Best vanity lighting

Add a powerful punch of light to your bathroom by updating your vanity lights.

best vanity lighting
modern vanity lights over bathroom mirror
(Image credit: SOLFART)

Most of us begin and end our days standing in front of a mirror in the bathroom. Whether you're looking for task lighting to assist in applying makeup or shaving or you want functional, trendy bulbs that make a statement, we've tested them all and come up with a list of the best vanity lighting options. Check it out.

Best overall

vanity lights around mirror

(Image credit: Chende)

Chende vanity lights

Hollywood-style lighting

Chende vanity lights stick around the perimeter of your mirror, plug into an AC adapter, and are dimmable.

Pros:

  • Ten dimmable LEDs
  • Installs in minutes
  • On/off/dimmer switch
  • Stick directly to your mirror
  • Inexpensive lighting solution

Cons:

  • Dimmer switch gets hot

When you want a quick fix to bad lighting in the bathroom, you want Chende vanity lights. This kit comes with ten dimmable LEDs that you stick directly to your mirror. Plug the lights into an AC outlet in your bathroom and go to town with the dimmer switch. Give yourself a soft nightlight-like glow at bedtime, or crank it up to 100 percent to wash your face and get ready in the morning. You choose the settings, and these cool Hollywood-style lights do the work.

Best installation options

four vanity light fixture in bronze

(Image credit: Progress Lighting)

Progress Lighting Hansford vanity light

Rustic urban industrial

The Hansford four-light vanity lighting kit from Progress Lighting comes in bronze or polished nickel and is installable in two positions.

Pros:

  • Cool rustic industrial look
  • Installable facing up or down
  • Available in bronze or polished nickel
  • Creates a beautiful bright glow
  • Accepts a variety of bulbs

Cons:

  • Spendy

They're both rustic and industrial. We love the styling of the Progress Lighting Hansford bathroom and vanity lights. They're installable with the globes facing up or down, so you have choices about where to direct the light. Inside the large glass globes, you fit a few types of 60-watt bulbs, including LEDs, CFLs, halogens, or incandescent. The bulbs are dimmable and bright, and the hardware makes a statement.

Best modern lighting

modern vanity light set with bathroom accessories

(Image credit: Hykolity)

Hykolity brushed nickel wall sconce lighting

Beautiful lights and a few extras

The five-piece bathroom set from Hykolity comes with a modern-looking three-light vanity light set, plus a matching towel ring, towel bar, toilet paper holder, and robe hook.

Pros:

  • Durable steel construction
  • Contemporary styling
  • Comes with extras
  • Bright lighting
  • Bulbs included

Cons:

  • Challenging to install

The three-light vanity and five-piece matching bathroom set from Hykolity lends a contemporary look to your bathroom. Extras include a towel ring, towel bar, toilet paper holder, and robe hook. This vanity lighting comes in three variations: brushed nickel, brushed brass, and oil-rubbed bronze. All are gorgeous! The bulbs included offer perfect overhead lighting for makeup application, shaving, and washing up.

Best design

trendy overhead bathroom vanity lighting in silver and white

(Image credit: SOLFART)

SOLFART modern 4-light LED vanity lights

Trendy lighting in lots of sizes

SOLFART vanity lighting is trendy, comes in three colors, and your choice of two to six bulbs.

Pros:

  • IP4 waterproof
  • Dust-proof
  • Eye-catching styling
  • Choose from four materials
  • Five sizes available

Cons:

  • Directions for installation could be better

One of the best vanity lighting kits is this modern set from SOLFART. It's on-point trendy, emits bright and energy-efficient light, and is available in five sizes. The square fixtures throw off light in 360 degrees, brightening up your bathroom like never before. Grab these in one of four colors, and you're on your way to giving your bathroom one of the best updates ever.

Best dimmable lighting

black and glass vanity lighting

(Image credit: Linea di Liara Effimero)

Linea di Liara Effimero vanity light

Looks good in any bathroom

The Effimero black bathroom vanity three-light fixture from Linea di Liara is modern, easy to clean, and brightens up big and small spaces.

Pros:

  • Four colors available
  • Bright lights
  • Fits in with any décor
  • Glass shades are easy to clean
  • Dimmable

Cons:

  • Takes a bit of work to install

The Effimero is a black and glass bathroom vanity lighting kit from Linea di Liara. Clear glass shades surround the lights. They pull off for quick cleaning and screw back in easily. These lights work well as task lighting over the sink, on the wall between the vanity and shower, or even in a hallway. The simple, elegant look lends itself well to all décor styles, and they're available in four colors.

Bottom line

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The best vanity lighting offers plenty of illumination and can be used on its own or in concert with other lights that share the same space. If we have to pick a favorite, our top pick honor goes to the Chende vanity lights. They stick around the inside of a mirror, plug into an AC outlet, and dim on demand.

If you prefer hardwired vanity lighting, the Effimero from Linea di Liara is a one-of-a-kind piece that blends with your décor, shines brightly, and comes in a variety of sizes and colors.

Why trust us? 

 At Real Homes, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible. 

Jodi Owan works behind a camera and a keyboard.