Now QuietDrift mode will use up a lot more of your battery compared to normal fast mode. So whilst it is brilliant to watch QuietDrift in action, I am struggling to find a reason to use it myself. Let’s say you are automatically opening the curtains in your bedroom in the morning, you might use QuietDrift so as to not wake you up. But your curtains are opening, surely that will wake you up anyway so what’s the point? SwitchBot claims these will outlive the other components, noting that the rubber roller will need to be replaced after 10 years. This is such a long period to even think about, let alone worry about the curtain roller. Installation The solar panel can supply unlimited power to the Curtain 3 according to SwitchBot, as long as it gets 3 hours of sunlight per day. It’s attached permanently with a clip via USB-C and hangs behind your drapes facing the window. The Curtain 3 bot carries the solar panel whenever it moves, keeping the battery charged at all times.

There are some interesting settings in the app for configuring the SwitchBot Curtain 3. For example, the device can operate in two operation modes producing different noise levels and consuming battery: Now go and create a Script using the below YAML code. This script calls the REST command with the requested curtain position. It then loops around waiting for 30 seconds each time and updating the curtain position sensor. It does that a few times because it takes so long for the curtains to move using QuietDrift. alias: Curtains Set Position QuietBefore I hooked the Curtain 3, I also attached the solar panel and let it hang down behind the curtain. This window is facing south without visual obstacles, so it will keep the Curtain bot charged at all times. Here’s how it looks like behind my semi-transparent drapes, you can barely notice the device: Cleverly, Scenes can be restricted to only run between certain times, so you won’t have curtains open in the middle of the night. Bluetooth connectivity is handled through the BM-8762CMF Bluetooth 5.0 BLE Module [ Datasheet] manufactured by CC&C Technologies in China, which is based on the Realtek RTL8762C [ Datasheet] Bluetooth low-energy SoC. It wouldn’t be a true SmartHomeScene review if the device isn’t dismantled, no matter what kind it is. The SwitchBot Curtain Rod 3 ships in a branded box containing the main unit, a pair of hooks, beads chain, some clips, USB-C cable, magnet attachment for positioning and a user manual. You might get a little overwhelmed when looking at all the things inside the box, but it’s actually really simple to install. If you get the solar panel too, it’s even simpler as you do not need to charge the device with an USB-C cable.

If you own the SwitchBot Matter Hub 2, you can also add the Curtain 3 in Home Assistant by exposing the device in the app. This adds more connections points and produces more issues than it solves, considering everything is in Beta right now. I suggest you use the method above or wait for official support, which will be coming in one of the next Home Assistant updates. Summary Like other SwitchBot products I’ve tested, the Curtain 3 is built really well and feels like a premium device. It’s certainly a significant improvement over the Curtain 2, but if you already own the previous generation of SwitchBot curtain motors I do not feel it’s necessary to upgrade. If you don’t want to use SwitchBot’s kit, then there’s also an IFTTT channel, so you can achieve some of the same functionality using a different source, such as a smart thermostat. You don’t get quite the same level of control, plus you can’t restrict IFTTT rules to run between specific times unless you upgrade to a Pro account. Even then, it’s more fiddly to programme IFTTT Pro than it is to use SwitchBot’s app. If you have grommet-style curtains, that is the type with holes punched into it like I have, then you need the special “plastic clips on a bead chain” that comes with it. The clips attach over the top of the curtain through the grommets, and if you set the bead spacing just right it keeps each grommet at the correct angle to prevent the curtain from jamming as it is pulled along. It’s really quite a clever bit of engineering.I use all SwitchBot devices with Home Assistant, if you are interested in digging deep into their ecosystem and HA Integration, here are a few of my articles: If you have tabbed curtains then there are adapters you’ll need to fit for those, and if you have an extendable pole then you’ll need to fit the included adapter to your pole too so as the robot can make it over the step. Take a closer look at the ‘parameter’ value – the number ‘1’ means that QuietDrift is enabled. If you don’t want to use QuietDrift, change this to ‘ff’. To be honest, if you don’t want to use QuietDrift then you are better off using Matter, but perhaps you have your reasons! Save your configuration and restart Home Assistant to make sure the REST command entity has been created. If you want remote control, you need to install the SwitchBot Hub Mini, which can also act as an IR transmitter if you want to control practically any device, from a TV to air-con. With the Hub installed, your SwitchBot Curtain will automatically communicate with this device (provided it’s within Bluetooth range). That gives you remote control over your curtains, including scheduling.

Before the SwitchBot Curtain 3 can be used, it needs to be added to the app and calibrated. The app guides you through the process step by step, everything is visually explained to you and instructions are easy to follow. Once the device is added, you can slide the curtain in the app to open/close. The above images show an example for installing the bot on ring top curtains. The method is similar for any kind of curtains, the side hooks are spring loaded so all you have to do is pull them down and clip them onto the rod. My curtain rod is fairly thin (around 18mm), but the Curtain 3 was able to grip it firmly. To house the batteries and a motor powerful enough to move a set of curtains, SwitchBot Curtain is rather large (116 x 65 x 51mm). Its clip slides up and then you squeeze the top to ratchet the motor into place. It’s important that you only clip the SwitchBot Curtain into place to the point it feels secure; squeeze it too hard and it won’t move.

SwitchBot Curtain 3: QuietDrift in Home Assistant

The app isn't the most intuitive software I’ve ever used, but I eventually discovered a Silent option in the Motion Mode settings. “Silent” is an exaggeration, but it does run much quieter. It's a trade-off, because it runs much slower and opens the curtains only about halfway. Still, it does encourage me to get out of bed rather than doomscroll for half an hour. I’ve written about SwitchBot products a couple of times in the past, disassembling and thoroughly testing each device they sent me. Build quality is better than most in their respective categories and even though I’m heavily against using cloud-based ecosystems, SwitchBot has one of the best apps and user interfaces when it comes to proprietary Smart Home controllers. And finally we create a cover entity to bring all of those components together. The cover entity calls the script and passes in the requested position. Because the SwitchBot API is actually expecting a value which is inverse to that used by Home Assistant, we just do a bit of maths to calculate the correct position value. The cover entity gets the current position from the position sensor we created earlier, but filtering out any values above 95 as 100, and below 5 as 0. Restart everything just to make sure it’s all created and you’ll be good to go! You can use your new cover entity on your dashboard, and even share to HomeKit / Alexa so as you can control it that way. cover: