Internet-connected automated roller shades and blinds are quickly becoming one of the most popular upgrades for anyone who wants to add convenience and modern style to their home. We previously had the chance to review Bringnox smart roller shades, and now, we are ready to share our two months of experience with SmartWings smart roller shades. Here’s our in-depth review that breaks down what these shades are, their main features, how they work in daily life, and what things you should consider before making the buying decision.
Why SmartWings Smart Roller Shades?
SmartWings offers a wide range of motor options, including standard remote, Zigbee, Alexa, Z-Wave Plus, Apple HomeKit with Thread, Matter over Thread, Matter, and Power over Ethernet (PoE). As a smart home enthusiast, we opted for the advanced Matter-over-Thread motor, which unlocks a number of connected features.
These motorized window coverings can be effortlessly controlled via remote, smartphone app, or voice commands. Designed for convenience and seamless smart home integration, they help manage light and privacy automatically without the need for manual adjustments. Many users choose SmartWings for its ability to automate daily routines and significantly enhance home comfort.
These window coverings with built-in motors can be controlled via remote, app, or even voice commands. They are designed for convenience, smart home integration, and to help manage light and privacy without manual effort. Many people choose them for the ability to automate routines and improve home comfort.
Materials and personalization options
Users can choose from blackout or light-filtering fabrics with options for 50%, 70%, or full 100% blackout, along with custom sizing up to 109 inches wide and 120 inches tall. There are also various valance styles and adjustable bottom bars to match the shades according to your bedroom, living room, or any other windows.
We chose the SmartWings Motorized Roller Shades 100% Blackout Dual-Sided Bouvardia version, which felt premium right out of the package. Its tightly woven structure blocks light effectively without extra backing. One of the most striking features of this fabric is its dual-layer design, which not only enhances light blocking but also gives the shades a stylish, appealing look even from the outside. The fabric feels durable and excels at preventing natural light from penetrating, as well as blocking sound to some level.
The shade housing is constructed from sturdy metal, providing long-lasting durability, while plastic covers protect both ends. Although the valance comes only in a white finish, a brushed metallic option may be better for some homeowners. The bottom bar is also made from plastic but has enough weight to keep the shade straight when opened.
For power supply, users can select the desired motor side based on the location of the power outlet in the room. There is also an optional solar panel available for those who want added convenience, though the supplied cable is fairly short, so an extension cable may be necessary. Finally, you can choose whether to mount the shades inside or outside the window frame, depending on the mounting preference and space.
Installation Experience
This smart window shade arrived securely packed with plastic inserts to ensure safe delivery. It was custom-made to our specifications through the official SmartWings website, where we selected the 100% blackout fabric and dimensions perfectly suited to our office windows.
Like other smart roller shades, the SmartWings product provides a comprehensive step-by-step instruction manual for easy installation, whether you choose inside or outside mount. The process is straightforward: with just a drill and two people to lift it over the window. It takes about half an hour to attach the three included brackets to the wall and then clip the shade cassette onto the brackets.
One point worth noting is that the installation hardware included with the SmartWings shades feels somewhat flimsy. To ensure a secure fit, we opted to use our own plastic wall anchors before inserting the screws. On a positive note, the shades come with a pre-paired remote control that worked perfectly right out of the box.
Standout Features and Technologies
Controlling these smart window shades is super easy and convenient using the included remote. What makes SmartWings even more impressive is the ability to automate its operations. With the Matter-Over-Thread motor we chose, you can control the shades effortlessly via voice commands, the companion mobile app, or by setting schedules for automation. For example, you can program the shades to open at sunrise and close at sunset, or to operate at specific times customized to your daily routine, giving you hands-free comfort and enhanced energy efficiency.
These smart shades are compatible with major platforms such as Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Google Assistant. The only drawback is that you will need a Thread Border router along with a Matter hub to enjoy all the smart functionality.
Also Read: 10+ Motorized Smart Blinds, Shades, and Retrofit Kits to Buy
Battery Power and Charging
The SmartWings shades are powered by a rechargeable battery rather than being hardwired, and they can operate for several months on a full charge with typical use of a couple of cycles per day. The company claims a battery life of 4-6 months per charge, which we can confidently support based on our experience. Since installing the shades about a month ago, we have only needed to recharge once, and the battery still shows a solid charge. Naturally, the battery longevity depends on usage frequency.
