Natural light not only provides scientifically proven health benefits but also brightens up the mood in any room. But, what if your bathroom does NOT have any windows? You can’t just install any lights either — the types and even the fixtures of your lighting will make a huge difference. Not to mention the struggle of guessing how the light bulb that you found online will actually look like in your bathroom.
Don’t worry, because we’ve got you covered. In this in-depth buying guide of the best lighting for a bathroom without windows, you’ll find out:
- Comparison of the best lightings
- What to consider before buying
- The best overhead lighting
- The best vanity lights
- The best-backlit mirrors
Best Lighting for Bathroom Without Windows – Comparison Tables
| Category | Product | Review | Dimmable | Lumens | Color Temperature | Wattage | Lifetime | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overhead Lighting | LE Flush Mount Ceiling Light | Best Flush Mount | ❌ | 1,250 lm | 5,000 K | 15 watts | At least 20,000 hours | View price here |
| LOHAS A21 LED Bulbs (4 Pack) | Best Budget | ❌ | 2,500 lm | 3,000 K | 23 watts | 30,000 hours | View price here | |
| Philips LED A-19 Frosted Light Bulb (4 Pack) | Best Overall | ❌ | 1,500 lm | 5,000 K | 14 watts | 10,950 hours | View price here | |
| Vanity Lights | Ralbay LED Black Vanity Lights | Best Adjustable | ❌ | 1,596 lm | 6,000 K | 32 watts | 50,000 hours | View price here |
| PRESDE Modern Black Vanity Light | Best Design | ✔ | 2,240 lm | 6,500 K | 28 watts | Unknown, but there is a 3-year warranty | View price here | |
| SOLFART Dimmable Modern LED Vanity Lights | Best Overall | ✔ | 2,560 lm | 6,000 K | 32 watts | 50,000 hours | View price here | |
| Backlit Mirrors | TETOTE LED Backlit Bathroom Vanity Mirror | Best Overall | ✔ | 6,364 lm | 3,000 - 6,000 K | 45 watts | 50,000 hours | View price here |
| Keonjinn Backlit Bathroom Mirror Wall | Runner-up | ✔ | 3,900 lm | 6,000 K | Unknown | 50,000 hours | View price here |
Things to Consider Before Buying
Unfortunately, there is no magic formula for the single best lighting for a bathroom without windows. Selecting the right lighting involves a mix of several factors.
Budget: As always, your budget remains the key deciding factor when installing suitable lighting for your bathroom. Depending on your bathroom size and design, you could spend upwards of $500 on lighting alone.
Type of lighting: You should buy LED light bulbs instead of fluorescent lights. LED lights may cost you more upfront, but their significantly longer lifetime will save you money in the long run. Aside from not having to change as often, you can also adjust the brightness of most LED lights according to your preference.
Brightness: The light’s brightness (measured in lumens) should be based on your bathroom space. A small bathroom with no natural light may only need 1,500 lumens. On the other hand, a larger bathroom may require overhead lighting of at least 2,500 lumens.
Color Temperature: An ideal color temperature (measured in Kelvins) depends on your bathroom’s paint color and your personal preference. Lighting with a lowe amount of Kelvins emit warmer tones, whereas a higher amount of Kelvins indicate cool, brighter lights.
Light Fixtures: You should have two main lightings in a bathroom without natural light: overhead and vanity lights. Overhead lighting is necessary to illuminate the entire bathroom, while vanity lights will shine at where it matters most — your face in front of the mirror. The right color temperature should match your preferences and bathroom paint color.
Best Flush Mount: LE Flush Mount Ceiling Light
Bright and crisp 5,000K lighting
The LE Flush Mount Ceiling Light emits a cool and bright light that illuminates your bathroom as natural light would. At only 1,250 lumens, the light is not glaring, nor does it emit any annoying buzzing noise. While it is not as bright as other overhead lights, the LE Flush Mount Ceiling Light is good enough for 9-12 m² bathrooms.
IP54 Water-resistant and dust-proof
This overhead lighting is tightly sealed to prevent dust and moisture from seeping inside the unit. As a result, the LE FLush Mount Ceiling Light will be mold-free and also insect-free.
