Best Workout Mirrors for 2024
Smart mirrors can bring a fitness studio experience into your home.
Our Experts
Factors to consider
Budget
Space
Additional equipment
Features
Touchscreen or app-controlled
On-the-go app
Additional family member profiles
Our Picks
A smart mirror is an easy way to bring the benefits of a whole gym to your home without taking up too much room. Sure, a new treadmill, elliptical orexercise bike can do the same thing, but the personalization that a smart mirror can provide is unmatched. Most exercise mirrors are either freestanding or wall-mounted and look like standard vertical mirrors.
Some workout mirrors have unique features like rep counting, correcting your form or even a dedicated personal trainer. They aren't cheap, though, so it's helpful to know what each one can offer you that a gym can't. We tested various popular smart mirrors at home and in CNET's testing lab to determine which are the best. We've factored in the installation process, classes and unique functions, as well as practicality. Check out our top picks for smart workout mirror options below.
Editor's note: Lululemon stopped selling its smart mirror following a new partnership with Peloton. For more, read this story.
Which is the best overall workout mirror?
We determined there wasn't a best overall workout mirror since each one offers unique features that can't be compared against each other. Instead, we looked at what made them stand out and considered who'd appreciate these styles the most. Some people prefer a more customized workout so personal training is more up their alley, whereas others want the boutique fitness class to feel at home.
Best smart mirrors of 2024
Editor's note: You can no longer buy the Studio Mirror; the description below was written before the company discontinued the product. If you already bought a Studio Mirror, however, you now have access to Peloton classes with your Lululemon subscription. You can read more on Lululemon's FAQ page.
The Lululemon Studio Mirror connects you to your favorite boutique fitness classes by creating a hybrid experience at home and in person. When you order this smart mirror you have the option to have it installed by a delivery technician, or you can install it following their installation instructions. You can have your mirror on a stand that leans against the wall or mount it to your wall. The Lululemon Studio Mirror can only be controlled through its app. The app is easy to set up, but you will need to make sure the device is connected to Wi-Fi and your smartphone's Bluetooth is on so you can pair it.
For a smart mirror, I expected it to be a touch screen, so I was disappointed I had to operate it through my phone. The good news is the app (available for iOS and Android) is well-designed, intuitive and easy to follow. You will need a Lululemon Studio membership to access the classes (which include beginner, intermediate or advanced levels). Keep in mind you will need equipment at home like dumbbells, resistance bands or kettlebells, depending on the class you take.
You'll never be bored because Lululemon drops new classes every week. Lululemon studio also offers Time Saver options, which are shorter classes in the 5- to 15-minute range for when you don't have time for a full-hour workout. You can also control the instructor's video size so you can view them as large, dynamic or small. The audio for both the music and the instructor can be individually adjusted, depending on which you prefer to hear more prominently. This was helpful when I was taking Rumble, a boxing class, and made it easier to pay attention to the cues the instructor was providing. As for music, you can only connect to an Apple Music account or pick studio music which is built into the Lululemon Studio app. You can also connect your Apple Watch or other compatible heart rate monitors with this device. During class there are a range of display settings: you can opt to not view yourself on camera, hide or show your data, use closed captioning and more.
Because group fitness is all about community, you can view your community stream, which shows other users working out at the same time as you -- and you can cheer them on. If you have friends who own a Lululemon Studio Mirror, you can connect with them for some friendly competition as well. The Studio Mirror offers personal training for an additional fee and during sessions or live classes, you're able to turn on the two-way audio and video technology so you can receive instructor feedback in real-time.
Specs
Dimensions: 56.0" H, 22.4" W, 1.4" D
Weight: 70 pounds
Best personal training smart mirror
Forme Studio
If you want a more personalized experience, the Forme Studio may be the way to go. Forme offers two different types of mirrors: Forme Studio and Forme Lift. The Studio is the original mirror that offers on-demand classes and custom workouts as well as live 1:1 personal training. The Forme Lift is the upgraded version of the Forme Studio and offers the same classes and personal training but has motorized resistance cables (with up to 150 pounds of resistance) meant to elevate your strength training experience. The Forme Studio will run you $2,495, whereas the Forme Lift costs a hefty $6,495.
I was able to test both but thought that the average person would find the Forme Studio more suitable for their homes. If you buy the Forme Studio, you have the option to lean it against or mount it to the wall for extra security. You will also need to make sure you have 6 by 6 feet of space, with a minimum of 7 feet from floor to ceiling to accommodate the unit. Your wall must have a 12-, 16- or 18-inch metal or wood stud spacing, poured concrete, or concrete masonry units.
