Best Curtain Bot for your Smart Home!! [HomeKit Edition]

Summary

In this video, Shane reviews three smart curtain robots: Switchbot Curtain, Acara E1 Curtain Driver, and Xemi Smart Curtain Motor. He evaluates their compatibility with HomeKit, installation ease, battery life, and performance. Acara boasts a year-long battery life and high load capacity but limited rod compatibility. Switchbot, despite lacking native HomeKit support, offers a user-friendly app and the broadest rod compatibility. Xemi Smart, with native HomeKit support, has average battery life and comes with a remote. Shane provides insights to help viewers choose the best smart curtain solution for their needs.

Takeaways

• 🤖 The video reviews three smart curtain robots: Switchbot Curtain, Acara E1 Curtain Driver, and Xemi Smart Curtain Motor, focusing on their compatibility with Apple's HomeKit.
• 🏡 The Acara E1 and Xemi Smart Curtain Motors currently have native HomeKit support, while Switchbot Curtain is expected to gain support with the release of the Switchbot Hub Mini HomeKit version.
• 🔗 All three products require a hub for operation: Acara uses its own hub, Xemi Smart requires the Xemi Smart HomeKit Hub, and Switchbot connects via Bluetooth Low Energy to the Switchbot Hub Mini.
• 🔋 Acara boasts the longest battery life of up to one year, followed by Switchbot with eight months, and Xemi Smart with five months.
• 💰 The Acara E1 is priced at $89.99, Switchbot at $99.99, and Xemi Smart ranges from $100 to $150, with discounts and shipping costs varying by product and retailer.
• 🛠️ Installation processes differ, with Acara being the most straightforward, followed by Switchbot and Xemi Smart, which requires the most steps.
• 📐 Compatibility with curtain rods and rails is a key consideration, with Switchbot supporting the widest range of rod sizes.
• 🌞 Acara and Switchbot include an ambient light sensor for automation based on light levels, a feature not found in Xemi Smart.
• 📱 All three have their own dedicated apps for setup and control, with Switchbot offering the most user-friendly experience and additional performance modes.
• 🏁 The video concludes with a recommendation that the best choice depends on individual needs, existing smart home ecosystems, and specific curtain rod compatibility.

Q & A

What are the three curtain robots discussed in the video?

The three curtain robots discussed are the Switchbot Curtain, the Acara E1 Curtain Driver, and the Xemi Smart Curtain Motor.

What is the main purpose of these smart curtain robots?

The main purpose is to automate the opening and closing of curtains at specific times, based on certain conditions like sunlight or temperature, or when someone leaves or arrives home.

Which of these curtain robots currently has native support for Apple's HomeKit?

At the time of recording, only the Acara and the Xemi Smart have native support for HomeKit.

What is the expected battery life for the Acara E1 Curtain Driver?

The Acara E1 Curtain Driver boasts up to one year of battery power between charges.

What is the maximum load capacity of the Switchbot Curtain?

The Switchbot Curtain has a maximum load capacity of about 17 pounds.

Does the Xemi Smart Curtain Motor come with a remote control?

Yes, the Xemi Smart Curtain Motor comes with a remote control, which is not offered with the other two products.

What is the compatibility range for curtain rods for the Acara E1 Curtain Driver?

The Acara E1 Curtain Driver supports rods between 25 and 32 millimeters in diameter.

How does the Switchbot Curtain connect to its hub?

The Switchbot Curtain connects to its hub via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE 5.0) with proprietary power-saving BLE and mesh support.

What additional feature does the Switchbot Curtain offer that the others do not?

The Switchbot Curtain offers the option to add solar panels for charging, which is not available as a standalone accessory for the other two products.

Which of these curtain robots has the longest estimated battery life?

The Acara E1 Curtain Driver has the longest estimated battery life, claiming up to one year between charges.

What is the main downside mentioned for the Acara E1 Curtain Driver?

The main downside mentioned for the Acara E1 Curtain Driver is its limited compatibility with a narrow range of curtain rod sizes.