You can set the shades to open or close to a specific level, and you can also group shades. We tested one to two window coverings from each company for a minimum of one month, each installed on the same-size (35-by-52 inches) double-hung, single-paned windows in our test home. Following the same flat rate pricing structure as for the SmarterHome MySmartShades, these cost $419 per shade, no matter the size of the opening; this is a savings compared with the Lutron price, if you have windows that are more than 32 inches wide. If you screw up your measurements, however, youre responsible for the cost of the shades. One of the main reasons he recommends this route is that you can have your shades hardwired instead of having to rely on batteries. You just drill two small brackets into the window frame (we were installing inside-mounted shades), snap the shades into the brackets, and pop in the six D-cell batteries. Another reason to consider pro-installation is theres a wider choice of fabric and design options. Crestron, Savant, Hunter Douglas, J Geiger, and Screen Innovations are all companies VanWert recommends for smart shades, along with our pick, Lutron Serena Shades. If you just dont want to deal with the installation process, IKEA does partner with TaskRabbit in certain locations to install the shades (price varies depending on where you are, but it starts at $30 an hour for our South Carolina locale). When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. The MySmartBlinds include a traditional cord to raise and lower the blinds, rather than the more modern, cordless push-and-pull method of the Lutron blinds. They can be set on Scheduleswithout the need to buy a smart huband can be configured to react to temperature changes and adjust accordingly (Lutron Serena Blinds can do this, but only if you buy an additional temperature sensor). The other retrofit devices that met our criteria, the Axis Gear and Soma Smart Shades 2, work only with shades that have a chain or cord to raise and lower them. We had a few issues with our test install (including two faulty shades), problems that were quickly resolved by Hunter Douglas and the installer. If your window openings fit one of the eight available sizes of IKEAs Fyrtur shades (ours didnt), and you like the industrial exposed hardware and gray blackout fabric look (we do! The Lutron blinds dispense with unnecessary cordsyou just push them up and pull them down. Using a more-robust smart-home system like HomeKit or Alexa, you can set up Routines or Automations that will close or open the shades based on temperature and motion (if you have compatible sensors), or include them in a Good Night or Good Morning Routine. These Lutron shades are some of the most expensive of those we tested, but we believe the extra expense is worth it for their quality, ease of use, and reliability. The Lutron Serena Smart Wood Blinds have the best smart-home integrations and most innovative features of any of the smart blinds we considered or tested. There are three styles of shades: roller shades, which pull down from a tube; Roman, which have a decorative folded fabric feature; and honeycomb, which are pleated chambers of fabric and are considered the most energy-efficient because the cells trap air and provide insulation. Additionally, he walked us through the fabric and accessory choices in person, which is a much easier process than doing it online. If you are looking to outfit an entire home with all-new shades and blinds, you can save money by mixing and matching smart with non-motorized models. And the process for mounting the shades was similar to Lutronsjust drill in two brackets (find your own screws; theyre not included), and snap in the shades. SmarterHome says it will release an app and bridge in 2022 that will control both its shades and its blinds (they will also work retroactively with existing installs). The company says Ryse will be faster, quieter, lift heavier shades, and have wider smart-home integrations than Axis, including Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple HomeKit (via a new $49 smart bridge). So you have to use your app, set up Schedules, or use voice and your phone or a smart speaker to control them. We found the ordering process to be complicated, with multiple customization options that are confusing if you know nothing about shades. They also had multiple, simple control options, including a sleek Pebble remote control, an app, and voice control with a PowerView hub system. Graber is priced like Lutron, but it offers more style, customization, and compatibility with Z-Wave wireless. At one point we had to completely reset the hub and app before we could get it up and running again. To understand how useful they really are, I spent more than 35 hours researching the category, over 600 hours doing hands-on testing, and about two years living with smart shades. But theyre also the most expensive, starting at $599. Few of the other fully DIY shades we tested responded nearly as fast because most rely on Bluetooth, which can be slow and buggy and has limited range. This one price fits all is a better option if youre outfitting a whole home that has large windows and Lutron is outside your budget. For a professional perspective on automated shades, I interviewed