This article discusses the question of whether LED mirrors need electricity or not. We know a lot of folks are interested in getting LED mirrors, and we’re happy to share this information about LED mirror use.
Do LED mirrors need electricity? Yes. The light-emitting diode bulbs or LED bulbs in LED mirrors require an electrical current to pass through them in order for them to light up. LED mirrors with added features such as a demister pad, a touch sensor, or Bluetooth speakers also need electric power for these features to work. However, the reflective surface of the mirror can still be used without electricity as a regular mirror.
We’ll go deeper into the topic of LED mirrors and their use of electricity in this article. We’ll also discuss briefly how LED mirrors work, how much electricity lighted mirrors consume, and how long LED mirrors last. Here we go!
Why LED Mirrors Require Electricity
The “LED” in LED mirrors stands for light-emitting diode. LED bulbs are powered by an electrical current, which means that for the LED lights in mirrors to turn on, they need to be connected to a source of electricity. Lighted mirrors may also have other features that require electric power, such as a demister pad, Bluetooth speakers, and a touch screen, among others. Let’s take a closer look at these features that need electricity.
LED Lights
Light-emitting diodes or LEDs are small light bulbs that fit into an electrical circuit. A diode is a type of electronic component that lets electricity flow through in one direction. An LED is a diode that is designed to give off light.
LEDs are built into tiny rounded bulbs to make the light they produce more concentrated and brighter. To produce light, LEDs in mirrors need electricity flowing through their circuit.
Demister or Defogger Pad
Do you know why bathroom mirrors fog up after you take a warm bath or a hot shower? The steam in the air condenses into tiny water droplets and form on the cool glass of the mirror, making it foggy.
A demister pad, also called a defogger pad, is used to heat the back of a bathroom mirror. This prevents water vapor from condensing on the mirror surface. As a result, LED mirrors with a demister pad always stay crystal clear, no matter how steamy a bathroom gets. A demister pad also runs on electric power and is usually connected to an LED mirror’s lighting circuit, which means it’s activated together with the mirror’s lights and its other functions.
Brightness and Color Adjustment Settings
LED mirrors may also come with brightness and color adjustment settings, which require electric power. Some lighted mirrors have a dimmer switch for adjusting brightness and a color temperature button for switching between warm white and cold white LED lighting. Without electricity, these features would not be able to work.
Touch Sensor
LED mirrors may also be equipped with a touch sensor, which lets users turn the mirror lights and demister pad on and off. Touch sensors may also be used to control the brightness and adjust the color temperature settings of an LED mirror. Touch sensors also require electricity, with their wiring incorporated into the mirror’s power supply unit.
Bluetooth Speakers
How would you like to do your makeup while listening to your favorite playlist or talking to your BFF? Many LED mirror models offer Bluetooth connectivity so that you can pair up your smartphone, laptop, tablet, or any other Bluetooth-enabled device with the mirror.
LED mirrors with a built-in microphone and Bluetooth speakers allow you to hear your favorite tracks as you go about your grooming routine. For the Bluetooth tech to work, you’ll need to make sure the mirror’s electrical connection is set up properly.
Of course, LED mirrors can still be used without electricity. When the lights and other features are not connected to electrical power, the mirror simply functions as a regular, non-lighted mirror.
You will still be able to see your reflection, but it may not be as well-lit as it would be with the lights switched on. You will be needing another source of light in front of you to see your reflection.
How LED Mirrors Work
LED mirrors work by using electrical power to light up the LED bulbs and activating features such as the demister pad and touch sensor. LED mirrors also provide illumination by projecting the LED lighting from the back or the front of the mirror glass.
Use of Electricity
The LED lights in a mirror are arranged in a strip that runs along a mirror base behind the mirror. The LED light circuit, along with the wiring for the other features of the mirror, is connected to a power supply unit or a power regulator behind the mirror. This power supply unit is then plugged or hardwired into the house’s main power supply.
When the mirror is switched on, the electrical current passes through the regulator and flows through the mirror’s electric components. The LEDs would then light up, the demister pad warms up the mirror’s surface, and the touch sensor and other features are activated.
Light Projection
As for lighting, LED mirrors illuminate nearby objects by projecting light from the back or the front through a frosted portion of the mirror glass. If the light is coming from the back of the mirror, this light is bounced off the wall where the mirror is mounted, onto the surrounding area. This is called a backlit effect. We have also written this article that discusses if illuminated mirrors are any good. You can check out the article for more information about the topic.
✅ Video – LED Exquisite Illuminated Mirror DIY Installation Video
This video from TweekerDan1984 demonstrates how a lighted mirror model is installed on a wall. It guides viewers on how to properly mount the mirror onto a frame on the wall, and also shows the LED mirror wires and how these are connected to the house’s power source. The video supports the answer that yes, LED mirrors need electricity for the lights and features to work. You can also check out this article on how to make an LED-backlit mirror. We have shared instructions and tips that you can follow.
LED Mirror Electric Consumption
The amount of electricity a lighted mirror consumes would depend on the number of LEDs installed and the features it has. Even if a mirror has all of these added features and more, it still consumes less power than traditional lighting fixtures.
LEDs use less electricity than other types of light sources, like incandescent bulbs. LEDs use a fraction of the electric power that an incandescent bulb uses to achieve the same amount of brightness.
For instance, if an incandescent bulb requires 60 watts of power to light up, an LED bulb only needs 6-8 watts. That’s a huge difference that leads to significant savings on your energy bill.
LEDs are so energy efficient that small makeup mirrors with 22 LED bulbs can run on just a few pieces of AA or AAA batteries. This makes them perfect for travel!
LED Mirror Lifespan
LEDs are not only energy-efficient, but they’re also durable and long-lasting. A standard LED gives off 50,000 hours of light.
This means that even if your LED mirror is turned on for up to six hours every day, it will be 22 years before the lights start to lose brightness. By that time, the LED technology may have improved greatly, allowing you to choose a longer-lasting LED mirror replacement.
As this may happen many years into the future, there’s no need to worry about looking for a replacement now. What’s important is that you know that technology is always evolving to make devices more efficient, which then makes our everyday lives easier. You can also check out this article that talks about how long LED mirrors last for more information.
Related Questions
How do You Wire an LED Mirror?
LED mirrors usually come already wired, complete with all the cables and adapters necessary for installation. All you’ll need to do is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for connecting the mirror’s wiring to your house’s power supply. Before you do this, make sure your circuit breaker is turned off as a precautionary measure. Some LED mirrors are of the plug-in type, which means you just need to plug them into an electrical socket.
How do You Install an LED Mirror?
Standard LED mirrors come with an instructional manual and hardware to help in making installation easier. The most common way of installing an LED mirror is by hanging it on a wall using cleats or brackets. Some LED mirrors also come with a frame that you mount on a wall before hanging the mirror on it.
How do I Turn on My LED Mirror?
Most LED mirrors come with a power button or a switch for turning them on or off. First, you need to make sure the mirror is safely and securely connected to a power supply. You can check out the user manual included with the mirror to see the exact location of your mirror’s power button or on/off switch. We have also written this article about how to put LED lights on a mirror. You can check out helpful tips that you can follow.
Conclusion
So, do LED mirrors need electricity? As this article shows, yes. LED mirrors require electricity for the light bulbs, demister pad, touch sensor, and other features to work. Though you may still use the mirror without electricity, if you want to enjoy all of the mirror’s features–especially the lighting–then you need to make sure it is connected to electrical power.