The SwitchBot Roller Shade is a motorized smart roller blind that stands out for its customizability, easy installation and extensive smart home integration. The system is designed to fit almost any window without customization.
SwitchBot has come up with a smart system that allows users to adjust both the width and length of the fabric. It is even possible to incorporate your own design into the roller blind. This makes it a unique and flexible solution for home automation.
SwitchBot Roller Shade
For this review, we extensively tested the SwitchBot smart roller blind. The company sells various versions where you still have the freedom to adjust the roller blind to your liking. We have a window that is 140 cm wide and therefore the Roller Shade L: 110 cm – 140 cm fitted our window perfectly, but there are many more versions.
Contents box SwitchBot roller blind
The SwitchBot Roller Shade comes with a carefully selected set of parts and accessories, so you can get started with installation and use right away. They leave nothing to chance and ensure that you can customize the roller blind perfectly with their accessories.
- The SwitchBot Roller Shade itself (including assembled fabric, in the maximum width out of the box).
- The main unit with integrated motor and electronics, including two rechargeable batteries.
- Manual wired controller (with 1.5 meter cable) to control the curtain locally.
- Own designed roller blind cutter (for safely and neatly cutting the fabric to size).
- Small spirit level to install the curtain straight.
- Screwdriver and other small tools.
- Mounting material for mounting on the wall or in the frame (screws, plugs, supports).
- Printed installation manual with clear illustrations.
Fully adjustable design
The unique thing about this system is that you have the freedom to adjust the roller blind as desired. This way you can adjust not only the length of the fabric, but also the width.
The SwitchBot Roller Shade claims to be the world’s first smart roller blind solution with a telescopic frame, making it suitable for windows from 58 to 185 cm wide. The fabric can easily be cut to size for a perfect fit.
Interchangeable fabric
A feature that I also find special is the ability to adjust the fabric of the roller blind. As standard you can choose between 100% blackout gray or white. You can also replace this standard fabric with another fabric of your choice. Get your desired fabric from the store, cut it to size and attach it to the roller blind. This way you can easily adapt the curtain to the interior or functional requirements such as thermal insulation or UV protection.
Adjust SwitchBot roller blind width
Adjusting the length of roller blinds has been possible for years and is not that difficult, but adjusting the width is more difficult. You want to cut the amount of fabric straight off and without fraying. SwitchBot has come up with a smart solution to simplify this process for you. This makes Roller Shade unique in its kind.
Thanks to the adjustable design, you can set the correct width yourself. This process consists of two parts: adjusting the frame and tailoring the fabric.
- Accurately measure the width of your window in three places.
- You can adjust the frame by removing the end caps from the main frame.
- Slide the telescopic aluminum frame in or out until it matches the width of your window.
- Secure the frame by tightening the screws.
You then place the fabric (without bottom profile) on the frame and determine where it should be cut to size. To prevent the fabric from fraying or shifting while cutting, wrap the included special tape tightly around the part of the fabric where the cut will be made.
Then attach the supplied cutting tool to the end of the frame. In the SwitchBot app you choose the option to cut the fabric to size. The motor of the roller blind slowly rotates the fabric while you activate the cutting tool with a screwdriver. The built-in blades cut the fabric evenly and straight, so the result looks professional and fits perfectly.
After cutting, remove the excess part of the fabric and place the bottom profile back into the hem of the curtain. You can also customize this by sliding it in or out. Finally, install the end caps and attach the roller blind to the supports on the window. The clear instructions, app guidance and included tools make the process easy to carry out.
Long battery life
The SwitchBot Roller Shade has a built-in 2600 mAh lithium battery, which with average use (daily opening and closing) can last up to approximately eight months on a single charge. You can charge the roller blind via a USB-C port located on both the main unit of the roller blind and the wired controller.
If you don’t want to have to worry about charging at all, you can opt for the optional SwitchBot solar panel. You connect this small panel to the roller blind and ensures that the battery is automatically recharged with sunlight.
