Best DIY Motorized Blinds

When you are transforming your home to a smart home, you would like to convert as much as you can into smart technology. Good news is this is possible. In fact, you could even motorize your blinds or other window shades. What is more amazing about this one is that you could use schedules and scenes to set up your blinds which would definitely help you save time.
If it is your first time to hear about motorizing your blinds or window shades, you would be surprised that there are actually quite a few good professional options who would help you with this. For example, Hunter Douglas PowerView System or Lutron’s Serena Smart Shades. They are just some of the many that you could rely on in providing you motorized blinds and installing them as well.
Types of Smart Blind Controllers
Roller Motors
Roller motors are used by roller blinds and its motor is located inside the tube. This option will require more effort in installing it as you will have to remove and modify the rollers. You would also need to have smart home support if you plan to go for this option.
Rail Motors
This motor is attached to the curtain rod. It is installed into the head rail. You could also replace the track as well. This choice provides you different approach and provides you more options. In fact, you could operate on different kinds of blinds and curtains.
Blind Engines
Blind engines use cords and chains of your shades for manual control. You could attach to it and it will pull the cord for you. It is simple to install but it does not aesthetically look good as its controller is exposed on the wall.
Best DIY Motorized Blinds
Best Roller Motors
Moes ZigBee Blind Motor
Caractéristiques
- RF433 and ZigBee control
- Battery powered, USB charging
- Supports 6 stop positions
- Supports Alexa, Google Assistant, Tuya
- Support for multi channel remote control
Moes have been in the industry for a long time. They offer wide range of low cost smart home devices including tubular blind motor model. It comes in both 4333MHz RF and Zigbee wireless control.
Some enjoy the non-WiFi communication as it reduces the clutter and it lessens interference and responsiveness issues. You could also use smart phone control and connect it to your smart home. You could check Amazon Echo or SmartThings hub for this. Tuya smart home platform provides its smart home support. It supports Google and Alexa as well.
Its motor comes with an end cap and could fit 38mm roller tube. Its motor is operated by lithium ion battery which is charged via micro USB port on its end cap. This means, you would not need to worry about cables or wires hanging.
Potential Concerns
If you do not have a ZigBee hub, you will not be able to get all of its features and benefits in terms of reliability and battery life. Tuya, China based cloud provider could be a concerned for some.
American Homesupplier Tubular Motor
Feature
- Supports Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri Shortcuts, Tuya
- WiFi -no hub required
- Supports 3 positions
- Support for handheld remote
The American Homesupplier Tubular Motor comes with a built-in WiFi solution which could connect to Alexa, Siri Shortcuts and Google Home. It comes with a size that would fit 36 to 38 mm roller tube. It has end caps and brackets which would make it easier to install it yourself.
It works on smart phone control and smart home integration through Tuya cloud platform. Hence, you will need to have an account with the device. Through this, you will be able to configure 3 positions which are top, bottom and middle. The motor itself has 433MHz support which is compatible with handheld remote. Keep in mind, however, the remote is not included in the package and is sold separately.
Potential Concerns
You need a power socket for this motor to work. Unfortunately, power cord is hard wired which is short which means you would need a power socket right next to it. You could also use an extension which would be messy.
Best Rail Motors
SwitchBot Curtain
Caractéristiques
- Fits Rod, Rail and I-Bean
- Broad curtain compatibility
- Bluetooth direct control
- Supports Alexa, Siri Shortcuts, Google Assistant, IFTTT, SmartThings
- Facile à installer
- You would need a hub for smart integration
This one comes with unique solutions in terms of automation. It solves the difficulty in installing motorized curtain track through the use of a robot. It is a smart battery powered motor which hooks into your curtain track or rail. It is easy to install and its connectivity with the app is fast as well.
The switchbot comes in 4 different models which would fit different types of rails. It comes in black and white which makes it easier to blend. It has a solar panel option which could be attached to the bot.