There's no denying the Forme Studio is a touchscreen, but also has an app (currently only available on iOS). I found the imagery on the Forme Studio to be the best of all the smart mirrors because it's filmed in 4K resolution, which is similar to some nicer televisions on the market. The instructor also looks life-size on the screen, which feel like they are in the room with you. This device has two front-facing cameras which comes in handy if you sign up for personal training sessions (more on this later). Forme includes camera covers for added privacy.
You will need Wi-Fi to use the Forme Studio. You have the option to connect your headphones, Forme Heart Rate Monitor (included in your accessories box), other compatible heart rate monitors or an Apple Smartwatch via Bluetooth. One downside is that you'll only be able to access the built-in music on the device.
The Forme membership will cost you $49 for the first month, then $149 per month afterward, which is a steep price to pay when the unit itself isn't cheap. You'll need the membership to access over 700 on-demand classes and a fitness concierge, which has you fill out a survey that asks about your goals, fitness level and lifestyle and then curates a workout plan with recommended videos on demand from Forme's library released on a weekly basis. You can create up to six profiles with your membership. The video library gives you the option to pick from beginner, intermediate or advanced classes from workouts like barre (you can also purchase the barre attachment separately for $395), strength training, boxing, yoga, pilates, Barry's X, dance and meditation. You can also join a program if you want to tackle a specific challenge for the month. Keep in mind some of these classes will require you to have additional equipment like dumbbells on hand. You can filter by the length of the class, type of workout, level, instructor and equipment needed.
I tested out a few classes and for the most part, the experience was similar to other smart mirrors. You can adjust your audio based on whether you want to hear more of the music or the instructor, which I like since it can help you focus. During class, the mirror is not as impressive as I expected since it's only able to count your reps. Unlike the Lululemon Studio Mirror, there isn't a sense of camaraderie with other members if you're looking for that group fitness feel. I would've thought that the Forme Studio would be able to offer form corrections or cue suggestions like the Fiture Mini, but it doesn't. What makes the Forme Studio stand out is the 1:1 Live Personal Training (something you can set up through the fitness concierge).
The experience is similar to doing a personal training session in person, and this is where the two front cameras are most useful. During a programmed session with your trainer, you'll be able to view them from your screen and vice versa. The trainer has the ability to provide feedback since the cameras track your movements and your whole frame (even if you're on the taller side). If you own the Forme Lift, the trainer can adjust the resistance on the machine remotely if they want to challenge you. Even if you're traveling, you can access your personal training sessions via a tablet. Your trainer will still be able to view you since camera tracking works similarly on tablets.
Specs
Dimensions: 6 by 6 foot space with a minimum of 7 feet from floor to ceiling
Weight: 102 pounds (screen only), 125 pounds (screen with package)
Other workout mirrors we tested
Fiture Mini (Update: Out of Stock): The Fiture Mini was our recommended pick for people with limited space. It's no longer available for purchase in the US. I was able to test it in my home, and I liked that it didn't require a lot of space for a workout. What made it unique was that it featured Motion Engine technology, which uses gesture controls, provides coaching cues, counts reps and guides your pace and form during class.
Echelon Reflect: Compared with the other workout mirrors tested, the Echelon Reflect had a low-quality screen resolution and the instructor screen appeared smaller than the rest. You have the option to mount it to a wall or to a stand and we opted for a stand, but it felt flimsy when operated since it's a touchscreen. We also had issues connecting the app to the mirror and we couldn't control the volume separately from the instructor and the music, so the music always muffled the instructor's directions. We also found it was lacking in class selections compared with its competition.
How we test workout mirrors
The setup: We looked at the ease or difficulty of the delivery and installation process and how the equipment looks in the testing space.
The experience: We took into account the user experience and how easy it is to operate and navigate the smart mirror during class and while browsing the exercise library. We also looked at features that made the user experience easier or better. For example, having volume control over the music and the instructor speaking.
The app: We looked at how easy it was to connect the app to the smart mirror and if it was easy to navigate and mirror the device itself.
The workouts: Compared to a gym membership, we evaluated the class and program selection the smart mirrors offered and if there were options to personalize the workout even further, such as tracking, personal training or individualized programs.
The music: We took into account whether the smart mirror lets you access a third-party music app like Spotify, or if you're expected to use a built-in music program.
The content quality: We observed how the screen resolution appeared and how sophisticated the workout content felt, as well as the sound, smoothness and overall quality of the software.
What to look for when shopping for a workout mirror
- Decide if you want a mountable or free-standing mirror and if the manufacturer offers both options.
- Verify that white glove delivery and assembly are included with your order.
- Consider the library of workouts and how personalized you can make your experience.
- If privacy is a concern, confirm that camera covers come with the mirror for when it's not in use.
- Make sure you know how to clean your smart mirror. Most will include instructions on how to maintain it at home.
- Make sure you understand the company's warranty policy and know what they're willing to cover if your smart mirror were to break or malfunction.