Can the NEW SwitchBot Curtain 3 Beat The Aqara E1 Curtain Driver?

Summary

In this review, the new Switchbot Curtain 3 is compared with Acara's E1 Curtain Driver, highlighting their quiet and nearly imperceptible curtain movement. The Curtain 3's 'Quiet Drift' feature outperforms Acara's in terms of subtlety and noise level. The video discusses compatibility, strength, and connectivity, noting Switchbot's Zigbee advantage and Acara's native Apple HomeKit integration. The Curtain 3's solar panel accessory and Acara's light sensor are also compared, along with their respective smart home ecosystem integrations and future Matter compatibility.

Takeaways

• 🌟 Switchbot has released the new Curtain 3, which features an impressive 'Quiet Drift' mode that moves curtains almost imperceptibly.
• 🔍 In comparison, Acara's E1 curtain driver also offers a slow movement feature, but Switchbot's implementation is quieter and smoother.
• 💰 Both products are similarly priced, but Switchbot's Curtain 3 has a broader compatibility with different types of curtain rods out of the box.
• 🛠️ Acara's system may require some adjustments to work with certain rod types, especially telescopic rods with varying diameters.
• 🏋️‍♂️ Switchbot Curtain 3 has improved motor strength, allowing it to handle heavier curtains compared to the previous version and Acara's E1.
• 🔩 The motor technology in Switchbot's Curtain 3 allows for variable speeds, leading to better power efficiency and a longer lifespan compared to Acara's E1.
• 📡 Switchbot uses Bluetooth, which provides a backup control method via smartphone, while Acara relies on Zigbee, which might require a hub and offers less flexibility if the hub fails.
• 🌞 Switchbot offers a solar panel accessory that can be attached to the Curtain 3, potentially eliminating the need for frequent battery changes.
• 🏡 Acara includes a light sensor in its curtain device, enabling light-based automation, a feature that Switchbot's Curtain 3 is expected to add in the future.
• 🔗 Both companies are working on Matter Bridge compatibility, which will allow their products to work seamlessly with a wider range of smart home ecosystems in the future.

Q & A

What is the main feature that differentiates Switchbot's Curtain 3 from Acara's E1 curtain driver?

The main feature that differentiates Switchbot's Curtain 3 is its 'Quiet Drift' technology, which offers nearly imperceptible and quiet curtain movement, making it less noticeable compared to Acara's E1 curtain driver.

How does Switchbot's new Curtain 3 compare to Acara's E1 in terms of compatibility with different curtain rods?

Switchbot's Curtain 3 has more compatibility out of the box with various curtain rods, while Acara's E1 may require some adjustments to work with certain types of rods, especially those with different diameters or telescopic rods.

What are the differences in the power or strength capabilities between Switchbot's Curtain 3 and Acara's E1?

Switchbot's Curtain 3 has improved power capabilities, allowing it to handle heavier curtains compared to the previous version of Switchbot and Acara's E1, due to refinements in motor design.

How does the connectivity of Switchbot's Curtain 3 differ from Acara's E1 in terms of smart home integration?

Switchbot's Curtain 3 uses Bluetooth and may require a hub for full smart home integration, while Acara's E1 uses Zigbee and requires their hub. However, both are working towards Matter Bridge compatibility for broader integration.

What is the expected lifespan of Switchbot's Curtain 3, and how does it compare to its predecessor?

Switchbot's Curtain 3 is expected to last over 10 years, which is a significant increase from the previous generation that offered a lifespan of around 5 years.

Does Acara's E1 curtain driver offer any unique features that Switchbot's Curtain 3 does not have?

Acara's E1 curtain driver has a native integration with Apple HomeKit and a light sensor that can control curtain movement based on ambient light levels, which are features not mentioned for Switchbot's Curtain 3.

What are the key accessories included with Switchbot's Curtain 3 and Acara's E1 curtain driver?

Switchbot's Curtain 3 includes alligator clips, a bead fixer, a magnet sticker, a telescopic rod sticker, a USB-C charging cable, a wet wipe, and a reset tool. Acara's E1 includes alligator clips, a rubber strip for grommet installations, and a USB-C cable.

