“Mirror, mirror on the wall, how great you’ll look heating my hall”…
That’s (unfortunately) not a direct quote from Snow White, but we’d love to see a radiator-influenced Disney film in the near future.
I mean, we’ve had cars, mermaids and even brain cells talking in Disney flicks, so surely the time will come when radiators and towel rails get their moment in the limelight!
Anyway, I digress (and we haven’t even started properly yet) – you came here to learn more about mirrored radiators didn’t you, so let’s get on with that!
What is a mirrored radiator?
A mirrored radiator can be one of two things.
It can be a radiator with an integrated mirror, or a reflective radiator with a mirrored surface.
Radiator with integrated mirror
Reflective mirrored radiator
Here at BestHeating we stock both variations of mirrored designer radiators.
What’s the difference between a mirrored radiator & a reflective radiator?
While a radiator with a reflective surface can be considered to be a “mirrored” radiator, it’s very simply a standard radiator design with a reflective surface.
A radiator with an integrated mirror has an “actual” mirror incorporated into its design – meaning the mirror is not part of the radiator, rather it sits on or inside of it.
The latter is both a heating appliance AND a mirror at the same time, whereas the former is (just) a reflective heating appliance that has a mirrored surface.
Due to the size of the mirrors used with these types of radiator, you’ll find many vertical mirrored radiators at BestHeating, and these mirror radiators are ideal for bathrooms, hallways or bedrooms, where a full length mirror is a great addition to the space.
That said, you can install them horizontally (as in the picture above) if you prefer that style for your space.
Are mirrored radiators any good?
You might think that adding a mirror to a radiator would have a big impact on the performance and heat output of the appliance, but that’s not really the case.
Despite the addition of a mirror to some of our most popular vertical designer radiators, there’s very little difference in the BTU output of the mirrored varieties.
This Milano Aruba vertical mirrored radiator for example boasts a BTU output of 4343 @ Delta T50, while the equivalent sized Aruba without the mirror comes in at 5000 BTUs.
So, not only do you still get a good amount of heat from the mirrored Aruba designer radiator, you also benefit from a full length mirror too.
The same can be said for the reflective mirrored radiators too.
This white Milano Alpha tips the BTU scales at 2373 BTUs @ Delta T50, while the reflective chrome mirrored version of the same radiator produces 1581 BTUs.
So, to answer the question of whether mirrored radiators are any good, we can safely say that the drop in heat output is around 600-700 BTUs or so for the mirrored versions – which isn’t much at all.
So in terms of giving out enough heat to keep your room warm and cosy there’s no issue, but what other reasons are there for opting to go “mirrored” with your radiators?
Why buy a mirrored radiator?
As anyone that’s been here before knows, designer radiators have been popular for some time now.
With so many variations on the designer radiator style, it’s natural that updates and upgrades are going to occur – and mirrored designer radiators are one of those updates to the range.
But what is it that sets a mirrored radiator apart from the rest of the designer radiator pack?
Check out some of the main reasons why designer mirrored radiators are becoming so popular with radiator lovers up and down the UK.
Mirrored radiators are multi-functional
In essence, a mirrored designer radiator is a kind of “two-for-one” deal – you get a radiator that heats your space effectively and efficiently, while also getting to enjoy the added bonus of a full length mirror on your wall too.
This means that they’ll heat your home when you need them to, but also provide your hallway, bathroom or bedroom with a practical element that is undeniably stylish.
So they serve a purpose even when you don’t have them switched on; and how many other appliances in your home can you say that about?
Mirrored radiators give your home more light
Not every room of your home will be blessed with bucket loads of natural light, which is another reason for choosing to buy a mirrored radiator.
They’ll help to reflect any available light back into your room, making them particularly helpful in bathrooms with no windows or in a living room with low natural light.
This helps to promote the feeling of spaciousness in your room – and the more spacious and “roomy” your room looks, the more welcoming and comfortable it will be!
A mirrored radiator is space saving
As all mirrored radiators at BestHeating come in a vertical profile they will help to save that extra bit of space on your wall.
This is particularly helpful in small bathrooms and en-suite spaces, as their tall designs mean you have a little extra room for all the other bathroom essentials.
The same can be said for your hallway and bedroom spaces too.
Here, a vertical mirrored radiator offers you the chance to add an additional piece of furniture to the space, or perhaps allows you to rethink the layout of the room – all while giving you the heat you need with the added bonus of an extra bit of practicality too.
Vertical mirrored designer radiators at BestHeating
At BestHeating we have a great range of mirrored designer radiators that are ideal for any room of your home, but to help you find the perfect one, we’ve put together the below list of our top 5 mirrored radiators to help you transform your home.
1 – Milano Icon – White Vertical Mirrored Designer Radiator 1800mm x 385mm
An instantly stylish update to a bathroom, bedroom or hallway, the Milano Icon mirrored vertical designer radiator oozes contemporary cool.
With an impressive heat output of 5,092 BTUs (1,492 Watts), this tall mirrored radiator is sure to heat your space quickly and efficiently.
The centralised full-length mirror is 146mm wide (about 6 inches) which is ample viewing space for anyone wanting to check themselves out before a night on the town.
Available in cool white or trendy anthracite finishes, there’s an Icon for every style of home!
2 – Terma Intra – Stone Vertical Designer Radiator With Mirror 1700mm x 640mm
With its durable stone finish, the Terma Intra mirrored vertical designer radiator makes a stunning style statement in any room of your home.
Featuring a wider central mirror than the Milano Icon but with a slightly lower hourly heat output, the Intra will reflect more light while still warming a hallway or a smaller sitting room to a comfortable temperature.
Complete with centrally located valve inlets that help to reduce this radiator’s footprint on the wall, the Intra is great for rooms with limited floor and wall space.
