Updated

Updated · ZDNet · Jul 31

Smartwings Roller Shades Win Editors' Choice as $1,200 Setup Undercuts Premium Smart Shades

Updated

Updated · ZDNet · Jul 31

Smartwings Roller Shades Win Editors' Choice as $1,200 Setup Undercuts Premium Smart Shades

Q: How often do you really need to recharge these smart shades before being stuck in the dark?

You’ll likely be recharging SmartWings shades about every four to six months under typical use, not every few weeks. That estimate comes from SmartWings product information and related buyer guides, which say the built-in rechargeable lithium battery usually lasts 4–6 months on a full charge. Actual timing depends on shade size, motor type, and how often the shades move. A bedroom shade that opens in the morning and closes at night may stay within that range, while larger shades or more frequent automations could shorten it. The more important caveat is what happens if you miss the recharge window: these battery-powered shades have no manual backup. If the battery dies, the shade cannot be raised or lowered until it is recharged through its USB-C port. That is the real risk behind “being stuck in the dark,” especially for blackout shades in bedrooms. There is some help in monitoring. Certain SmartWings models report battery percentage through smart-home systems, though updates may not be instant and can lag by as much as 24 hours in some setups. Buyers can also add an optional solar panel to extend battery life, or choose a hardwired version if they want to avoid battery maintenance entirely. So in normal use, recharging is an occasional seasonal chore, roughly two or three times a year. But because there is no manual override, it is worth treating low-battery alerts seriously.

2 articles · Updated · ZDNet · Jul 31

ZDNET gave Smartwings Roller Shades its Editors' Choice award for best value after a hands-on review found the motorized shades easy to install, quiet and reliable across smart-home platforms.
Four blackout shades with Zigbee motors and light blockers cost about $1,200, and the reviewer estimated outfitting a 3,000-square-foot home would stay under $10,000—well below the $15,000 to $50,000 often spent on whole-home window treatments.
Smartwings' appeal centered on customization and compatibility: buyers can choose sizes, finishes and motors supporting Matter over Thread, Zigbee, Z-Wave, HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home and SmartThings, with optional solar charging.
The main drawbacks were a plastic smell that lasted three to four days after installation and the lack of manual operation if the battery dies, leaving USB-C charging as the fallback.