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Best Workout Mirrors for 2024 - CNET

These smart fitness mirrors will help you get fit at home without having to go to a gym to meet your fitness goals. Here are our top picks.

Updated Jan. 19, 2024 5:37 a.m. PT Led Bathroom Cabinet

Best Workout Mirrors for 2024 - CNET

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Set aside a realistic budget for a smart mirror, because they don't come cheap. You could easily spend upwards of $1,000 on one of these devices.

Determine whether you have the appropriate space for a smart mirror. Besides a place for the mirror, you should have plenty of room to move on the floor. 

Find out if you will need additional equipment to use the smart mirror or if it's included.

Decide what features are important to you for a smart mirror to have. Some offer personal training as well as group fitness classes that are updated regularly. 

Decide if you prefer a smart mirror with a touchscreen or to monitor it through an app or by hand gestures. Some mirrors give you multiple options. 

If you want to use the smart fitness mirror on-the-go, make sure it has a compatible app which you can use while traveling.

If your whole family plans on using the smart mirror, make sure you can create enough user profiles for them.

Not everybody can afford to commute to a gym regularly, but workout mirrors will help you get your workouts in from the comfort of your home. A new treadmill, elliptical or exercise bike does the same thing, but the personalization that a smart mirror can provide is unmatched. A smart mirror can bring the benefits of a whole gym to your home without taking up much room since it blends in with the space like any other mirror would. 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 . Admittedly, they aren't cheap, so despite having only a few good options, 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.

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 which users would appreciate these styles the most. We're aware 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.

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), and that will run you $39 a month. The membership provides up to six profiles so anyone in your family can use the mirror. It will give you access to thousands of popular fitness studios like Rumble, Dogpound, Aarmy, Y7 Studio, AKT, Pure Barre, Yoga Six and Forward Space. Keep in mind you will need equipment at home like dumbbells, resistance bands or kettlebells, depending on the class you take. Additionally, with your membership, you'll be able to attend class at the brick-and-mortar studio locations and receive 10% off Lululemon purchases and special discounts when you attend in-person Lululemon Studio partner classes. 

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. 

The most basic package of this smart mirror normally retails for $995, which is a great price considering everything you're getting with the device. If you're a fan of the interactive aspect of group fitness classes and hybrid workouts, then you'll love the Lululemon Studio Mirror.

Editor's note: Lululemon has ended its partnership with Mirror but will continue to sell the device through the end of the year. Current Mirror owners will continue to have access to their memberships.

Read more: Lululemon to Stop Selling Studio Mirror Fitness Device As It Teams Up With Peloton

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 ($99 for the first month; $399 a month afterward). 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 $295), 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. 

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)

Fiture Mini: 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. 

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.

The best mirror will depend on what features you prefer. If personal training is important to you, then the Forme may be your best option, whereas if you want the feel of a boutique group fitness class, you may favor the Lululemon Studio Mirror. 

Some smart mirrors do have the option to have the instructor watch you during class to help with your form or offer guidance. Your user manual will mention if this is a feature that's included. 

You can get the benefits of personal training or group fitness classes without leaving your home. It's also dual-purposed and can serve as both your home gym and a mirror. 

Best Workout Mirrors for 2024 - CNET

Vanity Cabinet Mirror With Lights It's recommended that the best way to clean your smart mirror is by using a microfiber cloth or with an approved cleaning solution that may be included in your order. Avoid using unapproved cleaning products and paper towels, which could be too abrasive for the surface.