7 Lighted Travel Mirrors That Make Makeup Application A Breeze

By
Melanie Rud
Melanie Rud
Melanie Rud

Melanie Rud is a Chicago-based writer with 10 years of experience covering beauty. She covers all things skincare for Byrdie, from ingredients to acne advice.

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Updated on Jun 21, 2022

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The 7 Best Lighted Travel Makeup Mirrors in 2022

Byrdie / Chloe Jeong

As any photographer, pro makeup artist, or selfie-aficionado will tell you, good lighting is imperative. It truly can make all the difference between makeup application that looks beautiful and natural versus unknowingly ending up with unblended color streaks. Enter the beauty of a lighted mirror, which makes it easy to have perfect lighting, anytime, anywhere—and even more so when it’s a travel-friendly version. To that point, they can be a lifesaver when you’re traveling, and either have to do your makeup quickly on the go or aren’t sure what kind of lighting you’re going to be working with at your destination, says makeup and hair artist Tarryn Feldman. While it may seem like a little bit of an unnecessary ‘extra,’ trust us, once you try one, there’s no going back.

Keep reading for more on the best-lighted travel makeup mirrors.

Our Top Picks
Best Overall:
Vanity Planet LED Travel Mirror at Amazon
Best Space-Saver:
Fancii LED Lighted Travel Makeup Mirror at Amazon
Best Splurge:
simplehuman Sensor Makeup Mirror at Amazon
Best for Magnification:
Riki Loves Riki Skinny Mirror at Ulta
Best Compact:
YLDJEFL Travel Makeup Mirror at Amazon
Best Budget:
DeWEISN LED Makeup Mirror at Amazon
Best for On-the-Go:
Riki Love Riki Cutie Mirror at Nordstrom
In This Article

Best Overall: Vanity Planet Pose LED Travel Mirror

Vanity Planet Pose LED Travel Mirror
View On Amazon View On Urban Outfitters View On Vanityplanet.com
What We Like

  • Compact and foldable

  • 3 brightness levels

  • Easy to charge

What We Don't Like

  • Battery life could be longer

What do buyers say? 87% of 400+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.

Feldman calls this mirror, “amazing,” lauding the perfect size that folds up nicely, iPad-style, making it perfect for both travel and storage purposes. The border of the mirror is surrounded by LED lighting (which is also dimmable and adjustable, a great feature), giving you a ring light effect. Plus, you can easily charge it with a micro-USB cable.

Magnification: No | Shape: Rectangle | Features: Dimmable LED lighting, rechargeable micro-USB charger, touch sensors | Size: 11.4 x 7.7 x 1.2 in.

Best Space-Saver: Fancii LED Lighted Travel Makeup Mirror

Fancii LED Lighted Travel Makeup Mirror

Courtesy of Amazon
View On Amazon View On QVC View On Fancii.com
What We Like

  • Compact and portable

  • Strong magnification

  • Built-in lighting mimics daylight

What We Don't Like

  • Only one side has lights

This option, a fan favorite on Amazon, checks all of our mirror must-have boxes. The five-inch size is big enough that you can see your entire face without any distortion, yet small and slim enough to easily take with you anywhere (especially since it comes in a compact size). It also touts two mirrors, one that boasts a 10x magnification, and, per the lighted part of things, has LED bulbs that perfectly mimic daylight and last up to 20,000 hours.

Magnification: Yes | Shape: Round | Features: LED lighting, 1x/10x magnification | Size: 5 in.

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Best Splurge: simplehuman Round Sensor Makeup Mirror with Touch-Control Brightness

best-lighted-makeup-mirrors
View On Amazon View On Nordstrom View On Bed Bath & Beyond
What We Like

  • Carries a long-lasting charge

  • Lights turn on automatically

  • Comes in several color options

What We Don't Like

  • Heavy

Pricey yes, but keep in mind that this is also one of the top-rated makeup mirrors out there. Cordless and rechargeable via a USB cable, one charge lasts up to five weeks. And the lighting can’t be beaten. It lights up automatically as you get close (cool!) and has a unique system that mimics natural sunlight, with a brightness that’s easily controlled via a touch-pad. It’s larger and heavier than the others on this list, definitely less for travel and more for daily use on your vanity, but still, well worth every penny.

Magnification: Yes | Shape: Round | Features: LED lighting with automatic sensors, rechargeable micro-USB charger, 5x magnification | Size: 8 in.

Best for Magnification: Riki Loves Riki Skinny Mirror

4.7
Riki Loves Riki Skinny Mirror
View On Ulta View On Bloomingdales
What We Like

  • Dimmable lighting

  • Comes with phone capabilities

  • Cute design

What We Don't Like

  • Expensive

Whether it’s to really nail a crisp cat-eye, perfectly shape your brows, or yes, maybe even squeeze out a few blackheads (no shame, we’ve all done it), sometimes you just really want some magnification from your mirror.  This guy is available in two options, one with five times magnification and one with 10. Either way, it’s super slim and portable, touting LED lights with five dimmable levels, plus a magnetic phone holder and Bluetooth capabilities that make it easier than ever to snap a selfie of your perfect makeup application.

