Can I automate my existing blinds?

Yes! Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 works with chain roller shades, SwitchBot Curtain 3 works with curtain track curtains. You don't need to buy new blinds.

How long does the battery last?

IKEA FYRTUR: 4-6 months. Aqara E1: 2 months. SwitchBot: 8 months (or infinite with solar panel). Depends on usage.

Does IKEA FYRTUR work with Home Assistant?

Yes, via Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA. Pairing can be a bit tricky, but works well once set up. You don't need IKEA's hub.

What's the difference between FYRTUR and KADRILJ?

FYRTUR is 100% blackout - perfect for bedrooms. KADRILJ is semi-transparent and filters light without blocking completely.

Can I control blinds based on the sun?

Yes! Home Assistant can trigger on sunrise/sunset, sun position, and even calculate if the sun hits a specific window based on azimuth.

Are smart blinds worth it?

Absolutely for bedrooms (automatic blackout) and south-facing windows (block heat in summer). The savings on cooling can be significant.

Smart Blinds & Shades

Blinds Automation Energy

Smart blinds provide automatic light and temperature control - close blinds at sunset, open at sunrise, or block sun when it gets too hot. Combined with sensors, you get an intelligent home that adapts itself.

🎯 Types of Smart Blinds

Overview

Type	Description	Installation	Price
Complete blind	Motor built-in	Replace existing	💰💰
Retrofit motor	Motor for existing	Add to blind	💰
Chain driver	Rotates bead chain	Simple addition	💰
Track motor	Motor for curtain track	Mount on track	💰💰

What Should You Choose?

graph TD
    A[Do you have existing blinds?] -->|Yes| B[What type?]
    A -->|No| C[IKEA FYRTUR or SmartWings]
    B -->|Roller shade w/ chain| D[Aqara Driver E1]
    B -->|Curtains on track| E[SwitchBot Curtain 3]
    B -->|Venetian blinds| F[Sunsa Wand or Aqara]

🏆 IKEA FYRTUR - Best Budget

Why IKEA FYRTUR?

Price: ~$130-200 (depending on size)

FYRTUR is the best choice for most people:

✅ Complete solution (blind + motor)
✅ 100% blackout
✅ Zigbee (works with ZHA, Z2M)
✅ Remote included
✅ Rechargeable battery (4-6 months)
✅ HomeKit/Alexa/Google via DIRIGERA
✅ Multiple sizes (23-48 inch width)

Disadvantages:

❌ Limited sizes
❌ Only gray/white colors
❌ Zigbee pairing can be tricky

Other IKEA models:

Model	Type	Price ~
FYRTUR	Blackout	$130-200
KADRILJ	Semi-transparent	$130-190
PRAKTLYSING	Cellular blackout	$160-220
TREDANSEN	Cellular blackout	$160-220

HA Integration via ZHA/Z2M

FYRTUR works best with Zigbee2MQTT:

# Zigbee2MQTT configuration
# Pair: Hold pairing button 10 sec (on motor)

# Entities:
# - cover.ikea_fyrtur_living_room
# - sensor.ikea_fyrtur_living_room_battery

# Example: Open at sunrise
automation:
  - alias: "Open blinds at sunrise"
    trigger:
      - platform: sun
        event: sunrise
        offset: "00:15:00"
    condition:
      - condition: workday
    action:
      - service: cover.open_cover
        entity_id: cover.ikea_fyrtur_bedroom

  - alias: "Close blinds at sunset"
    trigger:
      - platform: sun
        event: sunset
        offset: "-00:15:00"
    action:
      - service: cover.close_cover
        entity_id:
          - cover.ikea_fyrtur_living_room
          - cover.ikea_fyrtur_bedroom

Buy: IKEA

🔧 Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1

Why Aqara Driver E1?

Price: ~$55

Aqara E1 motorizes existing roller shades:

✅ Retrofit (keep your shade)
✅ Zigbee 3.0
✅ USB-C charging
✅ 2-month battery
✅ HomeKit via Aqara hub
✅ Works with bead chains
✅ Easy 10-min installation

Disadvantages:

❌ Requires Aqara hub for HomeKit
❌ Only for chain-operated shades
❌ Visible motor unit

Compatible chains:

Plastic beads: 3-6 mm
Metal balls: 3-4.5 mm

HA Integration

Via Aqara hub or direct ZHA/Z2M:

# Direct Zigbee pairing
# Entities:
# - cover.aqara_roller_shade_kitchen
# - sensor.aqara_roller_shade_kitchen_battery

# Example: Close on high temperature
automation:
  - alias: "Close blinds on heat"
    trigger:
      - platform: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.living_room_temperature
        above: 75  # Fahrenheit
    condition:
      - condition: sun
        after: sunrise
        before: sunset
    action:
      - service: cover.close_cover
        entity_id: cover.aqara_roller_shade_living_room

Buy: Amazon, AliExpress

🎭 SwitchBot Curtain 3 - For Curtain Tracks

Why SwitchBot Curtain 3?

