Solar, battery or hardwired: choosing a motor
Solar, battery or low-voltage hardwired? Compare the three ways to power motorized blinds and which one suits your windows and home.
Motorized blinds and curtains open and close with a remote, an app, your voice or a schedule. The main decision is how the motor is powered.
Battery (rechargeable)
A rechargeable battery motor needs no wiring, so it installs on any window, including in finished homes. You recharge it every so often with a USB cable. A good fit for a few windows or a first motorized room.
Solar-powered
A small solar panel tucked behind the blind keeps the battery topped up. On windows that get regular daylight, you rarely need to charge it yourself.
Low-voltage hardwired (our specialty)
Hardwired motors run on low-voltage power wired to each window, so there is nothing to charge. They are the best choice for whole-home systems, tall windows you cannot reach, and new builds or renovations where wiring can go in before drywall.
Quick guide
- Building or renovating: hardwired.
- Sunny windows in a finished home: solar.
- A few windows, no wiring: battery.
We can show all three at your free consultation and plan the right mix for your home.
