Smartwings motorized shades offer a customizable, budget-friendly alternative to premium smart window treatments with broad smart home integration.
Key facts
- •Smartwings shades received a ZDNET Editors' Choice award for value.
- •The shades are compatible with multiple ecosystems, including Matter over Thread and Zigbee.
- •A set of four motorized blackout shades with light blockers totaled $1,200.
- •The shades feature USB-C charging but lack a manual control option for dead batteries.
- •The product is made from recycled plastic materials.
Smartwings provides motorized, smart window shades that serve as a cost-effective alternative to premium brands like Lutron. The shades feature extensive customization options, including various sizes, colors, and smart home protocols, and can be purchased directly through the retailer or Amazon without the need for professional consultants.
By the numbers
Performance and Customization
The shades support multiple smart home protocols, including Matter over Thread, Zigbee, Z-Wave, HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings. Users can automate the shades to open or close based on sunlight or control them via voice commands. The units are noted for being quiet and durable, and they offer optional solar panels for recharging the battery-powered motors.
Cost and Installation
Installation is described as a quick, DIY-friendly process. While a set of four motorized blackout shades with Zigbee motors and light blockers cost approximately $1,200, the brand is positioned as a value option compared to full-house professional installations that can range from $15,000 to $50,000. Outfitting a 3,000 square-foot home with these shades is estimated to cost under $10,000.
Reported Drawbacks
Users may experience a plastic odor for the first three to four days following installation, which the manufacturer attributes to the use of recycled plastic. Additionally, the shades lack a manual override feature, meaning they cannot be operated if the battery dies until they are recharged via the USB-C port.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by ZDNET AI.
