The Very Best Lighted Makeup Mirrors

Type of light: Natural daylight, soft white, neutral white | Energy source: Rechargeable | Shape and size: Oblong, 9.5” | Magnification: 1x only | Additional features: Touch-control, 2-year warranty

Fancii’s Vera mirror is sleek and attractive, highly functional, and fairly budget friendly as far as lighted makeup mirrors go, making it the best choice for the average person who just wants to see their face better and doesn’t need a whole lot of bells and whistles to do it. I found its elongated oval shape to be a distinct plus as it allowed me to check out my entire profile from the chest up; while circular mirrors were better for providing tight close-ups of my face, the Vera’s extended length reflected my entire head, neck, and shoulders so I could use it to dust some highlighter on my décolletage or curl and straighten my hair as well.

Though this mirror doesn’t offer any magnification, it does come with three dimmable light temperatures: a soft warm white, a cool neutral white, and a natural daylight setting. I use the soft white setting the most as it has a warmer cast to it that I find more flattering than the other two settings, which are cooler toned. The mirror tilts 45 degrees forward and backward, and there are two buttons on the front of the mirror — a button on the right that “wakes up” the mirror and adjusts the brightness, and a button on the left to switch between light temperatures. (There’s also a power button on the back, which you can press to turn off the mirror completely and conserve power; otherwise, pressing the front-right button again will send it to sleep.) Holding down the right button allows you to adjust the brightness of the light, but I generally keep it on the brightest setting, which is still fairly soft and not at all blinding. The buttons are conveniently placed and intuitive; the only drawback is that, because they are incorporated into the glass, the bottom of the mirror collects fingerprints quickly and I have to wipe it down pretty frequently.

Because the Vera is rechargeable, I can easily move it wherever I want in my apartment, and Fancii claims that the battery lasts approximately ten hours; however, I usually leave it on for 30 to 45 minutes at a time, and I’ve found that I typically charge it about once every nine-to-ten days. Though it doesn’t have any especially high-tech features like the motion sensor on my pick for a more high-end mirror below, it’s the mirror I recommend to anyone who wants to make sure they don’t have foundation streaks at their jawline without spending too much.

Type of light: Natural daylight, candlelight | Energy source: Rechargeable | Shape and size: Circular, 8” | Magnifications: 1x, 5x, and 10x | Additional features: Automatic motion sensor, touch-control, 5-year warranty

This elegant (and expensive) Simplehuman mirror is the Tesla of lighted makeup mirrors. Where the Fancii Vera doesn’t offer any magnification, the Simplehuman’s double-sided design gives you three different magnification options: One side offers a true-size standard reflection as well as a small 10x-magnified window that I’ve found is perfect for detailed work like tweezing my brows. The other side offers 5x magnification that lets me to get up close and personal to ensure my cat-eye flick is drawn with utmost precision. The Simplehuman is also outfitted with a motion sensor, so there’s no need to fumble for a switch or button — the light automatically flickers awake when I approach it, then dims and shuts off after a period of inactivity. I found this to be especially convenient since it meant I didn’t have to clean it as often because I never smudged the glass surface with my fingerprints. I also don’t charge it as frequently as the Vera — about once or twice a month, though that may be because I reach for the Vera on a daily basis more often.

When it comes to the light itself, Simplehuman’s “Tru-Lux” technology simulates sunlight’s full color spectrum so closely that when it’s on, it’s “just like looking at yourself in the natural sunlight … And everyone knows, if you look good in the sunlight, you look good everywhere,” says Strategist senior editor Crystal Martin, who owns a single-sided model of this mirror. I’ve found that this claim bears out, as the Simplehuman’s natural-daylight setting has a more natural, balanced hue that does seem to mimic sunlight more accurately than the Vera. In addition to the daylight temperature, you can also switch to a softer, warmer candlelight temperature if you’re doing your makeup for a night out. Lightly running a finger along the rim of the light allows you to dim and brighten the light output, so you can ensure your makeup is color-correct and appropriate for any and all occasions. However, while it’s certainly luxurious, the mirror has such a high price point that I typically recommend it for more serious and experienced makeup enthusiasts who are willing to splurge.

