Good lighting is at the center of every flawless makeup look, which is why beauty enthusiasts and makeup artists stock their vanities with lighted makeup mirrors to achieve the perfect glam.
As these mirrors continue to rise in popularity, we decided to consult with a makeup expert and try several top-rated models to determine which ones are worth buying. We started by evaluating the construction of each lighted makeup mirror before doing our makeup and dove into the technicalities as we glammed, paying special attention to the mirror’s portability, durability, and any unique features, such as Bluetooth speakers or a shelf for your phone and essential cosmetic products.
Keep reading for the lighted makeup mirrors considered the best that PEOPLE Tested.
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All-around vanity-style lighting
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Removable magnifying mirror included
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Phone holder is magnetic for extra security
The Riki Skinny Smart Vanity Mirror is one of the most recognizable models thanks to the endorsement of celebrities and influencers. After testing, we see why. The sleek vanity mirror is surprisingly durable despite its thin frame and uses high-quality glass to deliver a perfect reflection. It’s bordered with LED lights with five brightness levels to really illuminate your face, creating a ring light effect and ensuring there are no dark areas (just be mindful of the brightest setting if you have sensitive eyes).
This lighted makeup mirror’s attachments also stand out. Included is a 10x magnification mirror that gives you an impressively in-depth look at your pores, brows, and lashes, plus a magnetic phone holder so you can take selfies, record yourself, or watch makeup tutorials. The mirror even has a Bluetooth selfie option so you can nail the perfect pose with the best lighting. You can also attach the magnification mirror to the larger mirror with magnets if you can’t sacrifice the counter space, and there’s a carrying case you can purchase separately for travel. While it’s not inexpensive, there’s no denying the value of the Riki Skinny Smart Vanity Mirror.
Size: 9.5 x 13 x 0.39 inches | Weight: 1.5 pounds | Colors: 2 | Assembly Required: No | USB Compatible: Yes
The Flymiro Tri-fold Lighted Vanity Makeup Mirror doesn’t sacrifice quality for price. It’s equipped with 21 LED light bulbs that provide adequate brightness in naturally lit and dark rooms so you can do your makeup without any shadows (however, the brightness level can only be adjusted down slightly).
Its tri-fold design ensures that you can see every inch of your face. It can also be rotated 180 degrees for different views. It also features two small mirrors on the right side that provide 2x and 3x magnification. The side panels fold down completely to protect the mirror and make it more portable for travel. This sleek and lightweight mirror also has a small catch-all tray at the base which can be used to store small makeup products. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly makeup mirror, this one won’t disappoint.
Size: 9.4 x 7 x 1.2 inches | Weight: 1.76 pounds | Colors: 6 | Assembly Required: Yes | USB Compatible: Yes
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Customizable with 3 lighting temperatures and 6 brightness settings
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Includes a small 10x magnifying mirror
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Strong silicone suction base keeps it steady
The Amiro 9-inch Mirror is a standout for its motion-detecting feature, lighting up with a button press and turning off when you step away, which preserves the battery. Though it holds a five-hour charge, if you spend about an hour a day on your makeup, you’ll likely need to recharge weekly with the included USB-C cable.
We love this mirror’s silicone suction base, which keeps it firmly anchored to a desk or vanity — even if bumped. Its strong hold is sometimes challenging to detach, but we prefer this to it tipping over. The adjustable brightness and color temperature settings — natural, warm, and cool white — allow for the perfect lighting regardless of your room’s ambiance. After nearly seven months of testing, this mirror remains one of our editors’ personal favorites.
Size: 10.7 x 17 inches | Weight: 2.93 pounds | Colors: 2 | Assembly Required: No | USB Compatible: Yes
The iHome Hollywood Vanity Mirror Pro is a luxe mirror that can transform your beauty routine into a glamorous affair. The splurge-worthy lighted mirror exudes vintage style with an oversized frame and protruding LED bulbs that border the mirror to fully illuminate your face.
