Do we really need another gadget clipped to our screens? First it was webcams, then ring lights, and now monitor light bars are the latest “must-have” in home office setups. They’re all over TikTok and YouTube, promoted as a cure for tired eyes and poor lighting. But are they really a necessity — or just another example of marketing turning a want into a need?

Why monitor lights are trending

Monitor light bars are slim lamps that perch on top of your screen. Instead of shining into your face or bouncing off the monitor, they cast light downwards onto the desk. Most models also allow you to adjust brightness and colour temperature, which feels more “high-tech” than simply turning on a lamp.

The sales pitch is simple: less eye strain, a cleaner desk, and better focus. Paired with influencer videos of sleek, minimalist setups, the appeal is easy to see. But whether you need one is another matter.

The science: a kernel of truth

Working in a dark room with only a bright monitor does strain the eyes. Studies show that poor contrast between the screen and its surroundings increases visual fatigue. Similarly, ergonomic research on visual display terminals recommends adding ambient or background lighting for comfort.

Radiology, where professionals spend hours staring at illuminated scans, has long used “bias lighting” — soft light behind or around the monitor — to reduce discomfort. The principle is clear: balancing screen brightness with background light reduces strain.

That said, there is no conclusive research showing that a £70 monitor light bar is superior to a well-placed desk lamp. The benefits come from good lighting practice, not the gadget itself.

Why not just turn on the room light?

It’s a fair question. For most people, a ceiling or wall light will be sufficient, as long as it provides even illumination and avoids glare. But many room lights fall short:

• Glare and reflections: Overhead bulbs can bounce light onto glossy monitors.
• Uneven coverage: A single ceiling fixture often leaves the desk in shadow.
• Harsh tones: Bright white LEDs can feel jarring at night.

A monitor light bar sidesteps these problems. It directs light only where you need it, keeps the monitor glare-free, and can be adjusted for comfort. Still, that doesn’t make it essential.

Do you need both?

Some people use a room light and a monitor light together — one for overall ambience, the other for targeted task lighting. This can be useful in shared or dim spaces. But for many, it is redundant.

Monitor light bars are not snake oil. They work as advertised, and in some setups they genuinely improve comfort. But they also reflect a broader trend: tech companies and influencers turning small inconveniences into “must-have” gadgets.

Plenty of people will be fine with a ceiling light or a modest desk lamp. Yet the marketing gloss — complete with aesthetic desk tours and productivity promises — makes it easy to feel you’re missing out.

Should you get one?

If your workspace lighting is poor, a monitor light bar could make your evenings at the desk more comfortable. But it is not a universal necessity. For many, turning on the room light, repositioning a lamp, or adding a simple bias light strip will achieve the same effect.

In the end, monitor light bars are best seen not as essentials, but as comfort upgrades — nice to have, but hardly revolutionary.