Bathroom Vanity Lights

Bathroom vanity lights do one job no ceiling fixture can: light your face evenly at the mirror. The LED vanity lights in this category are integrated fixtures from NEXLEDS, CANOLIGHT, ORTECH, CSC LED, TUROLIGHT and LIGHT EFFICIENT DESIGN, built for bathrooms, ensuites, powder rooms and commercial washrooms across Canada. You will find linear vanity light bars, round and square wall fixtures, rectangular and cylindrical bathroom light fixtures, and retrofit kits. Most models offer selectable colour temperature (CCT) and many are dimmable.

Types of LED vanity lights

The right shape depends on your mirror, your wall space and the look you want:

• Linear vanity light bar — the classic above-the-mirror fixture. A diffused LED board replaces a row of bulbs: one smooth band of light, no hot spots. Lengths run from 14 inches to 3 feet, including 2 ft, 22-inch, 26.77-inch and 34-inch bars.
• Round and square wall vanities — ORTECH and TUROLIGHT models with a 120° beam angle that double as flush-mount bathroom fixtures. Ideal when the wall above the mirror is short or when you want a matched pair on each side.
• Rectangular and cylindrical fixtures — NEXLEDS designs in white, black, black trim or brushed nickel that sit flat against the wall.
• Vanity retrofit kits — LIGHT EFFICIENT DESIGN 14-inch retrofits with FlexWatt and FlexColor, 6 W and a 4000 K default, with or without occupancy sensor. They upgrade the fixture you already own without opening the wall.

Above the mirror or on each side?

One bar centred above the mirror suits most single vanities. For makeup and shaving, two fixtures mounted vertically on either side of the mirror give the most even light and remove the shadows under the eyes and chin. On a long double vanity, use one wide bar or one fixture per mirror. Every fixture here mounts to a standard junction box.

Colour temperature and CRI for makeup and shaving

As a general rule, a bathroom mirror light should sit between 3000 K and 4000 K. At 3000 K the light is warm and flattering; at 3500 K to 4000 K it is neutral and shows true skin tone, which is what grooming needs. Colder settings such as 5000 K suit commercial washrooms. Colour rendering matters just as much: a high-CRI LED keeps lipstick, foundation and hair colour looking the way they will outdoors. The ORTECH wall vanities list CRI 80, and the CANOLIGHT bars use OSRAM LED chips chosen for colour accuracy.

Selectable CCT: one fixture, several moods

Most fixtures here are CCT vanity lights with a selector set at installation. The 5CCT models from ORTECH, CANOLIGHT, CSC LED and TUROLIGHT cover 2700 K, 3000 K, 3500 K, 4000 K and 5000 K; NEXLEDS 3CCT bars offer three settings, and the NEXLEDS RGBCW wall light adds colour. For contractors and property managers, one SKU covers a spa-style ensuite, a family bathroom and a commercial washroom; for homeowners, you can change your mind after seeing the light on your tile.

Choosing the length

The general rule: the bar should be about as wide as the mirror and never wider than the vanity. A small powder-room mirror pairs with a 14-inch retrofit or a 2 ft bar; a standard single vanity takes a 22- to 26-inch bar; a wide mirror or double vanity calls for 34 inches or 3 ft, or two shorter fixtures. The CSC LED bars add selectable wattage — 9, 15 or 19 W on the 2 ft model, 18, 23 or 30 W on the 3 ft model — so you dial the brightness to the room on site.

Dimming

A dimmable vanity light is a soft night light one minute and a bright grooming light the next. The CSC LED 2 ft and 3 ft bars are rated for TRIAC dimming, and several other fixtures are dimmer-compatible. Always pair an LED fixture with an LED-rated dimmer; an old incandescent dimmer can cause flicker.

Damp locations and certifications

A bathroom is a damp location, so choose a fixture rated for it. The CANOLIGHT bars are rated for damp locations, the ORTECH wall vanities are IP65 for indoor use, and the TUROLIGHT fixtures are listed for damp and wet locations. Product pages show cUL certification where applicable. Fixtures run on 120 V, and many accept 120 to 277 V for commercial buildings.

Finishes that match your hardware

Finish ties the vanity light to the faucet, the mirror frame and the cabinet pulls. The category offers matte black, brushed nickel, satin nickel, chrome, gold and white, plus white with black trim. Black and brushed nickel come in the most sizes; gold and chrome appear on the CANOLIGHT bars.

Pair it with an LED mirror

A vanity bar above the mirror and an LED mirror with its own backlight work well together: the bar lights the face, the mirror lights the room. Set the same colour temperature on both and match the bar finish to the mirror frame.

Brands in this category

• NEXLEDS — rectangular, cylindrical and linear 3CCT bars, 12 W to 21 W; wall lights up to 32 W.
• CANOLIGHT — 20 W to 26 W bars, OSRAM LED chips, 5CCT, damp-location rated; black, chrome, gold.
• ORTECH — 22-inch and 34-inch wall vanities, 17 W / 1800 lm and 25 W / 2600 lm, IP65, CRI 80.
• CSC LED — 2 ft and 3 ft square bars, selectable wattage, 5CCT, 120-277 V, TRIAC dimming.
• TUROLIGHT — 2 ft round and square bathroom light fixtures, 24 W, 5CCT, 120 V.
• LIGHT EFFICIENT DESIGN — 14-inch retrofit kits, 120-277 V, with or without occupancy sensor.

Vanity lighting across Canada

Renovating a condo bathroom in Montreal, finishing an ensuite in Toronto or outfitting hotel washrooms in Calgary: the bathroom vanity lights in this category are selected for Canadian voltages and certifications. Filter by brand, finish or wattage, compare the spec sheets and add the fixture to your cart. Contractors ordering several units can contact us for a quotation.

FAQ

What is the best colour temperature for a bathroom vanity light? For most bathrooms, 3000 K to 4000 K: 3000 K feels cozy, 3500 K to 4000 K renders skin tone accurately for makeup and shaving. A selectable-CCT fixture lets you test both.

Should vanity lights go above the mirror or on the sides? Above the mirror is the standard layout. Side-mounted fixtures at face height give the most even, shadow-free light and are the professional choice for makeup.

How long should a vanity light bar be? About the width of the mirror, never wider than the vanity: 14 inches to 2 ft for small mirrors, 22 to 26 inches for a single vanity, 34 inches or 3 ft for double vanities.

Are LED vanity lights dimmable? Many are. The CSC LED bars are rated for TRIAC dimming and other models are dimmer-compatible. Check the product page and use an LED-rated dimmer.

Can I install a vanity light in a damp bathroom? Yes, if it is rated for damp locations, like the CANOLIGHT bars, the IP65 ORTECH models or the damp-and-wet TUROLIGHT fixtures. Have it installed to code by a licensed electrician.

What does 5CCT mean on a vanity light? Five selectable colour temperatures in one fixture, typically 2700 K, 3000 K, 3500 K, 4000 K and 5000 K. The installer sets the switch once; no extra controls are needed.