If you are looking for a way to make your existing blinds smart and easy to control, you might want to check out the SwitchBot Blind Tilt.
This device is a solar-powered electric shade that can tilt the slats of your blinds to adjust the amount of light and privacy you want. You can control it with your smartphone, voice assistants, timers, or remote.
In this article, I will give you my opinion on the SwitchBot Blind Tilt and why I think it is a great product for anyone who wants to upgrade their blinds.
Installation
The installation of the SwitchBot Blind Tilt is fairly easy and straightforward. You just need to install it next to the wand on your blind and wrap it with additional hardware that allows it to turn. The device comes with four stick-on adapters that fit different sizes of blinds.
You also get an alignment sticker that helps you measure where to fasten the open flex coupling piece. The whole process takes about 15 minutes and does not require any tools or drilling.
The only downside of the installation is that you need one device per set of blinds, which means you have to buy more if you have multiple windows or rooms. Also, some users have reported that the cables and robot are visible from outside, which might not be ideal for some aesthetics.
Features
The SwitchBot Blind Tilt has many features that make it a smart and convenient device for your blinds. Here are some of them:
- It works with most horizontal blinds that use a control wand to tilt the slats open and closed. It does not work with vertical blinds or blinds that use other mechanisms.
- It has a built-in 2000mAh lithium battery that can last for months on a single charge. It also has a solar panel that can recharge the battery in about 4 hours.
- It has intuitive controls that let you open and close your blinds whenever you want when at home. You can also set timers, countdowns, sunrise and sunset settings, groups, and motion sensors to automate your blinds.
- It is compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri Shortcuts, IFTTT, SmartThings, and more (Hub Mini required). You can use voice commands or smart assistants to control your blinds remotely even when you’re outside of the house.
- It has a high-precision motor that enables you to adjust the shutter blades precisely to the closest 2 degrees. This gives you better control over sunlight when indoors.
- It emits less noise for a quieter environment. It has a new silent motor that helps keep the operating volume as low as 40dB.
Pros and Cons
The SwitchBot Blind Tilt has many advantages over other smart shades on the market. Here are some of them:
- It is affordable compared to other smart shades like Smart Shades Pro Plus Plus Hub Mini Bundle (sold separately), which costs US$189.99 per unit.
- It is easy to install compared to other smart shades like Smart Shades Pro Plus Plus Hub Mini Bundle (sold separately), which requires professional installation by an authorized dealer.
- It works with most horizontal blinds without requiring any replacement of your existing blinds or louvers.
- It integrates well with other smart systems like Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri Shortcuts, IFTTT, SmartThings, etc.
- It has excellent performance in terms of speed, accuracy, reliability, and battery life.
However, there are also some drawbacks of using the SwitchBot Blind Tilt. Here are some of them:
- It does not work with vertical blinds or blinds that use other mechanisms.
- It requires one device per set of blinds, which means more cost if you have multiple windows or rooms.
- Some users have reported issues with connectivity or compatibility between devices.
- Some users have complained about poor customer service or lack of updates from SwitchBot.
Conclusion
In conclusion, I think the SwitchBot Blind Tilt is a smart solution for your blinds if you want to make them easier to control and adjust according to your preferences. The device is affordable, easy to install, works with most horizontal blinds without replacing them, integrates well with other smart systems like Alexa or Google Assistant etc., has excellent performance in terms of speed accuracy reliability battery life etc., etc.
However if you want vertical blinds or different mechanisms then this device might not be suitable for you as it does not work with them. Also if you want more devices per set then this product might be too expensive as it requires one device per blind.
I hope this article was helpful for you if you are interested in buying this product then I suggest you check out Amazon where it is currently available at US$69.99 per unit or US$188.99