First Smart Mirror Build
July 17, 2025
I built my first smart mirror using a Raspberry Pi 3+ and an old monitor I have lying around a year ago. After the PI stopped working I opened it back up to figure out why it stopped working. In process of doing so I accidentally shorted the 110V circuit and the circuit breaker in my apartment tripped. So I basically fried the monitor and PI so opted to start over with a newer monitor.
I’ll be posting the new monitor build soon, but wanted to share my original build for funsies. I do miss how the old monitor fit perfectly in the frame I had, but the viewing angle was terrible.

The 3 monitor PCBs are visible. I was able to find where the AC power gets convert to ~18VDC, where I soldered in the 5V DC-DC converter to power the pi. Also note a PI Zero is shown which DOES NOT WORK btw. From experience it's best to use a PI4 and above.
Components
MagicMirror² Modules
Core Modules
Third-Party Modules
Steps to Build
- Install MagicMirror²: Follow the installation guide to set up the software on your Raspberry Pi.
- Configure Modules: Customize the modules you want to display, such as weather, calendar, and news. You can find a list of available modules here.
- Set Up the Hardware: Assemble the two-way mirror with the monitor and frame. Ensure the monitor is positioned behind the mirror for optimal visibility.
- Connect the Raspberry Pi: Connect the Raspberry Pi to the monitor and power it on. Make sure it boots into the MagicMirror² interface.
- Final Adjustments: Adjust the settings in the
config.js
file to customize the appearance and functionality of your smart mirror.
Key Takeaways
- This was a fun project that uses a Raspberry PI to create a functional smart mirror that I use daily.
- Using a modern Portable Monitor I think is the way to go, since it’s already low voltage and excellent viewing angle compared to older screens.
Want to thank the MagicMirror² community for their extensive documentation that made this project possible. If you’re interested in building your own smart mirror, I highly recommend checking out their resources and getting involved in the community.
I’ll be posting the new and improved build soon!!!