To turn your blinds into smart blinds, you can use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled motors for your blinds, an all-inclusive smart motor and gear kit, or a motorized wand atop the blinds.
Or, you could build the smart system from scratch.
DIY is the most complicated option, so for this article, we’ll take a look at several varieties of blinds and check the compatibility of these other, easier options for upgrading your home.
Here are 7 ways to make your blinds smart:
- My Smart Blinds Automation Kit
- Brunt Blind Engine Kit
- SOMA Smart Shades & Tilts
- AXIS Gear Smart Blinds
- Zemismart Smart Blinds
- LoraTap Wi-Fi Switch
- EZWands Motorized Wand
Some of the most straightforward solutions are expensive, while the cheaper options tend to involve a little more work.
You could consider buying new smart blinds, as some entry-level electric roller blinds can cost less than converting your existing setup into a smart system.
But the following seven solutions are reliable and durable, and these options cover all types of blinds you may have at your home.
Reading recommendation: Why Are Smart Blinds So Expensive? 7 Deciding Factors
1. My Smart Blinds Automation Kit
MySmartBlinds is an expensive solution. However, it’s also among the simplest and most advanced.
The kit includes everything you need to make your horizontal corded blinds smart.
This Universal Blinds Automation Kit is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa.
You can use its temperature sensors to automate your blinds. You can set daily or weekly schedules.
My Smart Blinds is compatible with iOS and Android. The battery-powered kit has an optional solar panel.
You can spend a bit more and forget worrying about the battery dying in six months.
You can check out the My Smart Blinds Automation Kit on Amazon.com.
However, it’s not compatible with roller shades, cordless blinds, and mini blinds.
This video explains how to use the kit:
2. Brunt Blind Engine Kit
Brunt Blind Engine Kit is compatible with horizontal and vertical blinds, roller shades, curtains, or draperies.
The kit has two gears for cords or small beads and large beads, respectively.
The all-inclusive Brunt kit needs a 12V AC power supply. You can mount the gear on the window frame or the wall.
The Blind Engine Kit is compatible with multiple blinds. You can concurrently regulate these blinds using geo-location and schedules.
Set it up, and Alexa can facilitate the rest.
You might also like: Why is my Alexa not discovering devices?
Check out the Brunt Blind Engine Kit on Amazon.com.
Watch this video to make your blinds smart using this kit:
In terms of compatibility, Brunt outscores My Smart Blinds. However, both have relatively effortless installation.
3. SOMA Smart Shades & Tilts
SOMA Smart Shades is similar to Brunt’s kit. The smart motor is attached to any horizontal blinds with a cord or beaded chain.
The latest version of SOMA Smart Shades has a much faster and quieter motor. The integrated lithium battery is solar-powered.
The 2nd edition of Smart Shades has light-sensing AI.
SOMA Connect facilitates voice control through Soma Smart Home website.
4. AXIS Gear Smart Blinds
The AXIS Gear for smart blinds is similar to the SOMA Smart Shades and Brunt Blind Engine.
It doesn’t look as impressive but is functional and straightforward.
AXIS Gear takes barely five minutes to install. Use the touch strip to operate the blinds. A three-second press should get blinds moving.
A free mobile app facilitates Bluetooth-enabled control. Like the other readymade solutions to make your blinds smart, the AXIS kit is an expensive option.
In contrast, Zemismart has several smart kits for distinct blinds.
5. Zemismart Smart Blinds
Zemismart has at least one smart motor for all standard residential blinds.
An AXIS Gear-like device is compatible only with horizontal blinds using cords or beaded chains.
Most Zemismart solutions cost less than half of Axis.
Zemismart has solutions for Roman shades, sliding blinds, and curtains.
Check out all smart blinds and related products on Zemismart.com.
Here is a video comparing the Zemismart and AXIS Gear smart blinds:
Costing almost a fifth of the AXIS device, Zemismart performs remarkably.
The company has some of the most reliable smart blind kits priced under $100.
6. LoraTap Wi-Fi Switch
The LoraTap Wi-Fi Switch is the simplest of all solutions in this guide. However, you can use it only if you already have motorized blinds.
You can install the smart switch if your blind motor has four wires.
LoraTap has a touch feature, timer, voice support, and Amazon Alexa & Google Home compatibility.
Some motors are not compatible with this smart switch. You can look for appropriate connectors or adapters to use this relatively affordable solution.
The RoHS and CE-certified Wi-Fi Switch from LoraTap is a simple and inexpensive option.
Check out the latest price of the LoraTap Wi-Fi Switch on Amazon.com.
7. EZWand Motorized Wand
There are smart switches and add-on motors. Then, there is the EZWand Motorized Wand for your vertical or horizontal blinds.
The motorized wand uses radiofrequency technology. The tech may sound archaic, and it perhaps is given all the latest sensors and remote accesses.
However, simpler techs are affordable and convenient.
Standard AAA batteries power the motor. The wand kit comes with a remote.
Installation, uninstallation, and moving the wand to another set of blinds are cakewalks.
Check out the EZWand Motorized Wand on Amazon.com.
This video featuring the inventor Sia Malek shows how the inexpensive wand works:
Automate Smart Blinds To Save on Utilities
You can automate your smart blinds beyond the usual morning and evening schedules.
Apps and other remote access platforms use temperature sensors to partially or fully regulate the blinds.
Automated smart blinds are better than manual control and the generic daily or weekly schedules.
It’ll save you more money by reducing energy consumption.
What To Consider About DIY Smart Blinds
DIY smart blinds are complicated. You’ll need the barebones motor, housing, and DIY wiring.
Substantial trial and error later, your DIY smart blinds may have glitches.
You’ll save money with DIY smart blinds. The net savings could be more than $100.
Wi-Fi motors are cheap. However, servo motors are not suitable for smart blinds. You’ll face many problems throughout the setup and installation.
After all the hard work, a DIY smart blind may still not function the way you want.
The motor may not open and close the blinds completely. You may hear a constant operating sound of the motor.
There are other problems, too.
If you’re still keen on trying your luck, this video offers some priceless information and advice:
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, DIY smart blinds are a complex challenge.
As an alternative, I suggest you consider integrating your smart blinds with the home automation system if you have or plan to use one.
Keep in mind, accessing smart blinds using a remote or app isn’t the same as fully integrating your home automation.
Even if you buy Ikea smart blinds, for instance, you’ll need to pay for the Tradfri gateway to integrate them with your smart home.
Just remember to factor that cost in when you compare it with the prices of these seven solutions.
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