The SwitchBot Curtain 3 means that you can management your curtains with HomeKit by way of Matter integration — so long as you personal its required hub.
SwitchBot, an organization most famously recognized for creating the Sensible Change Button Pusher, affords a spread of sensible residence units. And with the Hub 2, it permits Matter assist for them.
Sensible units that management your curtains are nice for creating the suitable ambiance throughout film evening or bedtime. Additionally they assist welcome in daylight when waking up within the morning.
Nevertheless, the draw back is that they often require a separate hub to allow sensible connectivity, and the Curtain 3 isn’t any stranger to this state of affairs.
SwitchBot Curtain 3 overview — A semi-hidden design
Relying in your curtains, the SwitchBot Curtain 3 can conceal behind them with solely the hooks protruding.
Measuring 9.25 x 2.36 x 2.36 inches, it falls onto the bulkier facet whereas additionally being noticeable with tab high or ring high curtains. It weighs 1.96 kilos, making it heavy and unsuitable for fragile rods.
The Curtain 3 has a particular UV coating that protects it from daylight injury if positioned in entrance of the window.
Two removable hooks hook up with the bottom of the Curtain 3 and may stretch to suit rods as much as 1.5 inches in diameter. When positioned on the rod, they guarantee a stable grip, requiring some drive to open them.
On high of the hooks are wear-resistant rollers. These are constructed with rubber materials to supply a protracted lifespan whereas limiting put on and tear.
The Curtain 3 is appropriate with extendable curtain rods with its included connector. Nevertheless, just one is included — so you probably have a double-extending rod, you may have to purchase a further connector.
When setting it up, we tried utilizing the connector, however the Curtain 3 did not cross it easily and obtained caught. This led us to put in a full-length rod — which was an inconvenience.
The button on the entrance begins and stops the system from transferring when in movement and may start the pairing course of as soon as all the pieces is ready up.
Beneath is a USB-C port for charging. You may rise up to eight months of use on a single cost.
In case you do not need to take down the system to cost, then you should purchase a separate photo voltaic panel attachment. It plugs immediately into the USB-C port, provides a steady cost, and may be configured throughout the SwitchBot app.
SwitchBot Curtain 3 overview — A easy setup
Not like different HomeKit units, the place you may select which app to arrange the system, the SwitchBot Curtain 3 mandates you to make use of its native one.
Press the entrance button to start out pairing and discover the system within the SwitchBot app. Afterward, you may calibrate it so it turns into acquainted with the size of the rod and the place the beginning and stopping positions are.
To start out calibration, you should place Curtain 3 on high of the magnets connected to the rod. As soon as positioned, select one of many two calibration choices: handbook or automated.
Calibrating manually enables you to decide the place the system stops and classifies the curtains as totally open. Alternatively, calibrating mechanically has the system acknowledge the place the tip of the rod is and the place its stopping level ought to be.
We initially went with calibrating mechanically. The whole lot went easily till the Curtain 3 would not cease on the finish of the rod and saved pushing via. This led to all the pieces being dismantled from the wall and are available crashing down.
After reconfiguring all the pieces, we opted for a handbook strategy. This technique enabled us to make use of the app to sign when the system reached its remaining place and did the identical when it returned to its preliminary level.
You may also connect the included beaded connectors, which you run throughout the curtain and join to every loop. They’re supposed to assist with the curtain’s motion throughout the rod, however from our checks, we discovered the expertise to be higher with out them.
SwitchBot Curtain 3 overview — App connectivity and utilization
After calibrating the SwitchBot Curtain 3, it may be personalized and programmed inside your chosen app — both the Dwelling app or the SwitchBot app.
Whereas each apps provide the identical core functionalities, in addition they present extra options the opposite doesn’t.
Matter setup
The Dwelling app might be the principle app you’ll management the Curtain 3 from. Nevertheless, you should configure the connection via the SwitchBot app earlier than solely utilizing it in that app.
Within the SwitchBot app, you should allow Cloud Providers throughout the system settings and join it to your SwitchBot Hub 2 — which ought to already be arrange. After, you go into the settings of your hub and discover the Matter Setup choice.
Inside this part, you should create a bridge so the Curtain 3 can transfer to the Dwelling app. A bridge means that you can talk with equipment who cannot talk immediately with HomeKit.
As soon as the bridge is established, you may add the Curtain 3 as a secondary system from the identical menu. It should then be introduced over to the Dwelling app.
Apple’s Dwelling app
Like different appropriate units, you may customise your curtains in a number of methods. You’ll be able to mix every curtain into one group, customise their identify and icon, and begin or add them to your current automation or shortcut.
In case you add your curtains to an automation or scene, you may preset the place you need them to be at when activated.
Controlling your curtains is much like altering the brightness on a dimmable lightbulb. You faucet on the curtain and drag your finger to decide on the place you’d prefer it at.
In case your system is not round — or you do not need to open the Dwelling app — Siri can assist management your curtains. It may well shut or open them fully or set them to a place by way of particular proportion factors.
SwitchBot’s native app
The SwitchBot app can do nearly all the pieces the Dwelling app does, from creating rooms, scenes, and timers to working the curtains at particular instances.
Nevertheless, not like the Dwelling app, the native app offers important info, similar to battery proportion and firmware model, whereas supplying extra options.
Whilst you can function the curtains throughout the Dwelling app, you may immediately pause them of their present place throughout the SwitchBot app.
If you need the system to be as quiet as potential, QuietDrift Management operates it at 27cm per minute whereas solely making 25 dB of sound. This, nevertheless, will trigger the battery to empty sooner.
In case you have double-sided curtains and need to management each, you may want a further Curtain 3. You’ll be able to join each collectively and configure them throughout the app.
SwitchBot Curtain 3 overview — Hefty value for a easy motion
The SwitchBot Curtain 3 affords a setup that hides behind your curtains and provides satisfactory response instances with easy controls. However until you have already got the required hub, you will not have the ability to use it with a voice assistant.
Our time with the system has been nice, and we have had little-to-no connectivity points with it up to now. Because of the bridge between the 2 apps, the response time is not immediate, however it’s additionally not too lengthy.
No matter efficiency, the Curtain 3 alone is $90, much like different HomeKit-compatible curtain operators. Though, it will value you a further $90 for the required Hub 2.
In case you use SwitchBot merchandise and already personal the Hub 2, then the SwitchBot Curtain 3 is an effective way to function your curtains. Nevertheless, should you do not need to pay as much as $180 to open and shut your curtains, we propose controlling them the old style approach.
SwitchBot Curtain 3 overview — Professionals
- Straightforward to put in and setup
- Enough response time
- Appropriate with varied pole sizes and curtain sorts
SwitchBot Curtain 3 overview — Cons
- Excessive value
- Wants a Hub 2 for HomeKit compatibility
- Solely accessible in a single coloration
Ranking: 3.5 out of 5
The place to buy the SwitchBot Curtain 3
You should purchase the SwitchBot Curtain 3 from their web site for $89.99. It is solely accessible in white.
It is also accessible on Amazon in the identical coloration for a similar value.