Smart Home

It’s Almost the Holidays — Why I Want to Install a SwitchBot Curtain at My Parents’ Place (Even If They Say No)

The SwitchBot Curtain 3 opens and closes your curtains automatically. After using it for a long time, here’s what I think: this is something I really want to set up at my parents’ house.

The slipping on the rod that bugged me with the first model is fixed, and there’s now a magnet for detecting position. With the solar panel, it ran for a whole year on a south-facing window without me charging it once. That said, check how much sun your window gets — and if your curtains open from the middle, you’ll need two units.

Official site: https://www.switchbot.jp

Where to buy: See on Amazon Japan

The first model kept slipping

In my home, the original rod-type model sometimes slipped partway. If it stops halfway when you want the curtains open, you end up reaching over and doing it yourself anyway.
In my home, the original rod-type model sometimes slipped partway. If it stops halfway when you want the curtains open, you end up reaching over and doing it yourself anyway.
The Curtain 3 seems to grip the rod harder, and it moves much more steadily. It’s something you rely on every day, so this kind of improvement is the one I appreciate most.

A magnet tells it where to stop

The Curtain 3 comes with a magnet that detects the closed position. It’s not just a stronger grip — they also improved where it stops.
The Curtain 3 comes with a magnet that detects the closed position. It’s not just a stronger grip — they also improved where it stops.
When you want to hand over opening and closing every single day, small, unglamorous fixes like this make a real difference.

I tested the solar panel for a year

Even with automation, it won’t stick if you have to take the unit down to charge it. So I added the solar panel and used it for a year.
Even with automation, it won’t stick if you have to take the unit down to charge it. So I added the solar panel and used it for a year.
On the south-facing window, I didn’t have to charge it manually once all year. Letting sunlight handle it takes even charging off your plate.
On the south-facing window, I didn’t have to charge it manually once all year. Letting sunlight handle it takes even charging off your plate.
On the shadier east-facing window, though, I did need to charge it. Results varied by window in our home, so I can’t say a solar panel means you can just forget about it.

Budget for two if your curtains open from the middle

If you want both sides of a two-panel curtain to move, you need two units. If you’re thinking “one window, one unit,” this is where your budget changes.
If you want both sides of a two-panel curtain to move, you need two units. If you’re thinking “one window, one unit,” this is where your budget changes.
Add solar panels and the cost goes up even more. Before automating every window at my parents’ place, starting with the one window they open every morning might be the way to go.

Why I want it at my parents’ place: morning sunlight

If I bring it up, they’ll probably say, “I can open my own curtains, thanks.” But I love the idea of the curtains opening at the same time every morning and letting sunlight in. It gives the day a little nudge to start.

It’s not just less hassle — it also makes it easier to separate morning from night. I’d love for them to use it as a way to keep a healthy daily rhythm.

A gift for the holiday visit: mornings that open themselves

After using the Curtain 3 for a long time, I’m sold on how convenient auto-moving curtains are. Whether it also saves you from charging depends on your window, but it takes one small daily hassle off your plate.

When I think about what to bring home for the year-end visit, something they’ll use every day sounds pretty good. I think I’ll start by letting them experience how handy it is.

As an Amazon Associate, Hidenori Kimura earns from qualifying purchases.

This story was originally published (in Japanese) on Yahoo! News Japan Expert.

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