Price: ~$100

SwitchBot Curtain 3 motorizes curtain tracks:

✅ Works with U-rail and I-rail tracks
✅ Solar panel accessory (never charge)
✅ Touch & Go (pull to activate)
✅ QuietDrift mode (ultra quiet)
✅ Matter support via Hub
✅ Up to 35 lbs curtain

Disadvantages:

❌ Requires Hub for full smart integration
❌ Visible on track
❌ Bluetooth only without hub

Accessories:

Product	Price ~
SwitchBot Hub Mini	$42
Solar Panel	$21
Remote	$21

HA Integration

Requires SwitchBot Hub for WiFi:

# Via SwitchBot integration
# Settings → Devices → SwitchBot

# Entities:
# - cover.switchbot_curtain_living_room
# - sensor.switchbot_curtain_living_room_battery
# - sensor.switchbot_curtain_living_room_light

# Example: Open on morning motion
automation:
  - alias: "Open curtains on morning activity"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: binary_sensor.bedroom_motion
        to: "on"
    condition:
      - condition: time
        after: "06:00:00"
        before: "09:00:00"
      - condition: state
        entity_id: cover.switchbot_curtain_bedroom
        state: "closed"
    action:
      - service: cover.open_cover
        entity_id: cover.switchbot_curtain_bedroom

Buy: SwitchBot.com, Amazon

🏗️ Zemismart - DIY Motor

Price: ~$55-110

Zemismart offers standalone tubular motors for roller shades:

Model	Protocol	Price ~	Best for
AM15	Zigbee	$70	Smart home
AM25	WiFi/Tuya	$55	Tuya ecosystem
Solar	Zigbee + solar	$100	Hard to reach
Battery	RF + battery	$85	Simple setup

Installation

⚠️ Requires DIY experience:

Remove existing shade
Mount tubular motor in tube
Reinstall fabric
Pair with Zigbee/WiFi

Pro tip: Buy motor matching your tube diameter (25mm, 35mm, 38mm).

Buy: AliExpress, Amazon

💎 Premium: Lutron Serena

Price: ~$400-1000+

Lutron Serena is the premium solution:

Pros	Cons
✅ 200+ fabric/color choices	❌ Very expensive
✅ Perfect integration	❌ Requires Lutron hub
✅ Professional quality	❌ Custom order
✅ Super quiet motor
✅ Battery or wired
✅ HomeKit/Alexa/Google

Home Assistant

# Lutron Caséta integration
# Settings → Devices → Lutron Caséta

# Entities:
# - cover.serena_living_room
# - cover.serena_bedroom

Buy: Lutron.com

🏠 Smart Automations

Basic: Sunrise/Sunset

automation:
  - alias: "Blinds at sunrise"
    trigger:
      - platform: sun
        event: sunrise
        offset: "00:15:00"
    condition:
      - condition: workday
    action:
      - service: cover.open_cover
        entity_id:
          - cover.bedroom
          - cover.living_room

  - alias: "Blinds at sunset"
    trigger:
      - platform: sun
        event: sunset
        offset: "-00:15:00"
    action:
      - service: cover.close_cover
        entity_id: all

Advanced: Temperature-based

automation:
  - alias: "Block sun on heat"
    trigger:
      - platform: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.living_room_temperature
        above: 77  # Fahrenheit
    condition:
      - condition: sun
        after: sunrise
        before: sunset
      - condition: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.outdoor_temperature
        above: 68
    action:
      - service: cover.close_cover
        entity_id: cover.living_room_south
      - service: notify.mobile_app
        data:
          title: "Blinds closed"
          message: "Blocking sun due to temperature over 77°F"

