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If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your windows without giving up the convenience of smart-home technology, motorized shades are definitely worth considering. I recently tried the SmartWings Motorized Roller Shades 100% Blackout Linen, and they combine the clean look of a traditional roller shade with the convenience of motorized and smart-home controls.

Sponsored Disclosure: This post is sponsored by SmartWings. I received the SmartWings motorized roller shades in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and experiences shared in this post are my own. This post may also contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through one of my links, at no additional cost to you.

I’ll be sharing my own experience with the shades throughout this review, including how they look in our home, how difficult they were to install, and what I think about using motorized shades on a daily basis.

SmartWings Motorized Roller Shade Features

There’s a lot more to these SmartWings roller shades than simply pushing a button to make them go up and down.

The SmartWings roller shades are custom-made to fit your windows, so you can order them based on the measurements of your particular window rather than trying to find a standard size that is close enough. The shades are also cordless, which gives them a cleaner appearance while eliminating the cords and chains associated with traditional blinds.

The version I’m reviewing is the 100% Blackout Linen shade. In addition to blocking light, SmartWings says its shade fabrics help block damaging UV rays and provide privacy.

The blackout fabric makes these shades particularly useful for bedrooms, media rooms, nurseries, or anywhere else where you want more control over the amount of light coming through the windows.

One thing to keep in mind with blackout shades is that the fabric itself can block the light while small gaps around the edges of the window can still allow some light through. The amount of light leakage will depend on how the shade is mounted and how much it overlaps the window.

Smart-Home Compatibility

This is where these shades get particularly interesting.

SmartWings offers several motor options depending on the smart-home system you use. The company says its Zigbee and Z-Wave motors can work with platforms including Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, and Hubitat. There is also a Matter motor that uses Matter over Thread and works with platforms including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Google Assistant.

That means you can choose the motor that makes the most sense for your existing smart-home setup rather than being locked into one ecosystem. The shades can also be controlled with a remote, and SmartWings offers multi-channel remotes that can control individual shades or groups of shades.

Automatic Scheduling

You can also automate when your shades open and close. There are options for timed schedules, group controls, scenes, and sunrise/sunset automation. For example, you could set your shades to open in the morning and close in the evening without having to remember to operate them manually. You can also create scenes around different activities, such as having your shades automatically close when you’re ready to watch a movie.

Rechargeable Battery or Solar Power

The shades use a rechargeable motor, and SmartWings says a full charge can last approximately 4–6 months. The motor can be recharged using a Type-C cable, or you can add a solar panel for ongoing charging. This is a nice option if you don’t want to deal with running electrical wiring to your windows.

Quiet, Cordless Design

The cordless design is not only cleaner looking but is also designed with child safety in mind. Since the shades are operated remotely, there’s no need for a harmful cord that your child could get stuck in. And the motor is so quiet, you won’t even know it’s running as your shades are opening and closing.

What’s Included

The shades come with all of the components needed for installation, including:

• Installation brackets
• Installation screws
• Charging cable
• User manual

You can also order additional supplies to make programing and installation easier, like a remote control and solar charging panel to reduce the need for cords running from the blinds to an outlet. SmartWings also backs its smart blinds and shades with a 3-year warranty on the motors and controls.

The Look and Style of the SmartWings Shades

Let’s be honest: I don’t want smart-home technology to make my house look like a science experiment. One of the things I like about these shades is that the design is fairly simple and streamlined. They’re still a roller shade first and foremost, so when they’re installed, they have a clean, minimal appearance rather than looking overly technical.

The Linen fabric adds some texture to the shade instead of having the completely flat appearance you get with some basic roller blinds.

This particular fabric pattern has a light tan background with brown textured tones, creating a vintage-inspired look that pairs well with my farmhouse style decor. I also like that the shades are made to measure. Having a shade that is specifically ordered for your window can make a big difference in how finished and intentional the final result looks.

Here’s what my window looked like before for comparison. The plain, boring blinds are replaced with a sleek, clean look. And on top of being a style upgrade, these shades will also help improve the energy efficiency of my home. The blackout shades will help block sun from coming into the home during the hottest hours of the day, helping keep the room a little cooler during the hot summer months.

Another thing worth mentioning is how the shades look when they’re fully raised.

Unlike bulky traditional blinds, the roller shade has a relatively simple profile when it’s open. This means you can still get plenty of natural light during the day without having a large set of blinds visually taking over the window.

Installing the SmartWings Motorized Roller Shades

I was pleasantly surprised by how straightforward the installation process was.

Because these are motorized shades, you might assume installation is going to involve complicated wiring or require a professional. That’s not necessarily the case with the rechargeable version.

The shades arrive with the installation hardware and instructions, and the battery-powered motor means you don’t need to have an electrician run wiring to the window.

The basic process involves:

1. Measure your window carefully.
2. Choose your mounting configuration and shade options.
3. Install the mounting brackets.
4. Attach the shade to the brackets.
5. Connect and set up the motor/remote.
6. Pair the shade with your smart-home system if you’re using one.

The most important part happens before the shade even arrives: getting your measurements right. Since the shades are made to measure, you’ll want to carefully follow SmartWings’ measuring instructions before placing your order.

SmartWings also offers measuring and installation services for people who don’t want to tackle the project themselves. But I don’t see much need for that! The whole installation process took less than 15 minutes. And the only tool we needed was a drill to secure the brackets in place. After that, all we had to do was pop the unit into the brackets and program the remote.

SmartWings Motorized Roller Shades: Pros & Cons

Pros

• Custom-made for your windows
• 100% blackout fabric option
• Cordless design
• Rechargeable motor
• Approximately 4–6 months of battery life per charge according to SmartWings
• Optional solar charging
• Remote control
• Smart-home integration options
• Scheduling and automation capabilities
• Quiet motor
• Clean, minimalist roller-shade design
• 3-year warranty on motors and controls

Things to Consider

• Custom-made window treatments require more planning than simply grabbing a standard-size blind from a store
• You need to measure your windows carefully before ordering
• The blackout fabric won’t necessarily eliminate every bit of light around the edges of the window
• You’ll want to choose the motor that is compatible with your preferred smart-home ecosystem
• Rechargeable shades eventually need to be charged unless you add solar charging

My Final Thoughts on the SmartWings Motorized Roller Shades

Overall, the SmartWings Motorized Roller Shades combine two things I think make a lot of sense together: a clean, attractive window treatment and smart-home convenience.

The 100% blackout linen fabric gives you light and privacy control, while the motorized design means you don’t have to manually adjust the shades throughout the day. With options for remote control, scheduling, voice control, and smart-home integration, you can use them as a simple motorized shade or make them part of a larger smart-home setup.

For me, the biggest question isn’t whether motorized shades are a cool idea—they definitely are. It’s whether the convenience, appearance, and functionality make a noticeable difference in everyday life. And so far, these shades have fit the bill. The scheduling function is especially helpful for letting light into the house when I want it and darkening the room when we’re ready to relax. And the best part is that I didn’t have to sacrifice design and style to add this convenient functionality to my home.