home-technology design consultant David VanWert, of VanWert Technology Design in Los Angeles. The simple ordering process is a refreshing change: Every shade is the same price, no matter the size or style. Amazon Alexa and Google Home voice control work well, and you can add the shades to Routines in both ecosystems. If you want to power up your smart home, then you need to install smart sensorstiny detectors that tell other smart devices what to do automatically. Lutron devices rely on a proprietary wireless standard called Clear Connect, which has a long range and prevents interference and lag, resulting in much quicker response times. And they can be automated to tilt based on the position of the sun (requires a Lutron Bridge). And because the Gear relies on Bluetooth, response time is slow compared with that of our top pick, the Lutron Serena Shades (it does support Zigbee wireless and can connect to SmartThings or a Zigbee-enabled Alexa, which should improve response time). And to set up they require the purchase of a bridge, which is a completely different, $109 device from the one that works with the MySmartShadesand which is also currently out of stock until 2022. We installed them in March 2020 and havent had to change the batteries as of July 2021. The instruction manuals were next to useless, even though there were five of them. Pro installation is also well worth doing if you have openings that are difficult to access (such as skylights) or ones that are unusually shaped. Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings. The app provides the option of using geofencing to open and close your shades automatically, by sensing your smartphone when you arrive or leave home. Handily, if your existing roller shades have cords or chains, you can remove them and discard them once you add this motor. SmarterHomes MySmartBlinds (formerly Tilt) are well-designed corded blinds with an innovative mounting system (when using the inside mount) that doesnt require any drilling, making these blinds a good choice for renters or people who move a lot. The Soma Smart Shades 2 works similarly to the Axis Gear but is about a third the size and $100 cheaper. He points out that although wiring is easier in new construction, it is usually feasible to retrofit. Pricing will vary based on fabric, sizing, and other factors through a network of Coulisse resellers. They can be set up to run on a customized schedule or automated Scenes, or integrated with home-automation software, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, and Google Home. If you dont mind a more-modest selection of fabrics and styles and dont need deep smart-home integration, the SmarterHome's MySmartRollerShades (formerly Tilt) are a good option. Although the shades use Zigbee wireless, theyre not natively compatible with any of the other smart-home systems that use Zigbee (SmartThings and Wink, for example). It now costs $299 per shade (it was $199 when we first reviewed it), which is a very steep price, and it requires a much more involved installation. Slightly more affordable and solar-powered, SmarterHomes MySmartRollerShades (formerly Tilt) are custom-made to fit your window. David VanWert, of VanWert Technology Design, phone interview, May 23, 2020, James Stables, The best smart blinds, The Ambient, February 2, 2021, Tom Kolnowski, Automating Window Shades in the Connected Home Era: Part 1 and Part 2, The Digitized House, March 15, 2018, Dan Seifert, Smart blinds are an expensive upgrade to your smart home, The Verge, August 27, 2020, Andrew OHara, Hunter Douglas PowerView Shades review, Apple Insider, June 16, 2021, Alice Hurley, How to Buy Blinds and Shades, Good Housekeeping, August 7, 2019, Michael Brown, Graber VirtualCord Motorized Shade review, TechHive, October 25, 2019. So you can find a window covering that fits your decor and lighting needs (from a blackout model in a bedroom to light filtering in a sunroom). Using an infrared thermometer, we were able to demonstrate that with the Lutron shades closed, at 3 p.m. on a July afternoon on south-facing windows, the temperature was almost 10 degrees cooler than when we had them open. This means theres less worry that Lutron might go out of business in a few months or yearsa real concern when youre spending a lot of money on a smart-home item. And the hardware is unobtrusive; plus, an easy-to-mount valance hides it all. They are very quiet, and we found their sleek, silver-and-gray industrial design to be stylish. And its charged by a small solar panel that tucks up and out of the way behind the shade (it is visible from the outside, however). We were unable to test hardwired devices, but the main reason to go with professional installation is the guarantee that your shades will fit and work correctly, with as little troubleshooting or hassle on your part as possible. We found these to be plain and utilitarian-looking, compared with the other options, and we dont like that they need to be plugged into a wall outlet. They run on D-cell batteries, which Lutron says youll need to replace about every two to three years (assuming theyre triggered twice a day). Though Graber is focused on professional installation and sells through a network of dealers, you are able to view and select your shades online