This SmartWings review finds the brand’s made-to-measure motorized shades bring custom smart blinds within reach of most budgets, according to Paul Hibbert, a UK smart home reviewer who called them “the nicest blinds I have ever tried” (Paul Hibbert, “FINALLY… Smart Home Blinds You Can Afford | Smartwings”; SmartWings sponsored the video). DIY Smart Home Guy, a YouTube channel about do-it-yourself smart homes, said a comparable Lutron shade costs over $1,200, at least twice as much (DIY Smart Home Guy, “BUSTED! 7 Myths about smart shades—SmartWings motorized roller shade review”; SmartWings sent the shades in the video).
On Amazon on October 16, 2026, the SmartWings motorized roller shade with 100% blackout fabric started at $179.99 for a base size. Below: key specs, installation, smart home setup, power options, remotes and SmartWings cellular shades, all from reviewers who used them.
SmartWings Review: Key Specs
Prices from Amazon at time of writing. I may earn a commission from links, at no cost to you.
| SmartWings Motorized Roller Shade (100% blackout) | |
|---|---|
| Type | Made-to-measure roller shade; zebra, cellular and other styles on SmartWings’ site |
| Sizes | About 16 in to over 100 in wide in eighth-inch steps (DIY Smart Home Guy) |
| Power | Rechargeable via USB-C, 4 to 6 months per charge (listed); solar panel or PoE options |
| Control | Zigbee, Z-Wave, Alexa or Matter-over-Thread motors; RF remote included (reviewers) |
| Price (Amazon, Oct 16, 2026) | $179.99 |
| Buy | Check price |
SmartWings Review: Build and Blackout
Paul Hibbert said SmartWings’ lower prices put it in competition with adjustable blinds you cut yourself, without giving up quality (Paul Hibbert, “FINALLY… Smart Home Blinds You Can Afford | Smartwings”). You can pick the fabric, the motor, whether a fabric strip covers the top rail and the blind style. He chose them partly for proper blackout, which matters with a light-sensitive baby in the house. DIY Smart Home Guy noted a good range of light-filtering and blackout fabrics, though not the 150-plus options of Hunter Douglas, and recommends ordering samples first (DIY Smart Home Guy, “BUSTED! 7 Myths about smart shades—SmartWings motorized roller shade review”).
SmartWings Review: Installation
DIY Smart Home Guy installed a bedroom shade in under 4 minutes: screw in two or three spring brackets and snap the shade in (DIY Smart Home Guy, “BUSTED! 7 Myths about smart shades—SmartWings motorized roller shade review”). You can order direct from SmartWings or on Amazon, without going through a dealer, and SmartWings lists professional installers if you want help. His main warning is to follow the measuring guide closely and measure every window, even ones that look identical. Paul Hibbert agreed it’s simple: put clips in the ceiling and hook the shade on (Paul Hibbert, “FINALLY… Smart Home Blinds You Can Afford | Smartwings”).
SmartWings Review: Smart Home Setup
- Motor choice: Zigbee, Z-Wave, Alexa and Matter-over-Thread versions. Paul Hibbert went with Thread and said he would pick Zigbee next time; the Matter code is printed on the top and back of the shade, so record it before mounting (Paul Hibbert, “FINALLY… Smart Home Blinds You Can Afford | Smartwings”).
- Hubs: DIY Smart Home Guy connected Z-Wave and Zigbee versions to a Hubitat hub and bridged them to Apple Home and Alexa. He says SmartWings has official integrations with Hubitat, Home Assistant, SmartThings and Control4 (DIY Smart Home Guy, “BUSTED! 7 Myths about smart shades—SmartWings motorized roller shade review”).
- Automations: he lowers shades when sun hits the windows; Paul Hibbert lowers a front blind when his bathroom sensor detects a shower, then raises it 20 minutes later unless the baby is sleeping (Paul Hibbert, “FINALLY… Smart Home Blinds You Can Afford | Smartwings”).
For hub choices, see best smart home hub.
