The 10 Best Travel Mirrors
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
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.