Long term Ikea Smart blinds review - HomeKit, battery life and performance after 5 months of use
VloĆŸit
- Äas pĆidĂĄn 24. 07. 2024
- Following the hands on first impressions of the FYRTUR blackout blinds video. I now take a look at the KADRILJ shades along with the FYRTUR blackout blinds. This is in-depth Ikea Smart blinds review looking at the performance, battery life, HomeKit and the Home smart app. This is review is following 5 months of use and various firmware updates.
So watch the video to my long term in-depth Review of the Ikea smart blinds.
www.homekitauthority.com/2020...
Why not Subscribe to the channel! (It's FREE): czcams.com/users/homekitauth...
Follow me for all the latest HomeKit, Apple and Smart home
* WEBSITE: www.homekitauthority.com
* INSTA: / followhomekit
* FB: / followhomekit
* Twitter: / followhomekit
đ Help support the channel when shopping on Amazon
Amazon UK, US, DE, FR - geni.us/ORC9
Amazon Affiliate disclosure
Videos may contain affiliate links to Amazon product pages which can help support and grow this channel with no extra cost to you. Thanks for your continued support.
#Ikea #Smartblinds #Smarthome
HomeKit Authority is not in any way affiliated or endorsed by Apple Inc. or any subsidiary companies related to Apple. - VÄda a technologie
Great video. Exactly what a review should be. No shouting, no âHey Dudesâ no loud music just clear well researched information. Well done.
Thank you
@@HomeKitAuthority I agree, but you begged for thumbs up, which means I thumbed down.
in briefs lol. Hardly begged, it was a request if you liked the video
@@HomeKitAuthority yea begged was strong wording. I'm just being the change I want to see in the world. Which is thumbs down for proper asking for likes.
@@FrankXchnge so rude, people out here providing free,GOOD content yet ur here whining about something small as asking for likes
Really like the blurred background with the talking points. Iâve seen a lot of reviews and CZcams videos, but never seen anyone do that. It looks really clean, tells me what I need to know, and I donât have to choose between looking at you or the words on screen. Like you videos, just subscribed.
I really like how calm your videos are, that is such a welcome change to the usual attention seeking - no flashy music, no needlessly fancy graphics, just solid information. Thank you very much for that! :-) The first link in the description seems to 404.
could not agree more!
Hi John thanks for taking the time to review
I'm just thinking of fitting these blinds and a complete novice you outlined some very helpful information I'm hoping I can use the home kit software and also add something to operate my garage door from the same software will dig through your back catalogue
Cheers
Glad I could help
Nice review. Itâs been good to watch the journey you have gone on with these!
Cheers! They have certainly improved
Itâs really great to see some more of the details of these blinds. Thatâs also good to hear that IKEA is fixing some of the automation bugs in the app and to see the HomeKit support totally working without Homebridge.
It is Eric, the software has significantly improved over the time I have been testing them. Which I am glad as the investment I have made is worth it now
Ah this is brilliant. Your setup is very similar to what mine will be. Originally found your previous first look on your other channel, and found my way over here. Love your presentation format and the information contained within. New sub earned! Nicely done.
Glad it was helpful! and thank you for watching!
Great video. Well edited and information was very helpful. Thanks !
Thank you
Very nice video, thank you. Iâve just installed one blind as a test to see how I get on. Really useful to see your long term test, which I much the same as my experience so far. On your video the shade version appears to be installed in front of bifold doors fixed to the ceiling is that right? Did you have any issues with the bifolds clearing the blinds?
Iâm so close to wanting these, but that battery life turns me off. For me, my smart devices need to blend into my life and just work, and remembering to pull a battery pack out of every blind to charge every 8 weeks or so is a huge drawback.
Hi i have had mine for 2 years near and only charged mine 3 times in that time strang his only lasts 2 mouths very strange.
@@gm2543 Yeah seems weird to me, most zwave devices last at least 6 months with some devices lasting up to 2+ years. Maybe he uses his blinds a whole lot? Seems like it would vary based on motor use.
@@Zandengoff yeah, it would depend on the size of the shade and how often it is scheduled to operate. Having said that I would also prefer a solar cell-powered electric blind that charges batteries during the day.
His curtains are quite high. It travels double the length of a normal window. Maybe that is why it only lasts 2 months? It would be nice to get a comparison or a test from IKEA telling us how many times it would fully open and close on a fully charged battery.
