Among the various smart home devices I have tested over the years, one product has truly transformed my daily routine, providing a level of automation that once seemed exclusive to films. I’m referring to Matter-enabled window shades, and I recently added a new pair to my bathroom, which has been nothing short of amazing. This week, I'm reviewing the Canisteo Motorized Woven Woods window shades.

HomeKit Weekly is a series that explores smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything related to Apple’s smart home framework.

Installation Process

The installation of the Canisteo shades is straightforward as long as your measurements are accurate. I've included a video above that demonstrates how to measure for proper fit, but once the shades arrive, you’ll simply drill a couple of brackets at the top of your window frame, and you’ll be good to go. The shades feature pre-drilled notches that allow a screw to slide in, and you just need to secure the shades with an included bolt. There’s sufficient ‘wiggle room’ for adjustments. Overall, I spent about 15 minutes per window on the physical installation.

After installing the Canisteo shades, you’ll need to charge them to full capacity. A long USB-C to USB-A cable is included in the package, but I found that one of my windows lacked a nearby power outlet. So, I improvised using a USB battery pack for charging. Yes, I consider myself a modern-day MacGyver (or McGruber?). I let it charge for a few hours, and then proceeded to set up the rest of the experience. The motor features a green blinking light that turns solid when it’s fully charged.

Programming the Canisteo Shades

The shades come with a remote, and I appreciate having this physical option alongside HomeKit access. I dislike when devices offer only a software component. The remote allows me to raise and lower the shades without having to deal with Wi-Fi or HomeKit connectivity. The remote is pre-configured, but it’s incredibly easy to add new shades if you purchase multiple.

Once the remote is set up, you can start integrating it with HomeKit. There’s a Matter tag on the back of the shade, and there’s also a hidden one at the top. It’s wise to remove the tag and place it safely, but note that the hidden one requires removing the shades from their mount to access. After adding the shades to HomeKit, you can control them manually via the app or create scenes and automations to manage them automatically.

Conclusion

In summary, the Canisteo shades are a remarkable addition to my home. They have significantly enhanced our living space. Located in my bathroom, one window was situated behind the bathtub, making manual operation a hassle. With the Canisteo Motorized Woven Woods, I can easily open and close the shades using my iPhone, Siri, or the provided remote. Even without HomeKit, these shades would be a great choice, but with Matter support through HomeKit, they open up automation possibilities typically seen only in films featuring the ultra-wealthy. You can purchase the Canisteo Motorized Shades directly from their website.