I tested 8 magnifying mirrors. The 2 best made tweezing and touch-ups easier than the rest

The best magnifying mirrors we tested

Best magnifying mirror

Fancii Lana Rechargeable 10x Magnifying Mirror

Best mirror for spot magnification

Conair Rechargeable Handheld Mirror

A magnifying mirror goes beyond your average vanity mirror. It can help upgrade your beauty and grooming routine, giving you a precise, up-close view when you need it, especially if you’re already at the point where you need readers. These specialized mirrors are also great for ensuring you never miss tweezing an eyebrow hair (or, let’s be real, a dreaded chin hair). But buyer beware: a bad magnifying mirror may distort your reflection like a fun house mirror, refuse to tilt, shine harsh lighting or all of the above.

To help you find the best options, I spent several months conducting hands-on testing of eight magnifying mirrors. I evaluated them on clarity, lighting, design and additional functional features. After weeks of tweezing, full-face makeup application and other tasks, two mirrors proved that they make my daily beauty routine smoother and infinitely more precise.

Fancii Lana Rechargeable 10x Magnifying Mirror

This mountable 10x magnifying mirror was one of the most adaptable picks I tested. The magnetic base provides full 360-degree freedom when positioning the mirror, or you can remove it from the base for handheld use.

Conair Rechargeable Handheld Mirror

This pick has the classic look of a vanity mirror, but with upgrades like handheld capability and a magnetic 10x spot mirror. Having the choice of both a standard mirror and a magnifying mirror gave me the most control when doing my makeup.

Best magnifying mirror: Fancii Lana Rechargeable 10x Magnifying Mirror

During my testing, I discovered that there are a lot of little details that can make a 10x magnification mirror a flop. If it’s too small, you’ll have a narrow field of view and only be able to see a specific spot, like one eyebrow, clearly. If the surface is warped, you’ll notice your face undulating with ripples as you move in front of the mirror. If you can’t rotate or tilt the mirror, you’ll have to pick the whole thing up, stand and all, to get the right angle. The Fancii Lana mirror presented none of these issues. In fact, it exceeded my expectations for what I could get from a magnifying mirror.

The Fancii Lana was the most versatile option I tested, thanks to a magnetic ball joint that allows you to swivel the mirror in any direction. This stood out because many mirrors can only tilt up or down. The magnetic connection also made it easy to dock and remove the mirror from its stand when I wanted to use it as a handheld.

The stand itself was a highlight too. In addition to sitting solidly on a table, the mirror is easy to mount on a bathroom mirror or any smooth surface. It secures to the surface via a strong suction cup on the bottom that locks into place by twisting the base, no tools or extra components needed. I installed mine on my bathroom mirror in under a minute, and it hasn’t budged in the three weeks since.

Then there’s the crystal-clear 10x magnification. Few magnifying mirrors I tested were distortion-free, as warping is common on magnifying mirrors because they utilize a concave surface. Fancii’s Lana mirror, however, provided a perfect view across its 6-inch diameter. For even more optimal viewing, the dimmable LED light settings can be adjusted to three different colors (soft warm, neutral white and natural daylight) to mimic a variety of lighting environments. It charges via a USB-C port on the back of the mirror, and I appreciated that this kept the mirror’s look sleek and wirefree most of the time.

It also helps that the metallic finish of the mirror is attractive, and it’s under $100.

Best mirror for spot magnification: Conair Rechargeable Handheld Mirror

For some, a small magnifying mirror is all you need, and for that, I recommend the Conair Rechargeable Handheld Mirror. You get a lot more than just the 10x magnification too: It has an 8.5-inch lighted makeup mirror without magnification and a magnetic 10x spot mirror that attaches to it.

This was ideal for my everyday makeup since I could seamlessly switch between looking at my full face and peeking at the 10x magnification if I wanted to home in on a specific area. With a 10x mirror alone, it’s easy to fixate on each hair, wrinkle or pore you want to eliminate and you can forget that no one else will even notice them with their naked eyes. Solely using a magnification mirror of 10x or higher can also mess with your perception of scale when doing makeup. When only looking at myself zoomed in like that, I was actually more susceptible to applying uneven, asymmetrical makeup because I’d only be able to focus on one part of my face at a time. Being able to step back and look at my face as a whole in a standard mirror helps keep my makeup balanced.

Plus, because the magnification spot is removable, you can move it out of the way if you want to use the standard mirror on its own. This also makes it easy to pack the magnification spot for travel or on-the-go touch-ups. Plus, it should stick to any other magnetic surface.

Good lighting is also crucial for applying your makeup evenly. Like most of the mirrors I tested, Conair’s Rechargeable Handheld Mirror has three LED light settings and a touch display that allows you to choose low, medium or high brightness levels.

