Top 5 Best Lighted Makeup Mirrors | 2018 Reviews
No woman who’s even somewhat serious about her makeup can do without a lighted makeup mirror. Whether it’s a cheap model on a stand, a unit you’ve mounted onto the wall or one built into your wardrobe or vanity, there’s no way to be certain that your makeup is “just right” without being able to see it close-up and under proper light especially when applying foundation. And, of course, tweezing, plucking or shaving is next to impossible to get right without having a perfect view of what you’re doing.
Everyone has their own preferences on the features they want in a lighted makeup mirror. Some want close-up magnification so they can be certain their eyeliner has been applied perfectly, some feel that natural light is essential to ensure their look in the bathroom is the sams as the one they exhibit outdoors, and some simply want a functional mirror with lights which lets them see what they’re doing.
Just as with makeup, there’s an enormous range of prices you can pay for a decent lighted makeup mirror. However, the basics of these mirrors are fairly standard, so even if your budget doesn’t allow for the purchase of an expensive model, you don’t have to compromise too much to find a good mirror. And if you’ve got a couple of hundred bucks to spend, you can really go all out.
Before you go on with our list of top picks, you may read our Best Lighted Makeup Mirror Buying Guide first.
Done? Here’s a look at the top 5 best lighted makeup mirrors (or lighted vanity mirrors as some may call it) currently available.
Quick Comparison Table
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Simplehuman Sensor Mirror |
Zadro 10x Next Generation LED Vanity Mirror |
Floxite Daylight Cosmetic Mirror |
Jerdon HL165CD Wall Mount Makeup Mirror |
Conair Double-Sided Lighted Makeup Mirror |
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 |
 |
 |
 |
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$$$ |
$$$ |
$$$ |
$$$ |
$$$ |
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Countertop |
Countertop |
Countertop |
Wall-mounted |
Countertop |
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8 inches |
9 inches |
9 inches |
8 inches |
11 inches |
 |
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Simplehuman Sensor Mirror, 8 Inches
Simplehuman makes home products which at times seem more suited to The Jetsons than a normal home. There’s not a whole lot you can do to a lighted makeup mirror to make it space-age, of course, but simplehuman has managed to make their offering modern and fun.
To start with, the cordless Sensor Mirror does just what its name says – when it senses a face in the glass, it turns on the “Tru-lux” LED lighting ring located around the mirror’s circumference and simulates natural light that’s brighter and more color-correct than any of its competitors. The lights are well-designed to provide even and optimal light without shadows thanks to carefully-placed micro-reflectors, and the mirror can be recharged via USB cable for a charge that lasts weeks. For stats geeks, the light is rated at 600 lux with a color rendering index of 90.
The mirror itself is equally well-designed. It’s precisely curved so that you don’t see the “fun house” distortion that’s often a problem with flat makeup mirrors (even at the edges), the glass is backed with a high-purity aluminum coating to provide a clear reflection, and it features 5x magnification to allow a perfect close-up view of your face even if you’re sitting a foot away from the mirror. We should also mention that it’s an attractive and modern-looking mirror.
The one feature we were surprised that simplehuman left out was a choice of magnifications; the makeup mirror is one-sided, so you can’t turn it around for a 1x view (or any other view) as you can with many other products. All you get is the 5x magnification provided by the front side – which is more than sufficient in any situation. We would just hope for a little more on a top-of-the-line makeup mirror. The Sensor Mirror does tilt back and side-to-side 180 degrees, and it can move up and down on its stand allowing you to use the mirror even if you’re standing up. So the lack of extra magnification isn’t a design flaw but simply a decision made by the manufacturer.
We only have one other minor negative to point out on this mirror. The sensor is designed to be “smart,” learning your behavior so it won’t turn off if you move or turn your head, but it doesn’t take into account the fact that you often have to lean away briefly to get some makeup or a brush – so it may turn on and off a number of times when you use it. A lag time of a few extra seconds before turning off, or a “continuously on” switch, would be nice. (The other potential issue, of course, is if you have the mirror in your bedroom and your husband keeps walking in front of it when you’re trying to sleep in a dark room).
Minor flaws (or nitpicking) aside, this is one terrific product, and we didn’t even have to consider alternatives before placing it at the top of our list of top 5 best lighted makeup mirrors. It’s expensive, at about $155, but well worth it if you can afford it. There’s also a wall-mounted version that costs $20 more.
