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The Spruce / Chloe Jeong
A medicine cabinet provides a discreet way to store small toiletries and medications, keeping them organized and less accessible to small children. We spent hours researching the best medicine cabinets on the market, then asked Fendy Castillo and Lina Maria Gómez, the Decorist designer duo behind Nemai Studio, to share their top picks.
Our favorite is the Robern R3 Series Framed Medicine Cabinet, a strikingly modern piece with adjustable shelves and a low profile that provides plenty of storage space without getting in the way.
Here are the best medicine cabinets for every bathroom and budget.
Best Overall: Robern R3 Series Framed Medicine Cabinet
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Beveled edges
Adjustable shelves
Reversible door hinge
Soft-close door
Expensive
Professional installation recommended
Not fog-free
The right option for your bathroom really depends on your available space, storage needs, and design preferences. Having said that, the sleek and versatile Robern R3 Series is modern but not too flashy, making it an excellent choice for most homes. It's expertly crafted out of premium-quality aluminum and features a glass mirrored face and beveled edges.
This medicine cabinet is available in two sizes (26 x 16 inches or 20 x 16 inches), both of which are 5 inches deep. Depending on the size, you'll have four or five shelves for storing your products, and you can adjust the middle shelves as needed. Not only that, but the flexible design allows for either surface-mounting or recessed installation, and you can choose whether it opens from the left or right.
Other notable features include concealed adjustment holes, a soft-close door, and included flange covers for concealing existing imperfections on your wall. Though this unit is on the pricier side and may require professional installation, it's well worth the investment.
Best Budget: Zenith X311 Stainless Steel Rectangular Medicine Cabinet
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Budget-friendly
Two mounting options
Reversible door hinge
Shelves aren't adjustable
Not the most durable
On a budget? You can't go wrong with the Zenith X4311. This medicine cabinet measures roughly 20 inches long and 16 inches wide, with shelves just over 3 inches deep, fitting effortlessly in most bathrooms. It has a stainless steel frame, plastic shelving, and a glass mirrored face.
We appreciate that you can choose from recessed or surface-mounted installation. This isn't the most durable option, and shelves aren't adjustable. However, the versatile design will go with most decor schemes, and you really can't beat the price.
Best Design: CB2 Nel Medicine Cabinet
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Aesthetically pleasing
Two colors available
Adjustable shelves
Expensive
We're also big fans of the Nel Cabinet from CB2. Measuring 27 inches long and 18 inches across with three adjustable shelves (four in total), it's an excellent mid-sized option. Plus, the 5-inch-deep shelves provide more storage space than you'd think.
This medicine cabinet has a metal frame in your choice of chic black or a brushed brass finish. Featuring straight sides with soft corners and smooth curves on the top and bottom, the Nel is a sight for sore eyes. We also like that it can be recessed or surface-mounted and comes with 12 adjustable brackets for the shelves and all the mounting hardware you'll need.
Best Lighted: Allen + Toth Landen Lighted LED Mirrored Rectangle Medicine Cabinet with Outlet
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Adjustable shelves
Outlet included
Touch controls
Magnetized trinket tray
Expensive
May require professional installation
Interested in a lighted option? Check out the Landen Medicine Cabinet by Allen + Toth. It measures 30 x 24 inches and has three 5-inch-deep shelves, two of which are adjustable. The mirrored door opens at a wide angle and boasts soft-close hinges and a built-in interior mirror, a removable magnifying mirror, and a magnetized trinket tray.
More to the point, there's a dimmable wraparound LED light on the outside, which you can control with a touch sensor. This feature gives the cabinet an upscale vibe and an ethereal glow. Though you may need to hire a professional to install it, it comes with a built-in power outlet and a USB port. We also like that you can choose from two mounting styles.
