Choosing the right vanity mirrors is important not only for the looks and aesthetics of your vanity spaces but also because it can change the way you use them for your styling and makeup.
In this post, we will take a look at some of the different types of vanity mirrors that you can buy along with their various benefits and downsides. After reading this post, you will have a solid idea of which table to go with according to your needs as well as your existing vanity table setup.
Let’s get into it.
Overview of the Various Types of Vanity Mirrors
Before we discuss the different vanity mirrors in detail, we want to give you an overview. Reading this overview will also help you do a quick comparison of the various types and decide which one you want to learn more about.
Type |
Brief Description |
Uses and benefits |
Tri-fold vanity mirrors |
These mirrors consist of three foldable panes |
|
Magnifying vanity mirrors |
These mirrors provide a magnified and enlarged view |
|
Extended-arm vanity mirrors |
These mirrors are mounted on a moveable arm |
|
Lighted vanity mirrors |
These mirrors come with in-built lights |
|
Smart vanity mirrors |
These mirrors come with various smart features |
|
Detailed Guide to Vanity Mirrors
Now let’s look at all of these types in detail.
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Tri-fold vanity mirrors
Tri-fold vanity mirrors have a special design that consists of three panes. In this design, there is a center mirror along with two mirrors on the side that can be folded/moved back and forth on their hinges.
The main benefit and purpose of these mirrors is to help you get a good look at the sides of your face. Since the side mirrors can be folded and moved, they allow you to get an angled view quite easily.
Some tri-fold vanity mirrors may also come with the design feature of closing in on themselves when not in use. In other words, the mirrors can open up like a cabinet to reveal the three panes and then close afterwards to give your vanity space a neat and minimalist look.
Should you buy a tri-fold vanity mirror for your setup?
Now let’s talk about when and when not is it a good idea to buy these types of mirrors for your setup.
A tri-fold vanity mirror can be a great choice if the following conditions exist:
- You need a large mirror to effectively cover different viewing angles
- You have a large space on the top of your vanity table or on the wall in front to easily hold a three-pane mirror
- You need a mirror that can be closed when not in use, minimizing dirt and stains on the surface
On the other hand, a tri-fold mirror also has some downsides. They can be a not-so-good choice because of the following factors:
- Tri-fold mirrors can be more difficult to clean and maintain due to their larger size and their design
- They require a larger table space or wall space to install, which is not readily available to everyone
- Due to their hinged design, these mirrors can be fragile and prone to easily break.
Consider these factors before you purchase a tri-fold mirror for your vanity setup.
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Magnifying vanity mirrors
The second type of vanity mirror that we’re going to talk about is the magnifying vanity mirror.
A magnifying vanity mirror is essentially a mirror that provides a magnified and “zoomed-in” view of what is in front of it. For example, if you view yourself in a magnified mirror, it will give you a larger and close-up view of your face.
The main benefit and purpose of these mirrors is that they can help you apply your makeup easily and more precisely. If you miss a spot when applying makeup, you will be able to see it quickly thanks to the magnified view.
You can use these mirrors for your setup on their own, or you can pair them with other simple ones so that you can have both a magnified view and a normal one.
Should you buy a magnifying vanity mirror for your setup?
A magnifying mirror can be a great choice for your vanity space because it provides a unique type of utility. However, it also comes with certain downsides.
You should buy a mirror like this if:
- Your makeup routine involves delicate and precise steps that require a clear and close-up view of your face.
- You have weak eyesight and you need a clearer and closer view of your face during your makeup session when you can’t wear your glasses.
- You have a large vanity table and there is considerable distance between your makeup chair and the mirrors. A magnifying mirror, in this way, can give you a bigger picture of your face without you having to bend close.
As we said earlier, there are some downsides and cons to these types of mirrors as well. Some of those include:
- Their price. Due to the special function they perform, magnifying vanity mirrors can be pricier as compared to normal vanity mirrors.
- Angle-sensitive viewing. If you turn magnifying vanity mirrors too much to one side, the reflection can become warped. This may not be true for all mirrors, but it is common enough to be considered a potential downside.
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Extended-arm vanity mirrors
An extended-arm vanity mirror is a type of mirror that is mounted on a moveable stand or “arm.” These mirrors can be moved around easily, which can allow you to adjust them to the angle/position that you need.
These types of mirrors can be installed on the vanity table itself, or on the wall above/behind it. They can be great for people who need to get different angled views when applying makeup. With a moveable mirror, there is no need for the person themselves to move and shift around in their seat.
As is the case with the other mirrors that we’ve discussed above, there are both pros and cons to buying and using an extended-arm vanity mirror. Let’s now take a look at those.
Should you buy an extended-arm vanity mirror for your vanity space?
