photo of Smartwings

SmartWings Smart Blinds Review: Quiet, Durable, and Flexible — But Setup Requires Patience

Quiet, durable, and solar-powered smart blinds that work with Alexa, Google, HomeKit, and Matter — but setup requires patience.

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Overall Rating:
8
10

One of the first smart device products we tested at GearBrain many years ago was smart blinds and shades. Many of them were devices that connected to a smart switch, such as a Lutron Caseta Smart Switch, or were part of professionally installed smart home automation platforms like Crestron and Control4. Today, smart blinds have come a long way and are as easy to install and set up as a standard window roller shade. And one company making it easy for consumers who want smart blinds or shades is SmartWings.

SmartWings smart blinds bring automation, style, and quiet performance to modern homes — but they also require a bit more effort to set up than most. After testing SmartWings over several months, I found their blinds to be exceptionally well-built, whisper-quiet, and highly compatible with today’s major smart home ecosystems, including Alexa, Google Home, Apple HomeKit, and Samsung SmartThings. The flexibility of choosing your own motor type —from Zigbee to Matter over Thread —makes SmartWings one of the most customizable smart blind solutions available. While the lack of a dedicated SmartWings app and somewhat complex installation process may challenge beginners, the result is a premium, durable system that feels right at home in any connected household.



Real-World Testing

I tested two SmartWings smart blinds over several months, installing them in a single room to evaluate build quality, motor noise, smart home compatibility, and overall usability. My windows measured:

  • Window 1: 35″ (W) × 47″ (H)
  • Window 2: 30.5″ (W) × 47″ (H)

SmartWings made measuring simple — their online measuring guide is precise and accurate, ensuring you order blinds that fit your windows perfectly. Both blinds arrived with exact dimensions and mounted cleanly within the window frames.

First Impressions: Premium Quality and Elegant Design

The moment you unbox SmartWings blinds, it’s clear they’re made to last. The materials — from the roller tube to the mounting brackets and fabrics — feel solid and premium. These are heavy-duty blinds designed to endure years of use.

The design is clean and modern, fitting easily into both contemporary and traditional décor. SmartWings offers several shade options, including blackout, light-filtering, solar, cellular, zebra, and woven wood. The 100% blackout and UV-protection options are particularly well-suited for bedrooms, media rooms, and offices.

Quiet, Reliable Operation

Motorized blinds can be noisy, but SmartWings impresses in this regard. The motor operates quietly and smoothly — you can barely hear it running. This is a significant plus in quiet spaces like bedrooms or home offices, where other motorized blinds can create distracting mechanical sounds.

Power Options: USB-C and Solar Charging

photo of SmartWings solar panel on a window Power Options: USB-C and Solar ChargingGearBrain

Each SmartWings motorized blind is rechargeable via USB-C and can run for four to six months on a full charge. SmartWings also offers an optional solar panel accessory, which automatically recharges the motor using sunlight.

In my tests, solar charging was especially convenient — the blinds stayed charged for months without manual recharging. For windows that get good natural light, the solar option is a no-brainer. My only concern is there is no app for you to keep track of the power in the smart shades.

Choosing Your Motor: The Key to SmartWings Integration

One important thing to understand before purchasing SmartWings blinds is that there is no dedicated SmartWings app for controlling them. Instead, the app you use depends on the motor you select when ordering your blinds.

This motor choice determines how your blinds connect, what app you’ll use, and which smart home ecosystems they’ll work with.

  • Matter over Thread Motor:
    This is SmartWings’ newest and most flexible option. It allows users to connect with Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Samsung SmartThings, and Apple HomeKit apps — and integrate the blinds into automations with any Matter-compatible devices, systems, or hubs. Choosing Matter over Thread gives you cross-platform flexibility and future-proof compatibility as more devices adopt the Matter standard. You need to make sure you have a Matter-compatible hub, which some Echo and Google Assistant smart speakers and displays are today.
  • Zigbee, Z-Wave, or Smart Link Motors:
    These motors connect through specific hubs such as Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, Hubitat, or Z-Wave hubs. They’re ideal if you already have a Zigbee or Z-Wave smart home network.

When choosing a motor for your SmartWings blinds, make sure it’s compatible with your existing smart home ecosystem and devices. If you already have Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit devices, the Matter over Thread option is likely your best bet, as long as the speakers or smart displays are labeled as Matter hubs.

If you’re new to smart homes and want flexibility to grow, the Z-Wave or Matter over Thread motors will give you the broadest future compatibility.


Installation Experience: Similar to Non-Smart Blinds, But Setup Is Tricky

Installing the SmartWings blinds mechanically was straightforward — similar to installing traditional window blinds. If you’ve ever installed standard roller shades, you’ll find this part easy.

