9/10
Need to keep little sticky fingers out of the medicine cabinet? The Croydex locking recessed mirrored medicine cabinet provides peace of mind by securing medications safely under lock and key. The body of the cabinet is made of stainless steel for toughness and the door is a bright mirror with a 160-degree pivot hinge. It’s easy to install, affordable and comes with the key.
10/10
Mounted to the door of your bathroom, the Cabidor Deluxe mirror cabinet quickly adds up to five times the storage capacity of traditional bathroom medicine cabinets. Concealed behind a finished cabinet with a full-length mirror, the Cabidor organizes everything from medications to beauty products to hairdryers and more.
The cabinet’s distinctive mounting design won’t damage doors — it installs using the existing hinges. An adapter door and wall mount kit can be installed on the non-hinged side of a door or wall. Brilliant!
What to Consider When Buying a Medicine Cabinet
The first thing to consider before looking at medicine cabinets is whether or not they need to or can be recessed in the wall. “If recessing the medicine cabinet, you will need about five inches of depth inside the wall,” says Leah Tuttleman, Interior Designer at Re-Bath. “The actual depth will depend on the specific model and manufacturer’s requirements.”
Medicine cabinets typically range from four to six inches in depth, so measure your space and read all of the measurements in the product’s description before purchasing. You’ll also want to ensure you have enough space for the door swing. Tuttleman recommends choosing a medicine cabinet with adjustable shelves to accommodate different-sized items stored inside. Also consider style, size, storage capacity, type (recessed or wall-mounted), installation (professional or DIY-able) and cost when choosing a medicine cabinet.
Why You Should Trust Us
I completed hours of research to narrow down the best products for Family Handyman readers. As a reviews expert, I’ve covered various culture and lifestyle topics. I consider different aspects of each product I select for my stories, such as customer reviews, ratings and materials.
This guide features expert input from Leah Tuttleman, Interior Designer at Re-Bath. She has a B.S. in interior design and over 25 years of experience in both commercial and residential design. Tuttleman has been with Re-Bath, a bathroom remodeling company, for over five years. She’s designed many bathrooms and knows what to look for and what customers like best regarding medicine cabinets.
How We Found the Best Medicine Cabinets
To find the best medicine cabinets, we began by researching a wide range of available options, considering factors such as size, material, design and price point. We also looked for medicine cabinets that catered to specific buyers, including those with small or large bathrooms, ensuring a diverse selection of products. To narrow down our choices, we analyzed customer reviews to understand each medicine cabinet’s real-world performance and durability. Finally, we selected medicine cabinets that offered a balance of quality, functionality and value, ensuring that there was an option suitable for every bathroom and budget.
FAQs
What is the best material for a medicine cabinet?
“Look for materials and finishes that are moisture-resistant,” says Tuttleman. “The bathroom, as we know, is a humid environment with daily moisture and temperature fluctuations.” You’ll most commonly find medicine cabinets made from stainless steel, aluminum, finished wood or mirrors. All hold up well in a bathroom, just note that finished wood will most likely require a fresh coat of sealer over time.
What do people use instead of medicine cabinets?
Medicine cabinets aren’t as popular in bathrooms as they used to be. You’ll often find just a mirror above the sink in modern or updated homes. If you don’t have a medicine cabinet, shelves are a great option to store your toiletries. Tuttleman suggests adding baskets to your shelves to hide clutter and add warmth and texture to the room. Many people also use cabinet or drawer organizers in their vanity to make the space more functional.
Are medicine cabinets a dying trend?
Tuttleman doesn’t think that medicine cabinets are going anywhere. “Medicine cabinets have evolved in design and functionality to suit more modern designs and styles,” she says. They’re a functional and cost-effective way to store personal items in the bathroom.
