SmartWings · Reviewed by A Smarter House · Published 2026-04-29
Based on a review by A Smarter House (accessed 2026-04-29).
Based on this review alone: buy it if you care about custom-manufactured for unusual window shapes (e.g., trapezoids) — just accept ikea dirigera hub failed to successfully commission the shades as controllable devices.
The reviewer concludes that SmartWings Nowa blinds effectively succeed IKEA's discontinued smart blinds, offering robust protocol support, solar power, and reliable multi-platform control. While they integrate seamlessly with most smart home ecosystems, they are notably incompatible with IKEA's Dirigera hub for full control.
This review evaluates the SmartWings Nowa Motorized Blackout Trapezoid Cellular Shades, focusing on their Matter over Thread protocol and solar panel option. The reviewer unboxes, installs, and integrates four custom trapezoid shades with Homey Pro and Google Home, while also testing their compatibility with IKEA's Dirigera hub.
The SmartWings Nowa motorized shades are an excellent, albeit premium, solution for integrating custom-shaped windows into a modern smart home, effectively addressing a gap in the market. The shades offer unparalleled protocol flexibility, supporting Matter over Thread for seamless multi-platform integration and robust local control through systems like Homey Pro. While the IKEA Dirigera hub failed to commission them, Homey Pro pairing was quick, enabling powerful automations and Matter credential sharing to Google Home. If you have challenging window shapes or require advanced smart home automation for blinds and are willing to invest, these shades are a top-tier choice. However, if your smart home ecosystem is exclusively built around IKEA Dirigera, you should explore other options for now.
reviewer_claimstrong
reviewer_claimstrong
reviewer_claimmoderate
specification_claimstrong
reviewer_claimstrong
reviewer_claimmoderate
reviewer_claimstrong
reviewer_claimstrong
comparison_claimmoderate
reviewer_claimpositivet=03:00–03:15
The unboxing is clean, and all four shades arrived pre-paired to the included multi-channel remote, making them usable for everyone in the household immediately.
visual_inspectionpositivet=03:25–03:35
The shades demonstrate good build quality, featuring sturdy aluminum rails, single-cell honeycomb construction, and blackout fabric that genuinely blocks light.
hands_on_demopositivet=03:35–03:45
Mounting three custom trapezoid windows took approximately 45 minutes total, described as a straightforward process involving a couple of L-brackets and four to six screws per shade.
specification_claimneutralt=03:50–04:05
Due to Matter over Thread protocol, these shades should work with all major smart home platforms, including Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, and Homey, using local communication.
measurement_testpositivet=04:40–05:00
Pairing each shade with Homey Pro took under two minutes, utilizing the SmartWings app and the 'Connect via Homey Pro' method for reliable connection.
hands_on_demopositivet=05:00–05:30
Once paired to Homey, the shades could be shared to other ecosystems like Google Home via Matter credential sharing, eliminating the need for separate pairing processes.
hands_on_demopositivet=05:55–06:50
Homey Pro's automation cards enable advanced flows, such as opening bedroom shades 15 minutes before an alarm and closing office shades to 20% based on cloud cover and time of day.
reviewer_claimnegativet=06:55–07:15
Triggering all four shades simultaneously from a single flow can cause one to not respond; adding a one or two-second delay between each action card provides a simple fix.
hands_on_demonegativet=07:50–08:25
Despite the shades joining the Thread network and being seen by IKEA Dirigera, the pairing process to add them as a controllable device in the IKEA Home Smart app failed every time.
specification_claimneutralt=09:10–09:25
Without the solar panel, the 2200 milliamp-hour battery for the shades lasts four to six months, or approximately six hundred open-close cycles.
reviewer_claimpositivet=09:00–09:05
The optional $49.99 solar panel, which sticks to the window glass, continuously charges the battery, making the need for manual recharging essentially disappear.
comparisonpositivet=09:40–09:55
SmartWings trapezoid shades start at $399, whereas Lutron Serena custom shades start closer to $500 per window and often do not offer trapezoid shapes or Matter over Thread.
reviewer_claimpositivet=09:55–10:05
SmartWings offers local control, multi-platform support, and no subscription costs, presenting a strong value proposition in comparison to some premium alternatives.
reviewer_claimpositivet=10:05–10:15
The reviewer concludes that SmartWings effectively "picked up where IKEA left off" in the smart blind market, offering modern protocols and extensive control options.
The reviewer found the installation of three trapezoid shades to be straightforward, taking about 45 minutes total using L-brackets and screws, indicating an easy process.
The shades use Matter over Thread, ensuring compatibility with Apple Home, Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, Home Assistant, and Homey, and support Matter credential sharing for multi-ecosystem integration. However, they are incompatible with the IKEA Dirigera app for control.
The reviewer confirms that the single-cell honeycomb construction combined with the blackout fabric genuinely blocks light, providing effective light control.
The 2200 mAh battery typically lasts 4 to 6 months without the solar panel. With the optional $49.99 solar panel, it continuously charges the battery, effectively making manual recharging unnecessary.
The reviewer notes that the shades have good build quality, with sturdy aluminum rails and a single-cell honeycomb construction, and the motor is discreetly built into the top rail.
While custom trapezoid shades start at $399, the reviewer highlights that alternatives like Lutron Serena custom shades start closer to $500 per window, often without trapezoid options or Matter over Thread. SmartWings provides local control and multi-platform support without subscription costs, offering good value.
75/100 source quality
A Smarter House reviews the SmartWings Nowa Motorized Blackout Trapezoid Cellular Shades, highlighting their custom sizing for unique windows and Matter over Thread connectivity. The video demonstrates integration with Homey Pro and Google Home, showcasing advanced automation capabilities and the effectiveness of the solar panel charging. The reviewer also provides an honest look at the installation process, build quality, and a key finding: the shades' inability to be fully controlled by IKEA's Dirigera hub.
Full transcript is not redistributed here to respect the original creator’s rights.
This page converts A Smarter House's review of the SmartWings Nowa Motorized Blackout Trapezoid Cellular Shade with Matter over Thread and solar panel into structured evidence — timestamped claims, pros & cons, and buyer questions. It is not the original review and does not replace watching or reading the full source.
Brand relationship disclosed as: gifted