5 Best PC Privacy Screen Filters to Buy
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Key notes
- If you want to protect your display from prying eyes, a privacy screen filter is just what you need.
- When applying such a film, the image will be perfectly visible from a straight angle but blocked when viewed from an angle.
- Such products also offer UV protection and often they are also scratch-resistant.
PC privacy screen filters keep confidential data safe from wandering eyes. String passwords and encryption software help you keep your private work data private.
But such tools can’t stop someone from peering at your screen from over your shoulder or snapping a picture of what you are working on.
This is called visual hacking, and it is a serious security threat that businesses shouldn’t ignore anymore. Fortunately, the issue can be easily fixed with privacy filters that adhere to a machine’s display.
These filters severely restrict the viewing angle in such a way that only someone who is sitting in front of the screen can see what’s on it.
Anyone who tries to sneak a peek from the sides or the top will only get to see a blank screen.
Why should I use a privacy screen?
In addition to protecting your documents from being viewed by prying eyes, a privacy filter can also help eliminate excessive glare from your computer screen.
Did you know that glare causes all types of conditions ranging from chronic headaches to Presbyopia which is actually the weakening of your eye muscles?
When you are able to eliminate glare from your computer screen, you can work much longer house without feeling tired or getting a headache.
People who have complained of headaches at the end of every day found a significant improvement in their condition as soon as they installed an anti-glare filter on their computer screen.
How do privacy filters work?
Privacy screens are quite low-tech, and they consist of only a polarized plastic sheet. Polarization works as an optical filter that blocks out light from particular angles.
This is the same technology that is used for polarized sunglasses and some types of camera lenses.
What to look for in a high-quality privacy filter?
âž¡ Clarity of image
Privacy filters have the tendency of blocking some light from the PC’s screens making them appear dimmer. Dimming can be offset by turning out a screen’s brightness, on the other hand.
âž¡ Application
The way that you apply the filter to the screen varies from model to model, and you should look for a filter that is easily applied and removed over and over again.
The best filters adhere to using reusable micro-suction strips that will not leave any sticky residue.
âž¡ Matte finish
Some privacy filters can give glossy screens a matte look, and this will help ward off distraction reflections, but it can also make the display look pretty dull.
Some filters are reversible, and they let you choose between a matte or a glossy side before you apply them.
âž¡ Colors
Privacy filters come in more colors, and the basic ones will look black once you apply them when they are viewed from an angle.
You can also get filters that give off a gold sheen when they are viewed from the side.
Such gold filters will be a bit more expensive because they will not dim your screen so much but on the other hand, they also tend to be more reflective than black ones.
This means that they are not that good for people who are working outdoors. To make your task easier, we selected 4 of the best privacy filters for PC using the criteria listed above.
What are the best privacy filters for your Windows PC?
MOSISO 20-22 inch Computer Privacy Screen Filter
- Anti-scratch properties
- Fits monitors, LCDs measuring 20-22 inch diagonally
- Reduces eye stress
- Hanging attachment
- Same instruction set for laptop and monitor
In case you fear that lots of people are prying around and snooping into your desktop screen, we have the perfect solution for you.
If you hesitate to enter the passwords or to read, view, or surf your desktop content in an office environment for the same reason, install this privacy filter from Mosiso and you can relax.
No more prying eyes, the screen is dark from the side (beyond 30 deg) but clear from the front.
- Transparency over 85%
- Reduces the blue light display transmission
- Reduces eyestrain, dry eye, and insomnia
- 2 attachment options for installation
- Poorly fixed-to-screen tape
The advanced micro-replication technology and 12 layers of film make Privox Privacy Filter one of the best privacy screens on the market.
It is designed to fit all widescreen laptop LCD monitors (19.0″ screen and a 5:4 aspect ratio) and it has an extra slim, lightweight, and frameless design.
Vintez 24 Inch Computer Privacy Screen Filter
- Perfect privacy protection
- Suited for public and high-traffic areas
- Fits any brand of monitors
- Anti-glare and anti-scratch properties
- The price can be considered a bit steep but it reflects the quality
The Computer Privacy Screen Filter provided by Vintez is designed for 24-inch 16:9 widescreen computer monitors.
However, they offer lots of such films for all sizes, from 19 to 32 inches providing anti-glare and anti-scratch protection besides the obvious confidentiality.
The screen is perfect for public and high-traffic areas and it can fit any brand of monitor, including HP, Samsung, Dell, Lenovo, Acer, Asus, LG, ViewSonic, and others.
After you apply the privacy filter, the monitor will appear dark when looked at from an angle higher than 30°- 60°, but bright when looking directly at it.
Kensington 22-24″ Privacy Screen
- Fits 22-Inch to 24-Inch widescreen monitors
- Spring-loaded mount
- Reduces blue light by up to 30%
- Hard-coated surface
- Not anchored directly to the screen
This filter fits most 22 to 24-inch widescreen monitors with a 16:10 or 16:9 aspect ratio.
It manages to narrow the field of vision on the monitor to +/- 30 degrees, helping you keep the information on your screen to yourself.
The spring-loaded mount attaches to the screen without hassle or adhesives. The textured surface with a light tint minimizes glare and improves contrast, and it also reduces harmful blue light by up to 30%.
Its hard-coated surface protects the sensitive flat panel screen from smudges and damage.
- Reversible privacy screen filter
- Glossy or matte finish
- Anti-glare and scratch-resistant
- Extra installation kits
- Visible application tape
The Vintez Computer Privacy Screen Filter limits the viewing angle of your screen to a straight position such that only you can see the contents of your monitor screen while everyone on either side of it sees only a darkened monitor screen.
It also helps improve the confidentiality of your information, your surfing details, and so on. In other words, it reduces the risk of any visual hacking or visual theft.
Users who access corporate networks from remote locations pose a potential danger to data confidentiality because they are in an unsecured and uncontrolled area.
The danger consists in allowing unauthorized people to view the data that you are accessing, and this is why you really need a privacy screen filter.
All the filters that we have presented are ideal for keeping your privacy as it should be, private.
You should also consider reading our list of the best privacy protector software for Windows 10/11 because it may protect you further.
Did you decide on any of the products? Tell us about your choice in the comments section below.
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