How does the new solar panel accessory for Switchbot's Curtain 3 improve upon the previous version?

The new solar panel for Switchbot's Curtain 3 has a clip to keep it attached and a stiff arm design with a button, allowing for better orientation and preventing it from swinging when the curtains move, thus optimizing solar charging.

What are the differences in the physical connection method between Switchbot's Curtain 3 and Acara's E1?

Switchbot's Curtain 3 uses a top hat design that provides a more consistent connection to the curtain rod, while Acara's E1 uses a method that may be less compatible with tab-based curtains but does not require additional accessories on the rod.

How do the automation capabilities of Switchbot's Curtain 3 compare to Acara's E1 in terms of smart home management?

Both Switchbot's Curtain 3 and Acara's E1 offer integration with Google and Amazon Voice assistance, but Acara has a slight edge with native Apple HomeKit integration and a more advanced automation engine. However, the gap is closing as both are enhancing their apps and working on Matter Bridge compatibility.

Outlines

00:00

🏠 Curtain Automation Showdown: Switchbot vs. Acara

The video script introduces a comparison between the Switchbot Curtain 3 and Acara's E1 curtain driver, focusing on their quiet and nearly imperceptible movement features. The narrator praises the innovative 'Quiet Drift' feature of the Switchbot, which moves curtains with minimal noise, and sets the stage for a detailed comparison. The video will cover various aspects, including compatibility, strength, and additional features of both products, with an emphasis on the rod version of the Switchbot Curtain 3. The narrator also mentions a sponsored giveaway by Switchbot.

05:00

🔍 In-Depth Analysis of Curtain Automation Features

This paragraph delves into the technical differences between the Switchbot Curtain 3 and Acara's E1, particularly their motor capabilities and power efficiency. The Switchbot's variable speed design is highlighted as a complex yet power-efficient feature, which contributes to its expected longevity of over 10 years. The paragraph also discusses the physical connection methods of the two products to the curtain rod, with Switchbot using magnetic stickers for precise movement, and Acara's method being less compatible with certain curtain types. The discussion continues with the impact of these design choices on curved installations and the reliability of Bluetooth versus Zigbee for connectivity.

10:02

🌞 Solar Power and Connectivity in Smart Home Automation

The script continues with a comparison of solar panel accessories for the Switchbot Curtain 3, noting the improvements in design that prevent shadow casting and allow for optimal solar charging. It contrasts this with Acara's lack of a solar panel option. The paragraph also covers the connectivity options for both products, discussing the pros and cons of Bluetooth and Zigbee, and the potential for future integration with smart home standards like Matter. The narrator expresses a preference for Zigbee due to its reliability in home automation, despite the lack of a backup option compared to Bluetooth.

15:05

🛠️ Accessories and Automation Options for Enhanced Curtain Control

The final paragraph discusses the accessories included with the Switchbot Curtain 3 and Acara's E1, as well as additional accessories available for purchase. It outlines the benefits of these accessories for automation and convenience, such as remote controls and sensors. The narrator also touches on the integration of these products with voice assistants and other smart home platforms, emphasizing the importance of connectivity in smart home ecosystems. The video concludes with the narrator's personal preference for the Switchbot Curtain 3 and mentions a discount code for viewers interested in purchasing the product.

Keywords

💡Curtain Driver

A curtain driver is a device that automates the opening and closing of curtains. In the context of the video, it refers to the motorized systems that are being compared, namely the Switchbot Curtain 3 and Acara's E1 curtain driver. These devices are praised for their quiet operation and ability to move curtains in a subtle, almost imperceptible manner, which enhances the user experience by providing a smooth and unobtrusive automation of window treatments.

💡Quiet Drift

Quiet Drift is a feature of the Switchbot Curtain 3 that allows the curtains to move with minimal noise, making the operation nearly silent. This feature is highlighted in the video as a significant improvement over the Acara E1's similar feature, emphasizing the importance of quiet operation in home automation. The term is used to illustrate the advanced technology that enables the motor to operate at variable speeds, contributing to energy efficiency and longevity.