Furthermore, it uses Bluetooth for communication which would prolong its battery life. It could be controlled through the use of a SwitchBot hub mini which could be integrated to other smart platforms. It supports Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, Homebridge, IFTTT and Siri Shortcuts.
Potential Concerns
The only downside is that there are some who do not like to add hubs which you would need to do. If you would want to use it with your smart home platform, you would need to provide bridge between your Bluetooth and WiFi.
Somfy Tilt Blind
Caractéristiques
- Fits most horizontal blinds
- RTS remote control
- Broad curtain compatibility
- Alimentation par batterie
- Supports Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT
- Hub for smart integration
The Somfy Tilt Blinds is a good option. It runs on removable battery pack installed at the back of the head rail of the blinds. It could fit different rail sizes with different adaptors. There is a handheld remote that is included in the package. Moreover, it has good video tutorials which you could watch when you are installing it. Its motor is hidden inside the head rail and it supports Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT.
Potential Concerns
You will need to be careful with the compatibility requirements:
- The metal headrails are not plastic.
- 2″ to 2″- 1/2″ in depth.
- Wood composite material
- Cord to raise and lower
Moes Curtain Track
Caractéristiques
- WiFi or ZigBee control
- Remote included
- Extendable up to 244 inch (6.3)
- Quite
- Supports Alexa and Google Assistant
The Moes curtain track is a motorized track curtain system which comes with different track lengths. Its motor is powerful which means you would need a power outlet that would provide it with power. It comes with a remote and it operates on 433MHz RF. It also works through Tuya cloud and could integrate Alexa or Google Assistant.
Potential Concerns
You would need Tuya cloud which is China based cloud.
Zemismart Blind Engine
Caractéristiques
- WiFi control
- RF Remote included
- Supports most cord and chain types
- Alimentation par batterie
- Manual controls on motor
The Zemismart Blind Engine is a great option. It supports different types of blinds such as venetians, verticals, honeycomb, rollers and those that uses cord. It could be controlled through your smart phone and it could be integrated with Alexa, IFTTT and Google Assistant. You could use the wall remote or if you wish you could also use the manual controls. Its internal battery could last about 6 months and could be recharged through USB.
Potential Concerns
There are some individuals who are concerned with Tuya cloud being China-based.
Soma Smart Shades
Caractéristiques
- Supports most cord and chain types
- Bluetooth direct control
- Powerful motor
- Battery or solar powered
- Supports Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, IFTTT, Home Assistant and SmartThings
- Slippage Compensation
The Soma Smart Shades uses Bluetooth for its control. It could be connected to their own smart phone app. It is powered through USB. Its motor is very powerful and it could work on your blinds. It is highly reliable and its battery could be manually charged through its USB.
Potential Concerns
It does not have board controls. You would need to make changes through its app just to set up schedules. You would also need a hub to integrate it to your smart home.
Axis Gear
Caractéristiques
- ZigBee control
- Touch controls
- Supports Echo, Control4, SmartThings
- Slippage compensation
- Battery or solar powered
The Axis Gear is a great alternative and option to other blind motors. It comes with high quality finish. All you have to do is slide your finger up and down to adjust the position of your blinds and you are good to go. It has its own smart phone app which you could use for manual control and for setting up schedules. Furthermore, you would surely love its ability to connect to any ZigBee controller like Amazon Echo and SmartThings Hub. Lastly, its internal battery could be charged manually.
Potential Concerns
It has limited smart home integration.
FAQ
Can existing blinds be motorized?
Yes and what is great is that there are a lot DIY options for this.
How do you motorize existing roller blinds?
Just insert a motor into the roller tube.
How do you make a blind smart?
You will have to choose a DIY Blind Motor which would support your smart home platform. You could also integrate Alexa or Google Home
Conclusion
We hope that through this article, we were able to provide you useful information which you could use as a guide in choosing the best DIY motorized blinds that would best suit your preference and need.