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Have you ever heard something behind you and wished you had eyes on the back of your head?
Especially on a bike, you can find yourself without the ability to turn around and see what’s coming from behind you.
This is where a bike mirror will help, and we’ve got the best ones for you.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Bike Mirrors
- OUR TOP PICK: Hafny MR083
- RUNNER-UP: MEACHOW ME-006LS
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: West Biking Bike Mirror
Comparison of the Best Bike Mirrors
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How to Choose Mirrors for Your Bike
When looking for a bike mirror, it’s important to know what you want to buy ahead of time. The basics of each mirror affect how it’s put on and how it works. Features such as size, flexibility, and location help you determine which mirror to purchase.
The size of the mirror determines how it will function for you on your bike. A large mirror provides a good field of view, but it’s also heavy compared to smaller mirrors. Smaller mirrors are easier to place on your bike, and some can be attached at the end of the handlebars. The size of the mirror is dependent on preference, but trial and error can be crucial.
Photo Credit: IceBike.org
The flexibility of the mirror’s connection to the bike will determine how and where it can be connected. A flexible mirror stand can be placed in various places, but if the mirror is too heavy, the mirror may shift away from the optimal spot. A rigid mirror stand won’t move with the weight of the mirror but could break off if riding through a tight space.
When purchasing a mirror, the spot that it connects to the bike can tie into other features. Some mirrors will connect to the handlebars at the end while others connect to the bar itself rather than screwing onto the end.
Review of the Best Bike Mirrors
The past year was a turbulent year, but it was also a productive one for many people. Many individuals spent the year bettering themselves, including riding their bikes. In response, bike companies produced equipment of a higher quality than before. These are the best bike mirrors available.
Best Overall:
Hafny MR083
pros
cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers seem to enjoy this product quite a bit. Some had reservations with regards to the vibrations of the mirror, as well as having to repeatedly adjust the mirror. Overall, the majority of recent buyers have positive experiences and opinions of the product.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Hafny bar end bike mirror stands out amongst the competition due to its sheer versatility and use. The product can be attached to almost any bike handlebar, including drop bars. The stainless steel lens makes for a practically unbreakable display. If you’re active or ride your bike for transport, the compact size will allow you to store your bike easily or prevent damage when going through tight spaces.
The durable casing protects from basic collisions and reduces overall wear and tear on the unit. Lastly, the adjustability of the mirror itself is a key feature and gives itself to the versatility of the product.
Bottom Line
The Hafny bar end mirror is an extremely versatile unit that can serve as a jack-of-all-trades unit. The durable frame and aluminum joint make it versatile and strong despite the product’s instability at high speeds and lack of replaceable parts.
Runner-up:
MEACHOW ME-006LS
pros
cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The majority of recent buyers are satisfied with the product. The predominant complaint is the lack of the tool used to tighten the device to the handlebar when ordering. Many individuals have noted that they greatly enjoy the ability to place this on any bike with standard handlebars.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Much like the Hafny mirror, the Meachow handlebar bike mirror excels in versatility. The mirror can be placed on any bike with standard handlebars and doesn’t increase drag as much as other similar products. The lens comes in two variations, silver and blue. The silver lens has a 50% glare reduction, while the blue lens has a 75% glare reduction.
The lens may be made of glass, but it’s safety glass similar to the material used in car windows and mirrors. The high strength and durability of the frame and clamp allow for rough rides such as mountain biking.
Bottom Line
The Meachow mirror’s glare reduction is a top contender for the best of the product. The product’s rigid build and lack of a hex key are low points. Regardless, it’s a well-rounded and sturdy product for the average consumer.
Best for the Money:
West Biking Bike Mirror
pros
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What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers are satisfied with the price of the product, though some admit to issues. The general opinion is that it works for the price, but there are better options out there. Some users changed their ratings after trying a different mirror. Good for a budget, but not the best option.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The West Biking mirror is a low-cost option that provides a relatively decent quality for the cost. The adjustable mirror and arm allow you to choose what angle to watch for traffic, and the durable construction will survive long-term use. The device attaches easily to larger handlebars and comes with inserts for smaller handlebars to allow it extra versatility.
The compact size makes storage and parking easy. For the listed price, the product is a smart choice for a cyclist on a budget and can prove useful for the thrillseeker types who replace mirrors often.
Bottom Line
The West Biking Mirror is the best option for you if you’re not looking to spend a significant amount on a mirror for your bike. The construction is durable, but constant adjustments will break the product faster.
