The 6 Best Lighted Makeup Mirrors for Every Budget

Where We Stand

Overall, our favorite lighted makeup mirror is the Riki Skinny. Powered by a rechargeable battery, this portable vanity mirror boasts a feature-rich design with magnetic attachments, Bluetooth connectivity, and daylight-mimicking LED bulbs (pretty much everything you could want in a lighted mirror). On a budget? The Flymiro Tri-Fold Lighted Vanity won't break the bank and gets the job done with bright LEDs and multiple magnification levels.

How We Tested

After researching the best lighted makeup mirrors on the market, our beauty editors selected 11 options of various sizes and price points to try out in The Lab, our in-house testing facility in Manhattan. Each device was carefully evaluated for its brightness, adjustable light settings, setup requirements, power source, user-friendliness, and features. The mirrors were given a score from 1 to 5 for portability, durability, illumination, and overall value. Those with the highest scores were ultimately selected for this roundup.

Attributes we evaluated each lighted makeup mirror on:

• Size and portability
• Setup and user-friendliness
• Power source and recharge-ability
• Bulb type, light tone, and adjustable brightness
• Notable features
• Overall value

Other Options We Tested

Conair Reflections Double-Sided Lighted Makeup Mirror

This lighted mirror isn't very bright, so you have to get super-close to see what you're doing in a dimly lit room. While the LEDs offer a flattering glow, they might be too warm in that they don't accurately mimic daylight. Unfortunately, you can't adjust the brightness or the warmth. Beyond that, we found the reflection a little too narrow, and the whole device was slightly wobbly on a flat surface.

Weily Vanity Makeup Mirror

This mirror is reasonably priced, and the quality is decent, but it only has one light setting. While you can see your face in clear detail, we found the fluorescent illumination a bit too harsh, especially for those with sensitive eyes. Although the lightweight design makes it more travel-friendly, this portable vanity feels somewhat flimsy overall.

iHome Portable Lighted Vanity Mirror With Bluetooth

Feldman is a fan of iHome's portable model, noting that it's reasonably priced and compact enough for travel, plus it has Bluetooth capabilities. We thought this mirror provided decent makeup lighting, but it isn't the brightest and doesn't have as many settings as others we tried. And although we liked the lightweight design and long-lasting rechargeable battery, the fold-out stand felt a little flimsy.

What to Look For in a Lighted Makeup Mirror

• Bulbs That Mimic Natural Light: To get as precise an application as possible, look for lighted mirrors that mimic natural light. Anything too bright or dim won't give you a proper portrayal of what your makeup looks like out in the wild—bonus if you find a model with adjustable brightness, like the Riki Skinny. That way, you can more accurately imitate the outdoor light, whether sunny or cloudy.
• Rechargeable Battery via USB: Could anything be worse than the batteries of your lighted mirror dying on you mid-makeup application—especially when you're not stocked up on AAs? To avoid this scenario, we suggest looking for options that are rechargeable via USB and can be used while plugged in, like the Impressions Vanity LED Compact Mirror. They'll allow the same versatility and mobility as alkaline battery-powered options, but you won't be stuck applying your makeup in the dark, should you forget to charge beforehand.
• Sleek Design: Not looking to display something clunky on your vanity? Plenty of lighted mirrors are sleek in design. For example, if you need angled side panels for precise winged eyeliner and false lash application, look for models featuring foldable panels to take up less space. The Flymiro Tri-fold Lighted Vanity Mirror is an aesthetically pleasing option with folding, rotating side mirrors.

What Is Byrdie Verified?

Did you notice the Byrdie Verified seal of approval at the top of this story? This seal means that our team has researched and tested every product on this list using a unique methodology that’s designed to focus on what our readers really want to know—and to deliver insights that you can’t find anywhere else. Occasionally, beauty brands and PR agencies will send us samples for coverage consideration, but our thoughts and opinions are fully our own. If you visit links within our content, we may receive commissions from your purchases, but we never receive any compensation or consideration for the content of our recommendations. In short, the Byrdie Verified seal stands for product recommendations you can trust.

Why Trust Byrdie

Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer and product reviewer specializing in lifestyle and cosmetics. For this story, she compiled commentary from two makeup artists and insights from our in-house testers. A die-hard for adequate makeup lighting, she knows what to look for when buying an LED mirror. Theresa has been a regular Byrdie contributor since 2020, covering makeup, beauty tools, skincare, hair products, and high-tech gadgets. You can read more of her work on The Spruce, People, and Travel + Leisure.

• Steve Kassajikian is a makeup artist and the Head of Global Artistry at Urban Decay.
  
• Tarryn Feldman is a celebrity makeup artist and hairstylist who works in both Nashville and Los Angeles. Her celebrity clients include Kelsea Ballerini and Jennifer Nettles.