Should You Buy an LED Lighted Bathroom Vanity Mirror?

Short answer: Are you looking for a modern and aesthetic mirror for your bathroom that also helps you improve your grooming and makeup sessions? Do you have a hefty budget to spend on your bathroom mirror? If the answers to both these questions are in the affirmative, then YES, you should buy an LED bathroom vanity mirror.

But, of course, this is the short answer. Read on to find out more about LED mirrors and how you can navigate your way around buying the best one for yourself.

There are many different types of bathroom mirrors that you can find in the market. Some of them are plain and simple while others have elaborate designs and features.

One particular type of mirror that you may be seeing a lot is an LED bathroom mirror. This type of mirror is modern and contemporary, and it has many benefits. In this post, we’re going to dive deep into what an LED bathroom mirror is, how it works, the benefits it provides, along with the things that you should consider when buying one to make sure that you don’t go wrong with your purchase.

 

What is an LED Bathroom Mirror?

An LED bathroom mirror is a type of mirror that is constructed with in-built LED strips. These LED strips are placed on the back of the mirror or around the edges. When turned on, the strips light up the mirror, projecting the glow towards the person in front. This creates an illumination that helps give a bright view and also makes the mirror look aesthetic.

There are different designs and models of LED bathroom mirrors.

• One is the type in which the lights are placed behind the mirror. There is a border of frosted glass around the mirror, which allows the light from behind to disperse through. This lets the glow shine in front of the mirror, making the viewing experience better.
• Another type of LED bathroom mirror is the one in which the LEDs are placed around the borders in front of the mirror. Although the LEDs themselves aren’t harsh on the eyes, this type of illumination is much brighter and more direct as compared to the other. 

 

Best Recommended Bathroom Mirrors

If you have yet to buy a mirror for your bathroom, you can check out the following products that we offer here at Lumina.

1. Luxury Oval LED Illuminated Bathroom Mirror with Demister Pad - Gold Aluminum Frame

                                

The Luxury Oval LED mirror comes with excellent lighting features as well as a built-in demister pad. The demister pad helps keep the mirror clear and fog-free at all times. The gold aluminum frame and the long oval shape lends this mirror its amazing aesthetics

2. Square Illuminated Bathroom Mirror with Dimmable LED Lights & Anti-Fog

                                                 

The Square Illuminated Bathroom Mirror comes with a range of smart features. It has dimmable LED lights (that you can choose to light just from the back, front, or both) as well as an anti-fog feature. You can also choose between different color temperatures for the lights

3. Large Round Lighted Bathroom Mirror with RGB LED, Anti-Fog & Dimmable Backlit

                                                  

The special feature of the Large Round Lighted Bathroom Mirror is the RGB lighting. Usually, bathroom mirrors come with white light, but with RGB, you can create a look of your choice in your vanity space. The brightness of the lights can be adjusted as per your preference. The best thing about this mirror is that if you want the good old white light in the front, it comes with that as well.

 

What are the Benefits of an LED Bathroom Mirror?

There are quite a few different benefits of buying a bathroom mirror equipped with LED lights.

1. LED bathroom mirrors can help with a better viewing experience

With the built-in lights placed ideally around the border, these mirrors can give you an excellent viewing experience during your makeup and grooming sessions. The even illumination can help you view every side of your face properly and apply your makeup without worrying about missing a spot.

2. The soft LED lights in these mirrors can be much easier on the eyes than normal bulbs

The LED lights in these mirrors are soft and easy on the eyes.

When using normal mirrors, you have to make your own lighting arrangements. You have to place bulbs around the mirror or put some stand-mounted lights around your vanity table, etc. When you move around in your chair with lights like these, they can often flash in your eyes the wrong way and irritate them.

This sort of problem does not exist in LED bathroom mirrors. The lights are placed either behind the mirror (due to which there is zero direct exposure) or around the edges. In both setups, the glow is easy on the eyes and you can have long makeup sessions without any worries. 

Check out our detailed guide on best lighting for makeup that discusses a lot about LED lightings. 

3. The LED lights can be economical and cost-saving

In LED bathroom mirrors, the light units used are often small. Due to their size and due to the fact that they are LEDs, they don’t use a lot of electricity, even when turned on for extended periods of time.

As compared to other lighting arrangements that you may have to make, LED lights can save you electricity costs.

4. These mirrors can vastly improve the aesthetics of your bathroom

With the soft glow of the LED lights, the aesthetics and looks of your bathroom can vastly improve. These mirrors can give the entire space a modern and sleek look. You can make the time spent inside your bathroom more relaxing and enjoyable.

For many people, aesthetics plays a major role in the decision to buy a certain type of product. If you happen to be in this category, these mirrors can be a great choice for you.

