The 7 Best Smart Blinds of 2024

If you want to upgrade your home, there are several small changes you can make that’ll make a big difference. Take smart blinds, for example, which make it easy to raise and lower your blinds without needing to get off your couch.

These clever blinds and shades are offered in a variety of types, sizes, and colorways to suit every requirement and home decor style. To find the best smart blinds, we spoke to Artem Kropovinsky, interior designer and founder of Arsight, and Isfira Jensen, the CEO and principal designer at Nufacet Interiors to find out what users should be looking for when shopping for the best smart blinds.

What We Researched

We evaluated eight types of smart blinds on their type, size, material, control options, power source, and color options.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Serena by Lutron Smart Roller Shades at Home Depot (See Price)

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Best Budget:

HILADUO Motorized Roller Blinds at Amazon ($92)

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Best Splurge:

Hunter Douglas Smart Shades at Hunterdouglas.com (See Price)

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Best Customizable:

Bali Blackout Cellular Shades at Lowe's (See Price)

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Best Solar-Powered:

SmarterHome Tilt MySmartRollerShades at Mysmarterhome.com (See Price)

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Best Voice-Controlled:

Graywind Motorized Solar Shades at Amazon ($154)

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Easiest Installation:

IKEA FYRTUR Black-out Smart Roller Blind at Ikea ($130)

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Best Overall

Serena by Lutron Smart Roller Shades

Home Depot

View On Home Depot View On Serenashades.com

Why You Should Get It

They’re offered in a wide range of colors, and you can choose the fabric roll direction as well.

Keep in Mind

You’ll need a specific hub to operate the smart features.

Overall, the best smart blinds are the Serena by Lutron Smart Roller Shades. Not only do they come in a variety of color options, but they have a smooth and seamless operation and are designed to be quiet, too.

Although you can have the shades professionally installed, part of what makes them some of the best smart blinds is that you can easily install them yourself. There’s also a wire-free design that makes it easy to replace the batteries.

The shades are compatible with Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, and Google Assistant. Just keep in mind that regardless of which device you use, you will need to pair it with the Caséta Wireless Smart Bridge from Lutron to use all the smart capabilities. This small device plugs into your Wi-Fi router and allows you to control your blinds from wherever you are.

Unlike some other smart blinds, these shades are blackout, so they’re a great option for bedrooms and living rooms. Whether you’re tucked into bed or cozy on the couch, you’ll appreciate that these blinds can be controlled with a remote control device, but note that it’s sold separately.

Best Budget

HILADUO Motorized Roller Blinds

Amazon

View On Amazon $92

Why You Should Get It

They are offered as either light filtering or blackout.

Keep in Mind

The battery needs to be recharged every six months or it’ll lose its ability to recharge.

The Huiladuo Motorized Roller Blinds are the best smart blinds for those on a budget. The blinds are offered in a variety of colors, and you’ll be able to choose between blackout or light filtering, depending on your preferences. There’s also the option to include an aluminum valance or not.

The blinds come with a 16-channel remote control and the app allows you to set timing schedules from your phone or tablet. You can also operate them via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and other voice-controlling apps via Bluetooth. Through the app, you’ll know how much battery is left as well as how much time is left for charging.

We like that these blinds come with the main roller shade, installation kit brackets, and comprehensive instructions, so installation is easy. The shades charge by USB and a 6-hour charge is enough to run the blinds for three to six months. Just keep in mind that the battery needs to be recharged every six months or it’ll lose its ability to recharge.

Best Splurge

Hunter Douglas Smart Shades

Hunter Douglas

View On Hunterdouglas.com

Why You Should Get It

The quality is exquisite and the smart features are super advanced.

Keep in Mind

You have to request a consultation for a bespoke quotation.

If you’re looking to invest in high-quality smart blinds, consider the Hunter Douglas Smart Shades. With an array of sheer, roller, cellular Roman, woven, and vertical shades, as well as wooden, metal, and vertical blinds, you’re sure to find exactly the smart shades you require.

Motorization is powered by many methods including an alkaline, or rechargeable battery wand, a dual charging station, or a DC power supply that can power up to 16 shades.

Automation is provided by Bluetooth and the brand’s PowerView Automation app which you can operate on any smart device.

You can also operate them with the PowerView Remote and the PowerView Gateway hub that allows for integration with other smart systems you may already have at home.

Just a few of the features offered by the app is scheduled wake-up blind opening to serve as a natural alarm clock, scene creation that you can set for various settings such as “movie time” or “brunch” that will automatically set the blinds to the perfect height, and can also be pre-set at certain times or days of the week. The blinds even adjust automatically for Daylight Saving Time.

To get a quote, you’ll have to request a consultation with a window treatment expert who will be able to properly advise you on the best smart blinds for your needs.

Best Customizable

Bali Blackout Cellular Shades

The Home Depot

View On Lowe's View On Home Depot $144 View On Blinds.com

Why You Should Get It

There are 260 color options to choose from and a vast array of sizes.

Keep in Mind

They only come as shades not blinds.