Battery status can only be monitored through the companion mobile app, as there is no physical indicator, such as a wall-mounted display, that some brands offer. Charging the smart shade is straightforward, but it includes only a single USB-C charging port, which can be difficult to access for some users after installation due to its position high on the shade housing. As an alternative, the shades also come with a 3.4W solar panel that attaches to the window using 3M tape.
Controlling Smart Window Shades
You can use the remote, dedicated mobile app, or voice assistant like Alexa or Google Assistant to open or close your shades from anywhere in the house. Setting timers or routines is also possible, which means shades will open with sunrise or close when it is time for bed. Although all the smart features are accessible only if you have a Matter as well as a Thread border router at home.
The 5-channel remote looks minimalist and has only five channels to operate up to 15 shades. There are buttons to operate the smart shades, including a pause button. With just one press of the button on the remote, the shade rolls smoothly to your preset position or wherever you choose to stop it. There is no display for channels – just an LED indicator is present on the remote control. Two AA batteries were provided in the package, so all you need is to start operating the shading system with the push of a button, or in other connected ways you like.
Both the upper and lower limits come pre-set at the factory, but can be easily adjusted using the remote control. The multi-channel remote supports controlling multiple shades both individually and in groups, offering flexible operation.
User Experience
We work in an office with big windows right in front of our desks, so sunlight often bothers us. The SmartWings shade fixes this by blocking sunlight and heat well, especially since we chose a dark color. When the sun starts to glare in the evening, we just close the shades to keep our screens easy to see.
The remote control mounted on the wall next to the shade is the easiest way for us to operate it. We can also set how far the shade goes up or down with the remote. A nice bonus is that the shade helps reduce noise from the busy road outside, making the office quieter.
What we liked:
- The fabric glides smoothly
- Great fabric quality and choices
- Long USB cable
- Blocks light effectively
What could be improved:
- Makes more noise
- Higher cost
- No manual control
- Mounting hardware is flimsy
Quick Comparison With Top Competitor
We previously reviewed Bringnox’s Motorized Roller Shades in 100% Blackout Vigor color, which performed well as an effective shading solution in our office, as described above. Now, we are pleased to share our experience with SmartWings shades and offer a comparison between the two.
First, we want to highlight that SmartWings motorized window shades provided noticeably better fabric quality, especially since we opted for their dual-layer fabric during purchase. The SmartWings fabric blocked sunlight entering our office more effectively than the Bringnox model, which was also 100% blackout. We believe this improvement may partly be due to our choice of a lighter color shade with Bringnox.
One thing to note is that the SmartWings shades operate at a slightly higher noise level compared to Bringnox smart roller shades. However, the fabric on the SmartWings shades glides down very smoothly, while the Bringnox shades feel a bit sluggish in comparison – likely due to the added strength of the dual-sided fabric on SmartWings. Our shade is a full blackout model that performs well, though some light may still seep through if using lighter fabric options. For a complete blackout in your room or office, we recommend adding side light blockers to minimize any light leakage.
As for the price comparison, a similar Matter-Over-Thread roller shade from Bringnox costs around $595. In contrast, the SmartWings shade with the dual-sided fabric option we chose was priced higher at approximately $720. The price difference mainly reflects the premium quality and added features offered by the dual-layer fabric in the SmartWings model.
Final Thoughts
SmartWings smart roller shades are a great choice for anyone wanting more comfort, convenience, and modern style at home. They are perfect for tech enthusiasts who love automation, busy families who want routines, or anyone looking to control light and privacy effortlessly. While the initial cost is higher than traditional shades, we felt the benefits in daily living, like getting better blackout.
After more than a month of use, we can confidently say that adding these smart roller shades to your home is a worthwhile investment. They transform your mornings by automatically adjusting to your routine, and their smart automation helps save energy costs by controlling light and heat throughout the day. You can set them to operate based on triggers like time of day, thermostat settings, or voice commands such as “Movie Time,” for effortless comfort and improved energy efficiency.
If you want to buy, we recommend trying the sample fabrics so that you can choose the one that matches your home décor and shading needs. The SmartWings motorized roller shades with 100% Blackout Linen, which has the lowest price of $180, but it goes up with options you add to your shopping cart. You can also buy SmartWings smart motorized shades on Amazon.