at Grabers website and then self-install them. Expensive, clunky, and requiring a power source, most retrofit devices are simply not worth the hassle. Google Assistant integration is technically available as well, but in our tests it didnt work well, and it isnt compatible with the Google Home app. Or you can set up Schedules and Routines in IKEAs Home Smart app, Apples Home app, or Amazons Alexa app. We will be testing retrofit solutions for blinds for our next update, including MySmarterHomes Blinds Automation Kit and Soma Tilt (which works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, as well as Apple HomeKit, although its uncertified at present). Its easy to say youll be more energy-efficient, but smart-home devices can help save water, electricity, and money without you even realizing it. So if you want voice control or the ability to adjust your blinds from outside Bluetooth range, we do not recommend purchasing these at this point. But overall the pricing is in line with that of Hunter Douglas, yet with fewer smart features. So, if style and quality are less important to you than price and utility, and you dont mind troubleshooting every few months, these will be a useful addition to your home. We researched 23 blackout shades and tested 12, and found that the Select Blinds Classic Cordless Blackout Shade is one of the best at blocking light. These shades run on a rechargeable battery that connects to an included solar panel. And when theyre paired to IKEAs $35 Tradfri hub, they integrate with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit for app, voice, and smart-home control. Although its well designed, with a sleek touchscreen panel, it has to be plugged into power or used with a giant solar panel, so its more obtrusive than our picks. A common use for smart shades [or blinds] is the set-it-and-forget-it method, said David VanWert of VanWert Technology Design in Los Angeles. It sells custom, made-to-order Zigbee- or Wi-Ficonnected smart shades that are worth considering if you want to customize your shades to fit your window but dont want to spend more than $350 a pop. Over the past seven years, Ive spent countless hours testing smart-home devices for Wirecutter, including smart-home sensors, smart garden devices, and smart garage-door controllers. When paired with a temperature sensor through Amazon Alexa, they can also be set to close when the temperature rises in the room. (That is, you can adjust the angle of the slats using an app or voice command, but you still have to manually open or close them.). But the battery charging is ungainly, requiring you to plug a cord into the shade (though at least that should happen only once a year). The Fyrtur shades are well made, and in our testing they worked reliably. Overall, the shades we tested provided more smart features than blinds, which also tended to be larger, louder, and (we think) generally less attractive. Smart-home manufacturer Aqara announced a new retrofit roller blind controller, the Roller Shade Driver E. A Zigbee-based add-on device, it requires an Aqara hub and will be compatible with Apples HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. We evaluated each shade and blind based on the following criteria: Wirecutter takes security and privacy issues seriously, and to help you understand which data the companies you are bringing into your home may be taking out with them, weve compiled this table to answer some of the most common questions people have regarding privacy and security. In our testing we found this to be very usefulalways keeping the room naturally well lit without too much glare and without our needing to constantly fiddle with the blinds (manually or through an app). There are on-device controls, which is good since the remote wont work if the power goes out (the remote relies on a chunky signal repeater that you need to plug into an outlet). It also recently released PowerView+, a wired smart shade. In the app, a useful Control All Shades button makes it easy to open and close multiple shades at once. However, if you have only small windows to cover, we recommend going with Lutron. If you connect to the Tradfri bridge, though, you have to unpair and re-pair it, and do the same with the shades. This change will allow the blinds to be used in Alexa Routines, as the shades already do, and will bring Google Home support to all of its products (currently the blinds have a very limited Google Assistant integration that doesnt work well). These shades dont match the quality of the Lutron or SmarterHome (formerly Tilt) shades, in terms of materials and design, but they look nice enough. They are custom-made to order and available in eight color options. Smart shades and blinds can help you save energy by alternately blocking or allowing in light based on the season or time of day, and they are especially useful for people with mobility issues. In our testing, Grabers roller shades worked reliably when controlled by voice, the included remote, or by Schedules we created in the accompanying app. And they have few actual smart features, other than scheduling and the ability to close automatically when its hot out. So, for a full house of around 20 windows, the cost may average $1,500 apiece if you have a few larger windows and