SmartWings Review: Battery, Solar and PoE
The built-in lithium-ion battery lasts 3 to 6 months per charge, per DIY Smart Home Guy, and recharges over USB-C in a few hours (DIY Smart Home Guy, “BUSTED! 7 Myths about smart shades—SmartWings motorized roller shade review”). A window solar panel keeps it topped up; Paul Hibbert said his solar blinds stayed at 100% charge (Paul Hibbert, “FINALLY… Smart Home Blinds You Can Afford | Smartwings”). SmartWings also sells Power over Ethernet blinds, which Hibbert believed was an industry first.
SmartWings Review: Remotes and Noise
The RF remote comes with upper and lower limits preset; you can adjust limits, set speed and save a favorite position with a double tap, per DIY Smart Home Guy (DIY Smart Home Guy, “BUSTED! 7 Myths about smart shades—SmartWings motorized roller shade review”). Paul Hibbert tested an eight-channel handheld remote and a puck-style remote; remotes can control blinds individually, in groups or all at once (Paul Hibbert, “FINALLY… Smart Home Blinds You Can Afford | Smartwings”). On noise, he’d run them outside a nursery rather than in it, while DIY Smart Home Guy said a friend’s comparison found them about as quiet as Lutron.
SmartWings Cellular Shades
In a second video, Paul Hibbert tested a SmartWings Matter cellular blind with a solar panel (Paul Hibbert, “Save £400 A Year Using SmartWings Cell Blinds”; SmartWings sponsored the video). He found it his most premium-feeling blind yet and an excellent blackout blind, with a silver coating inside the fabric. Cellular shades trap air, which he said helps with noise and keeps heat in during winter. He cited a 2016 U.S. Department of Energy figure of up to 20% lower heating bills and estimated about £414 a year in savings for a medium UK home. The blind is very light, mounts on spring brackets to a wall or ceiling, and can be flipped so the power port faces the side where a solar panel fits. For sleep, see blackout smart blinds.
SmartWings Alternatives
For no-measure shopping, the SwitchBot Roller Shade adjusts to fit (Check price); see SmartWings vs SwitchBot. For a lower price, the Yoolax Motorized Blinds (custom size) listed at $119.00 on October 16, 2026 (Check price).
Video: Paul Hibbert, “FINALLY… Smart Home Blinds You Can Afford | Smartwings”. Embedded with credit.
Video: DIY Smart Home Guy, “BUSTED! 7 Myths about smart shades—SmartWings motorized roller shade review”.
SmartWings Review: Frequently Asked Questions
Are SmartWings shades worth it?
Paul Hibbert and DIY Smart Home Guy both found them a far more affordable route to custom smart shades than designer brands like Lutron.
Does SmartWings work with Home Assistant?
Yes. DIY Smart Home Guy says SmartWings has official Home Assistant and Hubitat integrations; Matter models work with Apple, Alexa and others.
How long does a SmartWings battery last?
3 to 6 months per charge, per DIY Smart Home Guy; solar and PoE are options.
Can I install SmartWings myself?
Yes. DIY Smart Home Guy installed one in under 4 minutes.
Are SmartWings cellular shades good for insulation?
Paul Hibbert says the air pockets help keep heat in and noise out.
Sources
- Amazon product listings for the products linked above, from Amazon at time of writing
- Paul Hibbert, “FINALLY… Smart Home Blinds You Can Afford | Smartwings”
- Paul Hibbert, “Save £400 A Year Using SmartWings Cell Blinds”
- DIY Smart Home Guy, “BUSTED! 7 Myths about smart shades—SmartWings motorized roller shade review”
Related: SmartWings vs SwitchBot | Affordable Smart Blinds | Blackout Smart Blinds for Sleep
Notes and disclosure
Note: Prices come from Amazon listings at time of writing. Specs are the manufacturers’ listed numbers unless a reviewer is credited. Reviewers received shades from SmartWings; their prices are as of their videos. I have not tested these products myself.