Mirror and Peloton are among the most competitive indoor workout options today. There are so many similarities between them that make it difficult to decide between the two options. They are both popular and offer effective workouts, which is the main goal for getting a connected workout option for our home gyms.
The good news is that there is always a reason they are different between the two options. Today, we will look into these differences between Mirror and Peloton, as well as the similarities that exist between them.
Mirror at a Glance;
The Mirror is simply, as its name suggests, a typical reflective mirror where you can see your reflection. However, it is an advanced AI mirror because you will manage to stream workouts from the Mirror other than your reflection.
Typically, you work out as you watch yourself, and at the center of the Mirror, you will watch your instructor guiding you through the workouts. Therefore, you basically have the feeling that you are in a real gym, working hand in hand with your personal trainer.
Usually, the basic package for Mirror consists of the Mirror, a Mirror stand, and a Mirror lens cap; the Mirror and its accessories. Therefore, to work out, you will need equipment and accessories.
Peloton at a Glance;
Peloton is a workout platform, which you can access at $12.99. However, the company also makes bikes and treadmills, which bring the best out of the workouts when you incorporate them in your workouts. And, you also get a better subscription offer, which allows you to create multiple accounts on the platform.
Currently, Peloton equipment includes the Peloton treadmill, Peloton bike, and Peloton bike plus.
Let’s skip to how the two workout options compare;
A Summary Table on Peloton Vs. Mirror
| Features | Peloton | Mirror |
| Basic Equipment | Bike, bike plus, treadmill | The Mirror |
| Cost of equipment | Peloton bike: $1495 Peloton bike plus: $2495 Peloton tread: $2495 check the latest price | $1195 check the latest price |
| Payment plans available | yes | yes |
| App availability | Yes | Yes |
| Membership options | Peloton digital app Peloton unlimited | Mirror unlimited |
| Commitment subscription | none | One year |
| Cost of the app | Peloton digital app membership: $12.99 Peloton unlimited membership: $39 | $39 |
| Touchscreen availability | yes | yes |
| Touchscreen size | Peloton bike: 21.5” Peloton bike + and tread: 24” | 43” |
| Workouts | Spinning, walking, running, strength, stretching, yoga, and meditation | Strength, dance, meditation, yoga, barre, chair |
| Bluetooth compatibility | yes | yes |
| Music | incorporated | incorporated |
| Live classes | available | available |
| On-demand classes | available | available |
| Phone app available | yes | yes |
| Warranty | 1-year parts, five years frame | One year |
| Delivery and Installation | yes | yes |
Read Also: Peloton Guide Strength Trainer; Alternative to Mirror
Similarities and Differences Between Peloton and Mirror
1. Equipment
Peloton currently has two types of equipment, the Peloton bike, and treadmill. Therefore, most of their cardio workouts are tailored around the two equipment options. So actually, you will either cycle, run or walk in Peloton cardio exercises.
Besides these two main equipment options, Peloton encourages you to buy strength training accessories, including dumbbells or kettlebells of varying weights. Lately, there are also workouts requiring the use of resistance bands.
The secondary workout accessories are available on Peloton, but you can also purchase them from other sites such as Amazon. Better still, if you already had them before Peloton, you are at an advantage.
Buying the Peloton bike or bike plus, which are the two Peloton bike options, also requires that you get either cycling shoes or toe cages. Peloton offers an essentials package, with the Peloton bike/ Peloton bike plus, cycling shoes and cleats, headphones, and light dumbbells. Of course, the package will come at an added cost.
On the other hand, Mirror’s basic package simply features the Mirror and its accessories, including the Mirror lens cap and the Mirror stand. Technically, there will not be any workout equipment, save for a way to access the
Workouts. Therefore, you will need to purchase all the other equipment you may need at an added cost or separately. With the essentials package on Mirror, you will get the basic package, in addition to a heart rate monitor, a fitness band pack, lift and lengthen yoga block, loop it up mat strap, a reversible mat, and double foam roller mini. The accessories are either Mirror brand or Lululemon brand accessories.
Therefore, if you gain more from equipment workouts, Peloton definitely has them better than Mirror.
2. Screen
Mirror has a sizeable mirror-sized screen, which is 43 inches. It is vertical, which enhances its goal of a mirror appearance. It is mounted on the wall during installation, and the installation is permanent. So you can’t move it whenever you wish.
The Mirror allows you to get your reflection during your workout, coupled with the instructor. Therefore, you can easily follow what the instructor does as you watch your form against his. Actually, it is this technology that costs almost $1000.
How do you control the Mirror screen? First, you will need to download the Mirror app on your phone or tablet, which will act as the remote control to the Mirror. It looks like a TV whose content you are miracasting from a tablet or a laptop, or when using an HDMI to stream content from a laptop to a TV. It is more miracasting, though, since it is wireless.
Nevertheless, Peloton has smaller screens, at 21.5” and 24 inches. They are horizontal in outlook and mounted on their respective pieces of equipment, either the bike or the treadmill. Therefore, you can uninstall the screen from the bike or tread at your wish. Actually, it is recommended to uninstall it whenever you are moving either of the equipment to keep it safe.
The Peloton screen comes with the Peloton bikes and treads, so you cannot get it on its own unless you own a Peloton bike or treadmill. Therefore, its cost is incorporated into the equipment cost.
Besides that, the Peloton screen is a touchscreen, so you control it directly. You can either use the Peloton digital app or the recommended unlimited membership on the tablet.