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Details of the Simplehuman Sensor Mirror, 8 Inches |
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|---|---|
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Style |
Countertop |
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Size |
8 inches |
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Lighting |
Circular LED |
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Magnification |
5x |
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Corded/Cordless |
Cordless, rechargeable via USB |
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Warranty |
5 years |
Zadro 10x Next Generation LED Vanity Mirror
Those who don’t want to spend $150 on the simplehuman makeup mirror – and who are very fond of the way they look – should closely consider this Zadro option. Like the more expensive choice we’ve just discussed, it is slim and nominally large in size with LED lighting around its circumference, it’s an attractive (satin-nickel finish) countertop model, and it’s cordless. However, it sells for a more reasonable $70.
Why is it half the price? To start with, the mirror is battery-powered and requires 4 AAs to be changed regularly. It’s not adjustable, either up-and-down or side-to-side. It’s not sensor-powered, using a simple on-off switch instead (you may see that as a benefit). The functional area of the mirror is smaller (only 6 inches). And most importantly, the LED illumination is harsher, not really simulating daylight very well.
OK, then why is it #2 on our list of top 5 best lighted makeup mirrors? Some of the rationale involves its much lower price, no doubt. But there are several features which make the Zadro a good choice for many. It is dual-sided, with normal magnification on one side and 10x magnification on the other side and that’s why we mentioned that you should be fond of the way you look when you purchase this mirror. 10x is a lot of magnification, more than you’ll see on many competitors; that may be way too much for some, but just right for others who need close-up views of eyelash extensions, for example. It’s also lighter than the simplehuman mirror, so it can easily be taken from room to room, or even taken on overnight trips.
The Zadro Next Generation is far from a perfect mirror. But it’s a very good one in its price range.
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Details of the Zadro 10x Next Generation LED Vanity Mirror |
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Style |
Countertop |
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Size |
9 inches (nominal; actual mirror 6 inches) |
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Lighting |
Circular LED |
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Magnification |
1x/10x |
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Corded/Cordless |
Cordless, AA batteries |
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Warranty |
90-day limited |
Floxite Daylight Cosmetic Mirror
We weren’t sure whether to rank this mirror above or below the Zadro. It’s a little larger (with a functional 7½ inch mirror surface), has better daylight simulation, and is $25 cheaper. However, it only runs on AC power so you’re required to be tethered to an outlet, the light is provided by a single bulb so it’s uneven across the face of the mirror, and it’s made from white plastic (partially explaining the lower cost). Which is a better choice? We’ll leave that decision to you.
The Floxite model uses a replaceable T5 daylight bulb, which provides a lot of light and replicates the look of daylight around the rim of the mirror well, although not perfectly (and not as well as the simplehuman). Like the Zadro, it’s a two-sided model with no magnification on one side, and the same huge 10x magnification on the other. We did like the adjustments possible with the mirror arm, allowing you to see your face from just about any angle. This is also a tall (14 inch) appliance, which probably won’t make much difference since the wall power required makes it unlikely you’ll be moving this model from room to room, but could come into play if you have a small space in your bathroom or on your bureau to work with.
The Floxite Daylight Cosmetic Mirror doesn’t have some of the features of higher-priced makeup mirrors on the market. At 40 bucks, though, it’s a good choice for an LED daylight mirror for those not able to spend a lot of money on one.
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Details of the Floxite Daylight Cosmetic Mirror |
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|---|---|
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Style |
Countertop |
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Size |
9 inches (nominal; actual mirror 7½ inches) |
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Lighting |
Circular T5 bulb |
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Magnification |
1x/10x |
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Corded/Cordless |
Corded |
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Warranty |
None |
Jerdon HL165CD Wall Mount Makeup Mirror
Some people simply don’t have room on their counter or vanity for a makeup mirror. The Jerdon is designed for them, as it mounts directly to the wall like the ones you see in hotels, swinging out for use and tucking away when not needed.
At first glance, this looks like the equal of some of the models we’ve already discussed, with circular LED lighting and a polished chrome finish. However, there are definitely some issues you should consider.
First of all, this mirror has to be hard-wired to your electric power; you can’t just plug it into the wall. That means you’ll probably need an electrician to install it, which may or may not be more of a pain or expense than you’re looking for. Second, the 25-watt bulb that provides the light for the mirror isn’t particularly strong, let alone a daylight bulb (although it does have a dimmer switch, somewhat strange for a light that isn’t overly bright). That means this unit is best used in bathrooms or other areas that already have an adequate light source. Like most of the mirrors we’ve discussed, the Jerdon is “listed” as being eight inches in diameter, but the mirror face itself is closer to six inches.
The arm on the mirror extends out more than a foot, and the two-sided mirror (with 1x and 5x magnification) can be rotated 360 degrees so you can use both sides. The Jerdon comes with all necessary mounting hardware, as you would expect.
