Best home office lighting for computer work

BenQ
2023/03/29

As a student or office worker, If you're reading this, it's probably because you're looking for some tips on how to optimize home office lighting for protecting your precious eyes. 

You know that long hours in front of a computer screen can take a toll on your eyes. The constant glare, flicker, and blue light can cause eye strain, fatigue, and even insomnia. But with the right lighting, you can reduce the strain on your eyes and improve your productivity.

That's where our home office lighting guide comes in. We'll take you through the different types of lighting and show you what to look for when setting up your home office. From reducing your exposure to blue light to finding the perfect light sources with a high color rendering index (CRI), our guide will give you all the information you need to create a comfortable and eye-friendly working environment.

We'll also discuss the importance of taking breaks, adjusting your lighting to suit your task, and how to set up your home office to reduce strain on your eyes. Whether you're trying to ace that one exam, conquer the never ending to-do list, or level up and become a gaming champion, our guide will help you create a lighting setup that works for you.

                  

What effect will your home office lighting have for your computer work?

Let's face it, staring at a computer screen all day on its own is about as fun as watching paint dry, but we all need to do it because in the digital age screens are the gateways to work, study, and entertainment. But did you know that poor lighting in your home office can make matters worse? It's like rubbing sand in your eyes, but without the fun of going to the beach. Poor lighting can lead to eye strain, fatigue, discomfort, and even insomnia. But don't worry, there's a solution to this problem and it's called good home office lighting.

Good home office lighting can be a real game changer when it comes to protecting your eyes. It can reduce strain on your eyes, prevent fatigue, and even improve color perception in your work. Plus, it can reduce glare, which is like kryptonite to your eyes. And let's not forget about blue light, which can cause insomnia and make it difficult to fall asleep. Thankfully, good home office lighting can help reduce the negative effects of blue light on eyes.

But it's not just about avoiding the bad, good home office lighting can also provide benefits like improved color perception, adjustability, and even a higher Color Render Index (CRI), which means that colors appear more vibrant and true to life, making it easier to see details in your work or on your screen. It's like upgrading from a black and white TV to a 4K UHD TV.

And the best part? You don't have to sacrifice style for function. There are plenty of eye-care desk lamps that not only protect your eyes but also add a touch of personality to your home office. So, don't let poor lighting ruin your day, upgrade to good home lighting and watch as your eyes thank you and your productivity skyrockets.

                

     

A smart choice for home office lighting

BenQ monitor light bar - ScreenBar

Traditional lamps are designed for paper reading. With the light source concentrated in the center of the desk, traditional lamps can not effectively balance the light between the screen and the surroundings.​

With the oval lighting designed for narrow spaces in front of the screen, our monitor light bar guarantees a lighting coverage of 61cm*30cm at 500 lux, thereby illuminating clearly the documents in front of the screen. 

                   

How to choose the best home lighting for your computer work

Imagine you're a master of procrastination, trying to finally get some work done from the comfort of your own home. Or maybe you're a student who just wants to ace that one exam that's been giving you nightmares, or a hardcore gamer who wants to take on new challenges. Regardless of your profession or hobby, you need a lighting setup that's not only functional but also inspiring, to help you reach new heights of productivity and performance. And let us tell you, nothing is more inspiring than a good dose of humor.

So, let us share with you some secrets to creating the ultimate home office lighting setup that'll have you procrastinating less, acing exams, and winning games like a boss. First and foremost, let's talk about brightness. You need to have enough light to see what you're doing, but not so much that it's blinding. Aim for a brightness level of between 50 and 75 foot-candles, and you'll be golden. To achieve this, we recommend a combination of overhead lighting and task lighting, such as a desk lamp or under-cabinet lighting. This way, you'll be able to see every detail of your work, study materials, or game and be able to focus better.

Next, let's talk about flicker-free lighting. You don't want to be working with a strobe light, as it causes eye strain and headaches, and it's not fun. So, opt for flicker-free lighting options like LED or CFL bulbs, as they generate little to no flicker and they're more energy efficient. Plus, you'll save the planet and your electricity bill, which is always a win-win situation.

Third, let's talk about glare. Glare can cause eye strain and discomfort, and it's not something a student, office warrior, or a gamer should have to deal with. So, it's important to have a lighting setup that minimizes glare. This can be achieved by using light fixtures that are designed to reduce glare, positioning light sources in a way that they don't shine directly into your eyes, using diffusers or louvers, or using window treatments such as blinds or shades. And remember, don't look directly at the light, it's bad for your eyes.

Fourth, let's talk about color temperature. This is a fancy way of saying the color of light. Warmer colors, like those emitted by traditional incandescent bulbs (2700K-3000K) are great for winding down and getting into a creative flow or relaxing after a long day of procrastinating. But when it comes to focusing on a task, like taking an exam, working on a project, or playing a game, you'll want to switch to cooler colors (5000K-6500K) that mimic natural daylight. These will keep you alert and focused, and help you power through your to-do list or gaming session. And trust us, you don't want to take an exam or play a game in the dark, it's not advisable from a health perspective.

      

Fifth, let's talk about Color Render Index (CRI). CRI is a measure of how well a light source reproduces colors compared to natural light. A higher CRI (80 and above) means that colors will appear more vibrant and true to life. It's important to consider the CRI of a light source when doing tasks that require color accuracy, such as graphic design, photography, or gaming. After all, you don't want your designs to look like a 3-year-old's finger painting, or your game's characters to look like they're from a different dimension.

Sixth, let's talk about adjustability. The ability to adjust the angle and direction of the light source can be important for reducing glare and creating the right light for different tasks. This can be achieved by using light fixtures that can be adjusted or by using a dimmer switch to control light levels. And remember, the dimmer switch is not just for romantic dinners, it's also for those times when you need to adjust the light level for that perfect gaming or studying ambiance.

     

              

Seventh, let's talk about blue light. Blue light can cause eye strain and insomnia, so it's important to choose lighting options that emit less blue light or have blue light filters. LED or CFL bulbs with a color temperature of 2700K-3000K emit less blue light and are suitable for evening use. And remember, blue light is not just for Instagram filters, it's also for your eye health.

Eighth, let's talk about durability. Consider the durability and longevity of the lighting fixtures and bulbs. It's important to choose options that will last longer and require less maintenance. LED and CFL bulbs have a longer lifespan and are more energy efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. It's also important to choose lighting fixtures that are made with high quality materials and have a good warranty. And remember, a good lighting setup is like a good joke, it will last longer and make you smile with happiness every time you use it.

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