Smart technology is now integrated with our home life like never before.
Virtual assistants such as Google and Alexa can respond to our voice commands to play music from speakers, control living room lights and even activate robot vacuums.
As this type of technology continues to evolve and become more affordable, many of us are looking for ways to make everyday tasks quicker and easier, including how we go about using our bathroom.
Smart technology in bathrooms is nothing new – think ‘Japanese’ style smart toilets which have been around for decades. But something which is relatively new on the scene are smart mirrors. Here’s what you need to know about them.
What actually is a smart mirror?
If you do a quick Google search for ‘smart mirrors’, you’ll get quite a range of different results. Many people associate smart mirrors with something that is akin to a touch screen tablet that can display the time, weather, calendar, news, social media and more.
The type of smart mirrors we are referring to in this post are the type that are less like a computer on the wall and are primarily designed to help you perform your daily bathroom tasks more easily. These mirrors have adjustable lighting, Bluetooth connectivity as well as other convenient features. We’ll explore some of these features below.
Adjustable lighting
Many smart mirrors have adjustable LED lighting options with the ability to switch between different shades of light such as warm light, natural light and cool light. These different lights can be used for different activities. Warm light is great for applying makeup as it best represents sunlight, while cool lighting is best for precision grooming like shaving.
In addition to being able to switch light shades, smart mirrors also allow you to dim and brighten the lighting, so you can create the right mood for whatever you’re doing, whether you’re getting ready for a night out on the town or taking a long soak in a bubble bath.
The mirrors have small touch buttons on the screen to change between the different light settings rather than having a ‘click in’ type button. Not having a clicking button is a more hygienic and easier to clean option.
Bluetooth connectivity
In addition to having adjustable lighting features, some smart mirror models have Bluetooth speaker connectivity. By enabling this feature, you are able to play music through the inbuilt speakers in the mirror via Spotify, YouTube or your phone’s music library.
This lets you listen to music whilst you are having a shower, getting dressed and doing your makeup. It’s definitely a great feature for getting pumped up while getting ready for a night out or for setting a bit of a romantic mood.
Other convenient features
Many smart mirrors will include an in-built demister setting which you can turn on and off. This helps to prevent the mirror fogging up when you’re taking a hot bath or shower.
Some models also have 1 - 3 x magnifying which is ideal for up close tweezing or makeup application.
How are smart mirrors installed?
Smart mirrors are hard wired into the wall and require an electrician to install them. They contain a transformer inside to convert power and are low voltage, so no extra switch is required in the electrical box. Also, because the buttons are integrated into the screen, there’s no need for a separate switch on the wall to control the features of the mirror.
What to look for in the best quality smart mirrors
With the best smart mirrors, the full area around the mirror is completely lit. Some models are only lit at the top and bottom and not the sides, which can lead to shadows being created. Some have lighting behind the glass, that’s OK for close up use, but not so much for everyday make-up application and grooming.
When shopping for a smart mirror, look for models that are IP44 rated, meaning they are splash proof and suitable for bathrooms. While they can’t be placed above a bath or in a shower, they are perfectly fine to be installed above basins.
Interested in smart mirror technology? Talk to the team at Argent.
Whether you’re renovating or building from scratch, Argent is here to help. Our bathroom experts have all the right know-how to recommend the perfect products for your needs so that you can make that final decision with confidence.
Click here to get in touch with us today. We have Resource Centres in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Perth. Or give our Customer Support team a call on 1300 364 748.