💡Telescopic Rod

A telescopic rod is a type of curtain rod that can be extended or retracted to fit different window sizes. In the video, it is mentioned as a compatibility challenge for the Acara E1 system, which struggles with rods that have varying diameters on either end. This highlights the importance of product flexibility and adaptability in home automation, where users may have diverse window and curtain setups.

💡Variable Speed

Variable speed refers to the ability of a motor to operate at different speeds, which is a feature of the Switchbot Curtain 3's motor. The video explains that this capability allows for more efficient power usage and reduced wear and tear on the device. It also contributes to the Quiet Drift feature by enabling the motor to ramp up to speed gradually, which is a contrast to the start-stop method used by Acara's system.

💡Zigbee

Zigbee is a wireless communication protocol used for creating mesh networks in smart home devices. The video discusses the use of Zigbee in Acara's system, which requires a hub for connectivity, versus the Bluetooth connectivity of Switchbot, which does not. Zigbee is noted for its reliability and potential for integration with other smart home platforms, but it lacks the backup option that Bluetooth provides through smartphone control.

💡Magnetic Stickers

Magnetic stickers are accessories used with the Switchbot Curtain 3 to help the device accurately stop at the end points of the curtain's travel. They are mentioned in the video as a solution to improve the precision of the curtain's movement. While they add a small visual element to the curtain rod, they are seen as a necessary tool for ensuring the curtains stop in the correct position.

💡Solar Panel

A solar panel is a device that converts light into electrical energy. In the context of the video, Switchbot offers a solar panel accessory that can be used to recharge the battery of the Curtain 3, reducing the need for frequent charging. The video highlights the updated design of the solar panel that prevents it from swinging and casting shadows when the curtains move, showcasing an improvement in the product's design for user convenience.

💡Matter Bridge

Matter Bridge refers to a feature that allows smart home devices to be compatible with various ecosystems, even if they don't natively support them. The video discusses how both Switchbot and Acara are working on Matter Bridge support, which will enable their devices to be used with platforms like Apple HomeKit and Samsung SmartThings. This feature is significant as it represents the industry's move towards greater interoperability and ease of use for consumers.

💡Alligator Clips

Alligator clips are accessories that come with both the Switchbot Curtain 3 and Acara's E1, used to attach the motor to the curtain rod. The video mentions the number of clips included with each product, indicating the level of customization and adaptability provided. These clips are essential for securing the curtain driver to the rod and ensuring it can handle the weight and movement of the curtains.

💡Automation

Automation in the context of the video refers to the ability of the curtain drivers to be programmed to perform tasks without manual intervention. The video discusses various ways in which the curtains can be automated, such as using light sensors, time-based triggers, or even gestures recognized by smart cameras. Automation is a key feature of smart home devices, and the video compares the automation capabilities and integration options of the two products.

Highlights

Switchbot's new Curtain 3 features an incredibly quiet and nearly imperceptible movement called 'Quiet Drift'.

Acara's E1 curtain driver also offers a slow start-stop movement for quiet operation, but Switchbot's technology is even quieter.

Switchbot Curtain 3 has more compatibility with different types of curtain rods out of the box compared to Acara's E1.

Acara's system may require additional work to be compatible with certain curtain rod types, such as telescopic rods with varying diameters.

Switchbot Curtain 3 has improved motor strength, allowing it to handle heavier curtains compared to its predecessor and Acara's E1.

Switchbot's variable speed design contributes to power efficiency and a longer expected device lifespan of over 10 years.

Acara's E1 uses a start-stop method for slow movement, which is less power-efficient than Switchbot's variable speed approach.

Switchbot's physical connection method to the curtain rod provides a more consistent and accurate movement.

Switchbot includes magnetic stickers to improve accuracy and ensure the curtain stops perfectly at end points.

Acara's top-hat design may not be suitable for curved curtain rods, unlike Switchbot's design.

Switchbot uses Bluetooth connectivity, which is generally less reliable than Acara's Zigbee but offers a phone backup option.

Acara's Zigbee connectivity integrates well with smart home platforms but lacks a backup option if the network fails.

Switchbot's new solar panel accessory clips securely and doesn't swing with curtain movement, improving solar charging efficiency.

