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Smart blinds allow you to increase privacy and security, decrease energy costs by blocking heat from the sun and control natural lighting. They do all of this while adding to your home’s smart capabilities.
Opening and closing your window coverings with the push of a button or even a simple voice command can help simplify your life. But there’s lots of different brands, styles, and features – our experts dig deep and help you decide where your dollars are best spent.
Article Overview
- Types Of Smart Blinds
- Roller Shades & Motorized Curtain Rods
- How Do Smart Blinds Work?
- Best Smart Blinds
- Automation Kit Installation (Video)
- Want Smart Plugs, Switches & Outlets?
Types Of Smart Blinds
Most styles of blinds are available as smart blinds, including vertical blinds, Venetian blinds, wood blinds and mini blinds. Automation kits are also available if you’re happy with your existing blinds. You can find kits that’ll work with different styles and operation systems, like pull chains or cords.
Other Smart Window Coverings: Roller Shades & Motorized Curtain Rods
Blinds are not your only option when it comes to automated window coverings. If you prefer roller shades, you can get those too. You can also consider a motorized curtain rod if you’re interested in using curtains you already have or custom fabric draperies.
How Do Smart Blinds Work?
Smart blinds are motorized so you can open and close them without using manual cords or rods. Some smart blinds require a smart hub. The hub receives information through WiFi from your control source, like a smart speaker or app, and then uses Bluetooth to communicate commands to your blinds. When a smart hub isn’t required, the blinds receive your commands directly through WiFi.
Best Smart Blinds & Window Coverings
We review the best smart blinds and window covering automation options to help you figure out what will work best for your home.
Smart Blinds | Smart Roller Shades | Motorized Curtain Rod | Automation Kit
Best Smart Blinds: Yoolax Motorized Window Blinds Review
Yoolax Motorized Window Blinds are our top pick for the best smart blinds. These indoor blinds are in-between shades, which give you a range of natural lighting choices. There are 3 color options for these 85% blackout shades, and fabric samples are available. Each order is custom-made so you can fit most window sizes, but the price will go up as the size increases.
The smart capabilities of these blinds include remote control and compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Apple Siri voice control. The blinds are cordless and have a rechargeable battery.
You also want to consider that a smart hub is required to connect to voice control options, and the remote control battery and solar panel are an extra expense.
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Price
- Base price: $159.00
Best Smart Roller Shades: Graywind Motorized 100% Blackout Roller Shade Review
Motorized roller shades are another option for smart window coverings, and the Graywinds Motorized Roller Shade is our first choice. This roller shade comes in a variety of color choices, and there are fabric samples available. They’re custom-made to the window size, so the price listed is a base price and increases with larger sizes.
You can use a remote control or link to Amazon Alexa and Google Home for voice control. These shades also pair with the Smart Life app to easily manage your shades from your smartphone.
You won’t need a smart hub with this product, and installation is easy. Keep in mind that theses shades are hardwired, so you’ll need to plug them in.
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- Base price: $153.99
Best Motorized Curtain Rod: Homesupplier Smart Curtain Rod Review
The Homesupplier Smart Curtain Rod is an excellent option if you have existing or custom draperies and want to make them smart. You can control the motorized rod with a remote, wall switch, voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Home and the TuyaSmart app for your smartphone.
You’ll enjoy the ability to set timers for opening and closing, position curtains in different ways and, with the light touch feature, you can manually pull the curtain to initiate movement. No smart hub is necessary for this product, and installation is simple.
Remember, you must purchase curtains separately. You also need to consider that the rods are hardwired, so you’ll need to plug them in, and they’re only available in specific lengths.
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Price
- 6.5 Feet: $239.00
- 10 Feet: $249.00
- 13 Feet: $269.00
- 16.4 Feet: Check Amazon for availability
- 20 Feet: Check Amazon for availability
Best Automation Kit: MySmartBlinds Blinds Automation Kit Review
The MySmartBlinds Blinds Automation Kit takes our top spot for the best automation kit. This kit allows you to motorize your existing 2-2.5” inch horizontal corded blinds and make them smart.
With this kit, you can control them with the MySmartBlinds app or use voice control through Amazon Alexa and Google Home. There is no smart hub necessary, but you’ll need the Tilt Bridge, available from the manufacturer, if you want to use voice control. The rechargeable battery has the option of solar power, and installation is easy. Check out the video below.
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- Kit: Check Amazon for availability
- Solar panel: Check Amazon for availability
Automation Kit Installation
This video from tilt, the makers of MySmartBlinds, shows how easy it is to install their automation kit.
Consider Adding Smart Plugs, Outlets & Switches
Smart blinds can add an extra automated feature to make your smart home even smarter. Another easy way to add home automation features to your home is to add smart plugs, outlets and switches. These additions will get you one step closer to a complete smart home.
