best motorized solar shades

Battery life varies by model and how often you use them. Subscribe now for unlimited access. But it needs to be plugged into an electrical outlettheres no battery optionso we just dont recommend it over our other picks. However, they come in just two colors (white and walnut). If you prefer blinds over shades, we think Lutrons Serena Smart Wood Blinds are the best smart blinds because they adapt to the position of the sun throughout the day, ensuring you always have the right amount of light without having to adjust them at all. In most cases, trying to smarten up a dumb shade is like trying to put a small Band-Aid on a big wound, said VanWert. You can set the shades to open or close to a specific level, and you can also group shades. We like being able to have the shades close if the room heats up in the afternoon; this can be done by connecting a Routine to any Echo speaker with a temperature sensor in it (Echo 4th Gen or Echo Plus) or through SmartThings by pairing the shade with a temperature or LUX sensor. A separate, rechargeable battery pack tucks up behind the top of the shade, which can be easily removed for charging. Although ordering was wonderfully easy, installing and setting up the shades was the most complicated process of any model we tested. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Also, they can enhance security by making your home seem active and occupied even when its not. 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. Im a journalist and an editor who specializes in smart-home technology and interior design, so smart shades are right in my wheelhouse. The SmarterHome shades are of good quality, with sturdy hardware that (though visible) is not as bulky or obtrusive as that of our budget pick, the IKEA Fyrtur. 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. If spending more than $500 per window is not in your budget, IKEAs Fyrtur shades are a very good option, assuming your window openings are the correct size and you like gray blackout fabric. Learn more. Pairing the remote and hub also took a lot of time, but this was much easier, thanks to clearer instructions. However, the new TaHoma app has limited functionality, with just the option to open and close (no partial settings), and creating Schedules was unnecessarily complicated. Although you may be enticed to go DIY due to the cost savings, it is really easy to mess up measuring and installation for custom window coverings from our picks, potentially wiping out those savings and then some. Like smart lighting, smart window coverings make life more convenient, and they add ambiance by providing the right lighting at the right time of day. (However, you dont have to purchase the hub if you can connect to an existing Z-Wave setup.) Graber also sells motorized drapes, blinds, and panels (for areas like patio doors), but these dont use the new Z-Wave motors yet. 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. They are well made, well designed, easy to buy, simple to install, and inexpensive. 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. Installing the Lutron blinds was slightly trickier than it was for our budget pick, MySmartBlinds, since it required drilling. One of the main reasons he recommends this route is that you can have your shades hardwired instead of having to rely on batteries. As such, they are a good choice only for people who have windows that precisely fit those standard sizes. Expensive, clunky, and requiring a power source, most retrofit devices are simply not worth the hassle. If you do already have corded shades, be prepared to spend $150 to $250 per window to improve them with what is, at best, an inelegant solution (a large, chunky white box on your window frame and wires everywhere). 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. (But then youve got bigger issues to deal with.). 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. You can add the blinds to Lutron Scenes to control in sync with your Lutron lighting, and set them to close or open based on your location. If these shades will fit, and you like IKEAs style, then Fyrtur are very good blinds, made smart if you pair them with IKEAs Tradfri hub (a drawn-out process that involves a lot of back-and-forth pairing). This is because we found all retrofit devices to be overly difficult to install, generally unattractive, harder to use, and very expensive when compared with the price of DIY new shades. Our goal was to find shades and blinds that offered the best experience, the widest choice of design, and the most useful smart-home integrations, without requiring confusing levels of tech. Additionally, he walked us through the fabric and accessory choices in person, which is a much easier process than doing it online. 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. He points out that although wiring is easier in new construction, it is usually feasible to retrofit. At one point we had to completely reset the hub and app before we could get it up and running again. In addition to looking at reviews from sites such as CNET, Toms Guide, The Verge, The Ambient, and Digitized House, we also researched window treatments in home-decor magazines, such as Good Housekeeping, Dwell, and Architectural Digest. We ended up with a smaller size that had to be mounted on the frame of our window, as opposed to entirely over the frame. We particularly liked the Window Treatment adviser, an interactive tool that helps you choose the right window covering for your space. You dont need it for the smart features such as scheduling and remote control, but you do need it for voice control or to adjust your shades when you are outside of Bluetooth range. We independently review everything we recommend. Amazon Alexa and Google Home voice control work well, and you can add the shades to Routines in both ecosystems. 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. 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. 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. Starting at $599 each (plus the cost of the Lutron bridge, $80, and Pico remote control, $25), Serena Smart Wood Blinds are some of the most expensive window coverings weve tested, but thats largely due to the fact that they are custom-made to fit your windows and come in four painted colors or four stains. Also, the hub for smart-home control with Amazon Alexa and Samsung SmartThings costs $109and it is out of stock until 2022. But it took us about an hour to install one shade, and we did mess up the valance slightly. All of these customization options add up quickly, however, and making aesthetic choices (such as a fabric-wrapped fascia, which conceals the top of the shade, and different colors) would have increased the price of our test shade by $250 to nearly $750 (and more for a larger model). We also really like SmarterHomes hardware and installation process. The install process was almost identical to Lutrons, so much so that we would have been totally comfortable doing it ourselves. They are custom-made to order and available in eight color options. Overall, the shades we tested provided more smart features than blinds, which also tended to be larger, louder, and (we think) generally less attractive. For comparison, we tested Hunter Douglass Duette Honeycomb shades, which look and operate similarly to the Lutron Serena Shades. But its very time-consuming, and the end result is not as good as that of SmarterHomes new shades (theyre noisier and slower). For blinds, the process is a bit simpler, since all the device has to do is tilt the wood slats, not raise and lower an entire shade. But we did like the option to automatically return the blinds to their original position when the room cools down, and this worked well in testing. We were impressed with the shades, which were made of quality material and operated quietly and smoothly. The Natural Light feature helps keep all your blinds looking uniform. 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. 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). ), then these inexpensive smart shades are a great, budget-friendly option. Self-installation is an option, but its not as straightforward as with our other picks. Graywind is an Amazon-only seller based in Jiangsu, China. Installing the shades was simple, thanks to an excellent video tutorial (there were no written instructions in the box). And they work with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit. In that case, SmarterHomes Roller Shades Automation Kit is the only solution worth considering. In the app, a useful Control All Shades button makes it easy to open and close multiple shades at once. For more on retrofit models, see Retrofit solutions. And they work with Lutrons smart-home ecosystem for control with the Lutron app, which also enables integration with Amazon Alexa or Google Home (strangely, theres no HomeKit or SmartThings compatibility, as there is with Serena Shades). The process is well-thought-out, though, and the kit comes with everything you need in a variety of sizes, plus a detailed instructional video. 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. Scheduled for release this fall, its a retrofit device for adding motorization to existing shades. It has a full line-up of motorized shades in a number of different styles (roller, honeycomb, layered, sheer) and over 500 fabric choices (more than twice that of our top pick). But for just a few, smaller windows, you may end up paying more. 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). 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. (VanWert is not affiliated with any manufacturers and doesnt sell products.).

