SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2 Review: Coming Together Nicely

What smart home is complete without self- opening curtains? Automatic curtains signal that we're in the future in movies. You can get a taste of the good life by opening and closing your curtains when the sun is shining or when you want. You can tell your smart assistant to open the curtains while you lounge in bed if you pick up a SwitchBot Hub.

The promise of sunlight gently waking you and curtains that automatically close at night is exciting, but there is a price. You need two for a pair of curtains if you buy a single SwitchBot Curtain Rod 2. The SwitchBot Mini Hub is $39 and the SwitchBot Remote is $19. It is comparable to the shallow end of the motorized curtain market, but SwitchBots can be retrofitted to your existing curtains quickly and easily without any drilling or need for a power outlet.

The second-generation SwitchBot is here. I tried the original last year and found it flawed, but the company has made several improvements that make this smart gizmo a worthwhile addition to your home.

There is a curtain call.

The original Switchbot had different versions for different types of curtains, but the new version only applies to standard rods. There are app updates that apply to all models. I have curtains with a uniform rod. The new version of the SwitchBot Curtain Rod has two different clamps that fit into the bot body, which hangs after the first ring on your curtains. It might not work with all curtain types.

The setup process is easier to follow with the help of the SwitchBot app. calibrate the open and closed positions with your phone. Pick open in the middle and you will be prompted to add them as a pair. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the new Curtain Rod 2 opens and closes smoothly and consistently, which was not the case with the original.

You can schedule the curtains to open automatically at set times, with different schedules for weekdays and weekends, or you can have them open and close when the sun rises and sets. The motor kicks in and finishes the job if you begin to open or close them by hand. You can use the app to open your curtains if you want them to be partially open. The app takes a few seconds to load and then another few seconds to respond, which is annoying.

You will need to make a few more purchases if you want to get the most from your curtains. The two-button SwitchBot Remote offers a simple way to open and close them, but it should be included with the SwitchBot itself. You need a mini hub to use voice commands, set up automation, and more. I use the Google Assistant and it works perfectly. Voice command is my favorite way of opening and closing the curtains, it feels luxurious to have your digital butler draw the drapes.

You only need to charge the battery once every few months via the port on the back. You can attach the solar panel to the back of the SwitchBot, or you can use the glue to attach the curtains. It's smart!