20,000 hours of lifespan
Like all LED lights, the LE Flush Mount Ceiling Light consumes significantly less energy and lasts longer than fluorescent lights. With a lifespan of 20,000 hours, this overhead light will last for up to 18 years, assuming you use it three hours a day. With such a long lifespan, you can save precious time and money by not changing lights as often. You can also rest assured that the light won’t die suddenly, forcing you to shower in the dark.
Dimensions
- Length: 8.7 inches
- Width: 8.7 inches
- Height: 1.9 inches
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕ IP54 water resistant and dust-proof | ➖ Non-dimmable |
| ➕ Doesn't attract bugs | ➖ Only 1,250 lumens |
| ➕ 20,000 hours of usage | ➖ Not designed for 3.5 or 4 inch junction box |
| ➕ Emits a natural-light feel | |
Best Budget: LOHAS A21 LED Bulbs (4 Pack)
Soft and comfortable 3,000K light
The LOHAS A21 LED Bulbs emit 3,000K color temperature lights at a brightness of 2,500 lumens. They will give your bathroom a soft, cozy touch, and is also easy on your eyes. While the bulbs are listed at 23 watts, some bulbs only measured at 17 watts. So, we recommend either installing them in small bathrooms or complementing them with vanity lights.
Easily-installed E26 base
These bulbs are made with the standard E26 base. The E26 base is also the most widely used bulb cap base worldwide. As such, you are given the freedom to install this light bulb any way you want — as overhead lighting, hanging bulbs, or even as vanity lights.
30,000 hours lifespan
The LOHAS A21 LED bulbs boast a lifespan of 30,000 hours. In other words, you could leave it on for 24 hours every day for three years, before replacing it with new bulbs. However, a small number of bulbs stopped working after only three weeks. Regardless, the bulbs come with a one-year warranty should you run into any issues.
Dimensions
- Length: 5.19 inches
- Width: 2.75 inches
- Height: 2.76 inches
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕ 30,000 hours lifespan | ➖ Non-dimmable |
| ➕ One-year warranty included | ➖ Some say that these are actually 17 watts |
| ➕ Soft, warm light for a cozy feel | |
| ➕ 2,500 lumens bright enough for a small bathroom |
Best Overall Overhead Lighting: Philips LED A19 Frosted Light Bulb (4 Pack)
Comfortable lighting at daylight color temperature
These bulbs undergo strict testing to achieve Philip’s EyeComfort criteria such as glare, color rendition, and flicker. The Philip LED A19 emits 5,000K lights with at least an 80 color rendering index (CRI). A good CRI (80 and above) will illuminate your face in more accurate colors even in a bathroom without natural light. Moreover, these bulbs are not too bright, making them perfect for small to medium-sized bathrooms.
Eco-friendly and energy-efficient
The Philip LED A19 bulbs consume about 87% less energy while lasting 10 times longer than incandescent bulbs. Also, these LED bulbs do not contain mercury which may pose serious health risks. These Philip LED bulbs also consume 41% less energy compared to CFL bulbs.
The listed lifespan of 10,950 may be shorter than other bulbs listed here. However, its energy-saving capacities and natural light that won’t degrade over time will be more than enough for three years. Besides, you should replace your LED bulbs regularly anyway because of the rapidly advancing LED technology.
Trusted brand & three-year warranty
Since its founding in 1891, Philips has consistently provided a broad range of reliable household products. This trust is reflected by the 4.5/5 review on Amazon from 1,908 ratings. You can also extend the three-year warranty for up to five years on their website.
Dimensions
- Length: 4.3 inches
- Width: 2.38 inches
- Height: 2.38 inches
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕ Established brand | ➖ Only 1,500 lumens and 14 watts |
| ➕ 5,000K day white light | ➖ Listed lifespan of only 10,950 hours |
| ➕ Eco-friendly | ➖ Does not ship to California |
| ➕ E26 standard medium base | |
| ➕ High color rendering index (CRI) | |
| ➕ Three-year warranty |
Best Adjustable: Ralbay LED Black Vanity Lights
Rotatable lights
You can adjust the hinges of this Ralbay vanity light set according to your desired angle. The rotatable joints can be adjusted up to 360 degrees, allowing you to achieve the perfect mirror look. However, you should adjust the lights sparingly or the joints may leave scratch marks.
