It’s very easy to get caught up in the excitement about smart features. But here’s the thing about picking a smart mirror:

You still want a mirror first and foremost, right?

For most people, this would be the case. So while you should definitely keep your ideal features in mind, you should pay attention early-on to the basics of what you’d want out of a mirror.

So size is one of those all-important fundamentals to keep in mind before you look at everything else. But how can you tell what a good size is?

Since it’s subjective and dependent on your personal context, we can’t really tell you one size range that’s good. But don’t worry! It’s pretty simple:

Take stock of the mirrors in your current home. How big are they? Use rulers or measuring tape to get the dimensions down.

Yep, that’s pretty much it. You can extrapolate from there based on how much you like your current mirrors’ sizes.

And if you don’t have any mirrors handy, you can estimate the size of the smart mirror you want by tracing out the listed dimensions with a ruler on paper or cardboard. You can also put tape on your wall (if it won’t remove paint).

It’s simple, but important. If you look at the product reviews for any popular smart mirror, even the best ones, you can find people complaining about the size. 9 times out of 10, they could’ve avoided it by paying more attention to the product description.

Now, one final, important note:

When you look at the dimensions of the product you want, AND when you’re looking at your own mirrors for reference, make sure you’re taking the frame into account.

Without the frame, your mirror is usually a few inches shorter on length and width. So what’s the REAL size of the mirror, itself?

Some smart mirror manufacturers will list dimensions for the mirror and frame AND the mirror size itself. For example, Vilros says this in the description for its Magic Glass Mirror and Frame:

But most of the time, when a seller lists dimensions, they’re referring to the product overall—meaning, mirror+frame. You may have to read the details or contact the seller to get the specifics.

Most smart mirrors will have the same basic features. If you want a so-called vanity mirror—one for make-up and glamour—then the most important basic feature would include adjustable lighting (aside from size).

The essentials in lighting are basically thus: first, different light tones. A good vanity smart mirror will have three light colors available, which you can switch between.
Second, the ability to adjust the brightness. And of course, having a good maximum brightness for those who need it.

Another important feature for those who want a vanity smart mirror is having a charging port for phones or tablets:

If you’re going to be sitting there for a while, it’d be useful to have your phone handy and charged, especially if there are no outlets nearby.

If you just want a smart mirror that’s general-purpose, lights may still be important, but a little less-so than someone who wants a vanity mirror.

The other useful features then would be stuff like temperature and time readings, which can tell you immediately where you are in your day and how you should dress without even requiring a phone check.

But aside from that, what qualifies as essential or not is open to debate. Is Bluetooth compatibility? Not all smart mirrors have Bluetooth or WiFi connectivity, but some would argue a mirror isn’t “smart” without one of those two.

Which leads us to the next point:

If you looked through this list in order, you probably noticed something: the smart mirror has a WIDE range of features.

To some people, a mirror that lets you adjust the brightness by touching it qualifies as a smart mirror.

To others, it’s not really a smart mirror until Bluetooth or WiFi compatibility enter the picture. That’s pretty reasonable, as most other smart devices are defined by their ability to connect wirelessly.

If you’re most interested in typical smart features, then you should consider Bluetooth connectivity an essential smart mirror feature.

This is what will let your smart mirror play audio from your phone, or even take calls. This does mean, however, that you’ll need to pay attention to the speakers that are used on the mirror you want.

But if you want a smart mirror that’s as advanced as possible, one that uses WiFi and fancy algorithms, you’ll need to narrow your search, as those are a bit rarer.

Remember the HiMirror Mini Premium X Smart Beauty Mirror? This option is a LOT more advanced than just about any other smart mirror.

But do you really need all those features? HiMirror’s Mini Premium X smart mirror is geared very specifically for heavy make-up users. Influencers and hobbyists alike—the key thing is that you really enjoy doing your makeup and skincare.

At the end of the day, the fact that there’s a wide range of features is a good thing. Just consider what’s most practical for you—the right feature combination is out there.