I love that it has the look of a classic vanity mirror but with much more flexibility. The stand doubles as a charger for the mirror too, so while it has a power cord to plug in, you never need to worry about it running out of juice, unlike the other rechargeable mirrors I tested. And whenever you want, it’s easy to pick the mirror up and use it cordless and handheld.

My only critique of this mirror is that the spot mirror doesn’t always stay in place. When I put it on the upper half of the vanity mirror, it tends to slip down a bit. That said, the magnet is strong and the spot mirror has never fallen or been knocked off, so this is really a nitpicky note.

How we tested

I tested eight magnifying mirrors over the course of several months. I spent at least a week using each mirror to do my makeup, tweeze my eyebrows and perform any other tasks that required a close-up view. Throughout my testing, I paid attention to the following criteria:

• Size: Was the mirror the ideal size for doing all my makeup or only for precision details?
• Clarity: Did the magnifying mirror provide a clear view, or was it distorted or warped in any areas? Was the field of view too narrow?
• Design: Did the mirror look and feel high-quality? Was it adjustable? Did it have any added features that enhanced the user experience, like handheld capability?
• Lighting: Did the mirror have multiple light modes and brightness levels? Were there set controls, or was it dimmable?
• Portability: Was the mirror travel-friendly? Was it light enough to carry in a purse or carry-on?
• Value: Was the price of the magnifying mirror worth its performance and quality?

Other magnifying mirrors we tested

Fancii 10x Travel Magnifying Mirror

This travel-friendly magnifying mirror has a clever design that transforms the case into a built-in stand.

Fancii’s knack for practical design made this another favorite of the mirrors I tested. The travel mirror is lightweight yet full size, with an 8-inch diameter. As you unfold the mirror, the LED light automatically turns on. You can adjust the light’s tone with three dimmable color settings.

What really makes this travel mirror feel innovative, though, is the stand that lets you prop it up at two heights and in various angles for the most comfortable position. The rechargeable design truly lets you bring a vanity mirror anywhere. While it’s much larger than a travel-size compact you would keep in your purse, it’s easy to slip into carry-on luggage without adding bulk.

The main drawback, however, is that the view in the mirror isn’t as clear as with our winning pick from the brand. I noticed some slight surface warping, not only along the edges but across the entire mirror. Even so, the large surface area provided a better view than smaller magnification mirrors, allowing me to do detailed parts of my makeup, like eyeliner, with ease.

PMD Reflect Pro Magnifying Mirror

This 2-in-1 lighted makeup mirror features a standard mirror and a 5x magnification spot for a detailed view, plus a seamless hands-free-to-handheld design.

Similar to my winning pick for a spot magnification, this rechargeable mirror lets you transition between a standard mirror and a close-up view. Instead of a detachable magnification mirror, however, PMD’s Reflect Pro has a built-in 5x magnification spot. I found that this was an adequate level of enlargement for my uses, but those already accustomed to 10x magnification or who need a super-close view might not find 5x strong enough.

The mirror has three touch-controlled light colors, and you can adjust the brightness of each by pressing and holding the same light button. I appreciated that the lighting goes around the perimeter of the magnification spot so you get even lighting for detail work. It was also handy that you can work with this mirror from a variety of angles. It’s easy to pick up the mirror for handheld use, and you can swivel it 360 degrees on the stand and tilt it 90 degrees up or down.

I personally found the plastic to feel less high-quality than the metallic finishes on some of the other mirrors I tested, but the white color keeps it neutral. The plastic construction also makes this mirror lighter than others, and the brand claims it’s travel-ready, though it doesn’t come with a protective case or bag.

Ilios Lighting 5x Deluxe Rechargeable Mirror

This mirror is an elegant option that's best for those looking for moderate magnification for everyday use. It's available in three metallic finishes.

Outfitted with 5x magnification, this sleek mirror is a great everyday option for those looking for a bit of enhancement. The rechargeable model was the largest mirror I tested, with a generous 9-inch-wide viewing surface surrounded by LED lights. I loved how easy the large diameter made it to see my full face, versus the often too-zoomed-in effect you get with 10x magnification. I could comfortably do my makeup with this mirror without any warping or out-of-focus spots. If you need close-up magnification, you can add on Ilios’ small, magnetic 10x magnification mirror that’s compatible with any Ilios tabletop mirror or any metal surface.

Another feature that stood out to me was the dimmable lighting and three color modes (cool, warm and a blend). According to the brand, the mirror was designed by photography lighting experts, so this was an important component to get right. While some of the other mirrors I tested also have dimmable lighting, this Ilios mirror was the brightest of the bunch. It provides such flattering lighting that I even used it as a ring light behind my laptop when I needed to look my best for a video call.

Where this mirror fell short was in its flexibility. It can tilt up and down, but it doesn’t swivel side to side. It also doesn’t have a handheld feature, further limiting the movement and adaptability you can get from this mirror.