Acara does not offer a solar panel accessory, requiring alternative solutions for battery charging.

Switchbot plans to introduce a light sensor feature similar to Acara's, allowing curtains to open/close based on light levels.

Both Switchbot and Acara are working on Matter Bridge compatibility for broader smart home integration.

Switchbot's Hub 2 includes temperature and humidity sensors, offering additional automation options.

Acara's G3 camera Hub provides security camera functionality and can initiate automations with gestures or facial recognition.

The reviewer prefers Switchbot Curtain 3 due to its superior motor strength and quiet operation, despite the need for magnetic stickers.

Transcripts

last year acara released their E1

curtain driver and it had this

incredible feature that moved the

curtains in your home just a little bit

at a time it's a quick start stop and it

keeps things really quiet and makes it

so you don't really notice your curtains

moving I thought that was amazing and it

is but switchbot just released the new

curtain three and absolutely blew that

feature out of their water with their

new quiet drift the movement is nearly

imperceptible it's so low that my noise

meter really couldn't pick it up unless

I was right next to it it's made opening

up my curtains an absolute dream and

when combined with some of the other

features that switchbot has added to

this new curtain three we have a new

comparison to do between these two

products so today we'll be comparing the

new curtain 3 and akara's E1 curtain

driver I'll also delve a bit into the

previous version of switch well it's

curtain solution so you know if you

should upgrade

[Music]

hello automators thanks for tuning in

again I'm excited to show you the new

switchbot curtain 3 and compare it to

what acara has done with the E1 curtain

driver honestly both of these products

are excellent and they leave the DIY

side of the industry in my opinion so

this is a fun comparison for me today's

video will focus on the rod version of

curtain 3 because that's what I got

however I've made a spreadsheet that

compares all of the you and I rail

versions of these products from acara

and switchbot you can get that at the

link below oh and I do have to mention

switchbot was kind enough to sponsor a

giveaway with today's video as they

launched this device so stay tuned for

some of the details on that there's one

detail about these slow movements

whether it's quiet drift or akara's

version of it both of those companies

will move at their standard performance

speed if you're using them with other

platforms like Google Amazon apple or

SmartThings now that is the case unless

you create a scene in their respective

app so switchbot or acara's and then

that scene has to use that slow movement

then those will synchronize with some of

those platforms and you'll be able to

use that feature with that other

platform but let's go through the tale

of the tape which will lead us into a

couple of really big differences between

the products pricing is very similar but

the types of supported curtain rods are

a little different with switchbot having

more compatibility right out of the box

you could get a Cara's system working

with a lot of the other types but it

might take a little bit of work for me I

couldn't personally use akara system on

both sides of my curtains in the kitchen

because of two aspects that they really

don't deal with they don't deal with a

telescopic Rod that has a different

diameter on both sides of it and

actually they're a little more

restrictive on the diameter itself so I

was able to use them on one side of my

curtains but not on the other side

because it was just too skinny

[Music]