Light leakage on the sides
It is not possible to attach the roller blind tightly to the window. This is because the frame takes up the necessary space. This causes light leakage on the sides. Even though the fabric used is 100% blackout, there remains a small gap on the left and right side of the curtain between the fabric and the window, frame or wall. This allows light to still enter. This can be a problem in bedrooms.
Smart control via app
Like all SwitchBot products, the Roller Shade is smart and you can operate it via the app. This way you can open, close the curtain or set it to a specific percentage. Using shortcuts you can immediately perform a desired action. Of course you can adjust everything to your own needs. Using the silent mode you can adjust the speed of the motor.
The app connects directly to the roller blind via Bluetooth. By connecting the Smart Shade to a SwitchBot Hub you can control the curtain via WiFi and outdoors.
The app also offers the option to create groups, so you can control multiple roller blinds at the same time. You can set automations and schedules via the app so that the roller blind automatically opens or closes at set times. If you connect an optional solar panel to the roller blind, you can also use light intensity as a trigger so that the roller blind closes automatically when the sun shines on the window. In addition, the solar panel also charges the battery of the roller blind.
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Manual operation
Together with the roller blind, a wired controller is also included that you can connect. You can then open or close the curtain with a simple action. The cable of this controller is on the long side and you have to hide it quite a bit. My advice is to operate with the app, automatically or connect a wireless remote control.
Smart Home and Matter
When you connect the SwitchBot Roller Shade to a SwitchBot mini, Hub 2 or newer, you can integrate roller blinds into a Matter ecosystem. In addition, the SwitchBot products are also compatible with Homey, Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit and more.
SwitchBot Hub 3
The SwitchBot Hub 3 acts as a powerful, Matter-compatible smart home control hub that deserves a central place in your smart home. The SwitchBot Hub 3 integrates with more than 100,000 infrared (IR) devices, streaming TVs and all SwitchBot devices. At the same time, it can integrate SwitchBot products with Matter, so you can also connect devices from other brands.
The device features a screen, customizable scene buttons and the exclusive Dial Masterâ„¢ dial, which allows you to precisely control volume, temperature, curtain position and more. Furthermore, the screen can show the status of various devices and provides real-time monitoring of the indoor and outdoor climate.
When you connect the Roller Shade to the Hub 3, the curtain becomes part of your central smart home network. You can open or close the roller blind directly with the physical dial. This way you can accurately move the curtain to the desired position.
Conclusion: SwitchBot Roller Shade
REVIEW SCORE
The SwitchBot Roller Shade is a versatile, smart roller blind that easily adapts to any window. The telescoping design and included tools make installation simple and require no complicated measurements or tools. The way of shortening using the cutting tool is especially smart.
The roller blind works smartly in combination with the app and can easily be automated. Optionally, you can connect a solar panel to the curtain so that you can close it automatically when the sun shines on the window. Ideal for keeping your house cool in the summer. With a long battery life of 8 months with average use, you don’t have to worry about it much and you can charge the roller blind in no time via USB-C.
The biggest advantage is the operation via app and automation. This way you can simulate that you are at home when you are on holiday and automatically open or close the curtain at the desired times. Thanks to the connection with various smart home systems, you can also connect the roller shade to other accessories.
- Fully customizable thanks to adjustable frame
- Handy cutting tool to cut the roller blind to size
- Advanced smart home integration via SwitchBot Hub
- Smart control via app and automations
- Long battery life
- Visibly telescopic multi-piece aluminum frame
- Limited light leakage on the sides
Buy SwitchBot Roller Shade
The SwitchBot Roller Shade is available in four sizes, each suitable for a specific range of window sizes. The smart roller blind can be placed on windows with a width of 58 cm to 185 cm. The price ranges from €220 to €340. Various bundles are also available. You can view all prices and specifications on the SwitchBot website and receive a temporary discount.