The SwitchBot Curtain 3 allows you to control your curtains with HomeKit via Matter integration, as long as you have the required hub. SwitchBot, a company best known for making the Smart Switch Button Pusher, offers a range of smart home devices, including the Curtain 3. With the Hub 2, it enables Matter support for them. Smart devices that control your curtains are perfect for creating the right atmosphere during a movie night or before going to bed. They also help welcome sunlight when you wake up in the morning. However, these devices usually require a separate hub to enable smart connectivity, and the Curtain 3 is no exception.
Depending on your curtains, the SwitchBot Curtain 3 can hide behind it, with only the hooks sticking out. At 9.25 x 2.36 x 2.36 inches, it falls on the larger side, while also standing out against tab-top or ring-top curtains. It weighs 1.96 pounds, making it heavy and unsuitable for delicate rods. The Curtain 3 has a special UV coating that protects it against damage from sunlight when placed in front of a window.
Two detachable hooks connect to the base of the Curtain 3 and can be stretched to fit rods up to 1.5 inches in diameter. When placed on the bar, they provide a firm grip, requiring some force to open. There are wear-resistant rollers on top of the hooks, built with rubber material to provide longevity while limiting wear and tear.
The Curtain 3 is compatible with extendable curtain rods with the included connector. However, only one is included, so if you have a double extendable rod, you will need to purchase an additional connector. When setting up, we tried using the connector, but the Curtain 3 didn't go over it smoothly and got stuck, leading us to install a full-length rod, which was an inconvenience.
The button on the front starts and stops the device moving when it is in motion and can start the pairing process once everything is set up. Below that is a USB-C port for charging, and you can use it for up to eight months on a single charge. If you do not want to disassemble the device for charging, you can purchase a separate solar panel attachment. It plugs directly into the USB-C port, charges continuously, and can be configured in the SwitchBot app.
Unlike other HomeKit devices, where you can choose which app you want to set up the device, the SwitchBot Curtain 3 instructs you to use the native app. Press the front button to start pairing and find the device in the SwitchBot app. Then you calibrate it so it becomes familiar with the length of the rod and where the start and stop positions are. To start the calibration you need to place Curtain 3 on top of the magnets attached to the rod. Once inserted, choose one of two calibration options: manual or automatic.
After calibrating the SwitchBot Curtain 3, it can be customized and programmed within your chosen app - the Home app or the SwitchBot app. While both apps offer the same core functionalities, they also offer additional features that the other does not offer.
For Matter setup, you'll need to enable Cloud Services within the device settings and connect it to your SwitchBot Hub 2. Within this section, you will need to create a bridge so that the Curtain 3 can be moved to the Home app. With a bridge, you communicate with accessories that cannot communicate directly with HomeKit. Once the bridge is established, you can add the Curtain 3 as a secondary device from the same menu, and it is then transferred to the Home app. Like other compatible devices, you can personalize your curtains in multiple ways, including combining each curtain into one group, customizing their name and icon, and launching or adding them to your existing automation or shortcut.
The SwitchBot Curtain 3 offers a setup that hides behind your curtains and offers adequate response times with simple controls. However, it comes with a high price and requires a Hub 2 for HomeKit compatibility. Our time with the device has been pleasant and we've had little to no connectivity issues with it so far, but the response time is not instant due to the bridge between the two apps. The Curtain 3 alone costs $90, comparable to other HomeKit-enabled curtain operators. Although it will cost you an extra $90 for the required Hub 2. If you use SwitchBot products and already own the Hub 2, then the SwitchBot Curtain 3 is a great way to control your curtains. However, if you don't want to pay up to $180 to open and close your curtains, we recommend operating them the old-fashioned way.
You can buy the SwitchBot Curtain 3 from their website for $89.99, and it is also available on Amazon in the same color for the same price.
HomeKit.Blog is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Apple Inc. or Apple related subsidiaries.
All images, videos and logos are the copyright of the respective rights holders, and this website does not claim ownership or copyright of the aforementioned.
All information about products mentioned on this site has been collected in good faith. However, the information relating to them, may not be 100% accurate, as we only rely on the information we are able to gather from the companies themselves or the resellers who stock these products, and therefore cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies arising from the aforementioned sources, or any subsequent changes that are made that we have not been made aware of.
HomeKit.Blog Is A Participant In The Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, An Affiliate Advertising Program Designed To Provide A Means For Sites To Earn Advertising Fees By Advertising And Linking To Amazon Store (Amazon.com, Or Endless.com, MYHABIT.com, SmallParts.com, Or AmazonWireless.com).
The opinions expressed on this website by our contributors do not necessarily represent the views of the website owners.
