SmartWings Motorized Drapes HONEST Review: Installation, Cost | Motorized Drapes vs Smart Blinds
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Smart Wings Motorized Drapes Review: Are They Worth $800? (Honest 1-Month Test)
After living with Smart Wings motorized drapes for over a month, I'm ready to share the brutal truth about whether these smart curtains are actually worth the investment. Spoiler alert: they're definitely not as "90% blackout" as advertised, but there are some surprising benefits I didn't expect.
Why I Chose Motorized Drapes Over Smart Blinds
When I moved into my current apartment six months ago, it came with installed blinds that were basically useless. They weren't blackout at all, and opening them was like arm wrestling with a stubborn toddler every morning. I initially wanted to get Smart Wings motorized blinds, but here's the thing: I can't uninstall the existing blinds in this rental.
That's when I discovered motorized drapes could be the perfect solution. Since I'm renting, I need something I can easily take with me when I move. Custom blinds are usually made for specific window dimensions, but drapes offer way more flexibility for future apartments. Plus, I can keep the existing blinds installed and just not use them anymore.
Smart Wings vs West Elm: The Real Cost Comparison
Before you think motorized drapes are crazy expensive, let me break down the numbers that shocked me. I was originally looking at West Elm curtains, and here's what that would have cost me:
For my window size, I needed four sets of West Elm blackout curtains at $159 each, totaling $636. And that's WITHOUT a rod, let alone a motorized one that works with Apple Home and Alexa. When you factor in a quality motorized rod system, those "cheaper" curtains would have easily hit $800-900.
The Smart Wings motorized drapes with the rod included? Less than what I would have paid at West Elm. That's honestly crazy when you think about it.
Installation: Easier Than Expected (But You Need Two People)
I'm not going to lie and say I installed these myself. My husband did most of the work, but it honestly didn't take much longer than installing a regular curtain rod (which I have done in my bedroom). If you live alone, just hire a handyman. It's worth it.
The best part? Once the rod is up, you literally just plug the motor into an outlet and you're done. No programming, no complicated setup. It comes with a simple remote, and it's compatible with Google Home, Apple Home, and Alexa (though I had compatibility issues with my old Apple TV that I'll get into later).
The Sound Dampening Effect I Didn't Expect
This was honestly the most surprising benefit. The moment we installed these drapes, I noticed how much less echoey the room became. We don't live on a super busy street, but it gets loud, and these drapes provide sound insulation that the old blinds never did.
The space feels cozier and quieter, which makes these drapes perfect for bedrooms too. It's like getting acoustic treatment and window covering in one.
Apple Home Integration: My Compatibility Mistake
Here's where I messed up. I assumed these would work with my Apple TV for smart home control. Turns out my Apple TV is too old to be compatible. So right now, I'm stuck using just the remote instead of voice commands or scheduling through the Apple Home app.
I'm waiting for the new Apple TV to come out in the next few weeks, but this taught me an important lesson: make sure your existing smart home devices are actually compatible before ordering the premium motor option.
Cable Length: Learn From My Mistake
I ordered the 2-meter power cable thinking it would be enough. Big mistake. My outlet isn't right next to the window, so the cable is visible and kind of annoying. If I had ordered the 3-meter cable instead, this wouldn't be an issue.
Always go with the longer cable option. You can work with extra length, but you can't magically make a too-short cable reach. Learn from my error and save yourself the headache.
Motor Performance: Insanely Quiet Operation
The motor on these drapes is extremely quiet. I mean, you can barely hear it running. This is huge if you have people sleeping in your home when you want to open or close the curtains. My old blinds were so loud they could probably wake the neighbors.
The remote is also responsive and can actually control up to five different drapes or blinds, so if you order multiple sets, you can control them all with one remote.
Fabric Quality vs. Blackout Reality Check
The fabric itself is insanely soft and came in perfect condition. No washing or steaming required, which was nice. It's not too stiff, making it easy to maintain.
But here's the biggest disappointment: these are supposed to be 90% blackout, and they're definitely not. I'd say maybe 40% blackout at best. If you're looking for something to make your bedroom pitch black, this isn't it. They're great for living rooms where you want privacy but still some natural light, but don't expect true blackout performance.
My Measurement Mistakes and What I Learned
I completely messed up my measurements because I didn't check where the wall studs were before measuring. I had to mount the rod in a different location than planned, which threw off all my dimensions.
Fortunately, since these are drapes and not custom blinds, they still look fine even with wrong measurements. This flexibility is actually a huge advantage. I went slightly longer rather than shorter, which means I can always shorten them later or use them as-is (even though they drag on the floor a bit).
Lesson learned: always check for studs first, then measure.
What I Ordered: Complete Breakdown
Here's exactly what I selected if you want to copy my order (but learn from my mistakes):
- Fabric: Cream (lightest option, perfect choice)
- Type: Motorized Drapery 90% Blackout (not actually 90% blackout)
- Mounting: Window Trim to Window Trim
- Dimensions: 120" width x 105" height
- Opening: Two-way open
- Motor: Most expensive option with Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings compatibility
- Valance: Yes (adds $25 but worth it for the finished look)
- Remote: White
- Power Cable: 2-meter (should have gotten 3-meter)
The valance does help hide the rod for a more polished look, though it came a bit wrinkled and hasn't smoothed out as much as I hoped.
Final Verdict: Would I Order Again?
Honestly? Yes. These drapes were still cheaper than what I would have paid for West Elm curtains plus a separate motorized rod system. I love the convenience of having them on a schedule (once I get my Apple TV situation sorted out), and I'm saving time every day by not wrestling with those terrible blinds.
The sound dampening alone makes them worth it, and the motor being so quiet is a huge bonus. I just wish they had more truly blackout options and the valance looked a bit more polished.
For anyone considering smart window treatments, these are definitely worth the investment, especially if you're renting and want flexibility for future moves.
Smart Wings provided these drapes at no cost for review purposes. However, I received no monetary compensation and was under no obligation to provide a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own and based on my honest experience using these drapes for over a month in my home.
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