Best Road Bike Mirror:
Sprintech Bike Mirror
pros
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What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers tell of how their road bikes have been majorly improved through the use of Sprintech mirrors. The majority of recent reviews have been positive, some even offering advice to others. The only complaint to be found was that the user’s set of mirrors would occasionally fall out of the handlebars.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The small size of the mirror and lightweight construction makes for a useful road bike utility. The mirrors will allow commuting cyclists to see behind them easily without weighing down their bikes or taking up too much space. The durable construction prevents regular wear and tear from degrading the mirrors.
For a rider who often bikes on the road, these can be considered essential. The construction and the tight fit prevent the mirrors from moving during transit. Overall, the Sprintech bike mirrors are a well-executed solution to several common issues amongst road cyclists.
Bottom Line
The Sprintech drop-bar bike mirrors are a welcome addition to any road bike. The small size and tight fit prevent drag and vibration, so you always can see what you need to see. The price may be extreme but worthwhile for commuting.
Best Bike Helmet Mirror:
EVT Safe Zone Bicycle Helmet Mirror
pros
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What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have expressed the opinion that this is the best option for a helmet mirror. The consensus is that this mirror is well constructed and serves its purpose greatly. The only concerns voiced were about the safety of a helmet-mounted mirror and the device coming apart.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Helmet mounted mirrors often vibrate or loosen too quickly. With the ability to keep your safety as close as a glance away, this mirror’s solid construction makes it one of the safest options for any cyclist. The arm and mirror itself are durable and flexible, allowing adjustments to fit personal preference.
The EVT Safe Zone helmet mirror’s size plays into its use as well. The five-year warranty that comes with the product also increases its value. A single crash won’t destroy this mirror, but even if it did, the warranty will replace it without any fault to the rider.
Bottom Line
For the price listed, the EVT Safe Zone bicycle helmet mirror is a smart purchase. The size and strength of the mirror are of high quality. The price is higher than the previous mirrors but is worth the cost for the extra safety.
Best Bike Rear View Mirror:
DRCKHROS Bike Mirror
pros
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What Recent Buyers Report
The majority of recent reviews on this have discussed the stability of the mirror. The mirror’s only drawback appears to be the fragile plastic components, according to several reviews, but the stability and value for the price beat this out. The consensus is positive because of this.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The DRCKHROS bike mirror is a well-balanced rearview mirror for the everyday cyclist. A good value for the price, it has durable internal components, and the mirror itself is acrylic rather than glass or plastic. It makes it onto this list easily simply because of how well-rounded the device is in terms of application.
While not quite as versatile as some of the other options, the DRCKHROS bike mirror fits on almost all conventional handlebars. The 3.23-inch diameter mirror provides a large field of vision, and the 7.28-inch long adjustable arm allows for visibility at any angle.
Bottom Line
The DRCKHROS bike mirror is the best rearview mirror for the general use of a bike that we’ve found. The plastic components are fragile, and the device is not suited for rough terrain. The overall design and accessibility of the product make up for this for casual cycling.
Best Bicycle Handlebar Mirror:
Hafny HF-MR095
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What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have predominantly praised the Hafny HF-MR095 mirror for its quality, customization, and sleek appearance. The only complaints were the anti-glare lens and an issue with a customer’s bike that made the mirror ineffective. Hafny brings you another crowd-pleaser.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Hafny HF-MR095 mirror’s rigid composition and sleek appearance make for a beautiful design. The mirror’s durable construction and universal clamp make for a similarly universal appeal. Only requiring a common Allen wrench hex key to assemble the unit makes for a quick, out-of-the-box assembly.
The anti-glare and frame are equally strong. The lens is composed of safety glass, ensuring that your vision is clear and safe even if it were to break. The collapsibility makes storage simple, and the adjustability makes usage possible above and below your hand on the handlebars.
Bottom Line
Hafny’s mirrors have a lot in common on this list. Both are extremely versatile and well-rounded mirrors that cover just about everything a bike mirror should. However, they also have similar flaws, minor though they may be, such as the same missing hex key.
Best Mountain Bike Mirror:
Mirrycle MI0001
pros
cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Recent buyers have made mention of multiple factory defects that can cause the fasteners to not thread properly. Users with positive experiences did not experience these defects and regard them highly as very useful mirrors. Other reviewers have criticized the durability of the mirrors, citing them as fragile.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The Mirrycle MI0001 mirror is the mirror for the rider who expects to need a replacement. The price is affordable, and the product does not move or shake no matter how violent the rider’s path is. The product's adjustability allows it to be used upwards, downwards, and at any other angle that best fits the customer’s needs.