have them professionally installed. In the grand tradition of IKEA, purchase, setup, and installation were a giant pain. But its very time-consuming, and the end result is not as good as that of SmarterHomes new shades (theyre noisier and slower). Smart lighting is arguably the easiest smart-home gear to install and use, yet has the power to transform your homeinside and out. Smart shades and blinds are an expensive upgrade over standard window coveringsall the more so if you plan to install them on several windows, which could be a multi-thousand-dollar project. Subscribe now for unlimited access. The shades come with a remote. There are three categories of smart shades and blinds: We tested models in all three categories, but our main picks are from the DIY category only. SmarterHome does sell a long-charging cable, should you run into solar-power issues. Battery life varies by model and how often you use them. (And they can help save energy and boost home security, too.) And if you want to use Alexa voice control or be able to remotely adjust them when you arent home, youll also need to buy SmarterHomes optional Bridgewhich is out of stock until 2022. If you arent comfortable with that risk, we recommend that you get your shades and blinds professionally installed. But for just a few, smaller windows, you may end up paying more. The hardware was also innovative, with a simple mounting system that didnt protrude from our window, as most other shades did. But in practice, figuring out what to do was relatively simple. And they work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. The Lutron app lets you set the blinds on a schedule (in addition to the Natural Light feature) to open, close, or partially tilt based on a time of day or sunrise and sunset. If you (or someone in your home) has a specific style and design in mind when it comes to window coverings, youll want to look at Graber Motorized Shades. Of all the shades we tested, Lutrons Serena Shades have the smoothest movement, the quietest motor, the easiest control options, and the best, most useful smart-home integrations. Their fully customizable design and lightweight construction made these shades the simplest to install. Here are the results we think you should consider before making a purchase. The good news is that SmarterHome is merging its blinds and shades products into one app and one bridge (see What to look forward to). If the installation challenge is daunting, or youre considering the YouTube videos that show you how to hack Fytur shades so they fit your window, wed say skip the headachethere are better options. But Hunter Douglas and many custom shade manufacturers simply wont let you. And they dont have a plastic wand dangling down; though this means you cant tilt them manually, for $25 you can pair a Pico remote, which works without the bridge. In our testing they worked reliably when put on schedules, and they can be controlled by voice via Amazon Alexa (with the purchase of a separate bridge for $109). Smart shades and blinds may be battery-powered (using either standard batteries or rechargeable ones) or hardwired to your homes electrical system, and a few can be plugged into a nearby available outlet. Although the blinds can be tilted on command, you cant use a controller to raise or lower themyou have to manually push them up or pull them down, as you would with other modern blinds. And the removable, rechargeable battery lasted six months before needing to be recharged. Im a journalist and an editor who specializes in smart-home technology and interior design, so smart shades are right in my wheelhouse. Our favorite feature on these shades is the simple pricing and ordering process. This also enables a Natural Light Optimization feature, which adapts the blinds intelligently to the sunlight, based on your location, so the slats of your blinds are always tilted in the best direction for optimal light with minimal glare and solar gain. His company helps homeowners integrate tech with interior design, and he has more than a decade of experience with a wide range of smart window coverings. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing to save people time, energy and money when making buying decisions. The material is more substantial and doesnt bend or crease or have flimsy edges. After wading through four or five different manuals, we figured it all out. SmarterHomes app is easy to use, and it lets you set up automated Routines and Schedules for your shades (Schedules can be based on time and day or sunset/sunrise), as well as control them without a bridge, as long as you are in Bluetooth range. For our reviews, we considered the whole buying process, from ordering through installation to everyday use. Theyre easy to install yourself, simple to set up, battery-powered, and custom-made to fit your windows. Unfortunately, MySmartBlindss smart integrations are very limited and hard to use, and all you get is voice control, with no ability to add to Routines or automations. They work with every major smart-home system and all of the voice assistants, when paired with Lutrons Casta Wireless Smart Bridge (a small device that plugs into your Wi-Fi router and lets you control your devices remotely; its the same one that connects Lutrons Casta