  - alias: "Open blinds when cooling"
    trigger:
      - platform: numeric_state
        entity_id: sensor.living_room_temperature
        below: 73
    condition:
      - condition: state
        entity_id: cover.living_room_south
        state: "closed"
    action:
      - service: cover.open_cover
        entity_id: cover.living_room_south

Theater Mode (with media)

automation:
  - alias: "Close blinds for movie"
    trigger:
      - platform: state
        entity_id: media_player.living_room_tv
        to: "playing"
    condition:
      - condition: template
        value_template: >
          {{ state_attr('media_player.living_room_tv', 'media_content_type') == 'movie' }}
      - condition: sun
        before: sunset
    action:
      - service: cover.close_cover
        entity_id: cover.living_room
      - service: light.turn_on
        entity_id: light.living_room
        data:
          brightness_pct: 10

Vacation Mode

automation:
  - alias: "Simulate presence"
    trigger:
      - platform: time_pattern
        hours: "/2"  # Every 2 hours
    condition:
      - condition: state
        entity_id: input_boolean.vacation_mode
        state: "on"
      - condition: sun
        after: sunset
        before: sunrise
    action:
      - delay:
          minutes: "{{ range(5, 30)|random }}"
      - service: cover.set_cover_position
        entity_id: cover.living_room
        data:
          position: "{{ range(20, 80)|random }}"

🛒 Buying Strategy

Starter - One window (~$130)

1x IKEA FYRTUR ($130)
Total: ~$130

Basic - 3 windows (~$240)

3x Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 ($165)
1x Aqara Hub M2 ($70)
Existing roller shades
Total: ~$235

Complete living room (~$570)

2x IKEA FYRTUR ($340)
2x SwitchBot Curtain 3 ($200)
1x SwitchBot Hub Mini ($42)
Total: ~$582

Whole house (~$1,400)

6x IKEA FYRTUR ($1,020)
2x Aqara Driver E1 ($110)
1x Aqara Hub ($70)
2x SwitchBot Curtain ($200)
Total: ~$1,400

🛒 Where to Buy?

Complete Solutions

IKEA - FYRTUR, KADRILJ
Lutron.com - Premium Serena

Retrofit Motors

Amazon - Aqara, SwitchBot
AliExpress - Zemismart, budget
SwitchBot.com - Curtain 3

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

Can I automate my existing blinds?: Yes! Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 works with chain roller shades, SwitchBot Curtain 3 works with curtain track curtains. You don't need to buy new blinds.
How long does the battery last?: IKEA FYRTUR: 4-6 months. Aqara E1: 2 months. SwitchBot: 8 months (or infinite with solar panel). Depends on usage.
Does IKEA FYRTUR work with Home Assistant?: Yes, via Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA. Pairing can be a bit tricky, but works well once set up. You don't need IKEA's hub.
What's the difference between FYRTUR and KADRILJ?: FYRTUR is 100% blackout - perfect for bedrooms. KADRILJ is semi-transparent and filters light without blocking completely.
Can I control blinds based on the sun?: Yes! Home Assistant can trigger on sunrise/sunset, sun position, and even calculate if the sun hits a specific window based on azimuth.
Are smart blinds worth it?: Absolutely for bedrooms (automatic blackout) and south-facing windows (block heat in summer). The savings on cooling can be significant.

📚 Next Steps

Smart Lighting

Combine blinds with lighting.

See guide →

Smart Thermostats

Optimize temperature with blinds.

See guide →

Last updated: December 2025

Smart Blinds & Shades

🎯 Types of Smart Blinds

Overview

What Should You Choose?

🏆 IKEA FYRTUR - Best Budget

Why IKEA FYRTUR?

Easy Installation

Charging

HA Integration via ZHA/Z2M

🔧 Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1

Why Aqara Driver E1?

10-Minute Installation

HA Integration

🎭 SwitchBot Curtain 3 - For Curtain Tracks

Why SwitchBot Curtain 3?

Installation on Track

HA Integration

🏗️ Zemismart - DIY Motor

Installation

💎 Premium: Lutron Serena

Home Assistant

🏠 Smart Automations

Basic: Sunrise/Sunset

Advanced: Temperature-based

Theater Mode (with media)

Vacation Mode

🛒 Buying Strategy

Starter - One window (~$130)

Basic - 3 windows (~$240)

Complete living room (~$570)

Whole house (~$1,400)

🛒 Where to Buy?

Complete Solutions

Retrofit Motors

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Ofte stillede spørgsmål

📚 Next Steps

Kommentarer