Tech continues to revolutionize our homes. Today, you can accomplish a lot with a push of a button, voice commands, or automation by investing in a range of smart home solutions. While considering tech advancements, among the top items that come to most users’ minds include entertainment, furniture, heating and cooling, and lighting. Nonetheless, while easily overlooked, smart blinds are among the advancements you should include in your home improvement plans. Smart shades allow you to control window treatments and realize a range of benefits. The convenience of controlling them from anywhere means that you can lower your energy bills, protect your property from UV exposure, enhance security and safety, and more. Nonetheless, such benefits can only be realized if you invest in the best smart blinds. Here are a few smart blinds shopping tips to help you find and invest in the right solution.

Control

A significant part of investing in smart blinds is enhanced control. Nonetheless, they aren’t all made equal. Some feature simple motorized features like a remote control. Others feature more advanced options, such as a companion mobile app. Following your needs, weigh the options to ensure that you get as much control as you need. Considering how much control you desire and its impacts make it easier to establish the best smart blinds to buy.

Installation

Professional installation isn’t necessary if you prepare accordingly. Nonetheless, consider how demanding the installation process is, keeping in mind that you’ll also have to maintain the smart blinds. Think about options that would affect your installation as well. For instance, would you prefer plug-in, battery-powered, or hard-wired smart blinds? How about the noise? Each option has its pros and cons, but following your preferences, installation location, among other considerations, you’ll choose smart blinds matching your needs and situation.

Integration

Do you have an existing smart home solution? Alexa and Google Assistant are some of the most popular options. If you’ve invested in either or plan to include it in your home, make sure your smart blinds are compatible. Don’t assume that just any option will work.

Some smart blinds can only work with their manufacturer’s app, while others can connect to common protocols such as Z-wave. Check to see if the smart blinds you are looking at can connect to Alexa or Google Assistant as well for voice commands, if that is what you are looking for.

Design

Aside from functionality, the aesthetics of your shade is important as well. Fabric, color, size, and finish are among the design elements you should consider. Choose from a wide variety of options to match your decor, or to bring out your own personal tastes. Smart blinds and shades are made in many different styles as well, from roller shades to roman shades, so choose the one that works best for you.

Cost

The cost for smart blinds can vary, but depending on your budget, you should be able to find something that checks most, if not all, of your boxes. Nonetheless, it is advisable to invest in value, not the cheapest smart blinds. More features might mean paying a little more, but that can sometimes prove more valuable than saving a few bucks with lower upfront investment.

As you consider the best blind, consider the manufacturer’s reputation. See if users like the smart blinds; user reviews and testimonials are resourceful and can provide all the needed information.