Monitor Accessories Price Comparison 2026
Compare 143 monitor accessories — anti-glare filters, blue light screens and more — from Kensington, 3M and Ocushield. Find the best price across top UK retailers.
Screen filters are one of those purchases most people delay until their eyes are already suffering. After analysing 143 products in this category — ranging from 21 £ to a surprisingly steep 125 £ — what stands out immediately is how dominated the market is by a handful of specialists. Kensington leads the top-seller charts, and for good reason: their anti-glare and blue light reduction filters consistently appear across multiple retailers, making price comparison genuinely worthwhile.
The category is broader than it first appears. Alongside the familiar screen filters, you'll find mounting brackets, monitor lighting bars (the ASUS ALB01 being a notable example), and specialist accessories from brands like Espresso Displays and Compulocks — the latter averaging well above 61 £, aimed squarely at corporate and security-conscious buyers. Crossbow sits at the opposite end, with an average price around 54 £, making it the go-to for budget-conscious shoppers who just need basic protection without the premium branding.
One thing worth flagging: sizing matters enormously here. A filter bought for a 24" 16:9 panel will not fit a 24" 16:10 screen — the dimensions are physically different, and the overlap is minimal. Kensington sells separate SKUs for each combination, which is the right approach, but it does mean you need to know your monitor's exact aspect ratio before buying. Check your monitor's manual or the manufacturer's website rather than guessing. Our Display Privacy Filters category covers the overlap between privacy and blue light protection if you need both functions in one panel.
3M is the brand most associated with optical quality in this space — their multi-layer coatings are a step above basic acrylic filters — but their average price reflects that premium. Ocushield takes a different angle, marketing their products specifically at VDU users and those with medically-sensitive eyes; they're the only brand here with products explicitly designed around optometric standards. If you're setting up a full ergonomic workstation, it's also worth browsing Monitor Mounts & Stands alongside your filter choice, since screen height and tilt affect how much glare you'll actually encounter. For those building out a complete desk setup, Desktop Sit-Stand Workplaces rounds out the picture nicely.
How to Choose the Right Monitor Accessory
Most people buy a screen filter in a hurry and get the wrong size. The second most common mistake is paying for blue light reduction when the monitor already has a built-in low-blue mode. Here's how to avoid both — and what actually matters when comparing products in this category.
Screen size and aspect ratio — get both right
This is the single most important step, and the one most often skipped. Filters are cut to exact dimensions: a 24" 16:9 filter and a 24" 16:10 filter are physically different products. Measure your screen's visible area (not the diagonal of the bezel) or check your monitor's spec sheet. Getting this wrong means either gaps at the edges or a filter that won't sit flat — both of which defeat the purpose entirely. Common sizes in this catalogue run from 21.5" up to 34" and beyond, with 16:9 and 16:10 being the most prevalent aspect ratios.
Blue light filtering percentage — more isn't always better
Filters in this category typically block between 50% and 90% of blue light. Higher percentages (75–90%) are appropriate for evening use or for people with diagnosed light sensitivity, but they introduce a noticeable amber tint that can distort colour-critical work. For general office use, a 50–60% filter strikes the better balance. Kensington's range sits in this middle ground; Ocushield's products are calibrated to optometric standards and are worth the premium if eye health is a genuine concern rather than a marketing checkbox.
Attachment method — clips vs. adhesive vs. magnetic frame
Clip-on systems are the most practical for most users: they're reversible, leave no residue, and can be removed when doing colour-accurate work. Adhesive mounting gives a cleaner look but is essentially permanent — not ideal if you share a monitor or upgrade frequently. Magnetic frames, found on some premium 3M and Kensington models, offer the best of both worlds but add to the cost. Avoid permanent adhesive options unless you're certain the filter will stay in place for the long term.
Optical clarity and light transmission
Every filter reduces brightness to some degree — typically transmitting between 50% and 85% of the screen's original output. A filter with 50–60% transmission will require you to crank up your monitor's backlight, which partially negates the eye-strain benefit. Look for products specifying 70–85% light transmission for everyday use. Polycarbonate and multi-layer acrylic filters generally outperform basic film polymers here. 3M's optical-grade products are the benchmark, though they sit above 61 £ in most cases.
Certifications — relevant for workplace and procurement buyers
For home users, certifications are largely irrelevant. For IT managers buying in bulk or for government/public sector procurement, TAA compliance (required for US federal contracts but also a quality signal) and RoHS/CE marking matter. StarTech.com's filters explicitly flag TAA compliance, which explains their presence in B2B catalogues. If you're buying for a business, check whether your procurement policy requires specific certifications before shortlisting products.
Monitor lighting bars — a different kind of accessory
The ASUS ALB01 and similar monitor light bars sit above the screen and illuminate the desk without creating reflections on the panel. They're not filters — they're a complementary solution for reducing eye strain caused by ambient lighting contrast. At around 100 £, they're a meaningful investment, but for people who work in dim rooms with a bright screen, the difference is genuinely noticeable. Worth considering alongside a filter rather than instead of one.
- Entry-level picks (From 21 £ to 54 £) : Mostly basic film or thin acrylic filters, plus simple mounting brackets like the Manhattan streaming box bracket. Crossbow dominates this segment. Adequate for occasional use, but optical clarity and durability are noticeably below the mid-range. Fine for a secondary monitor or a short-term fix.
- The sweet spot (From 54 £ to 61 £) : Where most Kensington and Philips filters land. You get proper anti-glare coatings, dual mounting options, and reliable sizing across common screen formats. This is the range we'd recommend for most home office and hybrid workers — good quality without overpaying for corporate-grade specs.
- Mid-to-premium (From 61 £ to 100 £) : 3M optical-grade filters, Ocushield VDU-certified screens, and monitor lighting bars like the ASUS ALB01 sit here. Noticeably better light transmission, more robust materials, and in Ocushield's case, optometrically validated blue light reduction. Worth it for full-time screen workers or those with genuine eye sensitivity.
- Specialist and corporate tier (Over 100 £) : Origin Storage and Compulocks products dominate this segment — think security-grade privacy filters, large-format screens (34"–38"), and accessories designed for enterprise deployment. Espresso Displays' portable monitor accessories also appear here. Not for typical home buyers; the premium reflects bulk-order durability and compliance requirements rather than better everyday performance.
Top products
- Kensington Anti-Glare and Blue Light Reduction Filter for 27" Monitors (Kensington) : The most popular screen size in modern home offices, and Kensington's 27" filter is the most straightforward recommendation in this catalogue — reliable dual mounting, solid optical quality, and available from multiple retailers for genuine price comparison.
- Kensington Anti-Glare and Blue Light Reduction Filter for 24" 16:9 Monitors (Kensington) : The right choice for the most common office monitor format — but double-check your aspect ratio first. If your 24" monitor is 16:10, this won't fit. Good value for what it delivers, though the 16:9 variant has slightly fewer merchant listings than the 16:10 equivalent.
- StarTech.com 24-inch 16:9 Anti-Blue Light Filter (StarTech.com) : A credible alternative to Kensington for the 24" 16:9 format, with the added benefit of TAA compliance — relevant for public sector or enterprise buyers. Dual mounting options are a practical touch. Slightly less brand recognition in the UK consumer market, but the specs hold up.
- ASUS ALB01 Light (ASUS) : The only monitor light bar in the top 15, and it stands apart from the filter-heavy rest of the catalogue. If your eye strain comes from ambient lighting contrast rather than screen glare, this addresses the root cause more effectively than any filter. Premium price, but a genuinely different product.
- Ocushield OCUVDU23CZ monitor accessory Screen protector (Ocushield) : Ocushield's VDU-certified filters are the most credible option for users with genuine eye sensitivity or those who've been advised by an optometrist to reduce blue light exposure. Fewer merchant listings mean less price competition, so compare carefully before buying.
Related categories
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which filter size to buy for my monitor?
Measure the visible screen area diagonally and confirm your aspect ratio — don't rely on the monitor's marketing name alone. A 24" monitor can be either 16:9 or 16:10, and these require different filters with different physical dimensions. Check your monitor's spec sheet (usually available on the manufacturer's website) for the exact screen size and aspect ratio before purchasing. Getting this wrong is the most common and most avoidable mistake in this category.
Do anti-blue light filters actually reduce eye strain?
Yes, but with caveats. Filters that block 50–75% of blue light do reduce the stimulating effect of screen light, which is particularly relevant for evening use and for people who experience headaches or disrupted sleep after prolonged screen time. However, the evidence for dramatic improvements in daytime eye strain is more mixed — screen brightness, refresh rate, and viewing distance often matter more. Ocushield's products are calibrated to optometric standards and are among the more credible options in this catalogue if eye health is a primary concern.
Can I use a screen filter on a touchscreen monitor?
Only if the filter is specifically designed for touchscreen use — most standard clip-on or adhesive filters will interfere with touch sensitivity. Check the product listing carefully; very few filters in this category are touch-compatible. If you have a touchscreen monitor, a software-based blue light filter (built into Windows and macOS) is usually the more practical solution.
Are cheap monitor filters worth buying, or should I avoid them?
Filters priced below 54 £ are generally adequate for basic glare reduction but tend to use lower-grade film polymers that reduce brightness significantly and may introduce a slight colour cast. For a secondary monitor or occasional use, they're fine. For a primary work screen used six or more hours a day, the optical quality difference between a budget filter and a mid-range Kensington or 3M product is noticeable enough to justify spending more. We'd avoid the very cheapest options for daily professional use.
What's the difference between a privacy filter and an anti-glare filter?
Privacy filters restrict the viewing angle so that only the person directly in front of the screen can see the content — they're designed to prevent visual eavesdropping in public spaces or open-plan offices. Anti-glare filters reduce reflections and, in many cases, filter blue light, but don't restrict viewing angles. Some products combine both functions, but they're distinct categories. If you need privacy protection, our Display Privacy Filters section has a much larger dedicated range.
Is a monitor light bar better than a desk lamp for reducing eye strain?
For most desk setups, yes. A monitor light bar like the ASUS ALB01 is positioned to illuminate the desk surface without creating reflections on the screen — something a standard desk lamp almost always does. The result is a more even contrast between the screen and the surrounding environment, which is a significant contributor to eye fatigue. That said, at around 100 £, it's a meaningful purchase; a well-positioned desk lamp with a diffused shade can achieve a similar effect at a fraction of the cost.
Do I need a TAA-compliant filter for my office?
Only if your organisation's procurement policy specifically requires it — TAA (Trade Agreements Act) compliance is primarily a US federal government requirement, but it's increasingly used as a quality and supply-chain transparency signal in UK public sector and enterprise procurement. StarTech.com's filters in this catalogue explicitly carry TAA compliance. For home users and most private businesses, it's irrelevant to the buying decision.