The 10 Best Travel Mirrors
This wiki has been updated 24 times since it was first published in March of 2018. A travel mirror is the type of item you often forget about until you really need one, perhaps after getting some dirt in your eye while camping or trying to put on makeup in a dimly-lit hotel bathroom. Don’t worry, though, because we’ve got you covered with an extensive range of models, many with built-in lighting and magnifying surfaces to provide you with a clear, close-up view. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. Simplehuman Mini
2. Jordan & Judy Portable
3. Fancii 10X Lighted
Editor's Notes
May 23, 2020:
You'd be surprised just how often a travel mirror can come in handy, whether you need a compact that fits in your purse to touch up your hair at work, something to take backpacking, or a professional-grade model for beautifying clients before photoshoots or weddings. We've done our best to compile a list that runs the gamut to serve a variety of on-the-go reflection needs. Some are perfect for everyday carry, while others will serve vacationers better.
If you need something small and lightweight to carry in a backpack or purse, then the StudioZone Class Z Compact or Jerrybox Pocket-Size should serve you well. Each is straightforward and diminutive, and offers regular magnification as well as 10x. They also sport simple designs that are relatively unobtrusive, although the StudioZone unit does have its logo emblazoned across the front.
Neither of those choices has built-in lighting, however, which can be useful for dimly-lit bathrooms, dark hostel rooms, or overcast days. Light helps make precision tasks, like inserting contacts, easier, and thankfully, most options use high-quality LEDs that last for years and never have to be replaced. Of our illuminated offerings, we recommend the Easehold Vanity Tri-Fold if you require wide-angle viewing and multiple magnification strengths, while the Fancii 10X Lighted attaches to myriad surfaces via a suction cup and swivels 360 degrees to help you get the best angle.
If you have a grooming regimen that you complete in the shower, then the Shave Well Travel Shower Mirror or ToiletTree Products Fogless should come in handy. Each uses simple temperature science to keep them fogless, however, the ToiletTree unit has a reservoir that you fill with water to help keep it that way for longer. The Shave Well offers a clearer reflection, but the trade-off is that it has to be continuously warmed with hot shower water to keep fog at bay.
Today we added the luxe Simplehuman Mini, which is among the best in the category. It uses special technology to simulate daylight, turns on when you approach it and off when you walk away, and has a battery that lasts for weeks on a single charge. We also brought on the Jordan & Judy Portable, a tablet-sized option that's easy to pack between layers of close in a suitcase, and has a touchscreen that allows you to easily adjust the brightness settings. Finally, we added the Floxite Circle Lite, a simple, straightforward selection with 360-degree LED lighting and a cover that comes out to become a stand. While it's not the smallest option out there, it folds down to an inch and is great for bringing on extended vacations and work trips.
Special Honors
Decor Walther Decor Walther is a German company specializing in discreetly luxurious bathroom accessories, with an impressive catalog of mirrors. Choose from an array of travel-friendly options made with elegant chrome in a variety of sizes and magnifications, with freestanding, wall-mounted, and suction cup designs available. decorwalther.com
Novica Art Java Beauty Hand Mirror Handmade in Indonesia by a skilled artisan, this Javanese mirror features traditional batik techniques applied to wadang wood to produce a lush array of red flowers similar to hibiscus over its brown back, while beige daisies and tight geometric motifs adorn the front. Every Novica item comes from a certified clean packing environment, is quality tested and verified, fair trade, and backed by a 100% happiness guarantee. novica.com
Phone Charging LED Compact A space-saving design ideal for those staying in cramped accommodations, this compact folding mirror from Uncommon Goods doubles as a phone charger. It sports a luminous circular shape with built-in LED lights so you can apply makeup in dark hostels as roommates sleep, while the charging port juices up smartphones. uncommongoods.com
4. Floxite Circle Lite
5. Easehold Vanity Tri-Fold
6. Shave Well Travel Shower Mirror
7. PleasingCare Makeup
8. StudioZone Class Z Compact
9. Jerrybox Pocket-Size
10. ToiletTree Products Fogless
Born in Arizona, Gia is a writer and autodidact who fled the heat of the desert for California, where she enjoys drinking beer, overanalyzing the minutiae of life, and channeling Rick Steves. After arriving in Los Angeles a decade ago, she quickly nabbed a copywriting job at a major clothing company and derived years of editing and proofreading experience from her tenure there, all while sharpening her skills further with myriad freelance projects. In her spare time, she teaches herself French and Italian, has earned an ESL teaching certificate, traveled extensively throughout Europe and the United States, and unashamedly devours television shows and books. The result of these pursuits is expertise in fashion, travel, beauty, literature, textbooks, and pop culture, in addition to whatever obsession consumes her next.