The mirror offers four brightness settings and the option to customize its warmth with three dimmable hue adjustments: bright daylight, soft, and warm evening. This customizable glow projects a sharp reflection to clearly see all of your facial features. It also comes with a crisp 10x magnifying mirror and is fitted with a Bluetooth speaker that can connect to your phone to play music, podcasts, and videos while you get ready. This mirror is a bit bulky, so it’s less portable. But if you have space on your vanity, this high-end mirror is worth it.
Size: 13.99 x 18.79 x 5.12 inches | Weight: 4.84 pounds | Colors: Silver chrome | Assembly Required: Yes | USB Compatible: Yes
We all know the feeling of grogginess after a long flight or drive, so why not pull out your little light-up compact for a quick touch-up? The Impressions ChargeUp LED Compact Mirror was one of our favorites. It’s small enough to fit in a back pocket or purse, yet despite its 3.5-inch diameter, it lights up with the strength of a larger mirror. Though you can’t adjust the level of brightness or temperature the way you can on other mirrors, we found no faults in its clarity and tone.
Another unique perk of this mirror is its double life as a portable phone charger. Simply plug your phone cable into the charging port on the side of the compact and gain a full battery while you touch up your foundation. When it comes time to recharge your compact, use the same port.
Size: 3.5 inches in diameter | Weight: 0.5 pounds | Colors: 2 | Assembly Required: No | USB Compatible: Yes
The Fancii LED Lighted Travel Makeup is a less-expensive alternative to the Impressions travel mirror. This compact has fewer bells and whistles but is perfect for midday touch-ups and can fit snugly in your purse. It remained damage-free after our drop tests, so we’re confident we could throw this in our bags without a second thought. Its sleek color options (particularly the metallic rose gold) were another draw for this compact because your touch-up tools should be just as beautiful as you are.
We would have loved to be able to adjust the brightness settings of this compact, but this light fully illuminated our faces. For the budget-friendly price and full-sized quality in a travel-sized compact, we couldn’t imagine leaving the house without this dependable little mirror.
Size: 5 x 5 x 0.7 inches | Weight: 6.7 ounces | Colors: 3 | Assembly Required: No | USB Compatible: No
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Sleek look and bright lights feel hotel quality
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Full color-spectrum LED lights
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Three magnification levels between both sides
When you’re the master behind red carpet glam for celebrities like Selena Gomez and Cara Delevingne, you need the best lighting and mirrors to craft those closeup-worthy makeup looks — which is why celebrity makeup artist Hung Vanngo loves SimpleHuman mirrors.
The state-of-the-art Sensor Mirror Trio feels like one you’d find in a five-star hotel. We love the surgical-grade, touch-controlled LED lights, with brightness you customize by dragging your fingertips up or down along the side. Choose between cool and warm-toned lighting to better prepare for the day, night, or red carpet ahead, and flip the mirror around for a regular reflection, 5x magnification, or 10x at the bottom. With all of these high-end features, it’s easy to understand why this lighted makeup mirror has a high price point, but we think it’s worth the investment for serious beauty lovers and professionals.
Size: 8 inches in diameter | Weight: 3.75 pounds | Colors: 3 | Assembly Required: No | USB Compatible: Yes
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Folds nicely against the wall
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Attractive, high-quality stainless steel construction
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Hard-wired for optimal sturdiness
Another standout from this Vanngo-approved brand is the Sensor Mirror Wall Mount, which has the same features as the Sensor Mirror Trio but is hard-wired to the wall for convenience. This fold-out style can be placed at the perfect height so you can pull out, tilt, and flip the mirror however you wish for a customized glam session. We are enamored with the mirror’s Tru-Lux technology that keeps the surgical-grade LED lights providing a full-color spectrum for optimal reflection. The evenly distributed bulbs provide equal shine and zero hot spots.
If maximizing your counter space is essential, then you’ll love the telescopic swing arm that allows you to fold this mirror flat against the wall. However, keep in mind that if you’re not handy, you may need someone to help you with installation. We think this mounted mirror is perfect for beauty lovers and small space-dwellers alike.