If design is of the utmost importance, you’ll love the massive stylistic range provided by Bali. Available in a wide variety of colors, the Blackout Cellular Shades are of premium quality and are offered in either single or double cellular, soft, and slightly textured fabric.

Since these are blackout shades, they’re a great option for bedrooms, living rooms, or anywhere else you may sleep or watch television. If you use smart home devices you’ll appreciate that these shades are compatible with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, and Wink.

We like that the aluminum head and bottom rails are color coordinated to match your shades for a more streamlined look. The shades can be opened and closed with a remote control as well, making them a convenient option.

To work, the motor can be powered by either disposable or rechargeable batteries or be plugged into an outlet. What’s more, they’re easy enough to install yourself as they come with all the mounting hardware.

Product Details: Type: Shade | Size: From 9 x 9 inches | Material: Single or double cell fabric | Control Options: Remote control, app via smart device (hub required for more advanced functions), manually | Power Source: Battery | Color Options: 260

Best Solar-Powered

SmarterHome Tilt MySmartRollerShades

SmarterHome

View On Mysmarterhome.com

Why You Should Get It

They’re easy to install yourself and are powered by solar batteries.

Keep in Mind

They don’t come with a remote control.

The SmarterHome Tilt MySmartRollerShades are offered in a variety of materials, colors, and sizes, and are our favorite smart blinds that are operated with solar power. Blackout options are also available, so you can choose what works best in the space you’re furnishing.

These blinds are powered with a solar battery that’s located towards the outside to ensure it gets enough sunlight to work. To operate these blinds from your smartphone or tablet, you’ll have to download the Tilt app and have Bluetooth enabled, ensuring that the blinds are paired with your device.

With this pick, there’s no remote control but if you’ve left your phone in another room and want to open or shut the blinds, you can do so manually.

To turn these blinds into voice-activated models, you’ll need to have the SmarterHome Bridge that will allow you to connect to Amazon Alexa or SmartThings by Samsung through your home’s Wi-Fi.

These options allow you to operate the blinds remotely, as well as set schedules for automatic opening/closing. The SmarterHome Bridge also offers more advanced options, like syncing the blinds to other smart devices around the house.

Best Voice-Controlled

Graywind Motorized Solar Shades

Amazon

View On Amazon $154 View On Graywindblinds.com

Why You Should Get It

They block the sun, offer UV protection, and don’t need a smart hub to operate the smart features.

Keep in Mind

The motor requires hardwiring.

Graywind’s Motorized Solar Shades make an awesome and practical addition to any smart home. They filter the light to offer almost 100% UV protection while still providing clear exterior visibility. They’re also fireproof, waterproof, and don’t attract dust. Plus, they’re available in 18 colors.

These blinds come with all the mounting accessories and a manual for installation, as well as a helpful video guide. The motor has to be hardwired so that it can always be plugged in and connected to the Wi-Fi. Since the motor is hardwired, you don’t need a smart bridge to control the blinds to use the app.

The app allows you to group shades together according to location of the house or particular room. You can set up to 20 timers, schedules, and routines for ultimate automation. Plus, you can even control your shades when you’re away from home.

You can get these blinds customized to your needs, including whether they’ll be inside or outside mount. They’re also available with or without a cassette, which encloses the blind's fabric within a container providing better shading. The cassette can either be metal in a choice of colors, or wrapped with the shade’s fabric for a more streamlined look.

Easiest Installation

IKEA FYRTUR Black-out Smart Roller Blind

IKEA

View On Ikea $130

Why You Should Get It

They’re easy to install yourself, and can be plugged in, too.

Keep in Mind

There is only one color option offered.

The FYRTUR Black-out Smart Roller Blinds at IKEA are a great option for anyone seeking smart blinds that are less expensive than other styles and easy to install. These blinds are battery operated but can also be plugged in if you prefer.

You can control these blinds with the included remote control but they’re also controllable via the IKEA Home smart app on your smartphone. To use these blinds through a smart device, you’ll need to get the DIRIGERA hub and pair it up to the blinds. This will allow you to operate them, set timers so they can automatically go up and down, and you can also create different groups of blinds so you can operate them with the touch of a single button.

These blinds only come in gray but we think it’s versatile and can suit an array of different home styles. They’re also completely light blocking, which is ideal for sleepers who are sensitive to sunlight.

Although these blinds only come in one length, it’s likely enough to cover most standard windows. The eight sizes offered are some of the most popular window widths but if you have atypically sized windows, you could potentially size up and mount these blinds on the outside.

The Bottom Line

The Serena by Lutron Smart Roller Shades are our top pick for for their easy installation and selection of materials, sizes, styles, and colors. They’re also Bluetooth compatible, and you can use them with an Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Samsung SmartThings, and Google Assistant.

The company offers free samples and also a free at-home consultation to help you choose the best smart blinds and shades for you.

