Smart Shades Revolution: Weffort Motorised Shades for Seamless Home Automation

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My first experience of smart blinds was the premium-priced Luxaflex PowerView, which I reviewed back in 2021. They are great blinds, but I unfortunately have a lot of sleep problems and need a completely dark room, which they did not provide.

I then went in the other direction when reviewing the affordable Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1, which I paired with some cheap £15 blackout blinds from Argos.

Last year, I replaced those with the SmartWings Blinds, which I loved. These are made to measure, but you need to measure and install them yourself, and they use a Matter of Thread motor, allowing for easy integration with Home Assistant.

They have been fantastic, but I ordered them to fit on the outside of the window frame, and while the blackout material performed perfectly, they still let a lot of light through the sides.

So, when Weffort got in touch with a similar review offer, I eagerly accepted and ordered some blinds for the inside of the frame, which also included some light blockers.

The Weffort blinds appear to use the same hardware as SmartWings, and I suspect they are all made in the same factory.

Therefore, they are basically the same as the SmartWings, but they do have slightly different options when ordering, and they appear to be cheaper, which is always welcome.

Configuration Options / Ordering

Similar to SmartWings, these blinds are custom-made based on your measurements and the wide range of choices available through their ordering system. You can purchase directly from Weffort’s website or through their Amazon storefront, though I’d recommend the main website as it offers more comprehensive configuration options and guidance.

The main thing you need to be careful about is measuring. When I ordered the SmartWings blinds, I deliberately chose the outside mount, so I didn’t have to be accurate with my measurements. But, too much light bleeds out of the sides.

For these, I decided to replace my extremely expensive Luxaflex shades and install them inside the frame. I was able to cheat a little by measuring the Luxaflex cassette after I removed it to confirm my measurements were correct.

The customisation process is straightforward, with clear guidance throughout. If you’re unsure about anything, I highly recommend using their “get in touch” option where you can receive expert advice on which type of blind best suits your needs and how to configure them properly.

With the inside mounting, I was also able to add the light blockers. These are simple pieces of C-shaped metal that guide the blinds to fit down the side, stopping light from bleeding out of the sides.

For my bedroom installation, I selected a blackout roller shade. The company also offers what they call “zebra” or “dual” shades for situations where you want variable light control rather than complete darkness. These feature alternating opaque and translucent stripes that can be aligned to control light levels precisely.

One consideration during ordering is the motor position. You can specify whether you want the motor on the left or right side of the blind, which matters if you’re planning to use the solar panel option or need access to the USB-C charging port. I made the mistake of not properly considering sunlight patterns when placing my order, which affected the solar panel effectiveness.

The range of colours and materials is quite extensive, from traditional neutral tones to bolder options. I went with the “Denim” colour for my blackout shade, which fits well with my bedroom decor. The material quality feels substantial and well-constructed.

Smart Integration Options

The blinds come with multiple smart home integration options. The Matter over Thread protocol ensures compatibility with most major home automation systems, including Home Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. This is a significant advantage over proprietary systems that lock you into a single ecosystem.

Battery life is rated at approximately 600 operations, which translates to roughly six months of normal use before requiring a recharge. The USB-C charging port makes this process straightforward, and a full charge takes 6-7 hours. You can even use a power bank if the blinds are in a hard-to-reach location.

The optional solar panel is a nice touch for continuous operation, though its effectiveness depends heavily on your window’s sun exposure. The panel is discrete and sits behind the shade, requiring just a couple of hours of sunlight daily to maintain charge.

My Order Details

Item Details
Product Weffort Motorized Blackout Roller Shades – Dark Series
Price $492.96
Colour Denim
Mount Type Inside
Custom Width 44″
Width Fraction 3/8″
Custom Height 57″
Height Fraction 1/2″
Motor Type Battery Motor
Smart Solution Matter Motor over Thread
Valance Type Standard
Bottom Rod Black Square
Remote Controller 5-Channel Remote
Solar Panel Solar Panel
Light Blocker White Side Rail Track (60″ ≤ H < 80″)
Roll Position Reverse
Motor Side Right
Extended Warranty None
Room Label Bedroom

These are assembled in China and shipped globally. I was told they would take 8-10 days, but I think they arrived faster than that.