 

What are Some Downsides of an LED Bathroom Mirror?

Along with the benefits that we’ve mentioned above, there are some minor cons of these LED bathroom mirrors. These cons, or downsides, should be kept in mind.

• First of all, LED bathroom mirrors rely on electricity for their full functionality. The lights used in these mirrors are not like other types of lights that can be run on battery power. The power cable for LED mirrors is either hardwired, or it is supposed to be plugged into an outlet. In cases of a power outage, you won’t be able to use these mirrors the way they are supposed to.
• The installation required for these mirrors can be quite difficult and arduous. Especially in cases where hardwiring is required, putting the mirrors up with their LEDs can require professional assistance. This also means that, in case of any malfunctions, you also have to get professional help, which can be expensive and time-consuming.
• LED light mirrors can be quite expensive. Although they do provide a lot of benefits, they can be costly to buy and set up.

Of course, when we compare the downsides of these mirrors with the upsides, it’s clear that the latter prevails. The benefits are greater than the cons, and these mirrors remain a good choice to buy for people who can afford them.

 

What Should You Look for When Buying an LED Mirror for Your Bathroom?

Now let’s talk about some of the other important things that you should look for when buying LED mirrors for your bathroom.

• Size: There are different sizes that these mirrors are available in, and you have to pick one that suits both your needs and your preferences. If you are someone with a very minimalistic bathroom setup with a small vanity stand, etc., then a smaller mirror can be suitable. On the other hand, if you have a larger bathroom with a big vanity and sink unit, then your mirror will have to be in proportion as well.
• Lighting intensity: Some mirrors can have a heavy lighting setup that gives a very bright glow while others can be dimmer and on the more ambient side. You have to decide which one to buy depending on the setup of your bathroom. If your bathroom has a white theme with lots of natural and installed lighting, a mirror with brighter LEDs would be the better choice since it would fit right in and not be harsh on your eyes.
• Lighting type: There are three different types of lighting that are simulated by LED light bulbs: warm, cool and natural. Warm light is softer on the eyes and has a yellowish hue. Cool light is sharper and more blueish while natural light is a blend of both. All of these have their pros and cons (which you can learn by reading this post) and you should make your choice after getting a thorough understanding of them all.
• Shape: Other than the size, the shape of the LED mirrors also matters a lot. You could buy a rectangular one with sharp edges to complement your bathroom’s edged design or you could buy an oval one if the theme of your bathroom’s fixtures is more circular/rounded. We won’t go into too much variety here. The key takeaway of this point is that if you are buying a mirror, just know that there are many different shapes that you can choose from and browsing a little can help you find those.

 

How much on Average LED Mirrors Cost?

The price of LED bathroom mirrors can vary vastly based on their size, shape, lighting style, and depending on whether or not they have smart features. From a general perspective, the average cost of these mirrors can be anywhere from $200 to $1,000.

Check out our collection of LED bathroom and Vanity Mirrors and see the prices yourself. 

 

How to Install a LED Bathroom Mirror

Installing a mirror yourself can save you time and money, and also enable you to customize the finer details.

There are different types of mirrors that you may be looking to install.

We will, however, describe the steps differently for normal mirrors and smart/LED mirrors. The processes for these two vary a bit, and we will make separate sections

How to Install Normal (Non-Electronic) Bathroom Mirrors

First, let’s talk about the equipment that you will need for the installation process.

• Electric drill
• Screws
• Mounting brackets (as required by the mirror)
• Wall anchors
• Measuring tape
• Pencil
• Level
• Cleaning cloth

The materials you need are few and simple. The screws and brackets usually come with the mirror.

Now let’s take a look at the steps that you have to follow.

1. Find the spot for the mirror and prepare it

The first step is to prep the spot that you have chosen. You need to make sure that the place is clean and does not have any debris that can obstruct the installation of the brackets.

Simply take the cleaning cloth and rub the place dry. If you are installing the mirror as a replacement in place of an existing one, the cleaning part may be more demanding due to the build-up of dust.

If your existing mirror was in place using adhesive tape, make sure to get rid of it all and get the wall as clean and clear as possible.

2. Next step, measure the mirror’s dimensions

The next thing that you need to do is use the measuring tape and take the exact dimensions of the mirror. It is important to be very precise about this as it decides if the mirror fits on the brackets later.

Measure the length and width of the mirror. This applies if the brackets for the mirror are supposed to go on the edges (on the top, bottom, and sides.)

If the brackets are meant to fit into the mirror using holes or pockets in the back, you need to measure the distance between those holes/pockets.

This will allow you to see where the brackets have to be installed in the wall.  