This shade is not as well designed or as easy to set up, and it requires a $99 Soma Connect bridge to pair with Alexa, Google, and HomeKit (though this integration is uncertified, and we had problems with it in our testing). Compatibility: Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Z-Wave hubs. Here are the results we think you should consider before making a purchase. Though this is a nice feature, in practice we found it to be less precise than setting up a temperature sensor in the room (this is because its measuring the temperature at your window, which will be hotter than the ambient feel of your room).

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. To our eyes, MySmartBlinds arent as attractive as Lutrons options (due to an unsightly wand and cord).

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. And the MySmartBlinds have a wand for manually controlling the tilt of the blinds (which the Lutron blinds dont have). But if you really dont like the idea of a person coming to your home to measure shades or of having to go to a showroom to be guided through the process, you have the online option. There are just too many variables for existing shades that I think make it tough.. But considering the reasonable price for these shades, we think its hard to complain. Hunter Douglas offers a mind-bending number of options, including having your shades travel from the top down as well as from the bottom up. Its very simple, and the instructions are well-laid-out and brief. These arent top-quality shades, but they do have good home-automation options (when they work). And when we purchased our test blinds, we had to drive four hours to get them, and the size we needed was not in stock (a common issue in our research). Then, 6:45 a.m., Monday through Friday, they open upbut on weekends they know to stay closed.. Smart shades and blinds that extend, retract, or tilt automatically are indeed a luxury, but theyre also just plain useful. Lutrons Serena Shades are our top pick because they work flawlessly, are the fastest and quietest shades we tested, and are compatible with all the popular smart-home platforms. Jennifer Pattison Tuohy writes about smart-home technology use and sustainable living, while trying to practice both (one is a lot easier than the other). 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. These blinds are a flat $419 and dont require a smart hub or bridge. And the removable, rechargeable battery lasted six months before needing to be recharged. Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant. 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. Aesthetics are important when it comes to blinds; even though you can get wooden blinds from any home-improvement store, they could end up looking like a mess of strings and wonky slats if you dont look after them properly. 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. 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. 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 price was $498 per opening for our test window (35 inches wide by 52 inches long), which had two openings and so required two shades, for a total of just under $1,000. 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. When theyre paired with the Graber Gateway, you can also use the companion app to integrate your shades with Amazon Alexa or Google Home. And though setup was more complicated than with the Lutron shadesyou need to position two end brackets and fiddle with tension rodsits similar to mounting a standard roller shade. Those allow you to control your shades via voice commands or automate them using Routines. And they have few actual smart features, other than scheduling and the ability to close automatically when its hot out. In our testing, Grabers roller shades worked reliably when controlled by voice, the included remote, or by Schedules we created in the accompanying app. 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). Another reason to consider pro-installation is theres a wider choice of fabric and design options. Grabers smart roller shades use Z-Wave motors that have to be paired either with the Graber VirtualCord Gateway or another Z-Wave hub (such as Samsung SmartThings). The Fyrtur shades are well made, and in our testing they worked reliably. Crestron, Savant, Hunter Douglas, J Geiger, and Screen Innovations are all companies VanWert recommends for smart shades, along with our pick, Lutron Serena Shades. 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. Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings. But the required smart-home hub cost significantly more$285 for the hub and $70 for the remote. (And they can help save energy and boost home security, too.) In this guide, Graber is the only company with the option of self-installation that also has a more-advanced remote; it has an LCD display and can control up to 24 shades. The Serena Shades are expensivearound three times the price of our budget pick, IKEAs Fyrtur. 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.

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best motorized solar shades