Smart shades are more than just window coverings. They are smart devices that can make your life easier, safer, and more comfortable. With smart shades, you can:
- Control them remotely or automatically using voice commands, schedules, sensors, or smart home platforms
- Block out light, provide privacy, and reduce heat transfer
- Save energy, money, and the environment
- Enhance the style and ambiance of your home
But how do you find the best smart shades for your needs? There are many factors to consider, such as:
- Size, shape, and number of windows
- Fabric, color, and opacity of shades
- Hardware, software, and compatibility of shades
- Power source, battery life, and charging options of shades
- Price, installation, and warranty of shades
To help you with your decision, we have reviewed some of the top-rated smart shades of 2024, based on their features, performance, design, and price. Here are our picks for the best smart shades of 2024.
Serena by Lutron Motorized Solar Roller Shades: The Best Overall Smart Shade
Serena by Lutron is our best overall pick for smart shades. These shades are custom-made to fit your windows and come in a variety of fabrics, colors, and opacities. They have sturdy hardware, ultra-quiet motors, and a user-friendly app that lets you create scenes, schedules, and automations. They are also compatible with all the major smart home platforms, such as Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. You can control them with voice commands, remote controls, wall switches, or smartphone apps. Serena shades are powered by rechargeable batteries that last up to a year on a single charge. You can also opt for a solar panel accessory that can extend the battery life indefinitely. Serena shades are not cheap, but they are worth the investment for their quality, reliability, and functionality.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Sturdy hardware and software | Expensive |
| Ultra-quiet motors | No DIY option |
| Wide range of compatibility | |
| Easy to set up and use | |
| Rechargeable batteries with solar option |
According to The New York Times, Serena shades are “the best in every way—sturdy, with reliable hardware, a wide range of compatibility, ultra-quiet motors, and straightforward automation.” They also praised the “straightforward app with tons of features” and the “wide range of design options.”
Yoolax Motorized Blind Shade for Window: The Best Value Smart Shade
Yoolax Motorized Blind Shade is our best value pick for smart shades. These shades are affordable, easy to install, and customizable. You can choose the size, color, material, and motor type of your shades. They have a simple design that can blend in with any decor. They are powered by either a rechargeable battery or a solar panel. You can control them with a remote control, a smartphone app, or a smart home platform. They work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and IFTTT. You can also set timers, scenes, and groups for your shades. Yoolax shades are not very sophisticated, but they are functional, durable, and budget-friendly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Affordable | Limited compatibility |
| Easy to install | Basic design |
| Customizable | Noisy motors |
| Battery or solar-powered | |
| Remote, app, or voice control |
According to Popular Mechanics, Yoolax shades are “functional, durable, and budget-friendly.” They also noted that they are “easy to install and customizable.”
Allen + Roth White Blackout Cordless Motorized Cellular Shade: The Best Blackout Smart Blind
Allen + Roth White Blackout Cordless Motorized Cellular Shade is our best pick for blackout blinds. These blinds are designed to block out 100% of light and provide maximum privacy and insulation. They have a honeycomb structure that traps air and reduces heat transfer. They are cordless and motorized, which makes them safe and convenient. They are powered by disposable batteries that last up to a year. You can control them with a remote control, a smartphone app, or a smart home platform. They are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Samsung SmartThings. You can also create schedules, scenes, and automation for your blinds. Allen + Roth blinds are not very stylish, but they are effective, energy-efficient, and easy to use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Block out 100% of light | Plain design |
| Provide privacy and insulation | Disposable batteries |
| Cordless and motorized | Only one color option |
| Compatible with major smart home platforms | |
| Easy to use |
According to TechHive, Allen + Roth blinds are “effective, energy-efficient, and easy to use.” They also mentioned that they “block out 100% of light and provide maximum privacy and insulation.”
Ikea Fyrtur Black-out Roller Blind: The Easiest Assembly Smart Shade
Ikea Fyrtur Black-out Roller Blind is our easiest assembly pick for smart shades. These shades are off-the-shelf and ready to use. You just need to measure your window, cut the shade to the desired length, and mount it on the wall. They have a sleek and modern design that can suit any room. They are powered by a rechargeable battery that lasts up to six months. You can control them with a remote control, a smartphone app, or a smart home platform. They work with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Apple HomeKit. You can also set timers, scenes, and groups for your shades. Ikea Fyrtur shades are not very customizable, but they are good-looking, affordable, and easy to install.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Off-the-shelf and ready-to-use | Not very customizable |
| Sleek and modern design | Only one color option |
| Rechargeable battery | No solar option |
| Compatible with major smart home platforms | |
| Affordable |
According to Reviewed, Ikea Fyrtur shades are “good-looking, affordable, and easy to install.” They also highlighted the “sleek and modern design” and the “rechargeable battery.”
Graywind Motorized Solar Shades: The Easiest Smart Device Integration Smart Shade
Graywind Motorized Solar Shades are our easiest smart device integration smart shade. These shades are compatible with almost any smart home platform, such as Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, and more. You can control them with voice commands, remote controls, wall switches, or smartphone apps. You can also create schedules, scenes, and automations for your shades. They have a stylish and elegant design that can enhance any space. They are powered by either a rechargeable battery or a solar panel. You can choose the size, color, material, and opacity of your shades. Graywind shades are not very cheap, but they are versatile, beautiful, and smart.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Compatible with almost any smart home platform | Expensive |
| Stylish and elegant design | No DIY option |
| Battery or solar-powered | |
| Customizable | |
| Smart and easy to use |
According to Popular Mechanics, Graywind shades are “versatile, beautiful, and smart.” They also praised the “stylish and elegant design” and the “wide range of compatibility.”
Conclusion
Smart shades are a great way to add convenience, security, energy efficiency, and style to your home. They can be controlled remotely or automatically using voice commands, schedules, sensors, or smart home platforms. They can also block out light, provide privacy, and reduce heat transfer. However, smart shades are not all the same. They vary in features, performance, design, and price. Depending on your needs and preferences, you may want to choose one of the following smart shades:
- Serena by Lutron Motorized Solar Roller Shades: The best overall smart shade
- Yoolax Motorized Blind Shade for Window: The best value smart shade
- Allen + Roth White Blackout Cordless Motorized Cellular Shade: The best blackout smart blind
- Ikea Fyrtur Black-out Roller Blind: The easiest assembly smart shade
- Graywind Motorized Solar Shades: The easiest smart device integration smart shade
We hope this article has helped you find the best smart shades for your home. If you have any questions or feedback, please let us know in the comments below. Thank you for reading!
