Review: SwitchBot Adjustable Roller Shade is great (once you get it up)
While the shade is marketed as DIY-friendly, I found the installation process... challenging to say the least
SwitchBot Adjustable Roller Shade
Switchbot is a company that promises to bring home automation to the masses, and its latest effort is an ambitious, self-installed smart window blind - the type you see in the homes of tech bros - at a fraction of the price.
The SwitchBot Adjustable Roller Shade will cost you under £200 and, if you're brave enough or a competent DIY-er, offers a cost-effective alternative to professionally installed motorized blinds.
While the shade is marketed as DIY-friendly, I found the installation process... challenging to say the least. To be honest, I lucked out. I picked the width of the shade that didn't need an alteration from my end, otherwise I'd have been in the world of hurt, having to cut the fabric myself. Even though all the tools needed are supplied, that would not have ended well.
Not that I could have altered the width anyway as the first screw I came across that I was instructed to unscrew immediately threaded. So if I hadn't picked the right size, it would still be in the box. Also, for extra fun, the instructions don't always align with the (tiny) video tutorials.
I also fell foul of mistaking a thin length of plastic as part of the packaging. I threw it away before right at the end of the set-up I found out it was part of the blind! That was my bad, and I was able to engineer a replacement made of cardboard.
Reading this you might think it's best to steer clear. Well, here's the thing, if you manage to navigate getting the thing up, it works brilliantly and you'll be extremely happy with it.
Once installed, the SwitchBot Roller Shade - coming in either white or grey - boasts a sleek and modern design, operates quietly, with noise levels as low as 30dB in silent mode, making it suitable for bedrooms and other quiet spaces. The shade can be controlled via a mobile app, voice commands (with the SwitchBot Hub 2), or a wired controller, offering flexibility in operation.
You'll need help to install the SwitchBot Adjustable Roller Shade
The shade is powered by a rechargeable battery that can last up to eight months on a single charge. An optional solar panel is available to keep the battery charged, though some users find the panel's appearance not so great. I didn't have that to test so couldn't offer an opinion. Integration with smart home platforms like Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri Shortcuts is possible through the SwitchBot Hub 2, enabling features like scheduling and percentage-based adjustments. To be honest, I mostly used the app (once I'd got over playing 'blind goes up, blind goes down'), which I found to be pretty straightforward and surprisingly powerful.
So here's the thing. Now they're up, I love them. Would I want to go through the installation again? Maybe not. Do you need to be scared, yourself? I'm at the extreme low-end of the DIY scale so if you have any skills or experience, you might find it easy. But I'd definitely pick the right shade immediately, and not throw away the 'packaging' before you set it up!
The Switchbot Roller Shade is available from £169.99 from the Switchbot website
Other reviews
Smart Home Scene: "If the SwitchBot Roller Shades fit your use case and budget, I can recommend them without reservations. If you find the DIY element of these shades challenging, consider the ready-made SmartWings Blinds as a good alternative."
Reidential Tech Today: "While the overall installation process is reasonably easy, a homeowner will want to very carefully perform the process of cutting the fabric role as a mistake could be costly. Finally, Smart home integrators might even consider offering the SwitchBot Roller Shade as an inexpensive option compared to the fully custom smart shades they typically offer."
Alternatives
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Graywind Customized Smart Roller Blinds Blackout
Tokblind Motorized Roller Blind
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