This Xiaomi light has improved my everyday life enormously
The “Xiaomi Mi Computer Monitor Light Bar” is attached to the upper edge of a monitor and is intended to provide pleasant lighting. We tested the lamp with the special light on an iMac for several months.
The Chinese brand Xiaomi is best known for its cheap phones. The manufacturer also produces all kinds of useful gadgets from other areas, be it e-scooters, kitchen appliances or lighting. After a friend recommended me one “Monitor Lamp” to buy, I became curious. I already have lighting in my home office and after all I don’t sit in the dark – what advantage should the gadget bring?
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Xiaomi Mi Computer Monitor Light Bar: Conclusion
GIGA rating: 8.7 / 10
Xiaomi’s light bar attaches to the monitor in a matter of seconds. The light output is good in every respect: the beam angle is right, nothing dazzles or reflects, brightness and color temperature can be continuously adjusted. In everyday life (daily 8 hours or more office work) I noticed positive effects after just one day: You don’t tire as quickly, the eyes are protected by the overall more even and pleasant lighting. The keyboard is no longer in the semi-darkness, but looks as if it were placed under its own small skylight.
The only pity is that there is now another cable hanging down the back of my iMac. However, this aesthetic flaw can be coped with, because the ergonomic advantage that the monitor light offers is remarkable. I paid around 50 euros for the Xiaomi Mi Computer Monitor Light Bar on Amazon four months ago. That was a very good investment.
Advantages:
- Flexible: Adjustable brightness, color temperature and beam angle
- Minimalist design that doesn’t spoil the front monitor
- easy operation by remote control
Disadvantages:
- The cable hangs a bit lost on the back
- Bracket may not fit perfectly with some monitors
Monitor light from Xiaomi: a treat for the eyes
A good home office setup also includes optimal lighting conditions. It may be that hackers like to stare crookedly in a hoodie at a computer screen in a gloomy room – at least that’s the clichéd depiction in stock photos. However, this is not advisable, especially for older people. The eyes are strained too much by the hard contrast and dim light on the desk, which is just tiring in the long run.
Depending on the lighting situation in the room, optimized conditions can be brought about quickly. But sometimes it is difficult, for example because the ceiling lamp is too far away or the desk lamp is dazzling. A special light bar on the top edge of the monitor is one here simple and above all consistent solution: The desired lighting can be set up directly at the workplace – regardless of ceiling lights, windows or other factors.
The monitor light from Xiaomi immediately created a more pleasant atmosphere at my desk. But why is that? I would attribute most of the positive effect to the keyboard. It reflects the LED light shining down from above, so that it forms a kind of visual counterbalance to the screen forms – a clear benefit, especially in the evening. Difficult to describe, but maybe some of you know the effect of Philips TVs with Ambilight: what about the primary light source (= TV, monitor) hereabouts happens is essential for the overall impression.
Easy to use but not smart
The Xiaomi Light Bar comes with a puck-shaped remote control: Press for on/off, rotate for brightness or color temperature. Quickly learned and very discreet on the desk.
The light bar itself does not require batteries, it is connected to a free cable (included). USB-A port on the monitor or computer and draws the required power from there. Since the Light Bar Not is a “smart” gadget with app control, automation and the like, it goes out as soon as the USB socket runs out of juice. In my case, that’s when I turn off the iMac completely. When macOS is in “sleep” mode, the screen is off, but the Xiaomi Light Bar continues to be powered. If that bothers you (e.g. at night), then you have to use the remote control manually snap off.
The packaging of the Xiaomi Mi Computer Monitor Light Bar is not sustainable: Glossy printed cardboard, plastic, foam – Xiaomi should have made a more contemporary choice here. After all, the batteries in the remote control are replaceable. are needed aa (e.g. Eneloop on Amazon), they are not included.
A nicer back could delight
My iMac (27 inch, 2017) looks great from the back – but only in the “factory state”. With a wired keyboard, external hard drive and then the Xiaomi Lightbar, a mess of cables quickly forms, which the aesthetics pulls down the back. The bright product sticker on the dark light is also not ideal.
the Light bar bracket comes without glue and screws. It is simply placed on the upper edge of the iMac and holds there quite well due to its construction (flexible hinge) and its own weight. What I cannot rule out: It is conceivable that certain monitors are not suitable, for example because they are too thick (or too thin) or have a special curvature. An external webcam could get in the way, and the Light Bar has no place on a laptop either. But as I said: Everything about this iMac model is great.
GIGA test rating in detail: Xiaomi Mi Computer Monitor Light Bar
| category | Rating (max. 10) |
|---|---|
| sustainability | 6 |
| Processing, haptics and design | 8th |
| Performance | 10 |
| In total | 8.7 |
Specifications: Xiaomi Mi Computer Monitor Light Bar
| model number | MJGJD01YL (see manufacturer website) |
|---|---|
| Broad | about 45 cm |
| lighting | 80 × 0.2 W LED (total max. 8 W), max. 270 lumen (adjustable), color temperature 2700 – 6500K (adjustable) |
| power supply | Light: USB-A; Remote control: 2 AA batteries (not included) |
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