The Best Smart Blinds for Windows in A Smart Home

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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Smart blinds extend and retract automatically on pre-set time schedules or by voice control. It was mainly aimed at luxury products but now everything is changing.

Apart from being super awesome and providing you with the level of privacy that you need, smart blinds are fast becoming a necessity because they are an efficient energy saver and have the ability to protect your home. For example, while you are out of your house, smart blinds can help to make it seem that there is someone present by allowing light to enter at random intervals.

Technology is advancing with speed, and a ‘smart home’ is fast becoming a fundamental aspect in this world. Smart blinds like other IoT devices can be operated locally on-demand or based on user programmed timings or even automatically.

Best Smart Window Coverings

1. Redi Shade Easy Lift Trim-At-Home Cordless Pleated Blinds

Easy Lift Trim-at-Home Cordless Pleated Light Filtering...
  • Trim at Home for a perfect fit, then install with No Tools – no...
  • Trim your shade with a straight-edged kitchen knife using...
  • Cordless lift mechanism for easy operation and clean appearance...
  • Soft spun lace fabric gently filters light, with rounded bottom...
  • 100% Satisfaction Guarantee - We stand behind our products. If...

The Redi Shade is one of the most excellent smart blinds for small apartments, dorms, and condos. These smart blinds for instance can easily be cut on a home setting to fit appropriately. It is convenient to install it yourself because you do not need any tools to do it.

You only need a kitchen knife which is supplied with the trimming scale and guide to lead you. However, remember that if trimming is required, the tail end as well as the spade end has to be cut. When you are through with trimming you only remove the top strip and place it on your window frame.

The peel and place adhesive application of these products should be permanent and very easy to install with no need for drilling, brackets or screws. An ideal permanent installation is achieved in seconds due to the no-tools and peel-and-stick solution.

The blinds are crafted from 1 1/4-inch spun lace fabric so that you can easily wash, dust or vacuum clean them. Stains as well can be treated through spot cleaning. 

Pros:

  • It can be trimmed for a perfect size fitting
  • It has an easy straight forward installation.
  • It is affordable.
  • The fabric is easy to clean.

Cons:

  • It doesn't completely block out the light.

2. Graywind Motorized Blackout Roller Smart Blinds

Graywind 100% Blackout Roller Shades Window Blinds for...
  • CHECK BEFORE ORDER: High-quality samples, they allow you to...
  • GRAYWIND DESIGN: All details are designed; Dupont material...
  • CUSTOMER FIRST: Each fabric labeled uniquely, it helps you...
  • If you want to check the fabric color and quality before...
Graywind smart blinds offer you several customizable options, which include the height, width, the number of remote control devices, and the inside or outside mount as required. This high tech blackout shade is constructed from a double ply polyester which provides architectural privacy and refined control of the light and heat. Using the Smart Life app you can control the shades, use timers and program the time when the shades should go up and down.

Considered one of the best-hardwired options, the Graywind Roller shades are the custom blackout shades that can be operated by the Smart Home system and integrated with Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and IFTTT settings. And what is still cooler, you do not have to buy an additional tilt bridge anymore.

After putting up the shades, there is an application called the Graywind which can be found in the iOS and Android store. Some of the beautiful new smart shade’s functionality that can be commanded through it and automation routines/schedules created include.

Pros:

  • You can customise your order.
  • It blocks UV rays
  • They come in many shades and colours that you can choose from.

Cons:

  • The installation can be a little tricky.

3. SwitchBot Blind Tilt 

SwitchBot Blind Tilt Motorized Blinds - Smart Electric...
  • Makes Retrofitting Blinds Easy: SwitchBot Blind Tilt removes the...
  • Endless Solar Battery Life: Our smart blinds feature a built-in...
  • Precise Alignment Control: SwitchBot Blind Tilt uses a customized...
  • Multiple Control Methods: Use our app or use timers to open and...
  • Control via Groups: When in Bluetooth range you can control up to...

SwitchBot Blind Tilt is a perfect solution that does not require much money and allows turning your blind inventories into automated wonders. It is very slim and can be installed on the rotating stick of your horizontal blinds. It twists the wand to raise or lower the blinds, and with the accompanying app, or just your voice when paired with Alexa or Google Home (a hub is needed).

The SwitchBot App enables the user to schedule the robot, set time for timing and enables Sunrise & Sunset mode. It also has a light sensor to provide for the blind as the correct response to the bright sunshine or cloudy day.

However, compared to the workmanship of motorized blinds, the SwitchBot Blind Tilt is a straightforward and efficient way. One of the best things about it is that is has a buil-in solar panel so you do not have to charge it manually. You forget about climbing chairs or dealing with a bunch of wires; this device is available for usage at any time.

