Smart shades and automatic curtains used to be luxury gadgets found only in high-end hotels or the homes of the rich and famous. Nowadays, they are more affordable and accessible than ever. You can measure up, order, and install them yourself. We have spent months testing to find the best smart shades and retrofit options to smarten up your regular shades, blinds, or curtains.

Automated shades may sound frivolous, but they offer practical benefits. Beyond scheduling and voice commands, you can enjoy greater privacy, regulate the temperature by keeping the sun out or the heat in, and be gently awoken in the morning. But even the best smart shades have their pitfalls, so we’ll kick off with some tips to help you avoid them.

Updated October 2024: We added shades by OmniaBlinds, Lutron, and Canisteo, as well as a new don’t recommend section; removed a discontinued device; and updated prices.

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