smart light switches). Learn more. Scheduled for release this fall, its a retrofit device for adding motorization to existing shades. We were impressed with the shades, which were made of quality material and operated quietly and smoothly. The blinds automatically move with the sun throughout the day, and if you have multiple blinds, they all look uniform without your ever having to touch them. But we found this doesnt work well in a household with multiple membersyou dont want the shades rolling down on everyone whos still at home each time you leave. Although theyre comparatively cheap, starting at $129 and going up to $179, they come in just one fabric choice, one color, only eight widths, and one length, and they arent trimmable (although you can adjust how far the shades open). But theres no remote control, aside from the app. Two important features of smart shades are how you control them and how well they fit into your home, and Lutron Serena Shades excel in both areas. Smart shades and blinds are motorized window treatments that can also be controlled with a smartphone app and with voice (using a smart speaker or a smartphone assistant like Siri). When it happens, we will update this review. The blinds we tested are powered by four D-cell batteries (very small shades may use AA batteries), and there is no rechargeable option, but you can also order models that can be plugged in or hardwired. The company also plans to release Smart Switch Pro, a wall switch to control SmarterHome blinds and shades. There are on-device controls that are useful, if you can reach them, which is not a given since theyre located at the top of the shade. Axis Gear is a $249 retrofit device that works only with existing corded or chain-pull shades. We were able to set them up in under 10 minutes with no drilling needed, thanks to the SmartLock mounting technology, which uses a lever mechanism to snap the blinds in place. For more-advanced smart-home automations, we connected Lutron Serena Shades to third-party smart-home systems, which allow you to trigger your shades based on motion, temperature, and light levels. The install process was almost identical to Lutrons, so much so that we would have been totally comfortable doing it ourselves. Responsive, quiet, and of excellent quality, these custom-made shades can be controlled using automated smart-home controls like Schedules, geofencing, and Scenes. To our eyes, MySmartBlinds arent as attractive as Lutrons options (due to an unsightly wand and cord). Installation and setup took less than 15 minutes, and even though the instruction manual wasnt great, the steps were so simple that this was the easiest install of all the models we tested. If youre planning on installing only a couple of devices and already own shades or blinds you particularly like, a retrofit device costing from $100 to $300 per window may be worth considering. Well test this model when its available. Our test shade cost $316, including the purchase of a remote and solar panel to charge the included battery (you can also plug it into an outlet). 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company, Select Blinds Classic Cordless Blackout Shade, SmarterHome MySmartRollerShades (formerly Tilt), SmarterHome's MySmartRollerShades (formerly Tilt), Smart Lights Are the Easiest Way to Transform Your Home, SmarterHomes Roller Shades Automation Kit, Automating Window Shades in the Connected Home Era: Part 1 and Part 2, Smart blinds are an expensive upgrade to your smart home, Graber VirtualCord Motorized Shade review, The Best Smart Home Sensors for Alexa, HomeKit, and SmartThings, These Smart Home Devices Can Enhance Independence for People With Disabilities and Mobility Needs, How to Save Money and Energy With Smart Home Devices, retrofit models you attach to existing shades and blinds, DIY new shades or blinds that may be custom or standard size and that you self-install, professionally supplied shades and blinds that are custom-made and installed, the ability to be installed without needing a, a range of fabrics, colors, styles, and sizing options to fit into most homes. For comparison, we tested Hunter Douglass Duette Honeycomb shades, which look and operate similarly to the Lutron Serena Shades. You can control them with Lutrons app or connect them to a smart-home system such as HomeKit, Alexa, Google, SmartThings, and othersfar more options than offered by any of the competition. All other aspects are the same, and you can control the shades in the same way, using the same app, and connect them with Alexa if you add a SmarterHome bridge (you need only one bridge per house for up to eight devices). They are also the most widely compatible with smart-home platforms. The motors are a little louder than on our top pick, but they are just as quick. But it took us about an hour to install one shade, and we did mess up the valance slightly. Linkshades offers a line of $99 DIY smart shades in three style options and fixed sizes (but there are no optional fabric choices). (But then youve got bigger issues to deal with.). Alva IQ are well-made and simple to install and set up, but were some of the loudest shades we testedthey clocked in at a deafening 60dBand lack on-device controls.
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