Last month I wrote about the smart technology we love most in our home, and I promised a deeper dive into our motorized blinds. They’ve become one of my favorite smart-home upgrades, so here’s where we got them, why we chose them, how they’re powered, the pros and cons, and how much they cost.
Note: I keep calling them “blinds” even though they’re technically roller shades.
One of the most common questions I heard—yes, even from my partner Sherry—was whether motorized shades were worth it. Sherry was skeptical at first but has since become a convert.
Why Install Smart Blinds or Shades?
Motorized window coverings had been on my wish list for years. In our previous house I was manually opening and closing blinds across multiple bedrooms every morning and evening. It wasn’t difficult, but once we started automating routines like wake-up and bedtime, motorized shades felt like the logical next step.
We didn’t retrofit our old home because converting 15 existing blinds would have been prohibitively expensive. When we moved into our current house, however, we had no window coverings and only needed five shades in bedrooms, so the cost and visual result made sense.
We opted for roller shades rather than traditional blinds because roller shades disappear more fully when open, preserving a clean, modern look and providing consistent curb appeal from the street. Roller shades also seemed like a natural fit for automation since the manual versions can be fussy to operate.
After persuading Sherry to price them out, she agreed to try five motorized shades. Now she’s as pleased with them as I am.
What Smart Shades Did We Choose?
We ordered Bali blackout roller shades through Blinds.com with motorization added. We’d used Blinds.com before and had a positive experience with their products and customer service, so it was an easy decision to return to them.
Blinds.com offers many motorization-compatible styles, but once we narrowed our criteria to blackout, roller shade, and smart-home compatibility, the choice came down to Blinds.com’s brand or Bali. We chose Bali because the product reviews and recommendations we’d heard were strong.
We selected a fabric called Acadia Vintage Veil, a light neutral sand tone with subtle texture that feels more refined than a plain vinyl shade. When ordering, make sure to select Z-Wave motorization as the lift option if you want smart control.
How Does The Smart Shade Get Power?
Motorized shades are typically powered by solar, battery, or plug-in electricity. Solar wasn’t available for our selection, so we considered batteries versus a plug-in. Each option has trade-offs:
Solar Powered Blinds Pros & Cons
- PRO: Cord-free and eco-friendly
- PRO: Recharges automatically
- CON: Ineffective on windows that don’t get direct sun
- CON: Solar strip may be visible from outside
Battery Powered Blinds Pros & Cons
- PRO: Cord-free with no nearby outlet required
- PRO: Rechargeable batteries reduce replacement frequency
- CON: Battery packs can be bulky for some frames
- CON: Require periodic recharging or battery replacement
Plug-in Blinds Pros & Cons
- PRO: Reliable continuous power without recharging
- PRO: No bulky battery packs or visible solar panels
- CON: Requires an outlet nearby
- CON: Thin power cord may be visible along trim
We chose plug-in power to avoid dealing with battery changes. The cord is very thin and relatively unobtrusive once routed along trim or behind furniture, and most visitors don’t even notice it.
Do I Need Any Other Equipment To Make Them Smart?
Yes. To control the shades via app or voice, you need a gateway. Blinds.com offers a Bali gateway, but because the Bali motors use Z-Wave, you can use any compatible Z-Wave hub instead. One gateway typically supports up to 15 devices.
We used a Samsung SmartThings hub at the time, but other Z-Wave hubs like Aeotec work as well. After connecting a hub, you download the relevant app—Bali Motorization or a hub app like SmartThings—to configure controls, schedules, and presets. For hands-free control, add a voice assistant such as an Amazon Echo or Google Home and create routines that trigger groups of shades.
How Much Did They Cost?
Our five motorized blackout roller shades averaged about $300 per window, totaling roughly $1,450. That included blackout fabric and the motorization add-on. At the time of purchase motorization added roughly $145–$190 per shade depending on the power option. Prices vary and sales can reduce the total, but this felt reasonable compared to custom motorized options we’d seen.
Were They Difficult To Install & Set-Up?
Installation was straightforward—mount the brackets, snap the shade in place, and plug it in. Setup to connect them to your hub and create routines took a little time but was comparable to other Wi‑Fi or smart-home devices. Each shade also has a manual button for direct control if needed.
How Did You Hide The Cord?
We routed the thin cord along a seam at the top corner of the window trim and down the side, securing it with small finish nails. In most rooms the cord tucks behind furniture or blends into trim and is barely noticeable. Where longer routing was required we used a cord cover along the baseboard to conceal the run.
If you pair shades with curtains, the cord is completely hidden behind the panel.
Were They Worth It?
Yes. The convenience and flexibility have proven valuable:
Automating Morning and Evening Routines
We integrated the shades into our morning and bedtime routines. A single voice command raises all the shades in the morning; another command lowers them at night. It’s satisfying, efficient, and a favorite “party trick.” It’s also practical—group commands let us control the whole house or individual rooms with ease.
Making Shades Kid-Friendly
Motorized shades are easier and safer for kids to use. They can control lights and privacy hands-free, there are no cords to tangle with, and the fabric stays cleaner since nobody needs to touch the shade directly.
Creating Quiet Kid “Alarm Clocks”
We use the shades as gentle, soundless wake-up cues by programming them to raise partway at different times for each child. The light acts as a subtle alarm that helps siblings remain undisturbed while one child gets ready.
Added Security When Away
Scheduled open-and-close routines create the appearance that someone is home while we’re away, which is a simple security benefit similar to timed lights.
Are There Any Downsides?
The main downsides are higher cost compared to non-motorized shades and occasional connectivity hiccups. One shade at the far end of our Z-Wave network has on rare occasions lost connection, but manual controls and hub-based retries usually resolve it. With plug-in shades you should consider potential power outages—if outages are frequent in your area, battery-powered shades might be a better choice.
Any Other Tips?
Order a test blind before committing to a full-house purchase. We learned from a single sample that we should choose “reverse roll” instead of “standard roll,” which ensures the decorative face of the fabric is visible at the top of the shade rather than the white blackout liner. That small change made a big visual difference. If you do order a test, it can help you confirm fabric, roll direction, and power option before placing the rest of the order.
What Else Should I Smart-ify In My House?
If you’re beginning to add smart tech, start small: smart plugs, smart bulbs, or a voice assistant are inexpensive ways to begin. From there you can expand into automated routines, security devices, or other motorized elements that improve convenience and comfort.
In short: motorized roller shades have been one of the smartest upgrades we’ve made. They’re not essential, but for us they’re a very worthwhile convenience that blends well with daily routines, improves privacy and kid-friendliness, and adds a subtle security benefit when we’re away.
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