Check out the full range of Terma Radiators for more information.
3 – Milano Aruba – Anthracite Vertical Mirrored Designer Radiator 1800mm x 499mm (Double Panel)
One of the most popular radiator designs at BestHeating, the Milano Aruba has long been a must-have heating accessory for contemporary-styled homes.
The mirrored Milano Aruba offers the same stunning designer looks of the standard vertical radiator versions, but with the added bonus of a central mirror.
At 145mm wide, the mirror offers a good amount of viewing space and the sleek modern design is perfect for hallways, bedrooms and bathrooms – with radiator accessories available to make life even easier for you.
What our customers say about the mirrored Milano Aruba
4 – Lazzarini Way – Vulcano – White Vertical Mirrored Designer Radiator 1595mm x 495mm
With an inspiring design and unusual shape, the Vulcano mirrored vertical designer radiator is sure to make a design statement in any room of your home.
Sold with and without a mirror attachment, you could argue that the Vulcano shouldn’t make it into our list of top vertical mirrored radiators, but we feel it’s just too damn stylish to leave out.
Featuring curved edges and middle connection valve inlets, the Vulcano is as modern a radiator as you’re likely to find at BestHeating.
Available in both mineral white and anthracite finishes, the Vulcano boasts a mid-range heat output of 2751 BTUs (806 Watts) which is ideal for standard UK bathrooms or larger en-suite spaces.
PLEASE NOTE – This radiator was so popular that is now discontinued in our store. But you can check out all out our other Mirrored radiators.
5 – Milano Alpha – Chrome Vertical Slim Panel Designer Radiator 1800mm x 375mm
A full length reflective mirror radiator like the Alpha from Milano is a practical and stylish addition for a bathroom or en-suite.
With an impressive heat output of 2120 BTUs (621 Watts), this modern designer radiator is powerful enough to heat a small bathroom space to a nice comfortable temperature.
Although not technically “mirrored”, the reflective design of the finish is clear and crisp, and will help to reflect light back into your space.
With a tall design that will help to draw the eye upwards, this vertical mirrored radiator is great for rooms with limited wall space and is sure to add a touch of the “wow” factor to your home.
What our customers say about the mirrored Milano Alpha
Where do mirrored radiators work best?
Unlike radiators without an integrated mirror, a mirrored radiator is best placed in a part of your home in which the mirror serves a purpose.
It’s great buying a radiator for the way it looks, but there’s very little point in installing a mirrored radiator in a room where the mirror never gets used.
We find that our customers tend to place their mirrored radiators in hallways, staircases and (in some cases) the lounge; all locations where the mirror plays its part best.
In a hallway, a mirror radiator serves the double purpose of heating the space and providing you with somewhere to check out how you look before you leave the house.
Bathroom mirrored radiators do a similar thing, only in a bathroom the light they reflect can also help to make a room that is usually quite cluttered appear bigger than it actually is.
That’s not to say that you couldn’t use a mirrored radiator in a bedroom or a dining area – as you can put it wherever you want (within reason) – it’s just that hallways and bathrooms often call for the double feature of heating and reflection.
Mirrored radiators in our customers’ homes
Frequently Asked Questions
Despite offering a lower heat output than more conventional radiator designs, mirrored radiators do still provide a strong heat output in general.
Typically, the drop off in heat output ranges between just 600 and 700 BTUs, which is not a largely significant amount at all, and shouldn’t be enough to deter any potential buyers.
For a more detailed insight, take a look at our blog, The Ultimate Mirrored Radiator Guide.
There are two different types of mirrored radiators. These come in the form of radiators featuring integrated mirrors, and reflective radiators with a mirrored finish such as chrome designer radiators.
For a more detailed insight into all things mirrored radiators, take a look at our dedicated blog, The Ultimate Mirrored Radiator Guide.
Within reason, a mirrored radiator can be installed in any room in the home. However, the very best spaces for their fitting is areas where a mirror will be worth using as well as heating being required.
For instance, the likes of hallways, living rooms and staircases are all good options for mirrored radiators, allowing you to check out your appearance before leaving the house. There isn’t too much point installing a mirrored radiator in a space where the mirror will rarely ever get used.
Bedrooms and bathrooms are therefore other stellar locations for mirrored radiator fittings, with an added bonus provided in compact bathroom spaces in that the reflected light can help create the illusion of extra room.
To find out more, take a look at our dedicated blog, The Ultimate Mirrored Radiator Guide.
Mirrored radiators from BestHeating can help save space, with each design boasting a stylish vertical design to maximise room.
Such a feature is especially useful in compact bathroom or en-suite areas, allowing added space for essential fittings and fixtures, whilst the reflective profile of the rad will also create the illusion of added room.
For a deeper insight, explore our dedicated blog, The Ultimate Mirrored Radiator Guide.
Mirrored radiators are a brilliant modern radiator replacement for anyone looking to add a real sense of designer verve with an unconventional touch to their home heating. They offer supreme functionality and stunning aesthetics, with several space-saving vertical designs available.
For more key help and advice in selecting the perfect modern radiator replacement, take a look at our blog, Obeying the rules of cool: a modern radiator replacement guide.
Buy mirrored radiators at BestHeating
At BestHeating our radiator specialists are on hand to help you make the very best heating choices.
If you’re struggling to find the perfect mirrored radiator for your home, just drop us a line on 0330 027 1490 or email info@bestheating.com and one of our expert team will help you with any questions you may have.
Stay safe and happy (mirrored) heating!
John Lawless is a home heating expert and Content Manager at BestHeating. With over a decade of experience, he shares practical insights on both traditional and modern heating technologies. A regular contributor to various home and garden magazines, John is dedicated to helping homeowners make informed heating choices with straightforward and reliable advice.