Pros:

  • Easy set-up
  • Compatible with popular voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant as well as HomeKit
  • Less expensive
  • App is very intuitive to use

Cons:

  • Doesn't work with vertical blinds

4. Yoolax Motorized Blinds with Remote

Yoolax Motorized Blinds with Remote, Blackout Smart...
  • 【Material】Enjoy a collection of 17 colors in 100% blackout...
  • 【Custom-Made】Every fabric can be precisely tailored to make...
  • 【Pre-Order Check】Each fabric is uniquely labeled for easy...
  • 【Compatible with Smart Motor】Select the fabric you like for...
  • 【Note】Fabric samples only, complete motorized blinds are not...

The Yoolax Motorized Blackout Blinds are an elegant and intelligent way to create an effective window covering. These electric blinds are ideal for fully automated and easy to use homes, they can be operated by a remote and can even have Alexa compatibility. They have blackout fabric and several colors, giving privacy, light control and energy efficiency to the Rooms. The option for fabric samples is to allow customization depending on the interior designs of a specific home.

The Yoolax Motorized Blinds created an efficient approach to smart home design that is both practical and sleek. Although they are costlier than a traditional blind, they are a worthy investment for intelligent homeowners in regard to privacy and optimal utilization of energy through the incorporation of smart integration and a blackout function.

Pros:

  • Blackout fabric provides full privacy and effective light blocking.
  • Rechargeable battery option available, reducing wiring hassle.
  • Customizable fabric samples for matching decor.

Cons:

  • Higher price point compared to manual blinds.

5. Grandekor Motorized Blinds with Remote Control

Grandekor Motorized Blinds with Remote Control,...
  • 【Smart control】Smart Blinds support voice proximity control...
  • 【Don't worry about installation】Supplied with instruction...
  • 【Set on demand】The moving speed can be set to bit by bit or...
  • 【Safe for children & pets】 Unique cordless design is safer...
  • 【Safer&Quiet Motor】Insulated motor will automatically stop...

The Grandekor Motorized Blinds are a Sleek intuitive shading range ideal for use in bedrooms living rooms and offices. These cordless blackout blinds provide privacy, and really block out light making it suitable for home and office use.

They also operate through remote control; therefore, their adjustment does not require physical input in terms of handling, making them convenient. Cleans well for modern styled homes, the white looks great and the motorized smooth and silent operation is perfect.

The Grandekor Motorized Blinds are the fantastic and easy to use window coverings for those who want the motorized blinds. For as much as such solutions are not as smart as integrated into other solutions, the ability to operate remotely, blackout performances, and sleek design make them perfect for the room that needs privacy and appropriate control over the light.

Pros:

  • Blackout fabric ensures privacy and blocks out light effectively.
  • Simple installation with easy-to-follow instructions.
  • Quiet motor for smooth and noise-free adjustments.

Cons:

  • Customization options limited compared to other brands.

Factors to Consider When You Buy the Best Smart Blinds

Smart blinds that can be operated either manually, or through a pre-set time table, or in response to people in the room are an ultimate touch that is perfect for any home.

Here is the buying guide for you.

A. Shade Type

Shades come in four categories: roller, Roman, cellular or also referred to as honeycomb and pleated. A roller shade works by employing motorized roller spins by covering up your window with a sheet of fabric.

Roman shades use one piece of fabric and are pulled up by the cords running through rings to gather the fabric neatly in a pile. Cellular shades are blinds that consist of fabrics in more than one layer that is designed to create honeycombed like cells to help insulate air. Pleated shades are alike to cellular shades, but are made from a single piece of material, and the pleats are usually much broader.

B. Light Control and Privacy

These go hand in hand. The extent to which light is allowed by smart blinds is inversely proportional to the privacy within the home. Nevertheless, do point out that you can change the angle of the slats in the blinds and you get as much light as possible while at the same time getting the privacy you require.

C. Insulation Value

Closing the smart blinds or shades during the day can greatly turn off a significant chunk of energy that lightings in house, be it during summer or winter would demand. Further, smart blinds are also fully automatic and they should be closed during hours that would mean there is direct sunlight. It is equipped with a motion sensor by means of which it can differentiate between the time the room is in use or it is empty.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Smart Window Treatments

1. How are motorized window shades controlled?

Motorized smart blinds are controlled by radio frequency (RF) signals. The motor located in the shade in charge of lifting and lowering the shade. Often, It gets these signals by a remote control. In particular, there are a motorized shade commonly known as Graber that employs a particular motor known as Radio Technology Somfy (RTS) as well as z-wave.

2. Can I automate my existing blinds?

Most smart blinds typically require you to provide your own blinds and then retrofit the smart capabilities onto them; MySmartBlinds’ Home Automation Kit is a solution to this. As you can see it is an out-of-the-box kit, which you can then install in your existing pull blinds to make them into the cord motorized blinds. These blinds are also special in that you can operate them with your phone.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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