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My first experience of smart blinds was the premium-priced Luxaflex PowerView, which I reviewed back in 2021. They are great blinds, but I unfortunately have a lot of sleep problems and need a completely dark room, which they did not provide.
I then went in the other direction when reviewing the affordable Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1, which I paired with some cheap £15 blackout blinds from Argos.
Last year, I replaced those with the SmartWings Blinds, which I loved. These are made to measure, but you need to measure and install them yourself, and they use a Matter of Thread motor, allowing for easy integration with Home Assistant.
They have been fantastic, but I ordered them to fit on the outside of the window frame, and while the blackout material performed perfectly, they still let a lot of light through the sides.
So, when Weffort got in touch with a similar review offer, I eagerly accepted and ordered some blinds for the inside of the frame, which also included some light blockers.
The Weffort blinds appear to use the same hardware as SmartWings, and I suspect they are all made in the same factory.
Therefore, they are basically the same as the SmartWings, but they do have slightly different options when ordering, and they appear to be cheaper, which is always welcome.
Configuration Options / Ordering
Similar to SmartWings, these blinds are custom-made based on your measurements and the wide range of choices available through their ordering system. You can purchase directly from Weffort’s website or through their Amazon storefront, though I’d recommend the main website as it offers more comprehensive configuration options and guidance.
The main thing you need to be careful about is measuring. When I ordered the SmartWings blinds, I deliberately chose the outside mount, so I didn’t have to be accurate with my measurements. But, too much light bleeds out of the sides.
For these, I decided to replace my extremely expensive Luxaflex shades and install them inside the frame. I was able to cheat a little by measuring the Luxaflex cassette after I removed it to confirm my measurements were correct.
The customisation process is straightforward, with clear guidance throughout. If you’re unsure about anything, I highly recommend using their “get in touch” option where you can receive expert advice on which type of blind best suits your needs and how to configure them properly.
With the inside mounting, I was also able to add the light blockers. These are simple pieces of C-shaped metal that guide the blinds to fit down the side, stopping light from bleeding out of the sides.
For my bedroom installation, I selected a blackout roller shade. The company also offers what they call “zebra” or “dual” shades for situations where you want variable light control rather than complete darkness. These feature alternating opaque and translucent stripes that can be aligned to control light levels precisely.
One consideration during ordering is the motor position. You can specify whether you want the motor on the left or right side of the blind, which matters if you’re planning to use the solar panel option or need access to the USB-C charging port. I made the mistake of not properly considering sunlight patterns when placing my order, which affected the solar panel effectiveness.
The range of colours and materials is quite extensive, from traditional neutral tones to bolder options. I went with the “Denim” colour for my blackout shade, which fits well with my bedroom decor. The material quality feels substantial and well-constructed.
Smart Integration Options
The blinds come with multiple smart home integration options. The Matter over Thread protocol ensures compatibility with most major home automation systems, including Home Assistant, Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. This is a significant advantage over proprietary systems that lock you into a single ecosystem.
Battery life is rated at approximately 600 operations, which translates to roughly six months of normal use before requiring a recharge. The USB-C charging port makes this process straightforward, and a full charge takes 6-7 hours. You can even use a power bank if the blinds are in a hard-to-reach location.
The optional solar panel is a nice touch for continuous operation, though its effectiveness depends heavily on your window’s sun exposure. The panel is discrete and sits behind the shade, requiring just a couple of hours of sunlight daily to maintain charge.
My Order Details
| Item | Details |
| Product | Weffort Motorized Blackout Roller Shades – Dark Series |
| Price | $492.96 |
| Colour | Denim |
| Mount Type | Inside |
| Custom Width | 44″ |
| Width Fraction | 3/8″ |
| Custom Height | 57″ |
| Height Fraction | 1/2″ |
| Motor Type | Battery Motor |
| Smart Solution | Matter Motor over Thread |
| Valance Type | Standard |
| Bottom Rod | Black Square |
| Remote Controller | 5-Channel Remote |
| Solar Panel | Solar Panel |
| Light Blocker | White Side Rail Track (60″ ≤ H < 80″) |
| Roll Position | Reverse |
| Motor Side | Right |
| Extended Warranty | None |
| Room Label | Bedroom |
These are assembled in China and shipped globally. I was told they would take 8-10 days, but I think they arrived faster than that.
Physical Installation
The installation process is basically the same as the SmartWings blinds. There are mounting brackets that you screw into the window frame, then the cassette clips on. The system uses three spring-loaded clips that make installation and removal straightforward.
I was worried my measurements would be wrong for the inside of my frame, but it appears that I did it just right, and they squeezed in. The measuring instructions on the website are clear, but accuracy is critical for inside mounting. If you’re nervous about measurements, outside mounting gives you more tolerance for error, though you sacrifice the clean look and light-blocking performance.
For the light blockers, they are basically just two aluminium rails that the blinds fit into and slide down. These use 3M adhesive tape to stick to your frame. While functional, they’re not the most aesthetically pleasing addition to a window, giving it a somewhat industrial appearance.
The physical quality of the components feels solid. The motor housing is compact and well-integrated into the roller tube design. The bottom rail has a good weight to it, helping the blind hang straight and operate smoothly.
The remote control included with the blind has a clean, simple design reminiscent of an Apple TV remote. It can control up to five blinds independently or operate them all simultaneously. The buttons are clearly labelled and responsive, though the range isn’t exceptional – you need to be reasonably close to the blind for reliable operation.