Great video, thanks for sharing!
Thanks Shane! Keep up the good work too!
Thankyou for your in depth honest review!
My pleasure!
Them blinds coming down at different rates would kill me. Just looking for homekit blinds and this is still one of the better videos about them all. I hate having to have separate hubs though.
Great and fair review. Answered my questions.
Thank you
Very detailed, thanks. Can you tell me if the shade version offers privacy at night when interior lights are on?
Thank you for the clearly communicated information. Great work.
Thanks for the video. Are you able to group blinds together to open/close all of them with one tap?
Awesome video, extremely helpful. Do you by chance have any opinions on using the dirigera hub instead of the tradfri gateway? I just purchased a 36" black out blinds and the dirigera. Have a window pointed directly at a brand new 65# OLED TV that is also connected to my Apple Homekit, trying to get an automation going where every time TV is turned on, lights dim and this window gets shaded. Hopeful that this hub works well when Matter releases in a couple weeks.
Top review man!
Thank you
Thanks great video! Question, Can I install two kinds of blinds on the same window (shades and blackout)?
Good video. A few questions: Will they upgrading the software so it is supporting the "Matter" standard so it won't need a hub, etc.? Will they have longer (94 inches / 239 centimeters) blinds that can be wall mounted above and used for common U.S. sized sliding glass doors? Thanks
Thanks buddy, nice review exactly what I was after.
Thank you for watching
Woo hoo, thanks for giving me the courage to buy a bunch of these. Love using them with HomeKit! They work great. Do you have any tips for charging the batteries? Seems awkward to try and use the charging plugs they give you. Was thinking of getting something like an Anker 5 port and using that. Do you think the IKEA power blocks have anything special in them that would make me want to use those instead? Awesome videos on the blinds. Super informative and thanks fir trying them out!!!!
Hi! I just got two of these but they are not synced properly. One of them start 0.5 seconds before the other. Any solutions? Thanks!
Very good review, I have a question: would you recommend this blinds for high windows (20 feet fro ground) ?....I am planning to use it here and there when needed and definitely not a daily thing. Thanks!
For the price yes. I have found needing to charge the battery every 2-3 months though
Hi there, really helpful review, thanks. Would you know if itâs possible to replace the fabric to create a longer drop? In the video you show the setting of the drop, is this limited to 195?
The 195 is limited I think, but you can replace the fabric if desired
Can you fit some pelmets for a cleaner look?
It would be great if they did a double roller for shade and blackout.
Is the advertised maximum 76 3/4 inch length just the length of the shade, or the length of the shade plus the mechanism? I have windows that are 82 inches long, and am worried they won't go all the way down. A response in centimeters is fine. Thank you so much for this video! I can't find an answer on this anywhere.
Great Review, informative and useful! Support!
Thank you
Hi John, thanks for the advice. I've set the maximum drop and would like a max height too as I'd prefer a little bit of shade showing when they are open. Is this possible?
I have not found a way todo this. Other than a automation in which it would raise the blinds to a set amount
Thanks for your channel! The best place for HomeKit info, you are doing better PR job than apple does.
Iâm quite new to the smarthome game, can you explain which hub do I need to make them connect to HomeKit? Are there compatibility charts between gates and devices? I am waiting to get xiaomi hub(cause I managed to get some door sensors cheap), and wonder wether I need to get another one, if I want to get ikea devices.
John, have you run these blinds thru Hoobs using the Ikea Tradfri Gateway
Thanks for the informative video! Any guess on when they will offer the shade version in USA?
Later in the year I suspect
That is some good and honest review. I like most budged options. So other than Ikea I could recommend Dako.
Do you have any of these that roll up to one side? I think one of mine must be a bit lower because itâs collecting on one side.
When you get the chance, could you possibly add if devices are available in other places around the world apart from US, UK. The smart home audiences here in Australia would love you for it! We seem to get left behind!!! đ
Great video thank you. Do you reckon this will work with a Philips hue bridge instead of an ikea hub?
I have heard people getting it to work. However I have not tried and not sure how. The reason being is that hue does not support blinds. If you did though, you would not be able to connect them to Homekit
8:30 sorry this wasnât clear to me, if you want to use these with HomeKit do you need the ikea gateway?