However, the setup process for automation and control requires more effort. The manuals and setup instructions are not as clear or intuitive as they should be. In my experience, I had to read them multiple times and even reference online videos to make sure I paired and calibrated everything correctly.

The mounting brackets and mechanical assembly were simple, but the automation setup — pairing the remote, linking to your smart home hub, and configuring scenes — required patience.

If you skip steps or misread the directions, the blinds may not move correctly or fail to respond to automation commands. The key is to take your time and follow each step carefully.

No Dedicated SmartWings App — and Why That Matters

Because SmartWings does not offer its own app, all setup and operation happen through the third-party app linked to your chosen motor. For example:

  • With Matter over Thread, you’ll use your Alexa, Google Home, or Apple Home app.
  • With Zigbee, you’ll manage blinds through your SmartThings or Zigbee hub app.
  • With Z-Wave, you’ll use a Z-Wave-compatible hub like Hubitat, Control4, Crestron, or Aeotec.

This approach has both benefits and drawbacks. On the plus side, it means your blinds integrate directly with your existing smart home system, without requiring an additional app or account. On the downside, it can be confusing for first-time users who expect a standalone “SmartWings” app to guide setup.

Smart Home Compatibility

SmartWings blinds work with virtually every major smart home ecosystem — depending on the motor type you choose. Supported platforms include:

  • Amazon Alexa
  • Google Home (Google Assistant)
  • Apple HomeKit
  • Samsung SmartThings
  • Zigbee and Z-Wave hubs
  • Matter over Thread
  • Smart Home Automations Platforms: Crestron, Control4, and Elan.

Once connected, you can automate the blinds in countless ways — close at sunset, open at sunrise, or create movie-mode scenes that dim the room automatically. Voice control also worked well in testing.

Saying “Alexa, open the blinds” or “Hey Google, lower the shades” executed commands nearly instantly. The integration was reliable once configured correctly.

photo of Solar panel connected to SmartWings Shade Connect solor panel to SmartWings blindsGearBrain

Cost & Value Analysis of SmartWings Smart Blinds

When considering the purchase of SmartWings smart blinds, it’s important to understand how pricing works and whether the product offers good value. Based on the current offerings from the manufacturer, here’s a breakdown of what to expect and how I evaluate the cost.

Price Range

  • Entry models of SmartWings motorized roller shades start at around US $169.99 for light-filtering fabrics. SmartWings+1
  • More premium models — such as 100% blackout fabrics, zebra styles, outdoor shades, or hardwired motors — range from approximately US $179.99 to US $209.99 and beyond. SmartWings+2SmartWings+2
  • And in some cases, especially for large windows or complex fabrics/motor types, the cost can climb even higher. One external review noted starting prices at around US $154.99 for the smallest size and up to US $400+ for large custom configurations. TechRadar
  • Because SmartWings blinds are custom-measured and built to size, factors such as window dimensions, shade style (roller, zebra, cellular, woven wood), fabric choice (blackout vs light-filtering vs sunscreen), motor type (Matter over Thread, Zigbee, Z-Wave, hardwired), and accessories (solar panel, extra remotes, switches) all influence the final cost.


Why the Cost Varies

  • Window size: Larger widths or heights require more material and potentially stronger motors.
  • Shade style & fabric: 100% blackout, dual-sided fabrics, or specialty materials (woven wood, cellular) cost more than standard light-filtering vinyl.
  • Motor & smart integration: If you choose the more advanced smart motor (Matter over Thread) or add solar charging or hub integration, costs go up.
  • Mounting / custom installation: Unique mounting types (skylights, outdoor shades, trapezoid windows) add to cost.
  • Accessories & control options: Wall switches, multi-channel remotes, solar panels, or plan for integration with a full smart home setup all increase the price.

Is the Cost Good Value?

From my hands-on experience and comparison with similar products, I assess the value of SmartWings in the following way:

  • For a starting price around $170–$180, you’re getting a motorized smart blind with premium materials, solid build quality, quiet motor, and strong integration with major smart home ecosystems. This is a compelling value compared with legacy premium brands (which often start much higher).
  • The extra cost for advanced fabric, motor or size is justified if you leverage the full smart features (Matter/Thread, app/hub integration, solar charging, automation) and plan to keep the blinds for years. Given their heavy-duty build and quiet long-term performance, the blinds feel like a long-term investment rather than a cheap plug-and-play solution.
  • That said, if your setup is simple (small window, basic motor, minimal automation) and you don’t need the smart home flexibility or premium fabric, you might find less expensive alternatives. The added cost for SmartWings’ smart features only pays off if you use them.
  • In other words: yes, I consider the cost good value for what you get — provided you are willing to commit to measuring correctly, installing carefully, and integrating into your smart home. If you’re looking for ultra-low cost or a purely manual motor with minimal smart features, cheaper options exist but often compromise on build quality or smart integration.