Size: 13.8 x 16 x 3.1 inches | Weight: 2.4 pounds | Colors: 5 | Assembly Required: Yes | USB Compatible: No
You don’t have to spend too much to get a makeup artist-approved mirror. Oakley has found that this option from Amazon does the trick for herself and her clients. She loves its affordable price point, easily adjustable lighting, and long charging time — all non-negotiable when you’re a sought-after makeup artist. “I love this one because it’s extremely compact and easy to fit no matter how much of an over-packer you are,” says Oakley. It’s just about the size of an iPad, making it easy to throw in a weekender bag or backpack for trips like Oakley often does.
We love its fold-over protective screen that doubles as a stand, making this mirror an incredibly compact and versatile option for hotel rooms, dimly lit bathrooms, and other places that lack sufficient lighting. Though it doesn’t include storage, we think its versatility (and makeup artist’s stamp of approval) more than makes up for this small oversight.
Size: 7.5 x 10 x 0.8 inches | Weight: 1.43 pounds | Colors: 5 | Assembly Required: No | USB Compatible: Yes
If you’re often shuffling around in search of the best lighting (or selfie background), then you’ll love this cordless, small-scale lighted vanity. The strong LED light features customizable brightness and temperature levels for your best glow. And since this rechargeable light is completely cordless, you can move around without tangling or dragging a cord along.
We love that no matter where we’re glamming ourselves, we can have perfect lighting and a non-warped reflection thanks to this sleek mirror. Its simplistic metal stand tilts up to 45 degrees for optimal angles and adds style to your desk or bathroom countertop. You have to turn the light back on after its automatic 30-minute shutoff time, but this energy-saving component allows this cordless mirror to last for up to 10 hours per charge. For those who like to move around while they get ready, this cordless option is the way to go.
Size: 6.5 x 13 inches | Weight: 2.6 lbs. | Color: 3 | Assembly Required: No | USB Compatible: Yes
Add to Cart
While you’re adding a lighted makeup mirror to your cart, consider upping your whole makeup game with some of our other PEOPLE-Tested beauty winners. Our editors and independent testers put each product through the wringer to bring you the best of the best.
What to Know About Lighted Makeup Mirrors
Price
Travel-sized and countertop versions, like the little Impressions ChargeUp LED Compact Mirror, tend to be more affordable and great for shoppers who aren’t looking to break the bank. However, it’s not uncommon for them to have limited lighting modes. Models stocked with smart functional features, bigger mirrors, and ones that are meant for permanent residence on a vanity will cost more (case in point: the expensive, yet luxury-grade SimpleHuman Sensor Mirror Trio).
Portability
It’s common for lighted makeup mirrors to be lightweight and portable, which is a plus if you’re an avid traveler or someone who has to move your glam setup from room to room. “I travel a lot and I’ve noticed that hotels never have very good light which makes it really hard to do makeup,” Oakley says. “It took a lot of trial and error, but I think I’ve finally found the perfect lighted makeup mirrors for traveling,” she says of the Deweisn Folding Travel Lighted Makeup Mirror and Riki Loves Riki Riki Skinny Mirror. However, some models are bulkier, heavier, and designed to be stabilized, which is important to look out for if you’re not planning on keeping your new mirror in one designated spot.
Brightness Levels
A lighted makeup mirror’s main purpose is to make finding the perfect lighting easy, but not every model offers the same amount of brightness and hue settings. If you’re someone who prioritizes customization, you’ll want to opt for a vanity mirror that offers a range of lighting settings, like the iHome Hollywood Vanity Mirror Pro. Some options also allow you to personalize the warmth and dimness too.
Magnification
Getting a closer look at your face will ultimately help you achieve more flawless makeup, which is why it’s best to opt for a lighted mirror that has enhanced magnification. Depending on the model you’ve chosen, it could have a separate mirror that detaches from the base, like the magnetic attachment for the Riki Loves Riki Riki Skinny Mirror, so you can get a closer look. Or the mirror may have various panels with different magnification levels — like the Flymiro Tri-fold Lighted Vanity Makeup Mirror or the SimpleHuman with its 10x pocket. These typically range from 2x to 10x magnification, with the latter being the most intense.
