
Smartwings Roller Shades
pros and cons
- The Smartwings brand offers some of the best value for money in smart window treatments.
- Installation is easy, and the shades are simple to use.
- Lots of customization, and solar panels for recharging.
- The shades give off a plastic smell in the room for the first three days after installation.
- There’s no way to manually control the shades if the battery dies unexpectedly.
jul / 2026
on Google.
There’s nothing like having an “open sesame” moment when you wake up in the morning and your window shades automatically roll up. There are various ways to automate existing shades and curtains, and while smart window treatments can get expensive quickly, the Smartwings brand offers some great value for money.
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I’ve had the Smarwings
My hands-on experience
I’ve seen and used many smart and motorized shades at work, and I was incredibly impressed by the Smartwings models. I’ve tried the newest models at trade shows, used older versions at short-term rentals, and have tried several retrofit options at home. Smartwings proved to offer some of the best value alternatives to premium smart shades, namely those from Lutron.
One of the best things about the brand is the level of customization they offer. You can choose whatever size you need for pretty much any window in your home (just make sure to measure twice before buying), choose the finish, color, smart home protocol, and even whether to add a solar panel.
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Our original windows have the original window treatments, PVC blinds, and we’ve added blackout curtains in our bedrooms over them. From the street, you could see that our 27-year-old blinds were showing their age, with a couple of broken slats that didn’t do anything for our home’s curb appeal. Replacing the old blinds with new motorized shades was a big upgrade both inside and out.
Why smart shades are worth it
I chose blackout roller shades and added light blockers for my kids’ rooms. Four motorized blackout shades with Zigbee motors and light blockers totaled around $1,200. This can be considered a lot for two bedrooms, but keep in mind that window treatments can get expensive quickly, with homeowners often paying between $15,000 and $50,000 if you do the whole house at once.
The Smartwings smart window shades earned a ZDNET Editors’ Choice award because they offer the best value for your money in the category. They give you a “set it and forget it” experience that offers convenience and reliability across smart home ecosystems, especially if you’re a fan of DIY smart home solutions.