3. Space Required
If you purchase Mirror, it will be installed on your wall, just as you would with a typical mirror. Thus, it doesn’t take up much of your space. All you will need is extra space for your workout, which you can manage whenever you are ready for one.
Peloton equipment is also sleek, especially the bikes. However, they still need more space compared to the Mirror workout option.
Therefore, if a compact workout option is your preference, Mirror is your best deal.
4. Workouts
Based on the equipment that Peloton offers, it is evident that cardio is the platform’s best workout option. Therefore, if you cut weight and plan better heart health, Peloton will give you fantastic cardio options.
The Peloton workouts range from beginner to advanced, ranging from five to sixty minutes. Of course, the instructors and high-profile personalities in the world of fitness will make every minute on the bike or tread count.
I have found highly effective Peloton also has strength, yoga, and meditation classes. The strength classes are also high-intensity, especially when all the weights options are needed; resistance bands, weights, and blocks.
On the other hand, the workouts on Mirror barely concentrate on the cardio option. Save for the dance and barre classes, and you cannot really push yourself for absolute proper cardio. However, you will optimize the weights classes if you have weights and resistance bands. They may not be as great as Tonal, but they are definitely worth it. For yoga, Mirror has so many yoga options, including advanced yoga. You even need the yoga accessories such as a light and lengthen block and a yoga chair to manage the training.
Therefore, if you want to optimize cardio workouts, Peloton is a superb choice. On the contrary, Mirror is an excellent choice for yoga training. However, the two platforms are a tie for strength and meditation classes.
5. Live and On-demand Classes
Peloton always beats its competition with live classes since most will have only the on-demand option. However, Mirror has live classes and actually just as many as Peloton, and its on-demand library is inexhaustible.
6. Interactive Classes
Other than that, Peloton has a Leaderboard where users compete and interact in the same class. It is available in both live and on-demand classes, giving you the motivation that you are not working out alone.
Other than that, you can get shoutouts for instructors and also high-fives from instructors and fellow members or achievements during the class.
Likewise, Mirror displays the names of the class during the on-demand and live classes. Therefore, you get the feeling of community. Though you cannot see the members working out and they cannot see you, at least you know that you are not alone.
Both screens have built-in microphones and cameras, allowing you to ask your instructor a question. On Peloton, the camera and microphone also allow you a video chat with friends on Peloton. On Mirror, you have the option for personalized training with the instructor, of course, at an added cost.
7. Other Console Features
Good for you; both Peloton and Mirror are Bluetooth compatible. They have company heart rate monitors and headphones, but the Bluetooth feature allows you to use them with other brand accessories.
The superb speakers on each piece of equipment allow you to enjoy the fabulous music that each platform brings. And, again, with the Bluetooth feature, you can always incorporate an external feature for customized music audio.
Each piece of equipment connects wirelessly to WiFi, which allows you to stream the workouts seamlessly.
8. Warranty and Trials
Once you buy Peloton bikes or tread, you will get a 12-month warranty on labor and parts, while the frames get a five-year warranty. In the same way, Mirror equipment comes with a 12-month warranty.
You will also get 30 days free trial with your Peloton bike or tread or Mirror equipment. If within 30 days you don’t like something about the equipment, you can return it for a full refund or get a replacement.
9. Delivery and Installation
Both companies offer free delivery and installation once you make your payment. You will get a confirmation on the delivery dates, and you can also decide among the available dates.
Therefore, all you have to think about is how you will get your first workout on your new gym equipment.
Related: About Peloton Bike Delivery: All the Things You Need to Know
10. Cost
Essentially, the cost of the Mirror is cheaper than that of Peloton equipment. However, if you were to incorporate all the accessories you need on Mirror, the cost wouldn’t be far from the standard Peloton bike.
When it comes to the cost of the app, the two platforms tie at $39 per month. However, Mirror only gives the membership a one-year commitment, which means that you cannot cancel the membership mid-year. However, Peloton allows you to pay the subscription per month, and you can always cancel a subscription for a month, only to be back the following month. Better still, there are no activation fees.
With the membership on Peloton or Mirror, you can use multiple accounts on the platforms. For example, with Mirror, you can create up to six accounts for your family or household. On the Peloton, the accounts on your bike or tread are unlimited.
Ob top of that, Peloton has a digital app membership, which is cheaper, at $12.99. Therefore, if you are working out alone and are feeling on budget, you can always opt for this membership. Point to note; the digital membership is also applicable to users without the Peloton equipment.
Luckily, both companies offer payment plans at zero interest rates. Thus, if you want to buy either equipment but can only do so in installments, go for the payment plan option.
Therefore, for short-term budget consideration, Mirror wins. However, for long-term budget consideration, Peloton is the pick.
So, Peloton or Mirror?
Your choice will depend on what you actually want in a workout. If you are looking for aerobics and cardio workouts that improve your heart health as well as help you shed weight, Peloton is a great option.
However, go for Mirror for a cheaper option that will optimize kickboxing and other strength training and yoga.
Both have a community to keep you motivated, and you will get your fitness goal in place with persistence.
Parting Shot
Peloton Vs. Mirror? Depending on your workout goals and convenience, go for the workout that favors you most. Mirror is a top option when you have a compact space or are looking for a broader range of exercises without specific equipment.
However, Peloton is your to-go option when looking for cardio workouts, which come with running, walking, or cycling.
So, now the ball is in your hands. Mirror or Peloton?