Magnification: Yes | Shape: Rectangle | Features: Dimmable HD LED lighting, Bluetooth camera function, rechargeable micro-USB charger, magnetic phone holder, 1x/5x magnification | Size: 13 x 0.37 x 9.5 in.

Best Compact: YLDJEFL LED Lighted Travel Makeup Mirror

YLDJEFL LED Lighted Travel Makeup Mirror
View On Amazon
What We Like

  • Compact, foldable, and portable

  • Great for precise application

  • Lightweight

What We Don't Like

  • Battery life could be longer

You probably already keep a compact mirror in your makeup travel bag, but we strongly suggest swapping it out for this one. Feldman says it’s the perfect mirror to keep with you at all times, thanks to the small, three-and-a-half-inch size. Still, it has LED bulbs that impart plenty of lighting, and ten times magnification, too.

Magnification: Yes | Shape: Round | Features: Daylight LED lighting, foldable design, 1x/10x magnification | Size: 3.5 in.

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Best Budget: DeWEISN LED Makeup Mirror

DeWEISN LED Makeup Mirror
View On Amazon
What We Like

  • Bright, LED lighting

  • Can be set up at different angles

  • Mirror is super thin

What We Don't Like

  • Can crack easily

Another favorite of Feldman’s, she says the smaller size of this one makes it great for keeping in your car or purse. (Because let’s be real, how many times do we end up applying our makeup in the car?) Despite the super wallet-friendly price tag, it still boasts many of the same features as its pricier counterparts, including 32 LED lights that can be adjusted to three different brightness settings. Plus, once opened, the foldable design lets you set up the mirror anywhere from a 90 to 75-degree angle.

Magnification: No | Shape: Rectangle | Features: 32 LED lights, 1,000 mAh lithium battery, foldable design | Size: 7.6 x 0.57 x 5.1 in.

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Best for On-the-Go: Riki Love Riki Cutie Mirror

Riki Love Riki Cutie Mirror
View On Nordstrom View On Ulta
What We Like

  • Cute design

  • Fits in the palm of your hand

  • Small and lightweight

  • 3 brightness levels

What We Don't Like

  • Expensive for what it is

Sure, compacts are great for on-the-go, but here’s another cool option. The rectangular shape of this mirror (it looks like an iPhone) comes with a pop-out holder that lets you slip it onto your knuckles so that you can see yourself in the lit mirror, all while still having two hands-free to hold and apply your makeup. It’s super lightweight and scratch-resistant, and shatterproof, too, so you don’t have to worry about accidental drops.

Magnification: No | Shape: Rectangle | Features: LED lights, micro-USB cable, carrying sleeve, finger ring and leg stand | Size: 5.6 x 2.8 x 0.375 in.

Final Verdict

You may not realize it yet, but you need a lighted travel makeup mirror in your life. The Vanity Planet Pose LED Travel Mirror is one top option, which folds up iPad-style and touts dimmable LED lights. If you prefer your mirror also be magnifying, check out the  Riki Love Riki Skinny Mirror (we’re also big fans of the brand’s Cutie Mirror, great for using on-the-go). Speaking of, the Fancii LED Lighted Travel Makeup Mirror is another choice, a compact pick, ideal for keeping in your purse or makeup bag at all times.

What to Look For In a Lighted Travel Makeup Mirror

Lighting

Broadly speaking, most use LED lights, which will give you the longest-lasting power.  If you want more control over your lighting, there are options out there that have a dimmable or adjustable brightness.

Magnification

Again, this is a matter of personal preference, but if you tend to get super precise with your makeup application, you may want to go with a mirror that does magnify.

Portability

If the purpose of this mirror is for travel, you’ll want to look at its size, how it folds up, and power features (e.g. if it requires a cord or is battery-operated).

Why Trust Byrdie?

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Full disclosure, she only started using a lighted travel mirror when she started researching this story but is now totally hooked. 

Meet the Expert

Tarryn Feldman is a hair and makeup artist who works in both Nashville and Los Angeles. Her celebrity clients include Kelsea Ballerini and Jennifer Nettles.

FAQ
  • Are lighted mirrors good for makeup?

    Yes, especially in areas that don't have strong natural lighting. A lighted mirror helps you see all areas of your face and skin more clearly; helping you be more precise with your makeup application.

  • Can you bring a lighted mirror on a plane?

    According to the US Transportation Security Administration, mirrors are allowed on a plane either on carry-on bags or checked bags.

  • What are magnification mirrors for?

    Magnification mirrors can help you take a closer look at your face. They typically range from 2x to 10x and are often used when addressing skin-specific issues or applying makeup.

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find any lighted makeup mirrors from a Black-owned and/or Black-founded business. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.

These 9 Lighted Makeup Mirrors Make Makeup Application a Breeze
Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.

  1. https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/mirrors

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