foreign

version it is a bit wider and you might

have to measure the distance between

your rings or grommets because that can

be a limitation but what truly matters

for many of you is the strength or the

power of these two systems and while the

switchboard curtain 2 had much lower

ratings for the weight of your curtains

switchbots V3 now holds the lead when

compared to acara this is because of the

motors and I think it's because

switchbots really refined some of their

power related design here and that's a

big component to the comparison today

because quiet drift isn't just

indicative of a really slick marketing

team who came up with a good name they

did but the way that it's done is very

professional I say that because when we

talk about Motors a motor that can drive

at variable frequencies or variable

speeds is much more complex to do but

often saved significantly on power

it can also save on wear and tear and

you can actually see that in their

specifications when switchbot tells us

that they expect most of this device to

last over 10 years versus the five years

that they were giving us on the previous

generation so what you'll notice is that

curtain 3 slowly ramps up to its speed

which draws down how much current is

being pulled in and effectively lowers

the size of battery they use in the

design that's why a car as device is

doing a start stop method when it

travels slow across the rod because they

aren't doing a variable speed design all

of this translates to a little nicer

ramp up when switchbot starts moving and

it does lower how much noise they make

versus acara but in the same breath the

method that switchbot has always used

for connecting physically to the curtain

rod is very different than what akara is

doing the top had that acara is using

does give them a little bit less

compatibility with those tab based

curtains but it does create a more

consistent connection to the curtain rod

and it does make them really accurate in

terms of their movement and more

importantly where they end their

movement switchbot has dealt with this

little bit of inaccuracy by giving you

some magnetic stickers that don't show

up very much and I think you can even

cut them down but they sit at the middle

or the end points of your curtain's

movement and then they are sensed as the

end point and the curtain stops every

time perfectly this solution fixes an

issue that existed with the second

generation but it does add something to

your curtain rod now the other thing

that this design difference does is it

affects curved installations I don't

have a curved curtain rod but even when

testing the second generation from

switchbot it was able to go around

pretty quick curves and I could even

twist the track sometimes with the top

hat design from acara it's just not

going to be possible to go around as

tight of Curves now there's another big

difference in connectivity my personal

experience with the two technologies

being used is that Bluetooth is a little

less reliable and a little slower to

respond versus zigbee however when

zigbee fails you don't have a backup and

that's one of the things with the system

that switchbot is using see the backup

becomes your phone versus zigbee where

you gotta figure out what's going on

with your network or your Hub and

usually you don't have a lot of tools

still for me I'm gonna prefer zigbee for

home automation in most cases and it

does open up other options for

potentially connecting to other hubs in

the future now we talked about the power

situation and a car's batteries leave it

lasting about year and in fact I've only

had to charge it once since I got them

and I do a lot of testing but that's

where an accessory that does raise the

price of switchbot changes that part of

your decision now this new version of

switchbot's solar panel has a little

clip that keeps it attached to your

curtain device and because it has a

stiff arm design and a button on it we

can Orient it in a couple of ways what

this means is it no longer swings when

you're moving your curtains and it's no

longer having to be affixed to your

curtains for me this older panel left a

shadow where the solar panel was and I

no longer have it plus with the new

version It's just contained in a good

spot and I see it's in a good spot

because I can optimize the location a

little bit for the Sun or where those

solar panels are going to get the best

charge and there's even a software feed

feature that helps you place those

panels in the right spot during the day

but sadly acara doesn't have a solar

panel to sell you and while you could

use something like a power bank attached

to their version there are a lot of

nuances that make that a difficult

installation like for example the cable

now on launch day switchbot doesn't have

a feature on curtain 3 that I found very

useful on curtain 2 but I have confirmed

with them that it will show up acara has

a light sensor on their curtain device

and that means it can open and close

your curtains based on the light level

now the basic feature in akara's app in

relation to this is pretty weak that's

because it just says when the ambient

light is detected to be too bright you

can move the curtain to a certain spot

then you can set a time frame for when

that happens so there's not like control

based on the exact lighting level but

curtain 2 and their respective solar

panels let you set two automations based

on the brightness being sent by those

this meant you could keep your home at a

more consistent light level and that

feature has helped me with temperature

management around my home it's not there

when we talk about the curtain 3

interface today and you should never buy

based on promises but it should be there

soon but I do have to talk a little more

about connectivity when we compare these

two because connectivity isn't just a

communication technology being used in a

smart home that branches out much

further to what you can do with it and

where you can do those things now

because switchbot is Bluetooth you don't

actually need a hub you can always just

use your phone to control these whereas

acara is always going to require their

Hub in the end you're going to want the

Hub anyways so that's not a big deal to

a lot of people but that does mean if

your Hub ever fails you would have that

phone backup with switchbot but both of

these companies have pretty good

integration with Google and Amazon Voice

assistance but things start to change

when we talk about other platforms now

acara has a native integration with

apple homekit and that makes all of

their control very fast and very good

with Apple's products the car is also a

little ahead when it comes to their

automation engine and their offerings

when it comes to sensors but the Gap in

that area has closed in the last year

with both switchbot and acara's apps

having pretty similar options and

features but both of these companies

have worked really hard on what is

called the matter Bridge feature no

matter is that smart home standard

that's supposed to allow the smart home

industry to get to this ubiquitous place

where if a device has the logo you know

it'll work with the rest of your home

that's not the case right now but the

matter Bridge feature does mean that

switchbot can be used with apple homekit

and both of these companies in the near

future will be able to be used with

Samsung SmartThings this will extend to

other systems too as more companies

complete the work needed to support

matter Bridges which is what is in the

hubs from these two companies if you

want to learn more about what a matter

bridge is and how matter works there's a

link up there right now where you can go

and learn about that but just suffice it

to say that it's going to help with

connectivity and make our charts for

compatibility look very similar

[Music]

