SwitchBot Blind Tilt Review: Turn Your Slat Blinds Into Smart Blinds
SwitchBot Blind Tilt
Despite needing to tweak the light sensing settings, the Blind Tilt works perfectly to control existing blinds. And, it can be controlled in any way that works for you; from voice, remote control, app, or NFC tag. Along with the SwitchBot Curtain, mini plugs, and other devices, the SwitchBot Blind Tilt makes one more thing easy to control in your home.
The newest addition to SwitchBot’s extensive line of retrofit smart devices, the Blind Tilt allows users to control their window blinds in a number of smart ways. Like the other SwitchBot devices, it works with Alexa, Google, and a Siri shortcut. And, like the rest of the SwitchBot devices, it’s easy to install, inexpensive, and the perfect blind opener for renters who can’t modify the fittings.
The Blind Tilt is available for pre-order on Kickstarter, and while that would normally come with a disclaimer, we don’t expect any risks in backing this one as SwitchBot is an established company with a proven track record of delivering. But will it work for you?
Works With the Blinds You Already Own
The best thing about the SwitchBot Blind Tilt is that it works with your existing blinds. SwitchBot has previously launched aretrofit curtain opener, SwitchBot Curtain,so blind control was the natural next step. If the blinds use a twisting rod wand, it can be installed in minutes. While many tech products claim fast installation, this really did take under 10 minutes to install.
Once the main motor unit is connected to a geared coupling attached to the rod and the unit is calibrated, users can fully open, close down, close up, or adjust the blinds to just about any angle in between.
SwitchBot offers many ways to control the Blind Tilt. Ask your favorite home control speaker or device to open or close the Blind Tilt. Or, connect it to one of the many SwitchBot controllers—a SwitchBot remote, NFC tag, or use the SwitchBot phone app. Open, tilt, or close the blinds automatically by setting a specific schedule, or by enabling the light sensor to tilt the blinds based on the amount of sunshine falling on the window.
With the light sensor enabled, the blinds will automatically tilt closed to the degree you choose when the sun is bright. As the sunlight becomes less intense or there are cloudy skies, it will open again. you may monitor the light data in the SwitchBot app.
Easy Set Up
SwitchBot understands how to make it simple to set up their devices, and the Blind Tilt is no exception. Out of the box, it is ready to be added to the SwitchBot phone app. Tap the plus sign in the upper right corner, and the app will immediately find the Blind Tilt.
The next step is to pair the Blind Tilt by pressing a button on the bottom until a white light flashes. The white light is on the side of the unit. Give it a name. It’s best to give it a nickname that’s easy and quick to say like, “front blinds,” or “side blinds.”
Choose to watch a 3-minute video to see exactly how to install the Blind Tilt. Then use the Pictorial Guide to follow step by step.
Use the alignment sticker to determine the diameter of the rod—small, medium, large, or extra large. The open flex coupling will fit over an adapter to create a snug fit without slipping. While the sticker indicated that my rod was in the large measurement, it required the XL adapter, that is simply a thick sticker, as the flex coupling wouldn’t close over the large adapter. Attach the adaptor to the rod using the alignment sticker to determine how far down to place it.
A solar panel comes with the Blind Tilt, so you don’t have a long wire hanging down from the window.
The next step is to attach the cable. Then attach the main unit to the flex coupling. Attach the cord holder to the headrail of the blinds. And finally, fit the solar panel cable into the cord holder. This holds the main unit upright.
The solar panel slips behind the blinds. Here’s the one design feature that could be an issue. The panel is too thick to allow a side-sliding window to pass over it. Let it hang freely behind the blinds if this is a problem for your window.
Like the SwitchBot door lock or curtain openers, the Blind Tilt must be calibrated to determine how far it needs to turn the rod to achieve full open and full close. Be sure to follow the instructions and only turn it until it is fully closed or horizontally open. Restart the calibration if you go too far and need to back up.
Voice control (and remote access when you are away from home) requires pairing the Blind Tilt with a SwitchBot Mini Hub to connect to the internet. If you already have a Mini Hub, it will automatically connect when added to the SwitchBot app.
Be sure to enable the SwitchBot Skill in the Alexa app to use Alexa device voice controls. You don’t need to enable it again if you have previously set it up with another SwitchBot device.
To create your own routines, you canuse IFTTT with an Alexa speaker.
Using the Blind Tilt
Like the other SwitchBot devices, once it is set up, the Blind Tilt mostly just works.
I did experience an issue with the light-sensing feature, however. In the Light Sensing setting, you can see what level of light hits the window at different times of the day. A bar chart can display data for the past 24 hours, 3-days, or 30-days. Here you can set the blinds to tilt to a certain percentage when the sun gets too bright–for example, when it goes above level 6. But you might have to test different settings. If the level difference to open and close are too small (i.e., higher than level 6 and lower than level 4), the blinds may open and close at seemingly randomly throughout the day.
Customizing the Blind Tilt
The Blind Tilt can be operated from the SwitchBot app. For users who repeatedly choose the same action, you can customize the buttons on both the home and control pages.
The default buttons are fully opened or fully closed. Go to theSettingsgear on the Blind Tilt, thenCustomized Actions. For quick access, it’s possible to customize the SwitchBot home page. Use the sliders on theCustomize Home Pagesetting to adjust the blinds how you like them. The button will then open or close to that tilt level.
All three buttons on the Blind Tilt control page can also be customized to tilt, allowing for your preferences for light or privacy.
It would be nice to have a setting that would automatically open at sunrise and close at sunset. When the light-sensing wasn’t set correctly, the blinds would suddenly open or close all through the day. It startled everyone in the room and caused the dogs to bark. Note that you can opt for a silent motor mode that takes a few seconds longer and muffles the sound slightly. Select the option on thePerformance Modesettings page. Instead of using light sensing, it was easier to schedule the Blind Tilt to open around sunrise and close at sunset, though of course, you’d need to tweak the timings a few times a year.
So far, SwitchBot has not added the Blind Tilt for use in scene automation options, even though it would be useful to have lights or mini plugs turn on when the blinds close down.
As many rooms have more than one window with blinds, it’s possible to get multiple Blind Tilts and add them to a group to control them together. Or you can allow for light sensing on each window as the sun moves around the house.
Other Motorized Blind Options
Motorized blinds can easily cost hundreds of dollars, especially if you have a large window. But they are elegant, all-in-one solutions. Here aresome of the best smart blinds.
Other retrofit smart blind solutions include the Tilt by SmarterHome at $199, which requires a bridge for an extra $109. Ryse also sells a bundle that includes its hub for $307. Another option is the Sunsa wand. It replaces your blinds’ twisting rod wand and can be controlled with voice commands or smartphone app, and will set you back around $172. What’s remarkable about the Blind Tilt is its affordability. During the Kickstarter campaign pre-order it’s available for $49 for a single unit, and will sell for $69 at retail.
Is It Time to Automate Your Blinds?
Despite needing to tweak the light sensing settings, the Blind Tilt works perfectly to control existing blinds. And, it can be controlled in any way that works for you; from voice, remote control, app, or NFC tag.
Along with the SwitchBot Curtain, mini plugs, and other devices, the SwitchBot Blind Tilt makes one more thing easy to control in your home.
Tired of missing out on the smart home of your dream because you rent? SwitchBot has the answer, with their new retrofit smart door lock (and more!)
Not all true crime is about hacking, slashing, and gore.
Quality apps that don’t cost anything.
Every squeak is your PC’s way of crying for help.
My foolproof plan is to use Windows 10 until 2030, with the latest security updates.
It’s not super flashy, but it can help to keep your computer up and running.
