At first glance, a motorised curtain and a smart curtain might sound like the same thing. But while they're related, there's a key difference - and it's one that matters when planning your home.
Motorised: Remote Control
A motorised curtain is simply one that opens and closes with the help of a motor instead of manual pulling. You can control it with a:
- Remote control
- Wall switch (wired or wireless)
But not all motorised curtains are smart.
Smart: Automation and Integration
A smart curtain is motorised, but also connected.
This means it can be:
- Controlled via voice assistants like Siri, Alexa, or Google
- Automated to open or close at specific times
- Linked to motion sensors, timers, or scenes
It's part of a smart home system, and usually requires a hub or compatible ecosystem (like Apple Home or Google Home).
Why the Difference Matters
If you're planning renovations, it's not really important to distinguish between smart and motorized when it comes to power provisioning and hardware placement. Why?
Both usually require power. While it's possible to find some that can run on batteries, most homeowners prefer a proper solution that doesn't involve regularly charging motors or changing batteries.
However, the difference still matters in the long run, beyond the positioning.
- Some curtain motors out there can't be integrated into a smart home system. This means you'll have to use the remote control every time - no option for future automations or integrations.
- Some curtain motors require very expensive upgrades and hardware to integrate it into smart home systems. You'll want to do some research beforehand.
- Most curtain motors are limited to the smart home platforms they can be integrated into. Most can't be added to Apple Home, for example. Some can only be added to a single app.
Quick Summary
| Feature | Motorised Curtain | Smart Curtain |
|---|---|---|
| Opens via motor | Yes | Yes |
| Remote or switch control | Yes | Yes |
| Voice/app/sensor control | No | Yes |
| Requires a smart hub | No | Maybe |
| Can be automated | No | Yes |
Thinking of Smart Curtains?
If you're considering smart control, we can help you plan for it. Read more about motorised and smart curtains in our guide, or find out more about how we can help you.