Smart shades? As cool as that sounds, it seems that almost instantly we think about high-end sunglasses, like those cool Bose frames, but that’s not exactly what this article is about. Smart homes are no longer a Sci-Fi concept, with more and more technologies taking over our place of rest and relaxation.
So.. to have blinds that raise and lower with voice commands or to do so based upon a schedule is definitely a good way to get things started. But did you also know that smart blinds are a sure way of reducing costs on your energy bill?
First things first: What Are Smart Blinds? Smart blinds are versatile and cool blinds, controllable via a mobile app, computer software, or voice commands thanks to brands like Amazon, Google, Apple, or Samsung which deliver the right tools to do so.
How Do Smart Blinds Work?
Power and operation may vary, and the specialized window treatments usually come with battery-powered motors – the most desirable choice, thanks to wonderful aesthetics and easy installation. Sure, you might need to do some maintenance, from time to time, but I guess that’s one thing everyone can handle.
Hardwired smart blinds, on the other hand, will require an electrical outlet to deliver the necessary power and thus make replaceable batteries a thing of the past. There are some solar-powered options on the market, as well, but few people really go that way, because they’re a bit more expensive.
Feel free to make your own choice. Either way, the motors will most likely be paired to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technologies to enable a mobile app or voice assistant to take over and decide what happens next.
Smart Blinds: Pros and Cons
What makes smart blinds worthwhile? Well, for one, you will save money on your electric bill since peak heating hours will not result in your AC unit going full throttle. On the other hand, smart blinds may also have an impact on home security. Did you watch Home Alone?
Scheduled blinds, paired with smart lighting, will result in a believable illusion that you are home even if you’re thousands of miles away. At the end of the day however you will feel cool for operating smart blinds just for the hell of it – or for feeling too lazy to get up and do so.
Popular voice assistants, such as Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant, will help out with that.
Transform your Old Blinds into Smart Blinds
You could actually transform your boring blinds and call them ‘smart’ afterwards. There are some cool kits on the market that can and should be retrofitted with existing blinds, thus adding smart controls to those wonderful and carefully-picked shades you so appreciate.
Smart Blinds Installation
Smart blinds are easy to install if you’re going for a battery-powered option. Otherwise, all that wiring involved should point you to the fact that this is not a DIY project and please call a professional.
Smart Blinds Pricing
The smarter the blinds are, the more expensive they will be – that seemed to be obvious. Other factors that may impact purchase costs include how complete the set is, customization options or the type of window coverings included with the package.
Let’s get down to business, shall we? Here are the best smart blinds money can buy right now.
Lutron Serena
Possibly the best smart shades all around, Lutron’s Serena offering will cost you $448 – which is a bargain if you ask us, considering what you get to enjoy. These custom-made shades were designed to be state-of-the-art, responsive, and best of all, very quiet.
You will be able to control these blinds with automated smart-home features such as Schedules, Geofencing, and Scenes. Battery-powered and easy to set up, Lutron’s Serena shades will work with most smart-home systems and all of the voice assistants known to man.
Lutron is promising customizable coverings, with more than 150 fabrics, color and opacity combinations. You simply have to decide upon measurements, power preferences and choice of materials and you’re ready to enjoy them. If you’re interested in style, the Lutron Serena Shades are definitely the proper choice.
Tilt MySmartRollerShades
The best design around, at least when families are involved, these automated shades from Tilt were meant to be child and pet safe. Aside from incredible reviews, these blinds come backed up by the Tilt dedicated app – iOS or Android – and will also easily sync with Amazon Alexa.
The Tilt MySmartRollerShades are compatible with windows 23 inches to 74 inches wide and will allow the user to set schedules, enable sunrise/sunset functions, all activated via Bluetooth, which means home operation is all you get.
Thanks to an energy savings mode and a solar panel that charges the battery, these blinds will never leave you hanging. Better yet, the color variety and multiple styles allow you to pick something that matches your home decor. Easy to install and to control, and costing around $400, these blinds will have you jump for joy in no time.
