The Best Makeup Mirrors to Upgrade Your Application Game

The Riki Loves Riki Skinny Mirror is our top pick

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The Best Makeup Mirrors to Upgrade Your Application Game

The Spruce / Sabrina Jiang

A makeup mirror can make your makeup routine easier by offering better lighting than your average bathroom mirror. We researched dozens of options, taking into account their brightness, design, sturdiness, ease of use, and additional features.

Here are the best makeup mirrors.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Glamcor Riki Skinny Smart Vanity Mirror

4.7
Glamcor-riki-skinny-smart-vanity-mirror

Blooming Dales

Our favorite makeup mirror is the RIKI LOVES RIKI Skinny LED Travel Mirror because it's easily packable and features a phone mount for expertly lighted selfies. This mirror measures 13 x 9.5 inches (about the size of an iPad) and comes with a stand you can prop up on a table or vanity. The "Skinny" is also sleek—just three-eighths of an inch thick and weighs only 1.5 pounds.

We love that this is a great lighted mirror that's small enough for travel, but the carrying case is sold separately, which is less than ideal. This mirror's clip-on phone mount can be used for selfies, following step-by-step makeup tutorials, or good lighting on Zoom. Also included is a round magnetic mirror with 5 times magnification, which works well for close-up needs like eyeliner and eyeshadow application.

Riki Loves Riki claims their LED lights have a high color rendering index (CRI), which refers to the light source's ability to reveal color accurately—this is the type of light you'd want in a museum or photography studio, and it's also a great feature to include in a makeup light. While this mirror is certainly an investment, it's a great compact option that's valued for its quality and universality.

Price at time of publish: $230

Best Splurge

HiMirror Slide

HiMirror Slide

Amazon

These days there are smart doorbells, smartwatches, and even smart refrigerators, so a smart makeup mirror is a logical option. As the name suggests, the mirror slides open to reveal a tablet screen with a camera. It can be flipped to landscape mode, which some users love for doing makeup tutorials. The tablet is eight inches long, while the mirror is 11 inches. The HiMirror Slide weighs about two pounds. The magnification is done digitally through the camera, which some eyeglass wearers might find tricky. 

There are two LED light strips. You can adjust the brightness and the color temperature using the touchscreen, recreating five different scenarios, including sunset, bright overhead office lighting, and a dim restaurant setting. The built-in, skin-analyzing software can pick out dark circles and red spots. The tablet includes apps such as Spotify, Google Duo, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. You can even see how neon eyeliner or glittery shadow looks before applying it by using the mirror's augmented reality (AR) feature, which allows you to try out different makeup styles.

Price at time of publish: $100

Best Magnifying

simplehuman Mini Countertop 5-Inch Sensor Mirror

Simplehuman-mini-countertop-5-inch-sensor-mirror

Amazon

For those who require a serious close-up to get through their morning routine, this rechargeable countertop mirror has ten times magnification, making it ideal for tweezing those tricky spots or applying detailed eye makeup. It has sensor activation, so it lights up as soon as you walk over to it and shuts down when you walk away.

The mirror measures 5 inches in diameter and about a foot high. It also has LED bulbs that simulate natural sunlight and have a lifetime guarantee. If you're planning to travel, you can fold the mirror and pack it in the included carrying case. It recharges with a USB cable, so you won't have to deal with messy cords. One charging session should last about five weeks.

Price at time of publish: $130

Best Adjustable

Funtouch Large Lighted Makeup Mirror

Funtouch-large-lighted-makeup-mirror

Amazon

One of the most generously sized light-up makeup mirrors, this attractive, affordable option measures 14.5 x 9 inches (a smaller size is also available). It can rotate between portrait and landscape orientation, and it also tips forward and backward to help you get the best angle on your face. There's a tray at the bottom that works for storing accessories or products, but note that the base doesn't detach, so that the mirror won't work well for travel.

