An LED bathroom mirror is one of the easiest upgrades you can make to a bathroom: better light for shaving and make-up, no steamed-up glass and a modern look. But there are a lot of options. Here is what to look for.

1. Size and shape

Measure the wall above your basin. As a rule, the mirror should be about the same width as the basin or slightly narrower, and the bottom edge should sit roughly 15–25 cm above the tap.

• 500 x 700 mm – the most popular size for standard basins and smaller bathrooms.
• 600 x 800 mm – a good fit for larger basins and family bathrooms.
• Round and oval mirrors soften a bathroom with a lot of straight lines and tiles.

2. Backlit or front-lit?

Backlit mirrors throw light onto the wall around the glass – a soft, stylish glow. Front-lit mirrors (light strips in the glass) light your face more directly, which is better for shaving and make-up. Many mirrors combine both.

3. Demister pad

A heated demister pad behind the glass stops the mirror from fogging up after a shower. Once you have one, you will not go back. Most demisters switch on with the lights or have their own touch button.

4. Dimmable and 3-colour light

Look for a mirror with a dimmer and 3 colour temperatures: warm white (~3000K) for a relaxing bath, neutral (~4500K) and cool white (~6000K) for make-up and shaving. A memory function remembers your last setting.

5. IP rating and safety

In UK bathrooms, mirrors near a basin should be at least IP44 (splash-proof). Mains-powered mirrors should be wired in by a qualified electrician, usually to a fused spur. Some mirrors include a shaver socket and Bluetooth speaker – handy, but check the wiring requirements first.

6. Touch sensor or infrared switch?

Touch buttons are the most common. Infrared (wave) switches are nice when your hands are wet. Either works well – it is personal preference.

Save on open-box mirrors

LED mirrors are often returned simply because the customer chose the wrong size. That means many of our open-box mirrors are new and unused, just in an opened box – at a big discount on the RRP. Read our guide to condition grades to see what to expect.

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