Nobody wants sensible curtains, however that doesn’t imply they aren’t considerably helpful and, extra importantly, undeniably cool. Who wouldn’t need to say “Hey Google, open my curtains,” and have them immediately open?
I’ve all the time been fascinated by linked residence merchandise that don’t have any enterprise being on the web, like lights, audio system, smoke alarms, doorbells and extra (I also have a ridiculous internet-connected dishwasher). However sensible residence units which have to this point eluded me are sensible curtains/blinds as a result of they’re sometimes absurdly costly.
Because of this SwitchBot’s $135.59 Curtain Rod 2 caught my consideration (most individuals will probably need two to open every curtain, bringing the whole to $271.18 for one set, which continues to be fairly costly). The system is a part of a comparatively new focus within the sensible residence house on including ‘sensible’ options to on a regular basis objects in a cheap method.
On a base stage, the Curtain Rod 2 is fairly easy. It slides forwards and backwards throughout a curtain rod powered by two small motors, pushing your curtains open and closed. The setup course of is comparatively easy however nonetheless takes time, relying on what curtains you’ve. In my case with a round curtain rod, I hooked up the Rod 2 between two included clamps, permitting it to push the curtains forwards and backwards (in accordance with other reviews I’ve read, the first-gen model of SwitchBot’s sensible curtains solely included one clamp).
The precise setup course of within the SwitchBot app is a bit more finicky and requires you to pick out the center of the rod and the closed place for each Curtain Rod 2 units. I’ve discovered that generally you’ll want to undergo this course of once more a number of weeks after the preliminary setup, particularly in the event you sometimes shut the curtains manually, which begins the motors after a little bit of stress. I’ve additionally run into a problem the place a small quantity of sunshine nonetheless comes by means of the centre of the curtains after they’re closed. This was solved by reconfiguring the curtains and pushing them so far as doable to the left.
I arrange Switchbot’s Rod 2 sensible curtains immediately lol. pic.twitter.com/mA7hPXEgRl
— Patrick O’Rourke (@Patrick_ORourke) August 22, 2022
Throughout the SwitchBot app, you’ll be able to set a time of day on your curtains to open and shut, replace the firmware and rework a number of different settings. Sadly, Google Assistant, Alexa and Siri voice instructions require SwitchBots’ $48 Mini Hub, which is disappointing. Additional, in the event you’re like me and also you’d generally slightly simply press a button than use a voice command, you’ll want the $28.95 SwitchBot Remote. Whereas these two units don’t make a SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2 fairly as costly as most sensible curtain {hardware}, these are nonetheless added prices I didn’t anticipate.
Value and setup apart, there are different points with the Curtain Rod 2 price noting. For instance, the system makes a loud mechanical noise as its motors push alongside the rod. I’ve grown used to it over the previous few months, however some may take concern with the motor’s audible grind because it travels alongside the rod.
Battery life additionally isn’t as nice. In my expertise, if I open and shut the sensible curtains as soon as a day, they final roughly two months. Charging the Curtain Rod 2 with out taking them down is difficult (until you’ve a close-by plug and a prolonged cable). I’ve resorted to attaching a battery pack and resting it on the window sill to cost.
SwitchBot sells a $29.99 Solar Panel Charger, however given the location of my curtain rod (it’s nicely above my window), this isn’t a viable possibility for me. That is additionally why the Curtain Rod 2’s light-sensing characteristic that enables the system to routinely open when it views gentle doesn’t work for me (the curtain rod is simply too excessive for the sensor).
Whereas SwitchBot’s Curtain Rod 2 isn’t excellent, it nonetheless works nicely and is cheaper than most established sensible curtain choices (particularly in the event you’re solely shopping for one). Nonetheless, I want the system was quieter, featured longer battery life and got here with integral equipment just like the Mini Hub and Distant.
SwitchBot’s Curtain Rod 2 is available on Amazon for $135.59.
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