I Tested More Than a Dozen Smart Shades, and These Are My Favorites

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• Best Smart Shades Overall

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  SmartWings

  Motorized Roller Shades

  For sheer versatility, it’s impossible to look past SmartWings. You can choose every conceivable style, color, size, or smart home ecosystem. I tested made-to-measure shades in my living room and found them easy to install with the fixings provided. I drilled holes directly into my PVC window frames, screwed in the brackets, and the shades snapped into place securely with the spring mechanism, which ensures they are easy to remove should you ever need to. There’s a USB-C port at one end and a button to control the cordless shades, though you also get a remote control that offers up and down controls and saved presets. You can also install a solar panel to continually charge your shades, but it’s kind of ugly, so I have been using a power bank instead. Battery life has been somewhere between three and six months.

  There’s compatibility with all the major smart home ecosystems, including Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. I tested SmartWings’ latest Matter-compatible shades, adding them directly through the Apple Home app by scanning the QR code on each shade. I can ask Siri to open or close them, use the slider in the Home app on my iPhone, or trigger them with a smart button or motion sensor (I tried all these methods). Connectivity-wise, Matter (Thread), Zigbee, and Z-Wave are available. Just make sure you choose the right model for your home. I like that there’s no need for another hub since my Apple TV 4K works as a Matter controller and Thread border router.

  The SmartWings shades have worked reliably for several months now, look classy, and everyone in my home loves them (apart from the cats, who always seem to get a fright when the shades open or close). On that note, the shades are relatively quiet (no louder than 50 decibels according to my Apple Watch). A couple of times, I have had one of the shades disconnect and show as unresponsive in the Home app, but deleting and pairing again always got them working.

• Runner-Up

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Yoolax

  Motorized Cellular Shades

  Yoolax is another solid option for smart shades and blinds (it’s the brand behind Graywind). The company offers made-to-measure shades and blinds in a wide range of styles, colors, and finishes, but smart home compatibility is a bit more limited than our top pick. Fitting these cellular shades was simple (same mechanism as the SmartWings). The top section is relatively bulky with a USB-C port and a button to control the shades at one end. I was happy with the valance, which snaps on magnetically to give it a neat look. The supplied remote control works well, and you can set preferred positions. The solar panel (sold separately) stuck easily to the bedroom window and has kept the battery topped up, so we never need to worry about recharging. Without the panel, you are looking at between three and six months of battery life.

  We opted for a honeycomb shade, which is much thicker than a regular roller shade, but does an excellent job of keeping the sun out, or the heat in, and also reduces sound from outside. Paired with curtains, this shade offers complete darkness. Sadly, smart home compatibility is limited to Amazon Alexa or Google Home. The Zigbee motor can connect directly to a handful of Amazon devices (Echo Plus 2nd Gen, Echo Show 2nd Gen, Echo Studio, Echo Show 10, Echo 4th Gen). If you don’t have one of those or want to use it with Google Home, you will also need a Yoolax hub.

  The Yoolax shades work reliably and look smart, though the top section is sizable, and the optional solar panel looks ugly from the outside. The Yoolax app is busy and has some poor translations, but you can schedule your shades for chosen times, based on the sunset and sunrise, or even use geolocation to have them close when you leave home. Voice commands with Alexa are probably the easiest way to control these shades. The motor is relatively loud, sometimes going above 60 decibels.

• Best Upgrade

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

  • Photograph: Julian Chokkattu

  Lutron

  Caseta Smart Shades

  I’ve used Lutron’s pricey made-to-measure Serena shades in my living room for more than a year—they were simple to install and set up, and I have never had a single connectivity issue. They reliably open and close twice a day, 30 minutes after sunrise and sunset. But I don’t think you need to go for the Serena series anymore, now that Lutron has introduced the cheaper Caseta smart shades.

  I’ve had the Caseta shades installed in my bedroom for more than three months now, and the experience has been almost identical and flawless. The ordering process is similar, though you have fewer style and color options, and the width and height size range isn’t as vast as the Serena series. It took me roughly 20 minutes to complete the installation, and while you can add the Pico remote during purchase to control them, I highly recommend you snag Lutron’s smart hub so you can connect the shades to your smart home ecosystem of choice: Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or SmartThings. There’s no Matter support, but in my experience, the few Matter products I’ve tried have been more trouble than they’re worth, and the connectivity experience with Lutron has been seamless.

