Are smart blinds worth it?
by Mike Prospero, , , · tom's guide(Image credit: Ikea)
Jump To:
Just about everything in your home can be made "smart" these days, from lights to locks, even your refrigerator and oven.
Like other smart home devices, smart blinds are window shades and blinds that can be controlled using an app on your phone, or through a smart assistant like Alexa or Google Home. But, what are their benefits, and are they worth the cost over traditional blinds?
Here are three benefits — and three drawbacks — of smart blinds, to help you decide if they're right for you.
5 questions you need to ask yourself when building a smart home
How to save money when buying smart home devices
The three things you need to look for when buying a smart lock
Three benefits of smart blinds
There are a few potential benefits for smart blinds:
Accessibility and safety: If someone has trouble operating blinds manually, smart blinds can be opened or closed using voice commands, through a remote control, or via an app. And, because smart blinds don't have pullstrings, they don't represent a choking hazard like traditional blinds do.
Convenience: Smart blinds can be programmed to operate on a schedule, so that they open and close at set times during the day. For instance, you can create a smart home routine where your blinds automatically open when your phone's alarm goes off, and automatically close when you start your bedtime routine.
Energy saving: When paired with other smart home sensors, such as smart thermostats, smart blinds can be set to automatically close during hot summer days, or if the temperature increases to a certain level, to help keep your house cool.
Sign up to get the BEST of Tom's Guide direct to your inbox.
Get instant access to breaking news, the hottest reviews, great deals and helpful tips.
Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors
Three drawbacks of smart blinds
They're not cheap. While they are starting to come down in price, smart blinds are still much more expensive than comparable traditional blinds. Even for the least expensive smart blinds, you can expect to pay at least twice as much as you would for regular blinds. The cost goes up even further if you need custom blinds in a specific size. And, when you consider that most rooms have at least two windows, you're looking at a significant investment if you want to use them throughout your house.
They don't come in a lot of styles. Because they're relatively new, most manufacturers only offer smart blinds and shades in a limited number of styles, designs, and colors compared to traditional blinds. However, more options are being added every year.
You might have trouble using them if the power goes out. Because smart blinds and shades require electricity — both in their operation and smart-home connectivity — if you have a power outage, you may not be able to open or close your blinds. If this is a concern, look for smart blinds that run on battery power, and can connect directly to a remote control.
Social Links Navigation
U.S. Editor-in-Chief, Tom's Guide
Michael A. Prospero is the U.S. Editor-in-Chief for Tom’s Guide. He oversees all evergreen content and oversees the Homes, Smart Home, and Fitness/Wearables categories for the site. In his spare time, he also tests out the latest drones, electric scooters, and smart home gadgets, such as video doorbells. Before his tenure at Tom's Guide, he was the Reviews Editor for Laptop Magazine, a reporter at Fast Company, the Times of Trenton, and, many eons back, an intern at George magazine. He received his undergraduate degree from Boston College, where he worked on the campus newspaper The Heights, and then attended the Columbia University school of Journalism. When he’s not testing out the latest running watch, electric scooter, or skiing or training for a marathon, he’s probably using the latest sous vide machine, smoker, or pizza oven, to the delight — or chagrin — of his family.
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
Logout
Read more
5 questions you need to ask yourself when building a smart home
How to save money when buying smart home devices
The three things you need to look for when buying a smart lock
The Hidden Costs of Smart Homes (and How to Avoid Them)
7 smart home gadgets under $50 that will make your life easier
I bought a smart fan to beat the heat — and I never thought I’d have this much fun controlling a fan from my phone
Latest in Smart Home
Ring's new AI feature summarizes security camera footage for you — those alerts just got less annoying
Eufy E20 review: this quirky robovac/cordless combo is super versatile, but struggles with some jobs
I bought a smart fan to beat the heat — and I never thought I’d have this much fun controlling a fan from my phone
Philips Hue lights are getting a free AI upgrade, and it could transform your smart lighting setup
Eufy Security Indoor Cam C220 review: A 2K indoor camera with AI features
Wyze just made installing outdoor security cameras as easy as changing a light bulb
Latest in Features
2025 hiker’s gear guide — 9 pieces of outdoor gear I can’t live without
'Smoke' showrunner reveals why he dropped that major twist in Apple TV Plus' new true crime thriller
I used to repair phones — here’s the 3 things you should do when looking for a refurbished phone
College students, listen up! JLab's new speakers are affordable, loud, and one can even be a portable karaoke machine
5 expert tips on how to declutter your home office — reduce stress and boost your focus
There’s a Netflix hack everyone should know — and it unlocks the full library