My Recommendation Regarding Cost

  • If you already have a smart home ecosystem (e.g., Alexa, Google Home, HomeKit, SmartThings) and want to add truly integrated smart blinds that look premium and perform well, then budget $170–$250 per window (depending on size/fabric/motor) as a realistic target.
  • If you are planning to install multiple windows, factor in that the price stacks per window size and configuration. Economies of scale may come into play if you order several at once.
  • Make sure to choose the motor type and fabric wisely upfront, because upgrading later (or swapping motor ecosystems) may not be trivial and may incur extra costs.
  • Use the measuring guide (which SmartWings provides) to avoid ordering the wrong size — mis-measuring can mean wasted cost or returns.
  • If you’re just dipping your toes into smart blinds and want a simpler/cheaper solution without heavy smart ecosystem integration, you might opt for a lower-cost motor and basic fabric and accept fewer refinements.

In summary: while SmartWings smart blinds aren’t the cheapest option on the market, they deliver very strong value when you consider build quality, quiet motor operation, smart home integration, and solar/USB-C power options. If you’re ready to invest in a premium smart-home blind solution and are comfortable with measuring and setting it up, the cost is well worth it.



What I Liked

Quiet Operation: Smooth and nearly silent movement.
High-Quality Materials: Feels durable, premium, and long-lasting.
Solar Charging Option: Convenient and eco-friendly.
Wide Smart Home Compatibility: Works with Matter, Zigbee, Z-Wave, and all major ecosystems.
Excellent Light Control: Full blackout, UV protection, and privacy options.

What Could Be Better

⚠️ No SmartWings App: You must use the app that corresponds to your motor type.
⚠️ Complex Setup: Manuals could be clearer, especially for first-time users.
⚠️ Remote Pairing Friction: Grouping and calibration take trial and error.
⚠️ Connectivity Quirks: Some users report occasional dropouts in Zigbee or Thread connections.

Day-to-Day Experience

photo of the side of SmartWings Blind being installed in a window Easily install SmartWings

Once installed and configured, SmartWings blinds performed reliably. Automations ran on schedule, and voice commands responded quickly. The motors remained quiet, and the solar panel kept the batteries charged even after months of use.

I especially appreciated how the blinds blended into my room’s aesthetic — sleek and modern without drawing too much attention.

The only real frustration was the initial learning curve. It took time to get the pairing right and understand how the blinds integrated with my chosen ecosystem. But once it was done, the operation was smooth and enjoyable.

Final Verdict: Worth It — If You’re Willing to Put in the Effort

After months of use, I can confidently say SmartWings smart blinds are an excellent choice for quality, customization, and quiet performance. The materials are top-notch, the operation is smooth, and the flexibility in motor selection makes them one of the most versatile options on the market.

However, setup requires patience, mainly because there’s no dedicated SmartWings app and the manuals could be clearer. The good news is that mechanical installation is easy, so if you’ve hung blinds before, that part will be familiar. The real challenge lies in the automation setup and pairing process.


My Recommendation

If you already have an existing smart home ecosystem and want to add smart blinds, SmartWings makes integration easy. Simply choose the motor that matches your setup, and you’ll be able to connect and automate your blinds in minutes.

If you’re new to smart blinds or unsure which platform you’ll use long-term, I recommend going with either the Z-Wave or Matter over Thread motor. These two options give you the broadest compatibility and flexibility to expand your smart home in the future.

Final Word:
SmartWings smart blinds deliver premium quality and quiet, reliable performance — but you’ll need a little patience to unlock their full potential. Once installed and configured, they’re a beautiful, automated addition to any modern home.


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Pros

  • Quiet, smooth motor operation:
  • High build quality and durable materials:
  • Solar/USB-C power option:
  • Broad smart home compatibility:
  • No dedicated SmartWings app needed for the users who don't want an app.

Cons

  • Installation and setup can be tricky
  • No SmartWings-proprietary app and limited remote UI
  • Motor choice is permanent / limited swap-ability
  • Connectivity/automation reliability issues (especially Zigbee)
  • Higher cost when adding accessories or premium motor types

Overall Score: 8.0/10

CategoryRatingNotes
Build Quality & Durability5 / 5Heavy-duty materials and premium design
Quiet Operation5 / 5Whisper-quiet motor performance
Smart Home Integration4.5 / 5Supports Alexa, Google, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, Zigbee, Matter
Power / Charging Options4.5 / 5USB-C rechargeable + optional solar panel
Installation & Setup3 / 5Requires time and patience to set up properly
Remote / Control Setup3.5 / 5Functional but less intuitive than others
Value for Money4 / 5Premium look and performance for the price

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