Top Monitor Privacy Filters for Under $100

Laptops are a common sight nowadays. On planes, buses, subways, coffee shops, libraries; practically everywhere you go, you may see someone typing along on their laptop, oblivious that the world passing by can see everything on their screen. If you’ve ever used your laptop in public, you may or may not be aware that it only takes a moment for a passerby to glance at your screen and see passwords, financial information, or other private information that you probably wouldn’t want shared with strangers.

Privacy filters are screens that fit neatly over your monitor, enabling you to use your laptop, home, and office computers safely and privately, without passerby’s or anyone sitting next to you able to see what lies on your monitor screen. A monitor screen filter is a wise investment for anyone who travels with a laptop or keeps sensitive material on their computer where other individuals continually pass by. For under $100, you can find a monitor screen filter perfectly suited for your own computer or laptop. Prices can be drastically expensive at some retailers, but online stores like Amazon.com and Buy.com will usually have much better prices.

The 3M PF14.1 Notebook Privacy Filter is a monitor screen for 14.1 inch laptop screens (sizes are available for other screens, with a slight fluctuation of price). Helping to keep the contents on your monitor screen private and confidential, only you, looking head on at the screen, can see the information viewed there. Looking at the screen from any other angle allows you to see only a dark screen. The 3M Notebook Privacy Filter is a great innovation, utilizing small sticky tabs to hold it in place without ruining your laptop. The filter slightly decreases the brightness of your screen.

3M also makes a large variety of privacy filters for LCD and CRT monitors. Made of a sturdy frame and tinted screen, the 3M Desktop Monitor Privacy Filters also help to reduce glare and block radiation, and are easy to clean with a damp cloth.

Sony, known for quality technology, also produces a privacy filter for monitor displays. The Sony privacy filter works much the same as the 3M monitor screen, blocking viewing from the left and right and above, allowing only head-on viewing to penetrate the protective screen filter and view the information. Sony makes various privacy filters available for a large variety of notebooks and laptops.

Kensington designs a privacy filter for flat panel monitors. The Kensington Flat Panel Privacy Filter is easily secured to your flat panel display utilizing brackets, and a special coating helps to keep the screen filter free of smudges and scratches. Lightweight and unobtrusive, the privacy filter protects your information from roaming eyes and nosy coworkers.

The Fellows Privacy Filter in Anti-Static Anti-Rad Glare Screen is a privacy filter made for 16″-17″ monitors and contains special coatings to reduce glare and radiation from the monitor, as well as protect your sensitive information from prying eyes. The tinted glass of the Fellowes privacy filter helps to enhance monitor contrast.

Fellowes also produces and LCD privacy screen filter with an optimal screen tint, so you can adjust the desired contrast accordingly. The Fellowes privacy filters attach and detach from your monitors without leaving behind any sticky residue.

Although the cost may seem a bit pricey for what appears to be a simple contraption, when you consider the fact that a privacy screen is useful not just to protect your information from strangers or coworkers, but also helps to prevent eye-straining glare and radiation, it seems a very wise purchase. It is a computer accessory that you will certainly benefit from in both short-term and long-term.