Mirror TVs: What To Know Before Trying It Out In Your Space

Generally, when you turn your TV off, you're left with a black box. It's not very attractive and can really ruin a space's design. You can take steps to improve it, such as building a gallery wall around your television, but unfortunately, the options are pretty limited. Thankfully, there may be a better option: mirror TVs. Of course, these come at a price, and finding the right balance between mirror quality and TV clarity is essential.

Mirror TVs are just what they sound like. When on, they act as normal televisions, displaying your favorite movies and shows. However, after they turn off, instead of getting an ugly black box, you will see a mirror. These two-in-one devices are neat and give you a way to fully display your TV rather than hide it when it's not in use. If you need it, though, your television is always at the ready to display. 

With people moving more towards multi-functional products in their home, combining a mirror and a TV into one device is sure to be a major perk for many. These devices don't just replace a regular TV. They're well suited for bathrooms as well, where they can double as a mirror and provide entertainment while taking a bath, pampering yourself, or cleaning the space. Also, if you have yours set up as more of a display or monitor than a TV, it can show useful information — like the weather or your calendar — while you're getting ready in the morning.

While these TVs sound spectacular, they aren't perfect. One of the biggest reasons to hesitate to buy one is the cost. These are not cheap by any means. Even a 43-inch screen — often considered small for a living room but ideal for a kitchen or bedroom – costs upwards of $1,000. Meanwhile, you can get a 65-inch OLED TV for about the same price, if not less. If you really hate the thought of your TV standing out from the rest of your decor, you can find ways to flawlessly integrate a TV in your living room and save yourself some money. 

Another problem is the glare that comes from these. While not every mirror TV is bad, some have a rather rough reflection, which causes an annoying glare. Even if you follow tips for finding the perfect spot for your TV, some just don't do well in bright spaces. It is slowly starting to change, but there are still a few that don't work great. Generally, these TVs come with two kinds of glass. The first is two-way mirrors, like those used in interrogation rooms. These are generally cheaper but feature a slight tint. They aren't always easy to see in rooms with a lot of natural light and might work better in a dark bathroom or bedroom. The other option is dielectric glass. This one allows for a crisper view, truer colors, and clear visibility in bright light. However, the price isn't always practical. 

Focus on the transmission and reflection rate when you go to pick out your device. You want a mirror that allows the images from the TV to come through clearly yet keeps the internal components fully hidden when not in use. However, you can't have both at 100% at the same time. You must decide whether you want better transmission or reflection, as they tend to counterbalance each other. Luckily, some companies offer different percentage options – like 40% transmission and 60% reflection, or 65% transmission and 35% reflection – so you can take the time to look at them and decide what works best for you. Note that more reflective options tend to feel truly like a mirror and look great in detailed frames but may not display the TV as clearly.

Another thing to pay attention to is the screen brightness. The mirror layer ends up blocking a lot of the light coming through (sometimes up to 50%), so the higher the screen brightness, the better. After all, you need a TV that can still provide you with images easy to see in most lighting. 

Interestingly, you don't need to go out and buy a whole new television. If you enjoy the one you have but want it to look more like a mirror when it's off, you can get something similar to Hidden Television's Dielectric Mirror. This lets you put a reflective cover over your TV and get the best of both worlds. You could even pair it with an ornate frame for extra visual impact.