Everything You Need With SwitchBot Blind Tilt Controller // Review, Setup, Settings

The new SwitchBot Blind Tilt can create smart blinds in your home without tools and in just minutes. This is a true DIY smart blinds installation and it's something you can do in about 5 minutes.

SwitchBot smart blinds can be controlled in tons of ways, with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, IFTTT, and Siri Shortcuts all being available out of the box.

These SwitchBot Blind Tilt controllers are so easy to install. The custom control options in the app, the included solar panel for potentially extending the battery life forever, and the way they run in both a silent and a performance mode gives you the options you'll need. They're highly compatible smart blinds that will work with most horizontal blinds in your home.

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Thanks for watching, and Don't Hate, Automate.

Brian

[Slocko]

I kinda wanted to see more of it in action.

Very well thought out with the instructions and the measuring tape.

[c]

This would be great for the physically handicapped. You perform such a service for us. Thanks, Brian!

[garethjones]

Switchbot keep pushing forward with useful versions of their hardware

[garyhenderson]

Alexa, "neighbour is doing her aerobic exercises in the garden". open. Alexa "her husbands Blinds close

[mostlysondheim]

EXACTLY what I need for smart blinds. Any thoughts on Home Assistant intégration?

[dvwebster]

Great review Brian, thanks.

One problem I have found with the control of all the DIY automated blinds I have looked at is that their integrated schedules are too simple.

In particular for bedrooms, I like my blinds to open at sunrise or wakeup time, whichever is the later event. This ensures that sunlight during the summer months doesn't wake me up too early, and in the darker winter months it maintains privacy while I'm getting up with the lights on in the bedroom.

At night having the blinds close at sunset, or at a fixed bedtime, whichever is the earlier event, is of course trivial to solve with two schedules, so most blinds can do this OK.

BTW I am currently using the Soma Blinds Tilt 2 add-on motor for my venetian blinds and implementing the above automation rules in SmartThings.

[EsotericArctos]

Watching this now as I just received 3 of them via the kick starter. They are so darn quiet compared to the Soma Tilt 2. The mount to the blind rail is a little different in the production and no longer integrated to the Solar Panel. The Solar Panel is still included, and just plugs into the side of the mount at the top. There are two light sensors in the device. One in the Solar Panel and one in the Motor unit, where the LED is. Switchbot have also included a proper template so you can install in the right position with no errors now. Really great device. The major drawback is no Homekit support, no API as of today (4 Jan 2022) and no support in Home Assistant.
In the App it looks like the plan to do an AI integration using the motor based light sensor to adjust the blinds depending on internal light level, as well as still having the option to use sunlight/external light to adjust the blinds. I am quite impressed with the Solar Panel. It still charges, even when not in direct sunlight as long as it is fairly bright.
Having the ability to use the wand and the app still knows where the blind position is really is a fantastic thing. Totally blows SOMA Tilt away with that. Unfrotunately, due to the lack of third party integration, I can't yet replace the two SOMA Tilts I have with these as I still use automations in Home Assistant. Hopefully that will change when the API is released, which is rumoured to be in February

[bradkrekelberg]

We're using Sunsa wands. The Switchbot kits seem to offer a few advantages over Sunsa at a lower price! It'll be interesting to see how they hold up over time.

[lance]

I'm glad that you were able to get this early. I'm a beta tester. I'm lucky. 1. I can't understand how it would work. If you don't use the solar panel, wouldn't it just spin itself on the wand? I'm using the solar panel but
2. I stuck mine on the side panel not the window because wouldn't it not work if you opened your window on a nice cool day?
3. I have a pixel 6 phone and they have noted connectivity issues with that platform. I have a tablet that works but even once you have it cloud connected the app doesn't work with a Pixel phone
In general, this is a really great device and the noise. I don't think you're going to have it opening and closing while you're sleeping and so who really cares or there's noises all over your house anyway like in the kitchen or living room

[El-Tejano]

Definitely want to get these for blinds on a vaulted ceiling wall.
I wonder if I can install my blinds backwards to hide the device and give it a cleaner look?

[vegaswayne]

If you turned the blinds around so the rod is on the window side it would hide everything and make the wiring for the solar panel easier.

[philipperostin]

Installed mine today. Was a breathe and work great. Yet to see if the solar panels will suffice keeping them charged. Great stuff. Came with a hub, a remote and 3 nfc tags !

[EsotericArctos]

I've been waiting for something like this. The only option I had seen until now was Soma and they lack a lot of features, including the ability to use a physical button if needed. Switchbot is also cheaper... Can't wait to get this in Australia.

[jpinchefsky]

Thanks Brian! I've been waiting a long time for this.
Are you still able to manually twist the rod to open the blinds?

[AnhHaoAndD]

This is great. But I have a question: Your smart home seems to use everything in Bluetooth. Does it make network congestion?

[nmraidernation.]

I like the less is more mentally so these look sort of bulky. Are they a eye sore and how is the connection, do switchbot devices keep a consistent connection or does one have to continuously reconnect them?
Great review as usual and thanks!

[PhillyDjHook]

Damn you Brian. I was trying to save some money. Oh well, let me open my Amazon app and order this. I've been waiting for this.

[imuchdurians]

Could wand controlled vertical blinds like we have in Australia be used.

[keningilbert]

I was just thinking the other day about how hard to reach the blinds behind the sofa are in my bay window. This seems like the perfect solution. While cost seems reasonable, I've never bought off of kickstarter so I have a newbie question. Are products usually cheaper once they are off Kickstarter and released to open market?

[asprywrites]

What's your opinion of the solar powering? Is it still efficient after a couple days? Is there a long wait before being fully charged? Does it keep things at 100%? Do you need direct sunlight?