An extended-arm vanity mirror can be a good choice for you if:
- You need a mirror that can give you not only a different angled view but also one from different positions, such as below eye level, above eye level, at eye level, etc.
- You need a mirror you can move away when not needed and when you need to use a different mirror on the table.
- You need a mirror that does not take up space on your table and can be mounted on the wall or on the edge of the table.
On the other hand, there are some downsides to these types of mirrors as well.
- Like tri-fold vanity mirrors, extended-arm vanity mirrors can be fragile. They can break somewhat easily if the pressure is put on the joints of the arm.
- Extended-arm vanity mirrors tend to be smaller as compared to the other types. Since they are made to be moved around, they are not very large. While you do get a lot of mobility and flexibility, the actual size of the mirror itself is not generous.
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Lighted vanity mirrors
Moving on with our list, we have lighted vanity mirrors.
Lighted vanity mirrors come with built-in lighting options. They have lights installed to help you easily view yourself when applying makeup. You can turn these lights on and off as you need.
There are different types of lighted vanity mirrors. Some of them come with an LED light bar on top, while others come with a backlight or a front border lighting.
These types of mirrors can be a great choice if your vanity space does not have a lot of other lighting options, and if the room itself is not usually very bright.
Should you buy a lighted vanity mirror?
You will be able to understand whether or not you should buy a lighted vanity mirror after reading below.
A lighted vanity mirror has many different benefits and upsides. They can be a great choice to purchase because of their:
- Aesthetic appeal: The lighting can look quite aesthetic when in use. Even if you’re not using the vanity space itself, leaving the lights on can give the room a nice and stylish look.
- Utility: The brightness of the light can help you apply makeup easily and help you ensure that you don’t miss a spot.
With these benefits, however, there are some downsides as well. For example, when buying and using a lighted vanity mirror, you have to make considerations for the following things:
- Having a power outlet close to the table: To turn the lights on, you have to connect them to a power outlet. That means you will have to make sure there is one close to your table. This may require you to change the setup of your vanity space a bit and adjust how the different furniture is placed around the room.
- Care and maintenance: Since lights are an electrical component, they require concomitant care and maintenance.
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Smart vanity mirrors
Smart vanity mirrors are essentially an upgraded and multi-functional version of lighted vanity mirrors. While the latter only has the special feature of the lighting, a smart vanity mirror comes with a few different ones, such as anti-fogging, dimmable and adjustable lights, different color lighting, and so on.
Like lighted vanity mirrors, smart vanity mirrors require a power connection to work. They may need to be connected directly to a wall outlet, or they may have a rechargeable battery, depending on the product that you buy.
The exact benefits that these mirrors provide also depend on the exact product you buy because they all have a different type and number of features.
Let’s take a look at the various pros and cons of these mirrors to help you determine whether you should buy them or not.
Should you buy a smart vanity mirror?
You should buy a smart vanity mirror if:
- You need smart features like light dimming and anti-fogging: The main benefit of these mirrors is, of course, the smart features they provide. The automatic anti-fogging and the dimmable/color-adjustable lights, etc., are all quite useful. If you need the added functionality of these features in your vanity space, a smart mirror is a go-to choice.
- You’re focusing on aesthetics and style: Smart vanity mirrors are usually very sleek and stylish. If you are focusing on enhancing the appearance of your vanity space, the aesthetics of smart mirrors can come in handy.
- You need a smart and modern product rather than something traditional: Many homes nowadays come with various smart appliances that are all connected to a central application/control system. People who own such homes look for smart products in all the things they buy to make sure everything has the same theme.
The downsides of these mirrors, on the other hand, can be summed up into two points:
- First of all, these mirrors can be quite expensive. Due to their smart features and stylish designs, they’re often in the higher price range.
- Second, like lighted mirrors, smart mirrors require special care and maintenance because of their electrical components.
Wrapping up
All of the different types of mirrors that we’ve discussed above have their upsides and downsides. They are all great for specific situations and purposes. It’s down to you to understand your exact needs, balance the options, and make a choice.
Before we end this post, here are some of our recommendations and suggestions that you can keep in mind when purchasing your vanity mirror:
- If you have a large budget, buying a smart vanity mirror or a lighted vanity mirror is something you can’t go wrong with. These mirrors can be found in all sizes, and are versatile enough to be useful for all types of purposes.
- If you have a limited budget and don’t want to add electrical components to your vanity space, a tri-fold mirror can be a great choice. They have an excellent appearance, and they are large enough to be useful for all types of situations.
- If you want to incorporate a magnifying mirror or an extended-arm mirror in your vanity space, it is a good idea to use them alongside a larger one, such as a lighted vanity mirror or a tri-fold vanity mirror.