  The motors are a tiny bit louder than the Serena series (I measured 51 decibels), but you’ll only hear them in a silent room. I chose the blackout roller shade, and they do an effective job of blocking out light. However, I chose an inside mount, so some light bleeds around the edges. I don’t need total darkness to sleep, so it’s not a problem for me, but you can choose an outside mount, which should solve this. I also prefer Lutron’s approach of using D alkaline batteries, which allow these shades to last roughly two years worry-free. That’s not as long as the three to five years of the Serena series, but that’s plenty for me. The shades will move at half speed when it’s time to replace the batteries. Lutron is known for its luxe smart home offerings and is one of the most reliable connectivity systems available today. If you have any other Lutron equipment, or if you’re starting from scratch, it makes sense to go with Caseta. —Julian Chokkattu

• Best-Looking Smart Shades

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  OmniaBlinds

  Smart Roller Shades

  For a choice of understated, Scandi-style shades, Swedish OmniaBlinds offers a lovely range of fabrics named after world cities. My review shade was the textured and translucent Panama fabric in light gray. This shade affords privacy but allows some light through when the shade is closed, which was perfect for my kitchen. OmniaBlinds also offers blackout shades, and you can request free fabric samples before you buy. I tried a made-to-measure shade fitted in my kitchen window frame with two brackets screwed into the PVC frame to hold the shade securely in place. A USB-C port at one end enables you to recharge the shade, and a handy beaded pull cord opens and closes it. I love the look of this shade, and little details like the black brackets, cord, and cylinder weight on the bottom add a touch of class.

  OmniaBlinds smart shades rely on Eve’s excellent MotionBlinds motors, so you get Matter support with voice controls and scheduling through Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, or Samsung SmartThings (I tested with Apple). Remember that you will need a Matter controller, such as an Apple TV or Nest Hub, and good Wi-Fi connectivity. My shade was scheduled to open and close automatically at dawn and dusk, and it worked perfectly. I also appreciate the physical pull cord because it makes it easy for anyone to open and close the shade, should they want to (smart home controls can be problematic).

  Over a few months, I have had no issues with the OmniaBlinds shade. They have stayed connected, and both automation and voice control work perfectly. The battery is supposed to last up to a year (mine is still going strong). There aren’t as many customization options as some other shades, though this makes ordering straightforward, and the only thing I missed was a valance option for the top (you will want a snug fit to avoid light leakage). This shade can also be a little noisy when opening or closing, up to around 60 decibels. Prices are relatively high, starting from around $350.

• Best Budget Custom-Fit Shades

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  With a similarly enormous range of shades and finishes, Canisteo is a slightly more budget-friendly option than SmartWings. I decided to test a dual shade for the bedroom, which includes a blackout shade to keep things dark at night and a translucent, light-filtering inner shade for a softer, diffused light during the day. It’s a versatile combo that I highly recommend, but it does almost double your costs. These shades came with special brackets, and it was seriously fiddly to slide them into place. Thankfully, once in, you shouldn’t need to touch them again. There’s a USB-C port and control button at one end, and the Matter code is on the weighted strip at the bottom of each shade. This strip is quite large and has the Canisteo logo on one side, which I do not like, but I appreciate the brush strip on the bottom to prevent any sound when it touches down on your windowsill. There’s an optional metal cassette valance that you can slide over the top for a neat finish and to block any light leakage.

  Matter support means you can set up schedules and voice controls with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, or Samsung SmartThings. Remember that you need a controller, like an Echo Hub or Apple TV. You can also get the same optional 5- or 15-channel remote for these shades as for SmartWings. It’s a little fiddly if you have to program it, but it should come pre-paired. You will likely want it because the button can be hard to reach, and there’s no cord.

  I have only had these shades for a couple of weeks, but so far, so good. They respond to voice controls and open and close on schedule. The battery life is supposed to be between four and six months, and you can buy a solar panel to stick to your window if you don’t want to have to plug in. Operation is impressively quiet (I measured 46 decibels), and I can sleep through this shade opening. These are some of the most affordable custom-fit smart shades on the market, starting from around $120.

• Best Adjustable Size Smart Shades

  Measuring up accurately and ordering bespoke window treatments can be tricky and expensive. If you mess up your measurements, you end up with window shades you can’t use or gaps that let natural light pour in. SwitchBot’s answer is DIY window shades that you can adjust for a perfect fit. The SwitchBot Roller Shades come in four different size ranges, covering windows from 22.8 to 72.8 inches. I tested the Large (43.3 to 55.1 inches) model.

  The sleek aluminum enclosure can be adjusted, and the 100 percent blackout fabric can be cut, so you can fit the shade to the exact size you want. It’s a finicky process, but SwitchBot provides most of what you need, including a fabric cutter, stapler, and screwdriver. Follow the instructions very carefully (I recommend reading everything and watching the video all the way through before you begin), take your time, and you can install these in an hour or so. They only come in gray or white, but you could replace the fabric.

  The motorized shades come with a two-button controller on a cord and open and close smoothly. Adding the shade in the SwitchBot app is easy and enables you to control and schedule it. Operation is quiet at around 30 decibels, and I appreciate the QuietDrift mode, which opens very slowly to avoid waking you. The SwitchBot Roller Shade supports Matter, but you need the SwitchBot Hub 2 to take advantage. The hub also allows voice controls for your chosen smart home system. The battery is good for up to eight months, but if you’re concerned about energy efficiency, I recommend snagging the solar panel accessory ($30) to keep it topped up.

