The SwitchBot Curtain 3 is stronger and quieter than earlier than

SwitchBot has introduced the Curtain 3, a wise curtain controller it says can be quieter than the Curtain 2, and twice as robust. The corporate additionally claims a brand new, improved (and individually accessible) photo voltaic panel will supply “true limitless battery energy,” one thing the earlier panel didn’t fairly obtain. The Curtain 3 and the SwitchBot Photo voltaic Panel 3 will retail for $89.99 (£89.99 / €89.99) and $25.99 (£25.99 / €25.99), respectively, after they launch on August twenty fifth.

The Curtain 3 is, because the title suggests, the third iteration of the corporate’s good curtain controller. It will possibly now pull as much as 36 kilos (16kg), in response to the corporate, which is greater than double the Curtain 2’s 17lb weight restrict. Just like the Curtain 2, the brand new curtain controller makes use of Bluetooth Low Power, giving it a spread of as much as 80m (262ft), assuming a direct line of sight.

SwitchBot’s Curtain 3 is suitable with a number of varieties of curtain rod. Picture: SwitchBot

SwitchBot’s specs say its new controller hums at about 45dB from 1m away (roughly as loud as a suburban neighborhood at evening), whereas its new 5mm-per-second QuietDrift Mode will drop it to 25dB, which is about as loud as a human whisper. Outwardly, the brand new design is just like earlier fashions, nevertheless it’s longer (by 30mm) and skinnier now than the Curtain 2. The corporate says it’s suitable with 99 p.c “of curtain tracks discovered world wide.” Just like the Curtain 2, it may be purchased in rod rail, U rail, and I rail configurations.

SwitchBot says its new $25.99 SwitchBot Photo voltaic Panel 3 has “over twice the charging effectivity,” and can solely want three hours in direct solar, “the place clear shadows may be fashioned,” to successfully eradicate the necessity to cost the Curtain 3. Battery life by itself hasn’t improved although — SwitchBot nonetheless expects the Curtain 3, just like the earlier mannequin, to final for as much as 8 months on a full cost.

Earlier this 12 months, SwitchBot launched its new $70 SwitchBot Hub 2, which serves as a Matter bridge and subsequently provides Apple Dwelling compatibility to the Curtain 3 (and its different Bluetooth gadgets, just like the Curtain 2). With out the up to date hub, you’re caught with Samsung SmartThings, Google Dwelling, and Amazon Alexa — although the corporate additionally helps Apple Shortcuts, which you’ll be able to set off with Siri.

In the event you haven’t heard of SwitchBot, it’s recognized for its intelligent, easy-to-install good dwelling retrofits, like its $99 good lock that isn’t a wise door lock in any respect, however a Bluetooth-connected motor that attaches to your door with a plastic piece that over the thumb flip of your deadbolt. It additionally makes a button-pressing robotic that may toggle paddle switches (amusingly, the corporate reveals a Hue good change as one it’s suitable with) or press different buttons, say to start out your espresso maker.