The plastic resin is affordable and provides a decent amount of durability for the price. The large convex mirror provides a substantially extended field of view. Overall a very safe choice for the adventurer on a budget.
Bottom Line
The Mirrycle MI0001 mirror is a budget piece, for lack of a better term. It’s one of the best for the price it’s presented at and serves its purpose well. Expect to purchase replacement parts regularly, and be careful with the broken glass.
Are All Bike Mirrors the Same?
When examining the various bike mirrors on the market, it’s easy to think that they’re all the same. Bike mirrors all serve relatively the same purpose, to allow you to see behind you when riding. However, no two bike mirrors are exactly alike, and the mirrors that you’ll see today all have different selling points.
Some mirrors are rigid, like the Meachow or Sprintech mirrors, meaning that you can’t adjust them as freely as flexible mirrors. Others, like the West Biking and Hafny mirrors, are fully adjustable and can be placed at any angle. Others attach to your helmet rather than your bike like the EVT Safe Zone.
Hafny MR083
Types of Bike Mirrors
There are roughly four different types of bike mirrors that you should be concerned about: handlebar, helmet, end, and drop-bar mirrors.
Handlebar mirrors are the most basic of the mirrors. They attach to the bar itself on the outside and typically extend over your hand and arm to reflect the view behind you.
Helmet mirrors are designed with the singular purpose of vision in mind. The helmet mirror hangs off of your bike helmet and must be adjusted so that you can see clearer than a normal bike mirror.
End mirrors attach to bikes at the end as the name implies. These mirrors directly insert into the handlebar tube and may require cutting a hole into your handlebar grips.
Drop bar mirrors are similar to end mirrors as both insert into the end of the handlebar. The difference between a drop-bar mirror and an end mirror is the handlebar that each is designed for. Drop bar mirrors are designed to be used with down turning handlebars such as racing bikes and thus tend to face directly out from the bar instead of curving toward you.
Photo credit: FoldingBike20.com
Helmet Mirror vs Handlebar Mirror - Comparison Overview
Helmet mirrors and handlebar mirrors serve the same purpose in different ways. Each is meant to provide you with a clear view behind you while riding.
A helmet mirror is attached to the rider’s helmet and close to the face. This allows the rider to quickly look behind them with more clarity than the average mirror can provide. These mirrors may also be the same size or larger than a handlebar mirror.
A handlebar mirror is attached directly to the bike itself. A handlebar mirror is somewhat safer than a helmet mirror in the event of a crash as glass or other sharp objects from the mirror won’t typically be in immediate proximity to the rider’s face.
Photo credit: thegeekycyclist.com
How to Mount a Mirror on Your Bike
When attaching a mirror to your bike, it’s important to follow the instructions closely to make sure that your first line of defense is working at its best. The Mirrycle MI0001 mirror attaches a little bit different to the average bike mirror since it’s an end mirror. The first thing to do before assembly is to ensure the device will comfortably insert into your handlebars.
To check your handlebars for this, you may need to cut a hole into the end of your handlebar through the rubber grip that covers the end. If your bar is hollow you can then begin following the instructions. Make sure not to cross-thread your fasteners, they should go on smooth but tight.
When inserting the mirror into the end, the Allen wrench used in construction will be used to ensure a tight seal. The parts form a friction barrier when fully tightened that prevents the pieces from coming out of the handlebar. Once inserted and tightened you’re free to adjust the mirror until you find an angle of reflection that works best for you.
If you’re interested in a step-by-step overview of what we just described, refer to the video below for more information.
Conclusion
While recent years have been turbulent, they certainly gave us a lot to learn about ourselves and our hobbies. We learned about the best bike mirrors on the market today and how to install them. We also learned the differences between each of the mirrors. Happy cycling!
People Also Ask
If you were left with questions to ask, you aren’t alone, and we may have the answer. This section is dedicated to answering the two biggest questions we often get in regards to bike mirrors. This will shed some light on your question.
Are Bike Mirrors Worth it?
A bike mirror is always a safe choice when riding anywhere you expect to find other cyclists or vehicles of any kind. Being able to see behind you without whipping your head around and risking a collision is a must in those cases.
Do All Bikes Have Mirrors?
Unfortunately, not all bikes have mirrors, and not all bike mirrors will work with every bike. Some bikes have handlebars that are too thin or too thick for a normal bike mirror. Others are not hollow and thus can’t use an end mirror instead of a bar mirror.