                

3. Make the markings on the walls and drill the pilot holes

After measuring the places where the brackets have to be installed, mark those spots using the pencil. Make small marks, but ones that are easily visible.

Once you have made the markings, drill the pilot holes in the wall using your electric drill. A pilot hole is a hole made in the wall so that a screw can be driven into itA wall anchor has to be placed inside the pilot hole to hold the screw.

4. Screw in the mounting brackets

Now, put the mounting brackets in place and use the screws to secure them in the walls. Use an appropriate drill bit for the screws so that they can be firmly entered in place. The screws for the mirrors (as well as the brackets) are provided along with the mirror, and they can have the Phillips head, the slotted head, the Torx head, etc.

Keep the brackets straight up against the walls, and hold them tightly when driving the screw in for the final push. When the screw meets the bracket, it can twist it and spoil the orientation.           

                                               

5. Mount the mirror, check the level, and add the final touches

After the brackets are installed, mount the mirror on them carefully. Place the level on the mirror to see if it’s perfectly even. Stand back and take a look from different angles to make sure. If the level is not even, readjust the mirror to make it straight.

Once you are satisfied with the mirror’s installation, clean the surface with the cloth and clear away any debris around it.

                                       

This is the step-by-step guide that you need to follow for installing your bathroom mirror. Now let’s move on to look at the additional steps that are required for LED and smart mirrors.

 

How to Install LED/Smart Bathroom Mirrors

For the most part, the steps required for these mirrors are the same as the ones we’ve mentioned above. However, there are a few differences and additions, such as…

• When choosing a spot for your mirror, make sure to pick one with an electricity outlet nearby

Normal mirrors can be installed anywhere, as long as the spot is suitable for you. However, with smart mirrors and LED mirrors, you need to pick a spot which is close to an electricity outlet.

And not just close; but reasonably close so that there are no hanging wires and cables to spoil the aesthetic of your bathroom once the mirror is installed.

Ideally, the outlet should either be behind the mirror, directly below it, or on  the side         

                                                              .

• Make sure that the LED lights are properly attached to the mirror

In most mirrors, the LED strips are attached to the surface using adhesive tape. During the transportation of the mirror and all the handling that it goes through, the strips can get loose.

Before the installation part, make sure that the LEDs are still firmly attached to

 the mirror.        

                                                                                 

• Test the LED lights after installation

The last thing that you need to do when working with an LED/smart mirror is to give them a test after the installation. If it is just an LED mirror, check if the lights are working fine and aren’t flickering, etc. On the other hand, if it is a smart mirror, try out the other functions as well, such as de-fogging and light dimming.

 

What is Caulking and Do I Need It When Installing My Mirror?

Caulking (or just caulk) is a material that is put inside cracks and gaps to seal them against leakages. This material usually consists of silicone, and is applied via a caulking gun.

When you’re installing mirrors in your bathroom, you can need caulking if the mirror is recessed. In a recessed design (when the mirror is sitting flush with the wall) there can be large gaps between the edges of the mirror and the wall, which you have to fill with caulking.

There are quite a few benefits of putting caulking in these gaps, including:

• Neat and clean look: Caulking can help blend the mirror in with the wall and give a cleaner look.
• Protection against damp and mildew: With the caulking in place, water and moisture won’t be able to get behind the mirror and the wall. This will provide protection against damp and mildew.

Other than that, the caulking can also prevent the mirror from moving around a lot by holding it in place.

 

Wrapping Up

Buying an LED mirror for your bathroom can be pricey but it has a lot of benefits and advantages. It can change the way you spend your time doing your makeup and grooming at your vanity stand. It can also make your bathroom’s looks a lot better.

These mirrors can be expensive, which is why you should be careful when making your purchase. You should take your time and look for something that meets your requirements and preferences perfectly so that you don’t have to look for a replacement anytime soon. The things that you should look for when buying an LED bathroom mirror have been pointed out in the article above.

 

FAQs

What is a mounted LED mirror and a recessed LED mirror?

A mounted LED mirror is one that is installed on the wall of the bathroom using screws and holders. The mirror protrudes from the wall. On the other hand, a recessed LED mirror is one that is installed inside a hollowed space in the wall. The mirror is in line with the wall, which gives it an aesthetic and smooth look.

Are LED mirrors high maintenance?

Usually, LED mirrors are not high maintenance. They have to be regularly cleaned like any other type of mirror. However, if something goes wrong with the lights or the wiring, you will have to call in professional help.

Can you change and customize the LED lighting effects on a mirror?

That depends on the type of mirror that you have purchased. Smart mirrors usually come with customizable LEDs, and you can change the colors and the intensity of the lights. On the other hand, simple LED bathroom mirrors usually don’t have these options.