BenQ ScreenBar Pro & MA320U Review | Why Every Creator Needs This Monitor & Light Combo

Setup and design

The BenQ MA320U is a 32-inch 4K IPS monitor with a black chassis and features designed around Mac computers. The ScreenBar Pro sits on top of the display using a counterweight foot, without requiring a separate desk stand or clamp.

The setup uses one USB-C cable between a MacBook and the monitor for video, audio, data and up to 90W charging. The ScreenBar Pro connects to a USB-C port on the back of the monitor, so its included power brick is not required in this arrangement.

ScreenBar Pro lighting

The ScreenBar Pro is an LED light bar that directs light downwards and towards the desk through an asymmetrical optical design. This is intended to illuminate the workspace without shining into the user’s eyes or creating reflections on the monitor. The reviewer found that it covered the desk beyond the width of the 32-inch display and could replace a conventional desk lamp.

BenQ advertises more than 1,000 lux at the centre and about 500 lux at the edges of an area roughly 85 by 50 centimetres. The reviewer measured approximately 800 lux at the centre and 400 lux at the edges at maximum brightness. In automatic mode, the average centre measurement was about 350 lux, which the reviewer described as comfortable for extended work.

The light includes adjustable colour temperature, flicker-free operation and low-blue-light features. Its ambient light sensor adjusts the output, while an ultrasonic motion sensor turns the bar on when someone approaches and switches it off after about five minutes without movement. High-fidelity LEDs are also intended to show physical colours accurately, which may be useful when working with prints, samples or swatches.

Fit and webcam limitation

The ScreenBar Pro’s mounting system is designed to accommodate displays from thin panels to thicker curved screens. It fitted securely on the MA320U, including around the monitor’s raised area for a webcam.

A webcam mount is included, but it attaches to a flat area with double-sided adhesive and raises the camera by several centimetres. This can make it more noticeable that the user is looking at the display rather than directly at the camera during video calls.

MA320U display performance

The MA320U has a 3,840 × 2,160 resolution, giving it approximately 140 pixels per inch. BenQ states that it is factory calibrated for 99% sRGB coverage and around 97% DCI-P3 coverage. Its MBook mode is intended to match the colour of a MacBook Pro, and the reviewer reported that windows moved between the two displays appeared consistent in skin tones and primary colours.

BenQ lists typical brightness of 550 nits and HDR 600 certification. The reviewer found that HDR highlights stood out more than SDR content, but noted that the edge-lit IPS panel does not produce the deep blacks of OLED or mini-LED displays. Dark scenes can show IPS glow, making HDR more of an additional feature than a central benefit for SDR-focused work.

The matte anti-glare coating was effective in a bright office. Other display modes include low-blue-light settings, e-paper mode for reading and writing, and a coder colour mode. The monitor can also respond to Mac operating system brightness and volume controls.

Ports, speakers and workflow

Connectivity includes two USB-A ports, an additional USB-C port for peripherals, two HDMI ports, a headphone jack and built-in speakers. The speakers use 3W drivers and are described as suitable for general videos or video calls, rather than audio production.

The 32-inch 4K workspace gives editing applications room for a timeline, preview windows and tools without the layout feeling cramped. The reviewer also found that the ScreenBar Pro reduced the contrast between a bright display and a dark room by illuminating the desk and controls, which was useful during late-night editing.