Smart blinds and shades offer privacy, block out sunshine and other heat sources, and can save your energy costs, much like traditional window coverings. In contrast to conventional blinds and shades, the majority of motorized versions come with the ability to connect to the internet and interact with other home automation devices. With the use of an app, a voice assistant like Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, or even your smart speaker, you can open and close them without getting up from your couch or moving.
There are two ways that smart window coverings and blinds work: some may be hardwired into your home’s electrical system or plugged into an outlet, while others run their motors on batteries. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages. Although hard-wired devices require an electrician to wire, they might be less expensive than their battery-powered counterparts. Battery-operated models are good, but you may need to install a charger and replace them every few months.
Both varieties of smart blinds are available from most manufacturers. The most widely used ones run on rechargeable batteries, which have the drawback that changing them requires scaling a ladder. Although most of them are rated to last for a year or so before needing to be replaced, for optimal performance, you’ll probably want to spend money on lithium AAs, which cost around $35 each pack.
Indianapolis Smart Blinds, which are available in eight preset widths ranging from 23 to 48 inches wide, are among the most reasonably priced solutions. They have a straightforward interface and are simple to install, but in order to link them to your smartphone and activate its smart features, you will need a hub or bridge, which can be purchased separately.
Lutron’s Serena Smart Wood Blinds are the most intelligent of the group; they are aesthetically pleasing, dependable, and enjoyable to use. The most notable feature is Natural Light Optimization, which adjusts the blinds’ slats automatically to the sun’s movement throughout the day. Additionally, the app allows you to plan and create personalized room scenarios, which you can then sync with other smart home devices via the Lutron Caseta Smart Hub.
The majority of motorized smart blinds work with other home automation devices, such as security, lighting, and thermostats. For instance, many of the PowerView blinds from Eve and Lutron work with Apple HomeKit and other smart-home systems. Additionally, their motors can be controlled by your voice assistant, so all you have to do is say, “Hey Alexa, turn on the kitchen lights.”
For busy families or regular travelers who wish to make their houses look occupied while they are gone, automated blinds may be the perfect answer. Additionally, you can program them to open and close on their own each day, keeping the sun out at certain times and allowing it in at others to prevent your heating and air conditioning systems from overworking.