Pros And Cons Of Lighted Bathroom Mirrors [Inc. LED]

Lighted bathroom mirrors can level up the space’s aesthetic. If you plan to install these mirrors, you must be curious about their pros and cons. Luckily, we’ve researched this question extensively and have the answer for you!

Lighted bathroom mirrors have these advantages:

• Better lighting
• Upgrade the bathroom’s interior
• Lower lighting energy consumption
• Safer than most alternative lighting
• Increase your home’s value
• Has smart features
• A variety of designs to choose from
• Saves up space

But these mirrors also have disadvantages, such as some designs can be expensive. Also, the installation can be challenging if you choose a complicated model. Lastly, if the lighted mirror starts malfunctioning, you cannot use the features that come with it.

In this article, we will discuss further the mentioned points to help you better understand the merits and demerits. We will also address some concerns you may have about lighted bathroom mirrors. So, make sure to read until the end!

Pros And Cons Of Lighted Bathroom Mirrors

Unlike traditional mirrors, lighted bathroom mirrors have built-in lights beneath or on the glass. We will tackle these mirrors’ good and bad characteristics in this section.

Pros Of Lighted Bathroom Mirrors

There are plenty of benefits to having lighted bathroom mirrors:

Better Lighting

Inadequate lighting in your bathroom can make you miss out on some mishaps, such as wearing too much or too little makeup or wearing your clothes inside out as you get ready.

But with good lighting, you can catch these flaws in good time, avoiding embarrassment.

Usually, the lighted mirrors have three color modes that you can choose from depending on your needs: natural, warm, and cold white.

For example, if you want a relaxing atmosphere, you can turn on the warm mode and turn off the rest of the lights in the bathroom to create a candlelight effect when soaking in the bathtub.

Are you uncertain what tone of light is best for your bathroom?

Find out the answer here: Daylight Vs. Soft White For The Bathroom

Upgrades The Bathroom Interior

Lighted bathroom mirrors are stylish, giving your sanctuary the glow-up it needs. Plus, it is like having a ring light installed on your wall for your mirror selfies!

Lowers Lighting Energy Consumption

According to the US Department of Energy, LED uses 75% less energy than incandescent lighting. That means you can have them turned on 75 percent more time than the traditional bulbs.

For this reason, you may notice a reduced lighting bill when you use LED-lighted bathroom mirrors.

Do you own LED strips at home?

Read: How Much Electricity Does LED Strip Lights Use [Can I Leave Them On All Night]?

Safer Than Most Alternative Lighting

Did you know that light bulbs can start a fire if they overheat or have faulty wiring?

However, lighted bathroom mirrors emit little heat only. So, they are a safer option for you and your family, especially if most of you often forget to turn off switches or plugs.

Increases Your Home Value

Since a lighted bathroom mirror is an investment and can be added to your property’s asset, expect its value to rise once you put it on the market.

Has Smart Features

Some lighted bathroom mirrors have a touch-sensitive glass with different buttons that serve varying roles. By pressing the button, you can regulate the mirror’s demister function, adjust the LED brightness, or even connect to Bluetooth.

A Variety Of Designs To Choose From

Different lighted mirror manufacturers offer unique designs to accommodate their customer’s diverse styles. Check out an example of a non-basic shape that the homeowner chose.

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The playful form of the mirror adds a unique touch to the dark and bold-themed bathroom. Also, the LED lining gives it dimension, so it does not look so flat against the mirror.

Saves Space

Installing lighted bathroom mirrors creates extra space that would otherwise be used to provide additional bathroom lighting.

You can use the extra space for other things like mounting a painting or installing a shelf for plants to give your bathroom a source of fresh air. Alternatively, you can leave it empty for a minimalist look.

Cons Of Having Lighted Bathroom Mirrors

Here are some of the disadvantages that come with purchasing and using lighted bathroom mirrors:

Can Be Costly

Typically, high-quality bathroom mirrors are costly since there are many factors to consider, such as the quality of the glass and how it is crafted.

So, you can expect the additional features that lighted mirrors give to add cost to the product.

Installing Them Can Be Challenging

Aside from its fragility, most people are not well conversant with the high technology in lighted bathroom mirrors. So, you may have a hard time trying to mount the mirror.

It Can Malfunction

The worst-case scenario for lighted bathroom mirror owners (aside from breaking) is for the mirror to start acting up. The sensors may stop working, the light fails to turn on, or maybe the Bluetooth keeps switching itself on.

Resolving the defects can be a great hassle if you are unaware of how to proceed. Furthermore, engaging a professional to fix the issues may cost you more money.

What Should I Look For In An LED Bathroom Mirror?

Aside from the smart features, good user reviews, and quality of materials used, you should also check whether the LED bathroom mirror is copper-free.

Because bathrooms generally have high humidity levels, it is ideal to invest in copper-free mirrors since they are not susceptible to corrosion.

Are you planning to install LED strip lights around the room?

Learn how to do it in this article: How To Install LED Strip Lights; 5 Easy Steps!

How To Clean An LED Mirror

If you purchase an LED mirror, you may want to know if they are high maintenance—the answer is no. All you need to do is to clean it with a glass cleaner and a clean microfiber cloth.

If there are stains that you want to remove, you can gently scrub them off with alcohol and a cotton pad.

How Long Does An LED Mirror Last?

Since LED mirrors have an average of 25,000-50,000 hours of usage (depending on the brand), their life depends on how frequently and long you use them.

The lesser hours you use them in a day, the longer you can expect them to last unless the mirror breaks.

Putting these hours into context, we have 8,760 hours in a year. So, if you use your lighted mirror 24 hours a day and seven times a week, you can expect it to provide you with light for about 3 to 6 years.

But since that is probably not the case, and you turn it on every morning and night before and after washing up, your LED mirror will last for at least ten years.

Can You Replace The Bulbs In An LED Mirror?

You cannot replace the bulbs in LED mirrors since the LEDs are not an independent part of the mirror. Instead, they are integrated as a part of the whole.

So, if one of the bulbs breaks or blows up, you will need to have the whole fixture repaired or replaced by a professional to prevent more damage from occurring.

Curious about what LED light bulb is better?

See this article: BR30 Vs. BR40: Which Led Light Bulb To Choose?

Do You Need To Plug An LED Mirror In?

Your LED mirror’s power source will determine whether you need to plug it in. You will need to plug in an LED mirror powered by electricity.

However, if your appliance relies on batteries to function, you do not need to plug it in.

Is Having An LED/Lighted Mirror Worth It?

Yes, with all the benefits it can provide you and your home, an LED mirror is worth it rather than the regular kind. It may be more expensive, but the price will surely pay as time passes.

To Finish Up

We have seen that lighted bathroom mirrors improve lighting, enhance the aesthetic appearance of your bathroom, add value to your home, and are safe to use since they emit little heat.

On the other hand, high-quality lighted mirrors are pretty costly. Furthermore, you may need to pay a professional to mount the mirror since they are rather complex. And if the mirror malfunctions, you end up with a plain mirror.

We hope this information will guide you in deciding whether lighted mirrors are the ideal solution for your bathroom. Good luck with your project!