Behind the Scenes
Our PEOPLE Tested team tested and reviewed 11 different lighted makeup mirrors in our lab. First, we carefully evaluated their size, weight, shape, and portability. Then came the fun part: doing our makeup. Each of the testing attributes were rated on a scale of one to five by our testers (one being the lowest performance and five being the highest). The mirrors that earned the best overall scores were picked as our winners.
- Lighting: We got ready with the mirrors in different room settings (light and dark) in order to get an accurate understanding of each one’s strength and glass clarity. We also paid close attention to whether or not the lights created a shadow or if the mirror had a distorted reflection.
- Quality: We then evaluated the quality of the mirror itself, which is equally as important as the lighting. Taking note of whether or not the mirror offered a clear view of our face, we observed each model for cracks or spots upon arrival, if the face was smooth or warped, and if we had a clear or unfocused reflection in the mirror.
- Design: Another feature worth evaluating was the overall design of the mirror and how it made our lives easier (or not). We took into consideration the inclusion of features we’d assume would be in a lighted makeup mirror — including an adjustable light, bulb placement that reduces shadows, and whether or not it was easy to use and aesthetically pleasing. Additional compartments for makeup storage were a perk, too.
- Stability: Last but not least, we tested each mirror’s stability to see if they could withstand the test of time — meaning the occasional knock off of the desk from an accidental bump. Some models were weighted, suction-cupped, and overall stable, and others weren’t, which increased the odds that they could fall and crack.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are lighted mirrors good for applying makeup?
Yes, using a lighted mirror to apply makeup is an excellent way to make sure your makeup looks just the way you intend it to. Most lighted mirrors use LED lights, which provide a more natural light than incandescent bulbs and also give off less heat. Some lighted mirrors have different settings so you can see how your makeup will look in different types of lighting (daylight, warm, or cool).
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What magnification should a makeup mirror be?
For daily makeup application, a makeup mirror with a magnification of 2x to 3x, or up to 5x is best. A 2x or 3x magnification will give you a closer look at your face — for applying eyeliner and mascara, for example — without misrepresenting your appearance. Higher magnification mirrors (10x) are great for getting an extra close-up look at your pores or stray hairs but are not as good for seeing your entire face for putting on makeup.
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How long do LED mirrors last?
Most LED makeup mirrors are rechargeable, and some can hold a charge for up to 10 hours. The bulbs themselves are long-lasting — many LED bulbs in makeup mirrors will last for up to 20,000 usage hours.
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Which is better, a backlit or front-lit mirror?
Backlit mirrors are often preferred because the light doesn’t shine directly in your eyes. They are also beneficial because they prevent the appearance of shadows on your face.
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Are makeup mirror lights dimmable?
Some makeup mirrors are dimmable or offer different light settings. This can be particularly helpful for applying makeup to wear at various times of day as well as for indoor or outdoor settings.
Why Trust PEOPLE?
Emily Belfiore is a shopping editor at Dotdash Meredith for brands including InStyle, PEOPLE, Food & Wine, and more. Always in pursuit of the best reviewer-vouched products, she covers topics spanning across the fashion, beauty, and health and wellness verticals. For this piece, Belfiore analyzed the insights given by the testers in our PEOPLE Tested lab as they evaluated the performance of lighted makeup mirrors in light and dark environments. Shopping writer Alyssa Brascia later updated this piece for freshness and added more mirrors that PEOPLE editors have tested and given a stamp of approval to outside of this test.
Our Expert Panel
- Alexis Oakley is a Los Angeles-based celebrity makeup artist known for her work with Kris Jenner and influencers including Alix Earle, Mikayla Nogueira, and Remi Bader.
- Hung Vanngo is a makeup artist based in New York City who has worked with Selena Gomez and Cara Delevingne.
What Is PEOPLE Tested?
We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs.
But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square.
In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.