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.
Introduction
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.
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.
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.