What to Know About Smart Blinds Before Shopping

Shade/Blind Type

The shade/blind type you opt for is dependent on the design style in the room, says Jensen. “Roller, pleated and cellular shades offer a cleaner aesthetic over that of Roman blinds, which are less modern,” he says, and adds that horizontal options are more contemporary options, as vertical options are somewhat dated. That being said, there are several styles to choose from:

Venetian: Horizontal blinds with vanes (or slats) are also known as Venetian blinds. They are available in several vane widths, too. This style typically comes in either metal (typically a lightweight aluminum), plastic, wood, or faux wood, which is made from PVC plastic but designed to look just like real wood.
Roller: Roller blinds also come in many patterns and colorways, and are made from just one piece of material, usually polyester, PVC (sometimes layered with fiberglass) or a blended fabric. Sometimes they’re also made of wood or bamboo. Sometimes, roller blinds have a pleated style that appears to have an accordion-like design when rolled up.
Cellular: Cellular blinds, also known as honeycomb, have a pleated design, but consist of two layers of material that are stitched together every inch or so, providing an insulation barrier in the middle.
Roman: Roman blinds are also just one piece of material, but when they’re rolled up, they have a folded design with wide slat-like pleats for a more elegant aesthetic. These are available in curtain-like fabrics, like cotton, or polyester/cotton blends.
Zebra: Another type of roller blind available is the day and night version, also known as Zebra blinds. These consist of strips of alternating material—one strip is sheer, and the other is a light-blocking opaque. Depending on the position they’re rolled up, they can provide total darkness, or let the light come flooding in.
Panel: The most popular type of vertical blinds have long fabric slats, but illusion blinds are also available which consist of one piece of material that’s a combination of opaque and sheer to create the vertical blind look. Vertical blinds with extra-wide slats are called panel blinds and are a modern twist on the traditional sort. These are perfect for living rooms with bi-fold doors, or over patio doors.

Size

Ready-to-install blinds come in the most standard window sizes: 12–24 x 96 inches for picture windows, 24–36 x 36–84 for sliders, and 36 x 72–84 for double-hung windows. However, for different sized windows, you’ll need to have your blinds customized.

To measure your windows for blinds, first decide whether you want an inside mount that sits inside the window frame, or an outside mount blind that extends over the frame. You then measure the width from the inside or outside of the frame at the top to the bottom (where you prefer the blind to end), and the height from the inside or outside from one side to the other.

Material

Blinds are available in a variety of materials. “The choice of material can influence the ambiance of the room,” says Kropovinsky. “Wood and faux wood lend a classic, warm touch. Aluminum offers a sleek, modern aesthetic. Fabric, particularly in cellular blinds, provides a soft, diffused light.”

Control Options

While non-smart blinds are raised and lowered simply by the lift or pull cord located at the furthest side of the blind, the key advantage of smart blinds is the ability to control them automatically.

Many are integrated with smart home systems like Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant and respond through apps and voice commands. You can also operate them via a remote control device.

Power Source

Smart blinds require some sort of power source to function. Some blinds are battery-powered, providing more flexibility when installing, while others require hard wiring.

“If the option to connect to a power outlet is a possibility within close proximity, it’s an excellent option, as it offers a more consistent power source,” says Jensen.

Your Questions, Answered

What is the average cost of smart blinds?

The price for the best smart blinds for your needs varies widely depending on the specific type, size, material, brand, and power option but you can generally expect to invest between $100–$300 and $500–$1,500 per window.

“Remember, though it may seem like a substantial upfront cost, the convenience, energy efficiency, and added home value often make it a sound investment in the long run,” says Kropovinsky.

Do smart blinds add value to a home?

According to Kropovinsky, smart blinds are worth the investment. “Smart blinds are considered a premium feature, adding not only monetary value but also a contemporary allure to your home. They’re an asset that symbolizes luxury, innovation, and a commitment to eco-friendly living.”

Jensen adds that smart blinds certainly add value to a home because of the convenience they offer and the potential to save on cooling and heating costs. “The flexibility to operate a large number of blinds at the same time and with a push of a button (or through automation) is a huge advantage,” he says.

Are smart blinds easy to install?

Smart blinds have become increasingly easy to install because of current technology. “Long gone are the days of having to hardwire these features into the home's electrical plan or having to frequently charge the battery,” says Jensen. “All that’s needed is a small area to house the battery and a connection to the home’s smart technology. If charging the battery twice a year is not ideal, and there is an outlet nearby, there are options for shades you can plug in.”

Though smart blinds have been designed with user-friendly installation in mind, the process can still be a bit more complex than traditional blinds due to the integration of electronic components. In that case, you can always hire a professional though keep in mind it’ll make for an additional cost.

Do electric blinds use a lot of electricity?

While electric blinds do require power, their usage is typically minimal, equivalent to that of a few LED lights. “Moreover, the energy they can save by efficiently managing light and heat can more than offset their own consumption,” says Kropovinsky.

Who We Are

This article was written by Kat de Naoum, who has over ten years of commerce writing experience. Kat is also the commerce editor-at-large at Thomas-Xometry, the leading U.S. online platform for supplier discovery and product sourcing.

For this article, Kat reviewed multiple smart blinds, researching factors such as each product's size, material, control and color options, and power source. She also spoke to Artem Kropovinsky, Interior Designer and Founder of Arsight, and Isfira Jensen, the CEO and principal Designer at Nufacet Interiors.