Great video and review ...thank you.
I am thinking of these for my kitchen, but want blackout. They also need to be fitted inside the window rather than covering the window on the wall.
Is there much light leakage around the edges if fitted inside the window ?
Wondering the same!
battery capacity info was really helpful.
Thank you
Very helpful video, thanks. I have two set up and two coming and using google home. I canât find a battery level indicator in the app, help please.
In the Tradfri app it does not have a battery level
Great review! Do you need the repeater? I'm thinking of getting 3 blinds that will be in the same room as the gateway...
I would suggest using the repeater. It comes with it anyway.
Hi HomeKit!! I have a velux window that is on the ceiling of the room and I was wondering if FYRTUR would work for that as those darn Velux windows do not sit straight down but sits on an angle up on the ceiling.
I donât think they will work
Me being from the US had a slightly difficult time deciphering your accent -especially when you talked fast -however thanks to the replay feature I fully absorbed your review.
Thank you. It was very informative âïž
Hi thanks for the video. Question that I didnât find in comments. Can these be pulled down manually, if needed? Also, can you clarify how to close them half way, does this need to be a pre-setting, or can that be changed in-the-moment? Thanks!
You canât pull down manually no. To answer the other question, you can adjust the drop positions and within the app control the open and close position with a slider
can you use them with google assistance, or/and with routines?
If I have a large window 95" wide. Would you recommend putting a pair side by side or will the gap between the two blinds be too big?
If you donât have a divider in your window then it could be a problem
How tall is the housing for the blinds? Is it considered part of the 195 cm fabric length measurement or is the total height 195 cm + blind housing height?
Itâs 195 in total
Hi Iâm just about to get some IKEA smart blinds for my living room but am undecided as to whether to get the blackout blinds. You chose the opaque version, I wanted to ask whether when shut how much light comes through and can anyone outside see what youâre doing inside?
Thanks for the channel really useful for someone like me whoâs consolidating from many different platforms into HomeKit as the primary smart home platform.
Thanks for watching.
They do let fair amount of light through. Mine are south facing though. In terms of people seeing through, if at a certain angle you can make outlines out. But I also find that when the sun is shining it can create a mirror affect
Do they do dual blinds?
do they work well with the Google assistant?
As someone with physical disabilities who was considering a pair of these for my room, it'd be nice if there was some sort of extender that let you mount a box for the battery at the bottom of the window on top of the windowsill rather than mounting the battery at the very top... I can't reach the top of my window and I'd hate to have to pester someone into changing it for me every time the battery goes flat...
The blinds are taller than the windows I'd like to put them on. Can you set the "fully closed" state to a percentage other than 100%? So when I tell Siri to close the blinds it'll go down to that percentage? Thanks!
When you set the percentage in the app, it will then set it in HomeKit
What is the noise level like when the motor is in use? And what is the noise level like when you have 6 (I think I saw 6 in one of your rooms?) running at the same time?
I have a room that will need 6/7/8 blinds and Iâm worried itâll be too noisy.
Great video! Thank you.
They are not overly noisy. But they will wake people with that amount in one room
I have 2 issues guys- first, I can't seem to set maximum drop length. I reset everything and tried again but still didn't work. Second issue is battery level in app always shows empty even if I just fully charged. Have any one of you have these issues?
Not come across these issues
Nice review. A couple questions which help me decide on these blinds. a) Can the blinds be stopped at a certain length? For example, if I wanted to open one or all of the blinds half way, is that possible? b) To avoid charging are there any options to connecting to a solar panel as I have seen on other products.
Answer to your first question, yes you can both in Homekit and the Ikea app. The question, I have not found a way
Yes and yes
Nice review. Only wish you had included the sound of the blinds where you said they were pretty quiet đ
Great video!
Can the blinds connect to smartthings hub without the ikea bridge?
I have not tried myself, but I have seen people reporting success with this hub
Awesome video!!!
Thanks for the visit
Great video, very helpfull
the sound quality could use some work though, other then that, keep it going !!!
Working on it!
Is there a sensor on them so they can detect heavy sunlight and open automatically?
No
I persume their just 2.4 ghz?
I think I know the answer but can this connect to homekit without the tradfi?
Also do they link in with Google home?
Thanks!
No, you need the gateway and google home, not sure
Is that a Dalek in your background ? Great video btw !