Best for Small Bathrooms: Kohler Aluminum Recessed Medicine Cabinet
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Adjustable shelves
Reversible door hinge
Streamlined appearance
Not fog-free
May require professional installation
A recessed medicine cabinet is a great way to maximize space in smaller bathrooms, allowing you to hide daily products without taking up too much valuable real estate. We're partial to the Recessed Medicine Cabinet from Kohler, which measures 20 x 16 inches and is designed for recessed installation, which saves you space while offering a streamlined look. It has three 5-inch-deep shelves, two of which are adjustable.
This unit is made out of anodized aluminum to ensure durability and resistance to chipping. The mirrored face and shelves are all tempered glass. We appreciate that the door can be installed to open from the left or right side—a very useful feature, especially when you're working with limited space.
Best Anti-Fog: Home Decorators Collection Fog Free Framed Bathroom Medicine Cabinet
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Courtesy of Home Depot
Reasonably priced
Adjustable shelves
Reversible door hinge
Prone to moisture damage
Want something that won't fog up while you're in the shower? Check out the Fog Free Cabinet by Home Decorators Collection (model 45409). The patented design ensures a crystal-clear, cloudless reflection, no matter how hot or humid your bathroom gets—no wiring or special heating element is needed.
This medicine cabinet measures roughly 26 x 21 inches and has three 5.5-inch shelves, two of which are adjustable. The frame is made of composite wood, which may not hold up as well as aluminum if it gets wet. But considering the versatile mounting options, adjustable door hinge, and fog-free mirror, it's a great value.
Best Round: Wrought Studio Veedersburg Surface Mount Frameless Round Medicine Cabinet
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Modern design
Good for small spaces
Easy to install
Shelves aren't adjustable
Not fog-free
Round mirrors provide subtle sophistication and modern air without having to change the design of your bathroom. To add a bit of functionality to this aesthetic enhancement, you might consider a circular medicine cabinet, like Wrought Studio's Veedersburg. This frameless unit is 20 inches in diameter and has two shelves, each 4.5 inches deep.
It's made of durable stainless steel with a glass mirrored face. Though the shelves aren't adjustable and the interior is somewhat small, you'll have enough room to store your bathroom essentials. And if you're working with limited square footage, this is an excellent choice.
Best Two-Door: AllModern Ryker Surface Mount Framed 2 Door Medicine Cabinet
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Adjustable shelves
Extra-deep shelves
Excellent mirror visibility
Expensive
Complex installation
Gómez says mirrored medicine cabinets add depth to a bathroom—and this one takes the effect a step further. The Ryker has dual doors that open from the center, giving you more visibility of your face, head, and hair from various angles. It's 31.5 inches tall and 24 inches wide with generous 6-inch-deep shelves.
While this unit only has two shelves, the upper one is adjustable to give you more flexibility. The frame is made of solid and engineered wood, and it calls for surface-mounting. Just a heads up—you might want to hire a professional, as the installation is relatively complex and requires various tools and supplies.
Best Wooden: Anthropologie Marta Bath Cabinet
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Unique aesthetic
Substantial storage capacity
Designer-recommended
Expensive
Shelves aren't adjustable
Gómez and Castillo recommend the Marta Bath Cabinet from Anthropologie. It's made of solid acacia wood and sturdy iron with a mirrored glass face. "We love the wooden door with the golden touches on the corners that bring an elegant touch to the room," Gómez tells The Spruce.
Though wood usually isn't ideal for bathrooms and other moisture-prone spaces, this unit is bathroom-rated for durability. At 30 x 19 x 5 inches, it's actually on the larger side for a medicine cabinet, so make sure to measure your wall before ordering. And while the shelves aren't adjustable, you'll have four of them, each 5 inches deep.
Best Mirrorless: Teamson Home Elegant Home Fashions Stratford 2-Door Removable Wall Cabinet
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Substantial storage capacity
Adjustable shelves
100-pound capacity
Designer-recommended
Assembly required
Prone to moisture damage
Bathroom cabinets certainly don't need to have mirrors on the outside. If you can do without the reflection, Castillo recommends the Stratford from Teamson Home (model ELG-674). "This classic medicine cabinet in white is perfect for an atemporal and neutral bathroom," she tells The Spruce.