Type of light: HD daylight | Energy source: Rechargeable | Shape and size: Rectangular, 9.5” x 13” | Magnifications: 1x and 5x or 10x | Additional features: Adjustable stand, magnetic phone clip, Bluetooth functionality, 1-year warranty

When I first opened the Riki Loves Riki Skinny Mirror, I was immediately struck by how thin it is. The mirror’s lightweight, rectangular silhouette makes it perfect for jet-setters who are frequently doing their makeup away from home, or really for anyone who is short on vanity space and wants a mirror that’s easy to tuck away when it’s not in use. The separate, foldable stand is a cinch to adjust so that you can angle the mirror however you need, and it comes with a magnification attachment that snaps on and off magnetically, so you can pop it on only when you need it for extra detail. And because it also comes with a magnetic phone holder and has built-in Bluetooth connectivity for streaming and selfie-taking, it’s especially appealing to content creators and anyone else who regularly appears on camera: As Drag Race’s Michelle Visage told us, “Every drag queen that I know, you can’t travel without a Riki.”

Unlike the Fancii Vera and the Simplehuman Sensor mirrors above, the Riki Loves Riki Skinny mirror offers just one light temperature: the slick, high-octane lighting often seen in vlogs and makeup tutorials, which the brand bills as “HD daylight.” The brightness can be adjusted between five different settings, and Visage says it’s “bright as a football-stadium light.” I’ve rarely gone above the first two settings, as they are plenty bright for me, and the fifth is far too blinding for my purposes.

In fact, because I’m mostly doing my makeup at home for everyday situations, and not with the aim of appearing on-camera, I ultimately prefer the Fancii Vera and the Simplehuman Sensor for their more naturalistic lighting. However, I can see why the easily portable, ultra-bright Riki mirror is a favorite of folks like Stefanie Fritz, a makeup artist and content creator who wanted a mirror that was “more modern and streamlined.” Once it’s charged she can put it on the counter for a client or to film and doesn’t have to carry any cords around. Monique Jayme, a prestige beauty adviser at Ulta, told me that when she takes photos or films videos, she even uses the mirror as a de facto ring light, and she likes that its sleek, iPad-esque profile slides into a laptop case to keep the mirror safe when she’s on the go.

The phone holder and Bluetooth capabilities are also pretty handy. Pairing my phone was fuss-free, and the holder magnetically attaches to the center of the mirror so that rather than awkwardly maneuvering to press buttons on the phone itself, you can hold the mirror in front of your face for the most flattering angle, then press the “camera” button in the lower-right-hand corner of the mirror. I’m not planning to start a YouTube channel anytime soon, but I did use the mirror to take photos of my clothes for Depop, and they came out bright and clear, almost as if they were taken in an actual studio. I think the Riki is a great choice for those who travel often or who have influencer aspirations. Although the price is steep, it’s still cheaper than the Simplehuman, and according to Visage, “it’s worth every penny.”

Type of light: Natural daylight | Energy source: Rechargeable | Shape and size: Compact, 4” | Magnifications: 1x and 10x | Additional features: Automatic shutoff, 2-year warranty

Maybe you don’t need a full-blown makeup mirror, but you still want a lightweight and portable mirror that will help with touch-ups here and there. I tested the Fancii Mila, a lighted compact mirror, by bringing it along on a night out, and it was perfect for fixing my smudged eyeliner in a dark club bathroom. It has bounced around in my bag on multiple outings now and emerged unscathed, though because I only use it on occasion, I usually have to make a note to charge it an hour or two before I head out. The Mila has the same sleek, attractive look as the Fancii Vera, though it only has one temperature setting. The clamshell shape is outfitted with two mirrors: one with standard magnification and one with 10x magnification. The light, which outlines the standard mirror, automatically turns on when you open the compact and off when you snap it shut. The mirror also comes with a velvet pouch to protect it from scratches. Because it’s so small — about the size of an ashtray — it can be tucked into “literally anything,” according to makeup artist and content creator Roxanne Latulippe. “It fits in my makeup bag, it fits in my smaller purses. I carry it everywhere with me.” Latulippe says she’s been using the mirror for over two years, and it still works great: “If you really take care of it, it’s going to last you a really long time.”