Have they get better after this video?
This was a great review for a smart blind novice. My question for you is that you mentioned competitors in this market. Which other companies are there and are there any that you recommend ?
Hunter Douglas is just one. But I have no experience with them
I had these blinds for several months and ended up returning them. The blinds kept on disconnecting from my HomeKit system. I couldnât use them on the IKEA app either. They became unusable for me.
Quite informative. I just can't see having to recharge 10-20 batteries (for all my windows) each for 2 hours every two months. Do you think it's feasible to run the charging wire into the roller unit and keep it plugged directly into the battery while it is in place? If not, direct-power needs to be a future option. Also, I don't see an option for a valance. The unit is not ugly, but neither is it aesthetically pleasing. That should also be a future improvement/option.
not for everyone
Am I right in taking from this that you can now use this blinds with HomeKit without a gateway now that HomeKit is rolled out or does it still need a gateway?
Still needs gateway for native control. You could use Home Assistant or something like that.
Really nicely produced video with good research and really excellent audio. The graphic work is also very nice. I would say that there are too many subscribe pushes too soon, three of them before 2:30 just seems a little much. Thank you for the review anyway?
Thanks for the feedback. I will take on board
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
In Australia the blinds come In any colour you want as long as it's white.
Are these complete black out?
I have 6 FYRTUR smart blinds for 6 windows. 4 blinds on 1 repeater linked up to TRADFRI gateway just fine. Also work with Alexa. 2 of the Blinds on 2nd repeater will not link to TRADFI gateway.
The 2 blinds of this 2nd repeater work with 1 open/close remote.
1. I have paired the open/close remote with Gateway
2. I have paired the open/close remote with Repeater
3. I have paired the open/close remote with blinds.
The 2 blinds work with open/close remote but do not link up with Gateway.
Have tried 6 times steps 1-3 above with no resolution.
Do I need to use a paper clip and reset the Gateway. If I do a reset, I assume I will have to start all over again of pairing 1st 4 blinds and try to get the 2nd set blinds to work.
Any suggestions?????
They donât work with Alexa yet?
Unfortunately you need to keep trying to pair them. Itâs one of the complaints
I have 4 working with Tradfri & working with Alexa.
Itâs the other 2 I can not get paired with Tradfri. How can I get other 2 paired with Tradfri.
I had similar issues in my time. You need to completely reset the blinds and remotes and then repair them again. No need to reset the gateway. You may try changing the remote batteries
Any way to adapt the battery connection as low-voltage wired power? What is the amp/volt/watt of the blind?
Outside of my scope of knowledge
@@HomeKitAuthority Understood, thanks for replying.
I really like these smart bling, but the fact that they are not compatible with alexa is a big NO for me.
Do you think is possible to create the scenes (close open) in HomeKit and after call them via alexa?
Not skilled in Alexa, sorry
Does it integrate with Alexa/SmartThings too? I donât use HomeKit but am interested in these blinds
Last time I looked, Alexa was a no
Hi anyone know off a hack were you can change the curtain to another one in another collor
Just peel it off and stick another on
Awesome video
Thank you
Thank you for the video it is great. Given there is no flexibility on length, do you think it will be an OK solution on a basement window that is only 38" tall?
Thanks for watching. You can set the drop length within the app. So for a 38â window this would be fine
@@HomeKitAuthority thanks for answering so quickly. Given the challenges with technical setup, do you think it would be OK to first purchase a single window for a test and add additional windows in the same room at a later date? Or, do you think that they should be purchased / installed as a set?
@@Super4n6 You can install as many as you require. I started with 2 and I am not currently at 14 in my home
Please help. Ikea service is stumped. We swapped the battery in the blinds for a freshly charged battery, but now it is "greyed out" in the TRADFRI Ikea app and wont work unless you press the buttons on the blind. How do i reconnect? (It has been working well, using gateway and a repeater with multiple blinds controlled by voice via google home assistant)
You need to remove it from the gateway and then add it back via the app
Do you think Ikea will integrate Thread for these blinds at some point?
Only if they update the hub I suspect. It might be possible
If you already have a zigbee hub, do you still need the ikea hub?
No
So is there any way to use them without TrÄdfri gateway? I have Xiaomi Multimode (Agora) hub.
