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The best smart blinds and shades to automate your window lighting
The age of automation is upon us, and most house appliances and products come in smart options. You can add smart blinds and shades to the list of products for your smart home. These provide a simple way to control lighting and privacy for your windows. They also offer intelligent home support for digital assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, which means they can often be operated with voice commands.
We have put together a list of the best smart blinds and shades, but remember we also have other great related content to check out. Click the link below to get started with a smart home introduction.
The best smart blinds and shades
Editor’s note: This list of the best smart blinds will be updated regularly as more devices launch.
Lutron Serena Smart Shade
Lutron’s Serena Smart shades have become very popular, mostly thanks to their quality, connectivity, and ease of use. They are on the pricier side of the spectrum but come in various sizes to accommodate most windows. These also use a pico remote for easy control, but can connect to Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri. The only caveat is that these use standard store-bought batteries, which can get annoying.
Serena Shades can be fully customized on their website. From style, design, and colors to size, you can get the perfect fit for any room or window.
Graywind Blackout Roller Shades
Smart blinds and shades control lighting and offer a higher level of privacy. This is why the Graywind Blackout Roller Shades are such a great deal. Their polyester and linen material has a vinyl back layer with 100% blackout protection. You can customize the smart blinds to your specific window sizes.
While these smart shades support Alexa, they will need a model with a ZF Motor to connect directly. Google Assistant users, or those with older motor models, will need a bridge. They otherwise should work amazingly, and there is also a dedicated app for smartphone/tablet control.
Yoolax Roller Smart Blinds
Yoolax offers soft blackout fabric with its Roller Smart Blinds too. Each shade is made to order to accommodate custom sizes, and they can be controlled using Alexa. The most remarkable feature is that the battery is rechargeable and can be connected to a solar panel (sold separately). This means you might not ever need to make an effort to charge the device.
IKEA Fyrtur
IKEA’s convenience, crazy names, and prices are hard to beat, and their Fyrtur smart blinds follow the same philosophy. These are among the most affordable smart blinds on this list, yet offer great convenience. You have to make some sacrifices, though.
The IKEA Fyrtur comes in pre-determined sizes and only comes with a remote. Those who want smart operation will need a gateway, which is sold separately. Regardless, this is a great deal, and many of you have IKEA stores nearby, which means you get better support should anything go wrong.
American Homesupplier Smart Curtain
American Housesupplier offers a system for those who prefer hanging curtains that slide from side to side instead of up and down. These are great for adapting to any traditional drapes, and smart features aren’t lacking. The system can connect to Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, as well as the Smart Life application.
Soma Smart Shades 2 and Tilt 2
Soma makes some of the best smart blinds around, and the best is that they can essentially turn any blinds into intelligent ones. The Smart Shades 2 works with any blinds that use a beaded chain or endless loop chords. Soma Tilt 2 controls blinds with rods.
Both devices cost the same, and both come with a solar panel, making it amazingly convenient, as you essentially never need to charge them. However, you can still charge them through USB if they don’t get enough light.
Both units work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and IFTTT. They also have automated scheduling. And you can either use the fast motor to customize blinds quickly, or keep things slow and silent with Quite Morning Mode.
Tilt Smart Blinds and Roller Shades Automation Kits
Tilt’s MySmartBlinds and MySmartRollerShades kits turn any blinds or shades into smart ones. You can control both via Bluetooth, but you can get an optional Smart Bridge to connect them with either Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Both units feature a solar panel to avoid plugging them in for daily use.
Tilt also offers its own blinds and shades, but we prefer these items, as they can adapt to your current ones. Not to mention you may have a preference for other brands, designs, and materials.
Xingxun Zebra Shades/Blinds
If you’re into zebra-style shades or smart blinds, this is one of your best bets. It comes in a variety of colors and styles. Not to mention the price is very enticing. We also love that it supports both Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. You’ll need a hub to get smart functionality, but the company offers it right on the customization page.
There are many ways to turn your home smarter. We have a list of our favorite smart devices. Check it out below for more ideas.