• Best Retrofit for Roller Blinds

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Eve

  MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit

  What if you already have a roller shade you love? The Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit could be just what you need. This clever kit can be fitted into an existing roller shade or blind to make it smart. The tube’s circumference inside your existing roller shade matters, so measure up before you buy. Installation is a breeze, and you can add the MotionBlinds to HomeKit simply by scanning the QR code on the chain pull mechanism using your Apple Home app. There’s no remote with this and no need for a separate hub, provided you have a HomePod Mini, HomePod, or Apple TV. Battery life is up to a year, depending on how often you open and close your shades.

  Though originally designed for Apple Home, the latest version is Matter-enabled, and you can easily connect it to Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, or Google Home. You just need a Matter controller and a Thread border router. Even if you have an older version of the Eve Motion Blinds, it is straightforward to upgrade to Matter. I have my Eve MotionBlinds in my bedroom and they are scheduled in the Apple Home app to open and close with sunset and sunrise on weekdays. We ask Siri or pull the control chain on weekends.

  Because you can pair the Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit with any roller, you can get the exact size, color, and finish you want. A few suppliers ship the Eve MotionBlinds ready fitted into their made-to-measure shades or blinds. While the pull chain is much easier than trying to fumble with a tiny button, the shade occasionally catches on it when closing. It is also quite noisy in operation, sometimes going above 60 decibels, which is enough to wake you.

• Best Retrofit for Venetian Blinds

  

  Folks with venetian blinds can use this clever gadget from SwitchBot to add automation and remote controls. Provided you have horizontal blinds with a rotary control rod, you can fit the SwitchBot Blind Tilt yourself, but I recommend watching the instructional video, as it can be fiddly. You get a solar panel in the box that can go behind the blinds to keep the battery topped up. It connects to the SwitchBot app on your phone via Bluetooth to set the Blind Tilt function up and to set your preferred positions and schedules. There is a built-in light sensor, so you can have the blinds close automatically when the sun is shining.

  If you want to use voice commands or control your blinds remotely, you need to buy a SwitchBot Hub Mini ($39) or Hub 2 ($70). With your blinds linked to a hub, you can use all the major smart home ecosystems (only the Hub 2 supports Matter and Apple HomeKit). You can also buy a SwitchBot Remote ($19) if you want a simple programmable button for opening or closing the blinds. The SwitchBot Blind Tilt works quite well and gives you fine control over the angle of your blinds with a slider.

  The SwitchBot Blind Tilt is quite chunky and only comes in white, which is fine if your blinds are white, but stands out like a sore thumb otherwise. You also have to run a cable from it to the solar panel, which doesn’t look great from the outside of your chosen window. Normal operation is speedy and not terribly loud (around 50 decibels), but there is a quiet mode that moves slowly and keeps the volume under 35 decibels. Because Bluetooth is a bit slow and flaky, a hub is advisable for the best performance, but that adds to the cost.

• Best Retrofit for Curtains

  

  Photograph: Simon Hill

  Combining drapes and shades is a great way to achieve total darkness in a bedroom, and you can automate your curtains too. The SwitchBot Curtain 3 comes in a few varieties for rod or U-rail curtains. I tested the rod version with my bedroom curtains and was surprised to find how well it works. You can chart SwitchBot’s progress in our reviews from the original Curtain Bot (4/10, WIRED Review) through the SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2 (7/10, WIRED Recommends). The third time’s the charm with the SwitchBot Curtain 3, which addresses all my complaints about the earlier versions.

  Installation is easy, but take your time and make sure to fit the curtain beading for spacing and the magnetic stickers that mark the endpoints for your curtains to be closed. If your curtains open in the middle, you will need two SwitchBot Curtain 3 devices. I tested them with the new solar panels ($26), which clip into place (the old ones relied on adhesive and tended to fall off after a short time). Other improvements with the Curtain 3 include “QuietDrift,” which keeps the volume below 25 decibels (I can sleep through this).

  As with the Blind Tilt, you need some extras to get the best from the Curtain 3. I recommend a SwitchBot Hub 2 ($70) to open up support for Amazon Alexa, Google Home, SmartThings, Siri Shortcuts, IFTTT, and also Matter for Apple HomeKit. You can also schedule your curtains and add a SwitchBot Remote ($19) if you want a physical remote control. The Curtain 3 is a bit slimmer than previous versions and sits unobtrusively behind the curtains. Unfortunately, the solar panel attachment looks a bit weird from the outside, but it’s worth it since I don’t have to recharge. Without this, you’ll have to charge it every couple of months via USB-C.