The mirror has a border of 35 LED lights that can be brightened and dimmed by holding and tapping a finger on the power button. It includes a small detachable mirror with 10 times magnification used for detailed tasks like applying eyeliner or mascara. You can charge it using the USB cable or use AA batteries.

Price at time of publish: $40

Best Compact

Fancii LED Lighted Travel Makeup Mirror

4.2
Fancii-led-lighted-travel-makeup-mirror

Amazon

The basic purse compact gets a techy makeover with this sleek upgrade, which comes in six colors, including turquoise, metallic blue, and rose gold. One side is a regular mirror and the other has 10 times magnification. The ring of battery-powered LED lights makes on-the-go spot checks simple.

This mirror measures just 4 inches across and weighs 4.5 ounces, so you'll barely know you're carrying it. The surface is guaranteed to be distortion-free, and the mirror is covered by an 18-month warranty.

Price at time of publish: $25

Best Tri-Fold

Jerdon LED Trifold Makeup/Shaving Mirror

Jerdon-led-trifold-makeupshaving-mirror

Amazon

Your grandma might have had a trifold mirror sitting on her vanity table, and these practical workhorses have been popular for decades. This one measures 12.5 x 11 inches when open and has LED lighting that can be adjusted with a slider switch; choices include daytime, office, evening, and home. The center mirror can switch between 1 to 5 times magnification.

This mirror include a 120V outlet if you need to plug in an accessory like a flat iron. You will need to plug the mirror into an outlet (battery power isn't an option), but there's also a USB port for those mornings when you also need to charge your phone. You can adjust the angle of the mirror using its stand.

Price at time of publish: $38

Final Verdict

Our first choice for a makeup mirror is the Riki Skinny (view at Ulta) since it's durable, lightweight, and has high-quality lighting, not to mention extra features like Bluetooth capability and a phone mount.

What to Look for in a Makeup Mirror?

Size

Makeup mirrors come in all shapes and sizes, and you will want to choose the style that best suits your lifestyle. If you travel frequently, a mirror that is more compact will serve you best, but if you plan to keep your mirror in the bathroom or on a vanity at home, you may wish to consider purchasing a larger piece.

Tech Components

Many of the mirrors highlighted above are high-tech to some degree, whether they offer Bluetooth-enabled features or built-in apps. Whether you choose to purchase one of these may depend on your comfort level with such forms of technology as well as how frequently you plan to use your mirror. If you only anticipate using your mirror to get ready for more formal events (as opposed to using it on a daily basis), you may not need so many bells and whistles.

Price

Like any gadget, makeup mirrors are offered at a range of prices. You will want to consider factors such as frequency of use and durability when making your purchase. If you travel often, you will want a mirror that won't scratch easily when packed in a suitcase, for example.

FAQ
  • How do you install a wall-mounted makeup mirror?

    Using screws and anchors, drill the mirror into the wall. Check that it is level and secure and is hung at the right height for your needs.

  • How do you clean a makeup mirror?

    Spray glass cleaner on a cloth and gently rub the mirror to remove any streaks or stains.

  • How high should you hang a makeup mirror?

    You will want to be able to use your mirror comfortably, whether you prefer to sit or stand. Determine how you plan to apply your makeup—whether that is standing in the bathroom or while seated at a vanity—and install the mirror at eye level.

  • How do you replace the light bulb in a makeup mirror?

    Make sure the mirror is unplugged, then unscrew the portion of the mirror containing the light bulb, place a new one inside, and reattach the backing before plugging it back in.

  • Can I take a makeup mirror on a plane?

    Yes. According to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), mirrors, including makeup mirrors with LED lighting, are allowed in carry-on and checked baggage.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Lexi Dwyer has written about sunscreens and kids' electronics for The Spruce. She's had her current stand-up chrome mirror for so long she can't quite remember where she purchased it, but writing this story has made her seriously think about upping her game.

Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. What Can I Bring? Transportation Security Administration.