Graywind Motorized Dual Shades Review

The smart home has mastered lighting and temperature, but windows have largely remained a manual affair. Motorized shades promise to fix this, offering automated privacy and light control that feels genuinely futuristic. Graywind’s dual-shade system, in particular, aims to deliver this high-end experience without the exorbitant price tag of legacy brands.

Performance and Design: A Tale of Two Shades

At its core, the Graywind Motorized Dual Shade system is a clever marriage of two distinct window coverings in one clean package. You get a forward-facing sheer or solar shade for daytime privacy and light filtering, plus a rear blackout shade for complete darkness. The ability to independently control both or set intermediate “favorite” positions is the killer feature here, transforming a room’s ambiance with a single command. In my testing, the 100% blackout material was impressively effective, leaving no doubt about its light-blocking capabilities. The sheer layer struck a nice balance, cutting glare without plunging the room into shadow.

The motor, a critical component, is surprisingly quiet. It’s not silent, but it produces a low, unobtrusive whir that’s far from disruptive. The shades move at a deliberate, smooth pace, avoiding any jarring or cheap-sounding stutters. They start and stop softly, which adds to the premium feel. My primary control method was the included multi-channel remote, which is functional and straightforward, if a bit plasticky.

Build Quality and Installation

Graywind shades are custom-ordered to your exact window dimensions, a process that instills confidence from the start. The materials feel substantial, from the aluminum valance that neatly conceals the rollers to the fabric itself, which has a satisfying weight and texture. Installation is manageable for anyone comfortable with a drill and a level. The included brackets are sturdy, and the shade assembly simply clicks into place. The main aesthetic hiccup is the power situation. While a battery-powered motor is an option, the hardwired version uses a fairly standard DC power adapter with a visible, non-braided white cable that can detract from an otherwise seamless look unless you’re able to thoughtfully conceal it.

The Smart Home Experience

This is where Graywind attempts to separate itself from the pack. The shades are available with Zigbee or Wi-Fi motors, offering broad compatibility. I tested the Zigbee version connected to an Echo Plus (which has a built-in Zigbee hub). After a slightly convoluted pairing process that involved a few “resets” using the remote, the shade was discoverable in the Alexa app. From there, creating routines—like “Alexa, good morning” to open the sheer shade halfway—was simple and reliable. Voice commands to open, close, or set a specific percentage were executed flawlessly.

However, the native mobile app experience feels like a weak link. It’s functional for basic control and initial setup but lacks the polish and intuitive design of apps from major players like Philips Hue or Google Home. For tech-savvy users, the goal should be to integrate these shades into a primary smart home ecosystem (Alexa, Google, HomeKit, or Home Assistant) and rarely touch the native app again.

Value and Final Verdict

When you compare Graywind to high-end solutions from brands like Lutron, the value proposition becomes crystal clear. You’re getting a feature-rich, custom-fit, dual-function motorized shade for a fraction of the cost. The trade-off comes in the form of a less polished app experience and a setup process that may require a bit more patience. It’s a solution that brilliantly bridges the gap between clunky DIY retrofit kits and astronomically priced professional systems.

Ultimately, the Graywind Motorized Dual Shades are for the hands-on smart home enthusiast. If you’re looking for a powerful, highly customizable window treatment and don’t mind navigating a slightly unrefined software setup to integrate it into your existing ecosystem, this product offers tremendous value. For those seeking a completely frictionless, “it just works” experience out of the box with best-in-class software, the higher price of premium brands might still be justified.

Where to Buy:

Check it out on Amazon