Smart mirrors in comparison: the best models for wardrobes & Co.

It all started with smart phones. Then came the smart speakers. Smart doorbells followed, and in the meantime manufacturers are subjectively labeling everything as smart that has a digital display and can be connected to the home network. This even includes mirrors, the metal-coated and smoothly polished surfaces that most people briefly look into in the morning just to wish they haven’t got out of bed. Fortunately, smart mirrors are not (yet) smart enough to make a snippy comment in the direction of the supposed twin who is examining himself in them. On the other hand, they come up trumps with functions that most tablet or smart speaker users are familiar with.

And so some of the mirrors look more like an oversized tablet. Their scope of services includes, among other things, playing music and videos from Spotify, Netflix or Youtube, or you can use them to make video calls to friends – thanks to a selfie camera. Some devices even include fitness offers that are intended to replace going to the gym – including advice from a personal trainer. In times of free YouTube workouts with Pamela Reif & Co., it is of course questionable whether the surcharge for such a mirror is worthwhile.

Smart mirror for the wardrobe

Buy now: Smarter wardrobe mirror at Saturn

Because a mirror is not just a mirror, but also a design element, there are various areas of application for which a smart representative of its type is suitable. “Hey Google. What fashion is the trend in autumn?” Such (and other) questions are answered by a smart mirror like this even. This is made possible by the integrated voice control. Does that really help you choose the right outfit? Oh well.

Because the Android 8 operating system does its job on the mirror, you install apps such as Netlix, Spotify or the ARD media library on it. Ideal if you want to be provided with the first information of the day during the morning routine, or if you don’t want to miss a second of your favorite series. The installation works either via voice control or alternatively via touch input on the display. Nice: With other matching smart devices such as scales or cameras, you always have data about your body or your smart home in view in the mirror.

Digital mirror for the kitchen

Buy now: Smarter kitchen mirror at Saturn

A smart mirror in the kitchen is the perfect companion for a wonderful evening of cooking. Sounds strange at first, but that one can be wonderfully integrated into the new kitchen, for example by using it as the door of a kitchen cabinet. Android 8 also works on it, which is why the kitchen mirror can be easily integrated into the home WiFi network. Again download the apps of your choice from the Google Play Store and again this works by voice command or touch input. If you don’t want to think about what to eat for lunch or in the evening, simply ask Google for delicious recipe ideas that can be prepared in less than ten minutes. Football fans, on the other hand, appreciate apps like DAZN and watch their favorite club in the Champions League or Bundesliga while they cook and all in full HD resolution. According to the manufacturer, the smart mirror is also protected against steam and splash water and certified with the protection standard IP 65.

Smart mirror in the bathroom

A smart mirror for the bathroom is the round version of the . Like the kitchen mirror, this is also IP 65 certified and, according to the manufacturer, protected against steam and water splashes. Of course, Android is working in the mirror again, allowing numerous apps from the Google Play Store to find a new home in the mirror. Nice: An LED light strip is adorned around the mirror. It functions as a smart accessory and lamp in the bathroom. Again you rule by voice command or touch control over the smart mirror. This time Alexa is also on board. Anyone who has installed smart lightbulbs in the bathroom can control them via the mirror if desired. Otherwise, with this model, you can also keep an eye on your smart home from the bathroom – provided, of course, that you have smart cameras, doorbells, etc.

Smart mirror for athletes

Buy now: Smarter mirror from Vaha

In lockdown, most athletes relied on home workouts – what else was there to do? That is why almost every fitness influencer motivates his or her followers with work-out videos. The problem: The training sessions of professional athletes are only partially suitable for the fitness level of normal mortals. Tried in this niche to penetrate with his smart mirror. The difference is made by personal trainers who create tailor-made training plans for their customers. In addition, the mirrors offer integrated training programs that the athletes can use for orientation. Those who prefer to train themselves in a group can do this in digital live workouts. For the meditative fitness lifestyle à la bonne heure, Spiegel also offers yoga courses and Pilates.

You have to consider this before buying

As with all smart devices, one can argue about the sense and nonsense of a smart mirror. Of course, it is uncomfortable to think that the mirror is listening in or looking through its built-in microphones and webcams. The same applies to smart displays or speakers. You should think at least once beforehand whether you really want to set up these products in the bedroom or bathroom. It can be more pleasant, for example, to place a smart mirror near the cloakroom at the entrance to use it as the central control element of the smart home.

With smart mirrors, there is another problem that is less related to data security than to design. They are simply a lot clunkier than their analog relatives because they are basically nothing more than computers with a mirrored display. All the technology has to find its place somewhere and of course it does so within the framework of what you should keep in mind when placing the mirror.