Ilios Lighting 1x/10x LED Compact Mirror

This rechargeable LED compact mirror is small enough to fit in a purse but a bit too large for a travel makeup bag. Still, the dual 1x and 10x magnification gives you versatility that's convenient when on the go.

If you’re looking for a travel-friendly mirror with a standard side and 10x magnification, I highly recommend this pick. The 5-inch compact is sizable enough to see your full face when applying makeup on the 1x side, and it features a dimmable LED light. It’s easy to then flip the mirror around and use the magnified side for a closer look at specific areas. I also appreciated that the mirror stays open if you want to prop it on a table while you do your makeup.

However, a few details kept the Ilios compact from taking a top spot. While this mirror is nearly half the size of the Fancii travel mirror — this may be a major plus for some — it’s still much larger than most compact mirrors and, thus, a bit too large to fit in a makeup bag with all the products I’d bring on a trip. I also found it strange that the LED light was only on the 1x side. I typically need more illumination when I’m using a magnifying mirror, trying to zero in on tiny eyebrow hairs or other details. And without the buffer of the LED on both sides, the mirror was also prone to getting fingerprint smudges around the perimeter of the magnified side. Additionally, the LED light has a 15-minute auto-shutoff timer, but I preferred the Fancii travel mirror’s auto on/off capability.

Conair Halo Double-Sided Lighted Makeup Mirror

This plug-in lighted mirror lets you seamlessly flip between 1x and 10x magnification, with adjustable LED lighting on both sides. It's a reliable option but not as adaptable as the handheld capability of my winning Conair pick.

Conair’s double-sided Halo mirror would look right at home on anyone’s vanity. It has a classic design and straightforward features. One button powers on the LED light and allows you to choose from three brightness levels, while the other toggles through three color modes. However, this was the only magnifying mirror I tested that had to be plugged into a power outlet for the lights to function. While the 5-foot-long cord offers plenty of flexibility, the corded design loses out on the convenience of rechargeable models.

Plus, the 10x magnification wasn’t as clear as with the Fancii mirrors. It was a bit tricky to get myself in focus, and I noticed a slight fun house effect, with some warping creating ripples across my forehead.

Tweezerman 10x Lighted Mirror

A palm-sized mirror with 10x magnification, this could be a handy travel option. Unfortunately, I ran into some issues with the built-in light during testing.

A small magnifying mirror like this Tweezerman option really zooms in on specific areas and can be handy when you need precision. Since it’s only about 3.5 inches in diameter and lighter than my iPhone, it’s also relatively travel-friendly, although it doesn’t come with a travel case to protect the surface.

While I found it most useful as a handheld mirror, this Tweezerman model features three suction cups on the back, so you can affix it to your bathroom mirror or another smooth surface. After it fell from my mirror within two minutes, I discovered that cleaning each suction cup and the surface I was attaching it to made a big difference in how strong the mounting was.

My biggest qualm with this mirror, however, was the battery-powered light. While I’m grateful it came with the battery included, the light itself wasn’t bright enough to be very helpful and the power went out within days of testing because I forgot to switch the light off and it ran the battery down.

After researching how to replace the battery, I found that there are different versions of this mirror and you might not get the one that matches the current product pages (I didn’t). My version requires a teeny-tiny screwdriver to access the battery compartment, but the newer, advertised model has a small cover that slides into place. Even so, several reviews noted having little luck with getting the light to power on, even with a replacement battery.

FAQs

Is a 5x or 10x magnifying mirror better?

The level of magnification you choose depends on your personal preferences and use cases. I found that a 5x mirror, like the Ilios Lighting 5x Deluxe mirror, was great for doing everyday makeup without any distortion. A 10x mirror provided a narrower field of view and was better suited for tweezing or doing makeup that required precision. That said, if you strain to see clearly even with 5x magnification, you may want to try a stronger magnification.

What is the strongest magnifying mirror you can buy?

While researching mirrors to test, I found some on Amazon that reached 30x and 40x magnification. I did not test any mirrors with more than 10x magnification, however, because 10x was already clear and comfortable enough for makeup application.

Keep in mind, the higher the magnification, the closer you have to be to the mirror to get an in-focus reflection, so anything higher than 10x would require you to be within a few inches of the mirror, which isn’t very comfortable when doing makeup,

What is the best magnification mirror for tweezing?

I found that 10x magnification in a smaller spot mirror gave the most precise view for detail work like tweezing.

Why trust CNN Underscored

CNN Underscored editors and writers ensure every product included in an article is thoroughly vetted and something we ourselves would feel comfortable buying and using. Our team has many decades of collective experience researching, testing and recommending products across every category — from fashion and food, to home goods and health, to electronics and everything in between — and we’re committed to using that expertise to help you make the most of your money and live a better life.

For this article, CNN Underscored fashion and beauty editor Sophie Shaw tested a variety of magnifying mirrors to find the most practical and reliable options for your makeup, skin care and grooming routine.

Some information for this report was gathered via edition.cnn.com.