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Expert’s Rating
Execs
- A bit enhanced operation and design and style compared to the first
- Intuitive procedure, with plenty of automation solutions
- Light sensing mode operates well—even although it is in beta
Cons
- Nonetheless an unattractive incorporate-on if your curtains aren’t fully opaque
- Not extremely tranquil
- Hub essential for broader clever dwelling integration
Our Verdict
Small updates make improvements to on the authentic SwitchBot Curtain although retaining pricing intact.
Price tag When Reviewed
$99.00
Best Price ranges These days: SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2
$84.14
Totally free
Final year’s SwitchBot Curtain was a first rate to start with endeavor at automating the opening and closing of curtains, but the enterprise plainly saw that its variation-1 launch had some increasing to do. The great news is that the Curtain Rod 2 will make considerable improvements on the layout and function of the primary SwitchBot Curtain. The better information is that the price hasn’t transformed, remaining at $99 for a solitary gadget. (Try to remember that if you have double curtains, you are going to require to obtain one particular for just about every facet.)
The in general seem of the Curtain Rod 2 is about the identical as the unique: It’s a chunky, rectangular device with two scaled-down parts that snap onto to either side of its motor. While the first Curtain hooked up to a rod with a removeable piece that clipped to the best of the curtain rod, sandwiching it between the motor underneath and the hunk of plastic previously mentioned, the new Curtain Rod 2 is self-contained, with a pair of more convenient (and moderately extra attractive) spring-loaded clips that clutch the rod like a pair of wheeled claws.
The SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2 is developed for these sorts of curtains hung on a conventional round curtain rod.
Switchbot
That spring is limited, which made it a tiny tough to affix the Curtain Rod 2 to a thick curtain rod (the machine nonetheless supports rods 15- to 40mm in diameter), but not extremely hard. As with the initial-gen device, you’ll need to buy a different product if as a substitute of typical cylindrical rod, you have both I Rail or U Rail tracks. You are going to want to put in modest plastic clips atop your curtain’s tabs to give the motor something to thrust from as it moves if you have grommet-type curtains, an bundled string of beads with clips attached will help to achieve the same matter, but this adds a bit of complexity.
SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2 is Bluetooth only, unless…
The SwitchBot Curtain 2 remains a Bluetooth-only unit, which tends to make for a fast set up. If you also have a SwitchBot Hub Mini ($39), you can bridge the bot to your Wi-Fi community, letting you to use the controller when you’re away from dwelling. You can also pair it with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri shortcuts, and IFTTT, between other individuals. You can skip the hub if you need only nearby manage with your smartphone.
The beefy unit (it weighs extra than a pound) even now involves a battery that prices by using USB-C cable (incorporated). The producer offers no technical specs on predicted battery lifespan, but you can obtain a $19 photo voltaic panel to maintain the battery topped off.
SwitchBot’s app is nicely designed and easy to use. The Gentle Sensing characteristic functions pretty effectively, in particular thinking about that it is nevertheless being beta examined.
Christopher Null/Foundry
Set up is rapid and consists of a quick calibration to tell the app exactly where the curtains’ right open and closed positions are at. Handbook handle is uncomplicated and intuitive—open, near, or pause—while a lot more good-grained control allows you partially open up or near drapes, set procedure on a hold off timer, or configure a recurring plan for procedure.
A mild-sensing element lets you automate curtain functions based on ambient light-weight, and it works amazingly well thinking of it is continue to heading by beta screening. Ultimately, for most modes you can inform SwitchBot to operate in Performance Manner or a quieter Silent Mode. The latter ratchets down the motor electricity, on the other hand, which can induce it to get trapped mid-operation if it’s shifting weighty drapes.
SwitchBot’s optional photo voltaic panel, $19, will keep the SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2’s battery topped off, but remember you will need to have 1 for each and every SwitchBot (and you will need to have two SwitchBots if you have two curtains that close by conference in the center).
SwitchBot
In General performance Mode, the motor feels extra effective than the original, though irrespective of whether that is an update to the real hardware or the effects of the redesign is extremely hard for me to say. (SwitchBot doesn’t supply horsepower specs, while both equally styles declare to aid a optimum curtain weight of 17 kilos.) In any scenario, I discovered the movement to be smoother and additional assured than on the before model.
The modestly improved SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2
This next-gen gadget does not address all the troubles of the initial style and design. If you have mini blinds directly underneath your curtains, for example, the unit can drag towards them as it moves, making problems. And, of training course, a lot of varieties of curtains won’t conceal the nevertheless industrial-seeking SwitchBot very well, if at all. That mentioned, opening curtains is no one’s preferred position when morning arrives the primary SwitchBot Curtain went a very long way toward streamlining that process. This update only increases it—albeit modestly.
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