If you’re looking to update the wow factor of your window coverings, motorized shades are the place to start. The SmartWings Motorized Roller Shades offer dozens of styles and fabric choices, with a range of motors that support various wireless technologies. You can incorporate them into nearly any existing smart home ecosystem and control them with your voice or an app, or create schedules to have them lower or raise without lifting a finger. At $420.86 for a single 52-by-40-inch (HW) window treatment in the configuration I tested, they're not cheap, but the same is true for virtually any motorized shades. Fortunately, the SmartWings look sharp and work well no matter how you want to control them, making them worth the price of admission.

Design: Highly Customizable and Made to Order

SmartWings offers several types of window treatment choices, including cellular, outdoor, roller, zebra, Roman, or woven wood shades. Each style comes in an assortment of colors and fabric options and has various light-filtering properties, from 5% openness to total blackout.

Each shade is made to order, and the SmartWings website shows you exactly how to measure and install your shades. I tested the roller shades, which are available in 13 different fabric styles, with names like 100% Blackout Linen (starting at $179.99), 70% Blackout Safari ($179.99), and 50% Blackout PVC Free Sunscreen ($169.99). Each style offers several color choices, and you can order fabric samples (starting at $6.99) ahead of time to see which works best before you buy the shades.

(Credit: SmartWings)

Unlike Eve Custom Smart Blinds (starting at $546.85), which I'm also testing for an upcoming review, the SmartWings shades do not have a dedicated mobile app. Instead, they can be controlled using the app of whichever home automation platform you connect them to.

The motorized spindle is the brain of the shade and is available with different wireless technologies, including your choice of HomeKit over Thread (for an extra $79.99), Matter over Thread ($94.99), Z-Wave Plus ($59.90), or Zigbee ($29.99). You can also order an Alexa motor ($29.99) that works exclusively with specific versions of Amazon’s Echo and Echo Show hubs, and there’s a standard non-smart motor option available at no extra charge.

As always, Matter and Thread devices require a Matter controller and a Thread border router to work. Some examples include the Apple HomePod Mini, HomePod (2nd Gen, Amazon Echo (4th Gen), Echo Hub, Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen), Google Nest Hub Max, and Google Nest Hub (2nd Gen). SmartWings doesn't offer a Wi-Fi-enabled motor, but you can purchase a Smart Link hub ($49.90), which connects the shades to your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network.

You also have to order at least one remote control ($15.99 for the base 5-channel model) to set up the shades. Each five-channel remote can control up to five shades and has buttons for channel selection, down, up, and stop. There’s a programming button located in the battery compartment of the remote that's used in conjunction with a pairing button on the motor to pair the two and set custom stopping points when raising and lowering it.

(Credit: SmartWings)

Most SmartWings shades are powered by rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that are rated to last up to six months between charges. They can be charged via a USB port embedded in the motor and a USB AC adapter, but a handful of models can be ordered with a hardwired AC power kit if you prefer not to deal with charging the batteries. You can also order a window-mountable solar charging panel for $49.99.

Ordering a SmartWings shade is straightforward. On the company’s website, start by choosing a shade type and a fabric. You’ll be asked to choose a color and a mount type. Inside-mounted shades fit exactly into the window frame and require at least 2.5 inches of frame depth. Otherwise, you’ll have to use an outside mount, which is typically installed above the window frame and requires an extra three to six inches on the sides (factor this in when taking measurements). Side mounting options are also available.

Next, you’ll have to provide window measurements. Detailed instructions for each type of shade are provided to ensure that you are correctly measuring height and width. Make sure to include whole and fractional inches. The following steps have you choose your motor type, a valence type (cassette, square, standard), a bottom bar (black square, fabric-wrapped, standard, white square), and a remote control (dial, wand, or none). Finally, you’ll be asked to choose a roll type (reverse roll front side or standard roll back side), a side for the motor (left or right), and add light-blocking accessories to prevent any gaps on the sides of the shades.

Once you’ve confirmed your order, it can take anywhere from two to three weeks to ship, and shipping is free.

(Credit: SmartWings)

Installation and Performance: Simple, Automated Privacy

I ordered the 100% Blackout Dual-Sided Bouvardia roller shade (starting at $209.99) in medium gray with the Matter over Thread motor, a cassette valance, a fabric-wrapped bottom bar, and a remote control. Since my window frame is less than an inch deep, I selected the outside mounting option.

(Credit: John R. Delaney)

The shades came with a quick installation guide, instructions for getting started with Matter, a remote-programming guide, a quick start guide, and all necessary mounting hardware. The instructions are detailed and easy to follow.

Installing the SmartWings shade was simple, but you’ll want to use a level and have an extra set of hands available to make sure it hangs straight. The valence uses three spring-loaded brackets to hold the shade assembly in place. I held the shade up to the window, made sure it was perfectly level, and marked off the position of each bracket. I removed the brackets and screwed them into the wall above the window using the included hardware, and snapped the shade back into place.

(Credit: Amazon Alexa/Apple Home/PCMag)

To pair the shade to my Alexa ecosystem, I pressed the programming button on the motor and held it for six seconds until the motor jogged twice, then I let go. When the red LED lit up, I used the Alexa app to scan the Matter code on the bottom bar, and the shade was immediately added.

I gave it a name, tapped the gear icon in the upper-right corner of the Alexa app, and tapped Other Assistants and Apps to link it with Apple Home as well. I copied the setup code, opened my Apple Home app, tapped Add Accessory, and then tapped More Options. I selected My Accessory Isn’t Shown Here, copied the code into the space when prompted, and the shade was added to my Apple Home account.

The SmartWings shade worked well in testing. It did a good job of blocking out light and responded quickly when controlled with the remote and with both the Amazon Alexa and Apple Home apps. Additionally, it had no trouble executing my Alexa voice commands to raise and lower the shade.

I created an Alexa routine to lower the shade all the way when an Aqara G5 Pro security camera detected motion, and it worked perfectly. I also created an Alexa schedule to open the shade halfway at noon every day, and it, too, worked flawlessly. My custom stopping points also worked as intended.

The motor was relatively quiet. Using the NIOSH Sound Level Meter app, I measured 43dB while raising and lowering the shade.