Sure, you can have strong passwords and rock solid encryption technologies to keep private work data safe, but those tools can’t stop prying eyes from simply looking over your shoulder, or even capturing a photo of what’s on your screen. It’s officially called visual hacking, and thankfully, there’s an easy fix – a simple privacy filters. It takes just a few seconds for someone to snag confidential information from a computer screen, which could potentially be used for malicious intent. However, not all of them work the same, with many reducing visibility when applied, that is, unless…you’re talking about Moshi’s Umbra. Once adhered to your MacBook Air / MacBook Pro / Pixelbook / Surface Pro display, it severely restricts the viewing angle, without reducing visbility. That’s right, anyone who tries to sneak a peek from the sides or top will just see a blackened screen. Best of all, the Umbra is fully washable, and can be reapplied repeatedly, 100% bubble-free each time. Product page. Read more for our full review.
Installation is a breeze, as all you need to do is clean off your screen with the included microfiber cloth, then peel off the Umbra’s backside film, carefully align it on the display, and lastly, apply pressure to secure it in place. In our own test, the entire process took under 2-minutes. We immediately noticed that the colors on our 2018 MacBook Pro with True Tone were much easier on the eyes, thanks to the Umbra’s blue light filter which reduces blue light emissions by 35%.
When using the laptop normally, there was absolutely no reduction in visibility or haze that some other privacy filters cause. Its narrow 50-degree viewing angle prevented anyone on the sides to see what was being worked on, and did not dim the display at all. Some privacy filters can give glossy laptop screens a matte look, but this one keeps the sheen. Even after hours of use both in the office and at coffee shops, there was no eye strain caused by the Umbra.
Is it worth $64.95? If you use your laptop in public places on a regular places, we absolutely recommend the Umbra, and even if you’re mainly at home, the blue filter alone makes this a great buy.