Not that I have found for HomeKit support
But Apple does not allow HomeKit support via another hub. For instance you canât get HomeKit support via the Philips Hue hub with Ikea Tradfri lights
HomeKit Authority Oh, now I see. Thanks!
HomeKit Authority Actually Tradfri Lights Can be used with the hue bridge and a homebridge (Based on a raspberry pi ) in HomeKit. Im intrested if this is also possible with These blinds? Habe you tried to pair the blinds with a hue Bridge?
I have not tested it. But given Hue does not support blinds I am not sure. You can run home assistant by a conbee stick and do it that way
Are most smart blinds have battery life of about 2 months. I hate to have to recharge so many batteries every two months
Only reviewed the Ikea ones that work just on battery
Hi John. Great Vid as usual. Just bought one of these this morning, and as you say, quite easy to fit and set up. Only thing I noticed was that when the blinds unfurled, the material at one side is bowed! It looks like it hasn't been cut straight at the bottom. The other side is perfectly straight and hangs great. Not going to dismantle it all to take it back, so might end up taking of the bottom strip (any ideas on how the little end caps come off?) and trimming it at one edge. Its a great blind, but this has taken the edge off:(
My honest advice. I had this issue on one after I installed it. Just take the unit back with the receipt. Leave the brackets in place ect. It will annoy you long term
Can the HomePod mini replace the bridge?
No. Homepods use Thread. Zigbee is not in the family.
Does HomeKit app also tell how many % of battery life is in each blind?
Yes it does
Hi
I would to know about price of those blind, please
Thanks
Check description
"Leave a like, it helps people find the video at no extra "harm" to you" lol
Nice vid. Great info. Do they work with google home/assistant?
update to 1:45 You can use other hubs like the Raspberry pi with a zugebe USB to centralise all of your zigbee devices with iobroker. BTW the amazon studio or other echos supports zigbee too
But the blinds donât support amazon yet.
@@HomeKitAuthority but in the iobroker :)
Very nice đđŒ
Thank you! Cheers!
Looks like you are using the blinds on Bi-Fold doors. How does that work when the doors are open? Surely the blinds will prevent you from opening the doors all the way?
Looking forward to response to that as well
The doors open outwards and don't impact the blinds
The doors open outwards and don't impact the blinds
Iâve had 8 black out blinds for several months now but one has stopped working. Checked all obvious things, batteryâs ok. Ikea have no ideas but said bring it back. Have you any ideas?
Has it stopped working when you press the buttons on the unit?
HomeKit Authority yes. I have reset it but still no luck.
Sounds like you have a faulty one, I would suggest a visit to the Ikea store
HomeKit Authority going on Tuesday. đ€
Patricia Grierson Ikea are really good with exchanges so I am sure it will be sorted for you
Adjust shutter speed on your camera to avoid your led light flicker in video
Can you get a row of them to all stop at the same exact level reliably?
No, its not 100% accurate
What HomeKit blinds are currently available in the uk?
Ikea and you can buy Hunter Douglas
HomeKit Authority thanks, I know about Ikea so Iâll have a look at Hunter Douglas
HomeKit Authority on the Hunter Douglas website it doesnât have even the UK listed under find a specialist
Oh I thought they was in the UK
HomeKit Authority no problem donât worry about it! Iâve noticed velux do them but I think itâs only for skylights. So is the only normal blinds from Ikea them? Canât find any vertical blinds anywhere!
What is the difference of using the shades with / withou gateway in terms of HomeKit?
With the gateway you wonât get HomeKit
@@HomeKitAuthority aaa I see.. it's not possible to connect this blinds to Philips Hue bridge I guess? Thanks!
You can I think, but you wonât get HOMEKIT support. I think you could do it via Homebridge
@@HomeKitAuthority right now I have Apple TV and HomePod and planning on buying Philips Hue starter kit and Ikea smart blinds. What do you reckon as the best setup for me? Hue bridge + Tradfri, or ? Thanks!
If you want Native HomeKit support for the blinds then you will need a Tradfri gateway. If you plan on using Philips hue and Ikea then you are best with both bridges. You then have flexibility when adding to your lights aswell
great product great its not expensive do the whole house
You could do a whole house on a budget
i love this idea ... you had me until i say the 2month battery average. i don't want to be climbing up to pull down 10 batteries to recharge.
Do they work with Google Home?
Yes