in terms of accessories there's both

what you get in the box when you buy one

of these and then there are the

accessories that you can use with these

products that make them really

convenient or highly automated but the

accessories that come with curtain

threes Rod version is as follows three

alligator clips a bead fixer that magnet

sticker a telescopic Rod sticker a USBC

charging cable a wet wipe and a reset

tool with akara you get a eight

alligator clips a rubber strip for

grommet installations and a USBC cable

now the track versions of these products

come with a lot less and that's because

they don't need the stickers and the

extra clips and things but those

stickers will bother some people and the

good news is I peeled off that

telescopic sticker and the curtain three

went right over that point in my curtain

rod without any trouble I don't think

most people are gonna need that one and

switchbot has said they're creating a

rod upgrade solution so stay tuned for

that the magnetic stickers will change

some of that accuracy that I've talked

about but as long as you have that

middle point that blocks the path of

your curtain drivers you shouldn't have

any problem without those stickers but

it's those outside accessories that give

us some automation ideas for working

with these products so here's a few for

you with switchbot the new upgraded

remote has a nice little seat to sit in

and sticks to whatever surface you'd

like with its 3M tape I stuck that on my

fridge next to a bunch of other buttons

and that's an easy open close control

the same can be said for acara's mini

wireless switch but it could actually do

three positions because it has a press a

double press and a hold function

but more fun and I think a better

controller would be an akara T1 Cube Pro

because the six different sides could

represent a different percentage of open

so as you flip the cube the curtain

moves along the track in small

increments now one of the things I like

about what switchbot has done with their

new Hub too is that it has a temperature

sensor on it and a humidity sensor

actually it also has a couple of buttons

on it so if you buy Hub 2 to be the hub

for your curtains you can use all of

those in your automations they also sell

an outdoor temperature and humidity

sensor so this creates a couple of

really easy automations that can help to

control the temperature in your home if

it's hot outside and it's getting hot in

your place close the curtains if it's

cold outside and it's getting cold in

your place hey do it again close the

curtains now the buttons on HUB 2 also

mean that you wouldn't have to buy as a

separate remote and I like that feature

a car can do a fairly similar thing

because they have a weather automation

starter in their app that allows you to

set an outdoor temperature or even

outdoor conditions like cloudy sunny or

even things like rain to start an

Automation and to control your curtains

also I think acara has a really

convenient automation option if you have

their G3 camera Hub not only is that a

zigbee hub for your curtains it's also a

security camera that can be used with

home kit secure video and it allows you

to start automations using gestures so I

can make the finger gun at it and have

the curtains move they can also do

facial recognition so the curtains can

move just based on me entering into the

space and looking at it otherwise I

think you're mostly going to control

these based on the lighting level or the

time of day and for my money I'm gonna

purchase the curtain rod three I don't

mind the little magnetic stickers

personally and I will cut them down over

time so for me that's the one I'm gonna

pick up and if you want to pick up some

yourself there are links below I always

have a personal discount code that you

can use when you buy from switchbot site

or you can buy them from Amazon but I

did mention a giveaway so if you want to

win a set of these and a hub from

switchbot and you can enter into our

giveaway in partnership with them read

those terms and conditions as always but

I'm not doing anything with your data

and I don't want anything except to give

away a set of these to someone who

really wants them now our other

comparison reviews of things like light

strips video doorbell smart speakers

sensors and more are in the videos that

are up on screen there check that out so

you know what you're buying and you buy

the right guide the first time otherwise

thanks for watching today and of course

don't hate automate