Integrating with Home Assistant
Connecting the blinds to Home Assistant was relatively straightforward. As I have had issues pairing things with the Home Assistant SkyConnect, I paired these with my Aqara M3, which then exposed the blinds to Home Assistant via Matter. This seemed to avoid the issues I have had in the past with the initial connection.
There are a couple of ways to put it into pairing mode, but I used the remote, which required pressing several buttons in sequence.
Once paired, the blinds show up within Home Assistant as Deyi Smart, which I expect is the original manufacturer.
Within Home Assistant, you have options to open and close the cover, plus diagnostic information for the battery and voltage.
The settings are slightly different from the SmartWings blinds, but the controls are the same. This is possible due to my not connecting it directly to HomeAssistant.
Similarly, the triggers are a little different, but all the important options are there.
Performance / Appearance
Noise Levels
The motor produces a moderate amount of noise during operation. It’s not loud enough to wake the neighbours, but it will wake a sleeping partner if you operate the blind at night. My dog was startled the first few times I used it, though he’s since become accustomed to the sound.
The noise level is comparable to other battery-operated blind motors I’ve tested. It’s certainly quieter than some of the mains-powered options available, but you wouldn’t call it silent.
Battery Performance and Solar Panel Effectiveness
The stated battery life of around 600 operations seems accurate based on my usage so far. In normal use, opening and closing once or twice daily, you’re looking at charging every 4-6 months. The USB-C charging is convenient and takes about 6-7 hours for a full charge.
I made an error when specifying the motor position on my order, placing it on the right side where I had easy access to power sockets, but then installing the solar panel on the left side where it actually receives sunlight. This required a longer cable and reduced the system’s effectiveness. If you’re ordering the solar panel option, plan carefully to position the motor on the side that receives the most sun exposure.
When properly positioned, the solar panel can extend battery life significantly or even eliminate the need for manual charging altogether, depending on your usage patterns and sunlight exposure.
Light Blocking Performance
The primary reason for choosing inside mounting and adding light blockers was to improve darkness for better sleep. The improvement compared to my previous outside-mounted SmartWings blinds is substantial.
However, it’s not perfect. My window frames aren’t perfectly straight, so small amounts of light still creep out underneath the light blockers. The blind material doesn’t sit completely flush against the frame either, allowing minimal light leakage there. There’s also a small gap where the blind material enters the light blocker rail.
With some DIY attention – perhaps a bit of filler around the frame and adjusting the light blocker positioning – most of these issues could be resolved. For my sleep requirements, even the imperfect light blocking represents a significant improvement over the previous setup.
The end result is a substantially darker room, which has genuinely improved my sleep quality. While it doesn’t achieve complete blackout like professional installations costing several times more, it’s more than adequate for most situations.
Aesthetic Considerations
The light blockers, while functional, do compromise the window’s appearance. They give it a somewhat industrial look that may not suit all interior design schemes. In my bedroom, the practical benefits outweigh the aesthetic concerns, but I can see this being an issue for more visible windows.
The blind material itself looks good, with the Denim colour providing a clean, modern appearance. The construction quality feels solid, and the operation is smooth and consistent.
When fully raised, the blind cassette is reasonably discrete, though not invisible. The motor housing is compact enough not to be obtrusive, and the overall profile is cleaner than some competing products.
Price and Alternative Options
It is difficult to provide a specific price for these blinds, as the numerous configuration options result in a wide range of prices.
For my order, the price was $492.
The base price of the Weffort Motorised Blackout Roller Shades is $120, which is $60 cheaper than the SmartWings I previously reviewed.
The Matter over Thread motor adds $90, whereas the SmartWings is $95.
Pricing up the same spec on the SmartWings website adds up to $532.94.
The Luxaflex / Hunter Douglas blinds I previously reviewed cost £1,122. They were visually more impressive, and the price includes measuring and fitting, plus Luxaflex has a significantly wider range of options. So, I would say Luxaflex isn’t really comparable here and is more suited to people wanting a premium option, including fitting.
Overall
I loved the SmartWings smart shades I previously reviewed and still use them now, and they have performed reliably for over a year now.
As far as I can tell, the Weffort Smart Motorised Shades are effectively the same product while being $41 cheaper, representing an 8% saving.
Both brands have some different materials and colour options, so you should definitely check both sites to see if you prefer the styles on one site or the other.
SmartWings also has some other appealing options, the main one being POE Matter over Ethernet Motor, which would be a much more preferred option if you are renovating a home and can plan Ethernet runs for this purpose.
Overall, I think the Weffort blinds are superb and can highly recommend them.
I am James, a UK-based tech enthusiast and the Editor and Owner of Mighty Gadget, which I’ve proudly run since 2007. Passionate about all things technology, my expertise spans from computers and networking to mobile, wearables, and smart home devices.
As a fitness fanatic who loves running and cycling, I also have a keen interest in fitness-related technology, and I take every opportunity to cover this niche on my blog. My diverse interests allow me to bring a unique perspective to tech blogging, merging lifestyle, fitness, and the latest tech trends.
In my academic pursuits, I earned a BSc in Information Systems Design from UCLAN, before advancing my learning with a Master’s Degree in Computing. This advanced study also included Cisco CCNA accreditation, further demonstrating my commitment to understanding and staying ahead of the technology curve.
I’m proud to share that Vuelio has consistently ranked Mighty Gadget as one of the top technology blogs in the UK. With my dedication to technology and drive to share my insights, I aim to continue providing my readers with engaging and informative content.