It's 24 inches long and 22 inches wide with three extra-deep 8-inch shelves, two of which are adjustable. Since this model is a bit deeper than most, recessed mounting might be best. Assembly is required, and the MDF construction may not be ideal for a moisture-prone bathroom. However, this medicine cabinet redeems itself for its ample storage space and impressive 100-pound weight capacity.
The best option overall is definitely the Robern R3 Series Framed Medicine Cabinet (view at Pottery Barn). Suitable for recessed or surface-mount installation, this modern yet versatile unit is notably sturdy with beveled edges, adjustable shelves, and a reversible door hinge. However, if you're looking for something more affordable—or potentially smaller—the Kohler Recessed Medicine Cabinet (view at Home Depot) is an excellent choice.
What to Look for in a Medicine Cabinet
Size
The size of your medicine cabinet should be based on the size of the sink or vanity it’s being installed over. In general, you don’t want the cabinet to be any wider than the vanity—but it can be a few inches smaller, especially if you have sconce lights on either side. In terms of height, most medicine cabinets are between 24 and 30 inches tall, and you’ll want to make sure there’s enough room to install the unit and open its door without bumping into any bathroom fixtures. Also, be sure to consider the cabinet's depth, especially if you have larger bottles you plan on storing.
Installation
There are two main styles of medicine cabinets: recessed and surface-mounted. As its name suggests, a recessed medicine cabinet is set back into the wall, creating a more streamlined look. However, this style can be more complicated to install, especially if you don’t already have a cut-out for a recessed cabinet. The other style is surface mount, which hangs on the wall's surface like a piece of art. This option is typically easier to install, but the cabinet will stick out several inches, so it might not be best for small spaces.
Features
Depending on what you plan to store in your medicine cabinet, you may want to look for a model with adjustable inner shelves. Many personal care products come in tall bottles, and cabinets with fixed shelves may not accommodate these awkward-sized products. Other customizations include doors that can be assembled to open from either direction and built-in lighting for great convenience.
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How do you organize a medicine cabinet?
If you're organizing a medicine cabinet that's already full, take out everything in the cabinet and wipe down the shelves. Get rid of any expired products or things that are empty. Then keep like things together; for example, medications can be grouped together, then skincare or hair care products. You can even add labels to the shelves if you're feeling extra organized and want to be able to maintain your system. This way, you'll always know where to look for the thing you want.
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How do you install a medicine cabinet?
How to install a medicine cabinet will depend on whether you're installing a recessed or a floating medicine cabinet. If it's recessed (meaning it fits into a space in the wall) and there wasn't a recessed cabinet there prior, you will have to carefully cut into the wall then secure it with mounting hardware. If it's floating (meaning it sits on top of the wall, like a piece of art would), you will need to use a stud finder to make sure the wall can support the weight, then make sure the cabinet is level and drill in place, following the directions.
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How can you update a medicine cabinet without replacing it?
It's fairly easy to update the look of your medicine cabinet without totally replacing it. You can paint it a new color or use chalk paint to give it a matte look. Alternatively, if it's a standard size, you may be able to get a new face for it without changing the inside.
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How do you remove a medicine cabinet?
You'll want to be very careful when removing a medicine cabinet, especially if it's recessed. If it's not removed properly, you may damage the drywall. First, unscrew all hardware and brackets, making sure to keep one hand on the cabinet to keep it steady so it does not fall. Then try to take the cabinet out as straight on as possible (this may require two people) to avoid damaging the wall.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer specializing in interior design, home decor, and organizational solutions within the commerce space. She interviewed two professional designers for this story, compiling their buying insights, styling tips, and product recommendations. With their expertise in mind, she looked at dozens of models from several retailers, ultimately selecting high-quality cabinets with durable designs and functional storage space.
Having recently furnished and decorated a new home with three baths, Theresa is up to speed on today's bathroom cabinetry and vanity mirrors. One of her favorite things in her entire house is her fog-free, round medicine cabinet. You can find more of her bylines on MyDomaine and Byrdie.
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