This makeup mirror doesn’t measure up to the very best units on the market in terms of performance, but it’s designed for a specific group of customers. If you’re one of them, this may be $92 well-spent.
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Details of the Jerdon HL165CD Wall Mount Makeup Mirror |
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|---|---|
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Style |
Wall-mounted |
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Size |
8 inches (nominal; actual mirror 6 inches) |
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Lighting |
25-watt incandescent bulb |
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Magnification |
1x/5x |
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Corded/Cordless |
Direct connection to house power is required |
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Warranty |
One year limited |
Conair Double-Sided Lighted Makeup Mirror
It’s budget time! This Conair model is nice-looking, light, and a very good value at only $20.
Yes, the actual mirror is only 4½ inches in a 12-inch tall countertop pedestal. Yes, it uses an incandescent bulb (R86) that’s not easy to find (you normally have to order it from Conair) and doesn’t give off a tremendous amount of light.
But it does also have flexibility. It can run on either AC power (with a nine feet cord) or three AAA batteries and it’s lightweight, so you can move it anywhere you want to use it. It has a halo light that may not be powerful but is evenly distributed, and it is modern- and elegant-looking with a polished chrome finish. It has a two-sided mirror, one with 1x magnification for normal work and the other side featuring 5x magnification for close-up styling.
In short, the Conair isn’t a mirror for those who need bells and whistles, or those who want to simulate bright daylight for intricate detail work. For twenty bucks, though, it’s a convenient and portable way to check your makeup – or to apply it, in a room with supplemental light available.
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Details of the Conair Double-Sided Lighted Makeup Mirror |
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|---|---|
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Style |
Countertop |
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Size |
11 inches (nominal; actual mirror 4½ inches) |
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Lighting |
Incandescent bulb |
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Magnification |
1x/5x |
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Corded/Cordless |
Corded, also can use AA batteries |
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Warranty |
One year limited |
FAQ (By Our Ardent Readers)
- Why do i need a lighted makeup mirror? If you are the one who would want to look just perfect(who wouldn't want to) before stepping out,this is just the right inclusion in your makeup set. It helps you to look at the right place with precision so that you could apply your makeup to perfection.
- Can these mirrors be adjusted to my height? Most of them are counter top, so can be placed according to the height. The wall mountable ones can be moved forward and backward to be brought into focus at the correct angle.
- Can these lighted makeup mirrors be magnified to help look more closely? Yes they can. Lighted mirrors are magnified somewhere between 5x to 20x depending on the model. Please read the manual before buying.
- Can i change the magnification for normal use of the lighted mirror? If thats what you are after, then you could choose a two sided mirror from Conair which has a 1x magnification for normal use on one side and 5x magnification for a closer view.
- Can i get a cordless lighted makeup mirror? Yes certainly you can. There are a couple of models which are battery operated and can be moved around pretty easily without the hassle of looking out for the power connection.
- Can i use my lighted mirror in bathroom? Yes some of them will allow you to use them in the bathroom. The most important important feature you need to look for is that it is corrosion resistant as there is a lot of moisture in the bath. If the mirror is not mentioned as corrosion resistant they it may not be suitable for you to use it in the bathroom.
- Is the light provided in the lighted mirror bright enough? Yes it is. But in some models you may find it slightly on the dimmer side. Hence you may want to couple it with daylight or use it in an already illuminated room.
- Can i dim the light in the lighted makeup mirror? Yes most of the models come with a dimmer so that you could control the brightness to suit your mood.
- Can i install the wall mountable lighted makeup mirror on my own? Yes if you understand the electrics well enough as it needs to be hard wired while mounting the mirror. An easier option is to call the electrician.
- Upto what length can a wall mountable stretch? Most models are designed to stretch upto one foot or slightly longer.
- Can i replace the bulbs in the lighted mirror myself? Yes you can. It is pretty easy and comes with instructions.
- Where can i buy the spare bulbs? You could buy them in store or online.
- Can i take the lighted mirror for my travels? Yes of course you can. It is lightweight and portable for easy transportation or you could use a compact version that goes into your purse.
- Does the lighted mirror come with a case? Not all models come with it. But fortunately there are many good ones available in the market which provides absolute safety for your lighted mirror on your journey.
- Where can i buy the best lighted makeup mirror? You could buy it instore or from online trusted websites like Amazon. But before that don't forget to read through our review page about lighted makeup mirror.
The post Top 5 Best Lighted Makeup Mirror Reviews | 2018 Reviews appeared first on ParentsNeed.
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