Solid metal build
The Ralbay LED Black Vanity Lights set is built with excellent quality metal black frames. This metal frame is well-sealed, making it dust-proof, moisture-proof, fog-proof, and anti-corrosion. Moreover, the lampshade is made of sturdy acrylic.
Option to choose between two to six lights
You can choose from two to six lights, according to your bathroom size. For a small bathroom without windows, two or three lights are more than enough for a well-lit bathroom. However, don’t hesitate to get more lights for larger bathrooms.
Long-lasting bright white LED lights
The Ralbay LED Black Vanity Lights have a lifespan of a whopping 50,000 hours. Moreover, the bulbs emit a 6,000K cool white light at a brightness of 2,340 lumens. Coupled with a CRI of more than 80, these vanity lights will illuminate your bathroom just like natural light.
Dimensions (4 lights)
- Length: 41.1 inches
- Width: 6.7 inches
- Height: 6.3 inches
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕ 50,000 hours lifespan | ➖ Not dimmable |
| ➕ Dust-proof, fog-proof, anti-corrosion, and moisture-proof | ➖ Some people dislike the 6,000K bright white light |
| ➕ Easy installation | ➖ May leave scratch marks if your rotate the lights too frequently |
| ➕ 360° Rotatable joints | |
| ➕ Sturdy metal build | |
| ➕ >80 Color Rendering Index (CRI) |
Best Design: PRESDE Modern Black LED Vanity Light
Solid metal and acrylic build
PRESDE utilized matte black metal for the casing and acrylic for the lamp body. Aside from being sturdy, the materials also have a textured design to elevate the design of the vanity lights. Moreover, the casing is dust-proof and water-proof. You can choose from a 32-inch or 48-inch model, depending on your bathroom size and preference.
Dimmable, energy-saving lights
Like all LED lights, this vanity light consumes significantly less energy than fluorescent lights. You can also adjust the brightness between 100% to 0% to further conserve energy.
6,500K cool white light
These vanity lights emit a bright, white light at a brightness of 2,240 lumens. Its color temperature of 6,500K means that these lights will brighten up your bathroom as natural light would, even if your bathroom does not have windows. Also, the PRESDE Modern Black Vanity Light has a CRI of more than 80. Lightings with higher CRI will reproduce colors in your bathroom more accurately, ideal for putting on makeup or grooming yourself in front of the mirror.
Dimensions (32-inch model)
- Length: 32 inches
- Width: 2.4 inches
- Height: 4.3 inches
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕ Dimmable | ➖ Usage lifespan not given |
| ➕ Solid matt black surface and acrylic lampshade | ➖ Some people find the 6,500K light too white |
| ➕ Easy installation | |
| ➕ Brightness of 2,240 lumens | |
| ➕ CRI of more than 80 | |
| ➕ Stylish design |
Best Overall Vanity Lights: SOLFART Dimmable Modern LED Vanity Lights
Dimmable, energy-saving lights
The SOLFART Dimmable LED Vanity Lights come with all the benefits that LED lights. In general, LED lights last longer, are more energy-efficient and do not emit heat or UV rays. In addition, you can lower the brightness if you think that the 6,000K white light is too bright.
High-quality build material
These vanity lights are covered in gloss chrome finishing and frosted acrylic shades. So, you don’t have to worry about the moisture in your bathroom causing the lights to become rusty. Moreover, the SOLFART LED Vanity Lights are dust-proof and rated IP44 waterproof.
50,000 hours of usage
With a lifespan of 50,000 hours, you don’t have to worry about changing the lights regularly. In other words, you could leave these lights on for 24 hours, every day, for five consecutive years before changing.