Type of light: Natural white, warm white, cool white | Energy source: Battery-operated or plug-in | Shape and size: Trifold, 7.7’” x 3.2” | Magnifications: 1x, 2x, 3x, and 10x | Additional features: 90-degree and 180-degree rotation

A trifold mirror, while typically bulkier than regular mirrors, lets you view your face from various side angles in addition to head-on. This Easehold mirror comes with four magnification levels (regular, 2x, 3x, and 10x) and holds the distinction of being the top-rated makeup mirror among Amazon reviewers, with over 8,500 five-star ratings and multiple reviews praising its rotational abilities and light settings. “The vanity design is very efficient; I can see all sides of my face so I won’t miss a spot!” one reviewer enthuses. “[It’s] a perfect size and it doesn’t take up much space.” Another agrees that viewing multiple angles of your face at once is very helpful: “The side mirrors work great for me in managing my piercings,” they say. “I [also] wax my eyebrows with it. Tweeze the stray hairs. Apply makeup. The wings fold in so it’s thin and easy to store.” It comes with three dimmable light temperatures (daytime, office, and evening) that are “bright but not glaring, and they don’t distort or filter skin tone or makeup coloration,” according to a third reviewer.

Type of light: Natural daylight, warm white, cool white | Energy source: Plug-in | Shape and size: Rectangular, 29” x 19” | Magnifications: 1x and 5x | Additional features: Touch control, 1-year warranty

If you want to feel like a glamorous old-Hollywood movie star, this mirror from Impressions Vanity mimics the look of lighted dressing-room mirrors — with some contemporary touches. While the mirrors of yore were studded with incandescent bulbs, this one uses LED bulbs, saving energy and allowing you to switch between natural, cool, and warm lighting. The company also offers a multitude of sizes and designs, from $100 tabletop mirrors to over-$1,000 full-size vanity mirrors, so you can choose one that best fits your space and budget.

Makeup artist and content creator Liv Reese initially bought a smaller model that could fit in her makeup case, but loved it so much that she upgraded to this larger Tri-Tone Plus version. “It has feet, so it can sit on your vanity, or you can anchor it to your wall. There’s also a button in the middle to dim the brightness,” Reese explains. “Because I shoot content all day, every day, and at different times of the day, depending on what natural light I’m getting, I’ll adjust it.”

Some larger vanity mirrors from this brand also come with features such as a digital thermostat, so that you can apply an extra blast of setting spray if it’s a hot day out, and Bluetooth connectivity and speakers, so that you can listen to your favorite playlist or podcast while getting ready. Content creator Trinity Nicole sprang for her “dream vanity,” Impression Vanity’s nearly 45-inch-long Hollywood Premiere Pro Vanity Mirror, and “is absolutely in love” with it. She reports that the speakers “are loud and clear” when she’s listening to music while doing her hair and makeup and that the mirror is so big that she can see nearly her entire outfit in it. “It gives off a very luxurious vibe to my bedroom,” she adds. “I feel like a princess.”

Type of light: Natural white, warm white, cool white | Energy source: Battery-operated | Shape and size: Circular, 8” | Magnification: 1x and 10x | Additional features: Telescopic swing arm, touch control

Writer Catherine Newman received this wall-mounted mirror as a birthday present from her husband; as a woman in her 50s, she’d noticed “a beard coming in, which is just the worst, and I also can’t see very well.” She likes that it offers both regular magnification and 10x magnification, which makes her “less likely to miss some horrible curling mustache hair.” The telescopic arm means it can be inconspicuously tucked against the wall when not in use, and it’s also conveniently battery-operated, so when it needs recharging, all she has to do is plug it into an outlet. Briefly pressing a button on the front toggles the light temperature between cool, warm, and natural light settings, while a long press adjusts the brightness up or down. Newman has owned the mirror for six months now and says it’s held up great. “There’s nothing glitchy and it doesn’t feel cheaply made,” she says. “Everything about its quality seems high.” Her only slight gripe is that the ring light is perhaps a bit too forgiving: “It’s the one time in my life I don’t really want to illuminate my face in a flattering way. I want to illuminate my face in a damningly honest way.”

Type of light: Warm white, cool white | Energy source: Variable (outlet or hard-wiring) | Shape and size: Oval, 24” x 36” | Magnification: 1x | Additional features: RGB color option, dimmable switch, 5-year warranty

For those who want to skip squinting into a small circle, there’s also the option to splash out for a full-size, wall-mounted bathroom mirror equipped with a luminous perimeter. L.A.-based interior designer Jaqui Seerman loves installing illuminated mirrors in her clients’ bathrooms because they are both aesthetically pleasing and functional, casting “a warm and even glow that’s flattering and precise.” Seerman recommends the brand IBMirror, which offers bathroom mirrors in a cornucopia of sizes with both front and back illumination options — and since it has a plug-in version, installation is effortless, with no electrician required. The classic oval shape is an especially popular choice among Seerman’s clients, but rectangular, oblong, and round shapes are also available, so you’re guaranteed to find one that’s the perfect fit for your bathroom.