Graywind Motorized Roller Shades
Considered to be the best battery-operated offering on the market, this $169 blackout smart shades from Graywind work easily with smart assistants like Alexa and Google Home and they also come with a remote control.
Made out of 100% linen polyester and designed to deliver peaceful sleep and energy-savings, these things are made to last. The aforementioned remote allow you to control up to nine different shades while your favorite virtual assistant will help you control them with your voice.
The best part is this: after you’ve installed the shades, download the Graywind app and enjoy all its interesting functions.
Ikea Fyrtur / Kadrilj
These smart blinds allow you to control your rooms’ lighting by pressing a button, with each blind fully capable of blocking out the sun’s warmth – if you so desire. As soon as more than one smart blind is installed, the TRADFRI gateway and IKEA Home smart app can go to work and create groups that can be controlled all at once.
The gray-color blinds are available in a wide range of different sizes and the rechargeable battery, a charger and a remote control will surely improve your day as well. Before the installation process, you should consider that IKEA’s line of FYRTUR blinds will need a moderate level of DIY skill. But you know IKEA, they also provide the right instructions, if you can understand them.
Smart blinds with an excellent design, affordable and ideal for any room requiring minimized sunlight, these come in 10 different sizes. Priced at $140, these blinds are for those of you who like the industrial exposed hardware and a gray blackout fabric look.
SOMA Smart Shades 2
Did you know that for just $119 Soma’s Smart Shades 2 motor pack is the retrofitting option you were dreaming of? Your old blinds will act cooler in no time, thanks to the Soma app and its automation options.
Simply take into consideration the time of day, sunrise/sunset, and general lighting conditions, and have the dedicated app work its magic for you. This solar-powered offering also comes with a USB charging cable, so you won’t have any problems with power.
Thanks to voice commands via Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri the Soma blinds will surely impress you. Please note that SOMA Smart Shades will connect to any window shades with a beaded chain or cord – quick, easy to set up and discreet. What more could you ask for?
Hunter Douglas Powerview 2
If you’ve never installed Hunter Douglas blinds before, there’s no better time like the present. The brand’s PowerView smart system allows for full app control and scheduling of your custom Hunter Douglas blinds.
The PowerView 2 kit, on the other hand, will have you transform your slightly older Hunter Douglas blinds into a set of smart shades. The package includes a hub, charger, and even a signal repeater. Get ready for a DIY project and enjoy the final product.
Yoolax Blackout Motor Shades
Priced at $186, Yoolax allows you access to their custom-fit catalog in your attempt to match your exact window dimensions. The online order form encourages you to put in your sizes and.. voila! Not to worry, the installation process is hassle-free and the silent motor will keep the shades operating smoothly.
The Yoolax motor was designed to run off of a rechargeable battery pack while control of the Yoolax Blackout Motor Shades comes via a remote or the dedicated Yoolax app.
Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri will join in on the fun – at least, once you purchase the Yoolax hub, thus unlocking the voice command features.
MySmartBlinds Automation Kit
Do you have $269 laying around? Even if you don’t, feel free to go crazy and put your DIY skills to work. The MySmartBlinds kit is what some may consider a safe investment, but bear in mind – this retrofit kit will only suit 2- to 2.5-inch corded horizontal blinds.
Once you add the low-profile motor and battery pack, you’ll need to download the dedicated SmartBlinds app and then you’re ready to go. The SmartBlinds app will allow you to raise and lower your blinds, although the possibility of setting daily and weekly schedules is also on the table.
Better yet, you may also automate your blinds and put the solar monitor and temperature sensors to work. Since the battery is also solar-powered, the My SmartBlinds Automation Kit might just be the ideal choice for you.
Springblinds Blackout Roller Shades
I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel really lazy, that’s why I am very glad I stumbled upon these easy-to-install blinds. The Springblinds Blackout Roller Shades require only two brackets and a quick push and.. you’re done.
Battery-operated, these smart blinds use a remote control, which means some smart home features are not available with this offering. But that’s not bad, since a remote control is sometimes all you need. Available in a wide range of sizes and colors, there is a high probability you will find something to match your home decor.