Option to choose from 3 to 6 lights
Depending on your bathroom size, you can choose from a three-light model or the six-light model. However, we only recommend installing 6 lights only for larger bathrooms. 4 lights are more than enough to brighten up a medium-sized bathroom without natural light.
Dimensions (4 lights)
- Length: 26.8 inches
- Width: 3.5 inches
- Height: 4.3 inches
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕ 50,000 hours lifespan | ➖ Not rotatable |
| ➕ Stainless steel casing with acrylic shade | ➖ Can't replace individual lights; must replace the entire set |
| ➕ Dimmable | ➖ Have to manually contact the manufacturer for warranty information |
| ➕ 6,000K natural white light | |
| ➕ Decent 2,560 lumens | |
| ➕ Gorgeous design |
Best Overall Backlit Mirror: TETOTE LED Backlit Bathroom Vanity Mirror
Dimmable backlit mirror
You can adjust the brightness of the TETOTE LED backlit mirror with a simple press of the smart display. The light has a CRI of more than 90 to accurately illuminate your face’s natural colors. Moreover, you can adjust the color temperature from a warm 3,000K light to a bright 6,000K according to your preferences. Also, the built-in smart memory program will remember and load your previous settings every time you use this backlit mirror.
Anti-fog
The TETOTE LED backlit mirror comes with an anti-fog function that you can turn on before showering. So, you don’t have to treat the mirror with anti-fog spray or go through the hassle of wiping down the fog after a warm shower.
Sturdy build with smart touch
The TETOTE LED backlit mirror is built with an aluminum alloy frame and hand-polished silver coating to make the mirror sturdier. Furthermore, the built-in smart touch allows you to use the anti-fog and brightness adjustment functions easily. Also, this mirror has an IP54 waterproof rating.
Variety of size choices
You can choose from 13 different sizes plus the option to install vertically or horizontally, according to the size of your bathroom.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕ 13 sizes to choose from | ➖ Wire is slightly too short |
| ➕ Adjustable brightness between 3000K to 6000K | ➖ Not easy to install |
| ➕ Anti-fog | |
| ➕ Smart memory | |
| ➕ CRI of more than 90 | |
| ➕ Affordable pricing |
Runner-up Backlit Mirror: Keonjinn Backlit Bathroom Mirror
Solid build quality
Keonjinn ensures that its mirrors undergo rigorous quality testing. For example, its mirrors must pass impact tests, heavy pressure tests, and drop tests. The mirror is made using aluminum and acrylic, which is 17 times stronger than glass. Moreover, the mirror has an IP54 waterproof rating, making it safe for use in bathrooms.
50,000 hours lifespan
The backlit mirror utilizes LED, which we all know is much more energy-efficient than traditional lighting methods. Also, you only have to mirror once and for all because of its 50,000-hour lifespan.
Anti-fogging and brightness dimming functions
You can easily adjust the brightness on the wall switch according to your preferences. Also, the mirror comes with anti-fogging functions, so you don’t have to treat it with anti-fog spray. Moreover, the smart memory program automatically loads up your previous setting whenever you switch on the mirror.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| ➕ 50,000 hours lifetime | ➖ Frequently out of stock |
| ➕ Dimmable | ➖ Must be installed close to power source due to short wires |
| ➕ Can be installed vertically or horizontally | ➖ Not as easy to install |
| ➕ Anti-fogging | |
| ➕ IP54 waterproof |
Key Takeaways
Best Overhead Lights
- Best Flush Mount: LE Flush Mount Ceiling Light
- Best Light Bulb: LOHAS A21 LED Bulbs (4 Pack)
- Best Budget: Philips LED A-19 Frosted Light Bulb (4 Pack)
Best Vanity Lights
- Best Adjustable: Ralbay LED Black Vanity Lights
- Best Design: PRESDE Modern Black LED Vanity Light
- Best Overall: SOLFART Dimmable Modern LED Vanity Lights
Best Backlit Mirrors
- Best Overall: TETOTE LED Backlit Bathroom Vanity Mirror
- Runner-up: Keonjinn Backlit Bathroom Mirror Wall
Which lighting do you think looks best? Let us know in the comments below!
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