Have you ever seen a movie where the rich protagonist wakes up to a fully automated home, with fresh coffee being brewed, an assistant describing his day, and the curtains automatically opening to reveal a beautiful day outside? Well, apart from the automatic good weather, this is exactly what Switchbot is trying to offer with its product line.
We had the opportunity to test one of the most popular, the Switchbot Curtain Rod 2, which connects to existing rods to make your curtains operate intelligently. Suddenly that perfect morning doesn’t seem too far away.
Switchbot devices are designed to work together (the brand offers things like retrofit smart locks, air quality sensors, smart switch devices, and more), but we were very curious about how it could mute our curtains previously to make something that works without our. input.
Read on to find out what we thought and if you’re curious, check out our guide to the best smart blinds for more.
Switchbot Curtain Rod 2: Key Info
- Dimensions: 3.3 x 3 x 5.6in
- Weight: 285g
- It works with: Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri Shortcuts, IFTTT, SmartThings
- Curtain compatibility: Diameter 15-40mm
(Image credit: Future)
Switchbot Curtain Rod 2: Design
The Switchbot looks rather thin, which may be a problem for some users. If you are installing with a tab top, tap back, or ring curtains, the top of the device will, unfortunately, be visible, although it is completely hidden (as in our test) with grommet curtains. However, efforts seem to have been made to make the Rod 2 as attractive as possible, with a curved pillion shape and curved metal hooks topped with plastic. It is also available in black or white.
The design also adds to the ease of installation, with two side pieces that can be removed and reattached if you find the device attached to your curtain rod a bit awkward. Our model was also quite stiff, but we managed to set it up without too much trouble.
Being a retrofit smart home solution, it seems unfair to ask the Switchbot Rod to blend into its surroundings, as it is offering an otherwise expensive service at a fraction of the cost. The device will not be invisible, but (in our opinion) it is not ugly, either.
Switchbot Solar Panel Charger
(Image credit: Switchbot)
Switchbot Curtain Rod 2: Setup
As mentioned, the physical part of the setup for the Switchbot Rod 2 is a bit fiddly but ultimately very simple. You also need to download the Switchbot app and create an account to use the device.
We’ll note here that your device won’t really be very useful without a Switchbot Hub Mini, which was provided to us for our review but is sold separately. Without this, you won’t be able to do things like create routines (like open your curtains at a certain time in the morning) or connect Switchbot devices to Alexa, Google Assistant or another of the best smart speakers .
This leaves you with a motor for your curtains that has to be operated by hand, which isn’t much different if you’re not physically struggling to do this.
Once you have both devices, you can create an account in the Switchbot app and add the Curtain Rod 2 and Hub Mini separately. For us, the app automatically recognized the hub, allowing the smart features to be unlocked.
The easiest thing to do is to install the device and then let the app ‘calibrate.’ This will perform a test where the curtains are closed and then opened again, and the app will ask you to confirm that the job was done successfully. This worked for us the first time, and we were ready to go within minutes.
(Image credit: Future)
Switchbot Curtain Rod 2: Performance
Once the Switchbot Rod 2 is installed and added to the app, you can start having fun with it. The app itself is smooth and intuitive, with all devices easily accessible and the settings clearly laid out. Choose your curtain and rename it, open and close them manually (rated between 0-100%), or set routines and schedules based on things like sunrise and sunset in your area or just by specified times.
There’s also a remaining battery life display, so you won’t be caught off guard by a device that’s out of juice (and you can bypass charging solar panels (pictured) to recharge the device). You can also activate the light detection feature for more accurate opening and closing times.
As our device was mounted against a wall rather than lower down in front of a window, unfortunately, we were unable to test this.
We set up two automations – to open at sunrise and close at 6pm each evening – and there was only one failure over the course of a week. Other than that, we were very impressed with the efficiency it felt. The motor is probably a bit noisy, but nothing really disturbing. That said, we tested the device in the lounge, as our bedroom curtains use an incompatible rail.
Switchbot Curtain Rod 2: Our verdict
Overall, the Switchbot Curtain Rod 2 isn’t perfect, but it does meet expectations for a retrofit option that easily incorporates another household task into existing smart home routines and automations.
We were a little disappointed at how little the Rod 2 itself could do without extras like the Hub Mini, but when everything was laid out, the device worked well. Whether it is used for convenience, to feel a little bigger, or for security purposes (to look like someone’s home), it would be a good addition to most modern families. .