LoraTap WiFi Curtain Switch
Motorized blinds may feel OK, but there is something about ‘smart’ choices that makes us go wild. If your motorized curtains don’t just cut it anymore, the LoraTap WiFi Curtain Switch will come in and save the day.
Able to attach to any four-wire curtain motor, the LoraTap will allow you to control your shades via touch, voice, timer, or assistant – enter Google Home or Amazon Alexa. According to customer reviews, installing this smart curtain switch will feel like a breeze.
SOMA Tilt
The SOMA Tilt was also designed to automate your pre-existing blinds. What makes this offering different? Well, for one, this device is set to replace the tilt rod on your Venetian blinds. The installation process for the SOMA Tilt kit will only take up 3 minutes of your time with no screws, drills or wires being required.
Yes, you will be able to control when and if your blinds are open or closed thanks to your preferred voice assistant or via the dedicated smartphone app. Moreover, you also get to set schedules for your automated blinds.
Graywind Motorized Zebra Sheer Shade
If Zebra blinds is what you own, please stay a while. Featuring several customizable elements, the Graywind Motorized Zebra Sheer Shade will easily suite your needs. Customers are welcomed to choose the height, width, inside or outside mount, and you could even choose the number of remotes you will receive.
These shades were designed to show off a double-layer polyester build, resulting in privacy, blocked UV rays, and complete darkness. The dedicated Smart Life app that comes along for the ride, so to speak, will allow users to take control of their shades from anywhere, set up timers and schedule operation times.
American Homesupplier Smart Curtain Rod
Curtains, please. No, this will not be your usual evening of theatre, this is all about the American Homesupplier Smart Curtain Rod – who said only blinds can or should be automated? Manufactured out of metal and plastic, this mains-powered curtain rod was meant to deliver a durable and desirable product.
Easily assembled and available in three different sizes, the rod promises various ways to control your curtains, through a remote control, the smartphone app or other smart home devices.
Curtain Call Remote Controlled Drapery System
Speaking of curtains, the Curtain Call Electric Remote Controlled Drapery System caters to – exactly, you’ve guessed it – heavy drapery. This smart system is installed along the top of your windows and mechanized hooks inside the track hold your curtains and work their magic.
Designed to be heavy duty, you could easily invite Tarzan over and have him swing from side to side – this thing will still be there when he leaves for home, or the jungle – whatever. More importantly, the mechanism will also allow a remote control to make it all easier.
Although sold separately, the WiFi smart plug and the Curtain Call adapter cable will put your smart drapery system to work.
VELUX Solar Powered Skylight Blinds
Motorized skylight blinds from VELUX? Yes, please. Available in a wide range of sizes and colors these skylight blinds will surely match your home’s decor. The included remote control allows the skylight blinds to be easily retracted, at the simple push of a button.
The VELUX Climate Control Kit also allows you to automate your home’s skylight shades, thus delivering full control of the temperature and light inside your home. Sensors will automatically adjust to light changes and weather variations, helping you experience the ideal ambient temperature and also save some energy in the process.
Not affordable in the least, but fully-automated smart blinds, require some effort. Besides, VELUX and their solar-powered smart shades for skylights are elegant and basically to die for.
Taiwan Present Godear Design Roller Window Shades
The Taiwan Present Godear Design Roller Window Shades are your new favorite cordless blinds. Affordable and designed without strings, cords or pulleys, these blinds are completely controlled by the motor and remote controls attached to it.
The shades have been manufactured by using a fabric which supposedly take down 99.6% of all light (at least the one attempting to take over your home) – will it be white or brown? However, you should take note of the fact that these roller shades cannot be controlled by a smart speaker.
Conclusion
There you have it, these are the best smart blinds you can buy right now. There are various choices for all budgets, styles and needs, so we’re pretty sure you will find the right option in this list. If you’re interested in more smart home technology, check out our guides on the best smart switches and surge protectors.
