{"id":43142,"date":"2023-02-17T17:28:15","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T17:28:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/02\/17\/switchbots-curtain-rod-2-is-the-smart-home-device-i-didnt-know-i-needed\/"},"modified":"2023-02-17T17:29:08","modified_gmt":"2023-02-17T17:29:08","slug":"switchbots-curtain-rod-2-is-the-smart-home-device-i-didnt-know-i-needed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mailinvest.blog\/index.php\/2023\/02\/17\/switchbots-curtain-rod-2-is-the-smart-home-device-i-didnt-know-i-needed\/","title":{"rendered":"SwitchBot’s Curtain Rod 2 is the smart home device I didn’t know I needed"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Nobody wants<\/em> sensible curtains, however that doesn\u2019t imply they aren\u2019t considerably helpful and, extra importantly, undeniably cool. Who wouldn\u2019t need to say \u201cHey Google, open my curtains,\u201d and have them immediately open?<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve 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\u2019re sometimes absurdly costly.<\/p>\n

Because of this SwitchBot\u2019s $135.59 Curtain Rod 2<\/a> 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 \u2018sensible\u2019 options to on a regular basis objects in a cheap method.<\/p>\n

\"SwitchBot<\/p>\n

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\u2019ve read<\/a>, the first-gen model of SwitchBot\u2019s sensible curtains solely included one clamp).<\/p>\n

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\u2019ve 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\u2019ve additionally run into a problem the place a small quantity of sunshine nonetheless comes by means of the centre of the curtains after they\u2019re closed. This was solved by reconfiguring the curtains and pushing them so far as doable to the left.<\/p>\n

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I arrange Switchbot\u2019s Rod 2 sensible curtains immediately lol. pic.twitter.com\/mA7hPXEgRl<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Patrick O’Rourke (@Patrick_ORourke) August 22, 2022<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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\u2019 $48 Mini Hub<\/a>, which is disappointing. Additional, in the event you\u2019re like me and also you\u2019d generally slightly simply press a button than use a voice command, you\u2019ll want the $28.95 SwitchBot Remote<\/a>. Whereas these two units don\u2019t make a SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2 fairly as costly as most sensible curtain {hardware}, these are nonetheless added prices I didn\u2019t anticipate.<\/p>\n

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\u2019ve grown used to it over the previous few months, however some may take concern with the motor\u2019s audible grind because it travels alongside the rod.<\/p>\n

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Battery life additionally isn\u2019t 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\u2019ve resorted to attaching a battery pack and resting it on the window sill to cost.<\/p>\n

SwitchBot sells a $29.99 Solar Panel Charger<\/a>, however given the location of my curtain rod (it\u2019s nicely above my window), this isn\u2019t a viable possibility for me. That is additionally why the Curtain Rod 2\u2019s light-sensing characteristic that enables the system to routinely open when it views gentle doesn\u2019t work for me (the curtain rod is simply too excessive for the sensor).<\/p>\n

Whereas SwitchBot\u2019s Curtain Rod 2 isn\u2019t excellent, it nonetheless works nicely and is cheaper than most established sensible curtain choices (particularly in the event you\u2019re 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.<\/p>\n

SwitchBot\u2019s Curtain Rod 2 is available on Amazon for $135.59<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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