Physical Installation

The installation process is basically the same as the SmartWings blinds. There are mounting brackets that you screw into the window frame, then the cassette clips on. The system uses three spring-loaded clips that make installation and removal straightforward.

I was worried my measurements would be wrong for the inside of my frame, but it appears that I did it just right, and they squeezed in. The measuring instructions on the website are clear, but accuracy is critical for inside mounting. If you are worried about getting the measurements right, consider outside mounting as it allows for more flexibility in case of errors. However, this option may compromise the clean look and light-blocking performance of the blinds.

For the light blockers, they consist of two aluminum rails that the blinds slide into, attached to the frame using 3M adhesive tape. While they are functional, they may not enhance the overall aesthetic of the window, giving it an industrial appearance.

The components of the blinds feel well-made, with a compact motor housing and a weighted bottom rail for smooth operation. The included remote control has a simple design and can operate up to five blinds independently or all at once, although it requires being in close proximity to the blind for reliable operation.

Integrating the blinds with Home Assistant was straightforward, using a different pairing method to avoid previous connection issues. The blinds show up in Home Assistant as Deyi Smart, the original manufacturer.

The motor produces a moderate amount of noise during operation, comparable to other battery-operated blind motors. The battery life is around 600 operations, with USB-C charging taking 6-7 hours for a full charge.

The solar panel option can significantly extend battery life or eliminate the need for manual charging, but careful positioning is necessary for optimal effectiveness.

The light-blocking performance of the blinds is improved compared to outside-mounted blinds, although some light leakage may still occur due to imperfect window frames. With some DIY adjustments, these issues can be mitigated.

Overall, the blinds provide a darkened room for improved sleep quality, even though they may not achieve complete blackout. The light blockers may compromise the window’s appearance, but the blind material itself looks modern and operates smoothly. The compact motor housing of the Weffort Smart Motorised Shades ensures it is not obtrusive, resulting in a cleaner overall profile compared to other similar products.

Price and Alternative Options:
Determining a specific price for these blinds is challenging due to the wide range of configuration options available. For my recent order, the total price came to $492. The base price for the Weffort Motorised Blackout Roller Shades is $120, making it $60 cheaper than the SmartWings alternative. Additionally, the Matter over Thread motor adds $90 to the price, while the SmartWings equivalent costs $95. When pricing up the same specifications on the SmartWings website, the total amounts to $532.94. In contrast, the Luxaflex / Hunter Douglas blinds, which I previously reviewed, were priced at £1,122. Despite being visually impressive, the price includes measuring and fitting, and Luxaflex boasts a wider range of options, making it more suitable for those seeking a premium option with installation services.

Overall:
Having previously reviewed and currently using the SmartWings smart shades, I have found them to be reliable over the past year. The Weffort Smart Motorised Shades appear to be essentially the same product but are $41 cheaper, representing an 8% cost saving. Both brands offer various materials and color options, so it is advisable to explore both websites to determine which style suits your preferences. SmartWings also features appealing options, such as the POE Matter over Ethernet Motor, which is a more preferable choice for individuals renovating their homes and planning Ethernet runs for this purpose. In conclusion, I believe the Weffort blinds are excellent and highly recommend them.

Author Bio:
James, a tech enthusiast based in the UK, is the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget since 2007. With a passion for technology spanning computers, networking, mobile devices, wearables, and smart home gadgets, he brings a unique perspective to tech blogging. His diverse interests also extend to fitness-related technology, a niche he covers extensively on his blog. James holds a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN and a Master’s Degree in Computing, along with Cisco CCNA accreditation, showcasing his commitment to staying abreast of technological advancements. Recognized by Vuelio as one of the top technology blogs in the UK, James continues to provide engaging and informative content to his readers. transform the following