly enough.
• They are portable and light.
• They improve typing efficiency. Yes, typing gets easier when you use monitor light bars. If you need to type in low-light conditions or your keyboard does not have backlighting, you should consider monitor light bars.
• They ensure that the light is directed at your work instead on your monitor, which is a common issue with most table lamps.
Final Verdict
Overall, there are several aspects to consider when purchasing desk lighting, whether a desk lamp or a monitor light bar. However, after you’ve decided on the type of desk light you want, I’m sure you’ll be able to select from various styles available.
So don’t be hesitant! Choose one that complements your requirements. Remember that making a smart decision does not necessarily imply spending a ton of money. See you next time!
