HomeKit Weekly: SwitchBot’s Curtain Track 4 is the easiest smart curtain retrofit yet
The worst part of owning smart curtain motors is charging them, because it usually means taking the whole motor down from the track or running a really long USB cord to charge it. Today, SwitchBot has released the SwitchBot Curtain Track 4 aimed at solving that problem with a battery module that detaches on its own, so the motor stays in place, and you only take down the part that needs to charge. more…
The worst part of owning smart curtain motors is charging them, because it usually means taking the whole motor down from the track or running a really long USB cord to charge it. Today, SwitchBot has released the SwitchBot Curtain Track 4 aimed at solving that problem with a battery module that detaches on its own, so the motor stays in place, and you only take down the part that needs to charge.
HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything to do with Apple’s smart home framework.
The SwitchBot Curtain Track 4 is a retrofit motor for curtains that hang on a U-rail track. You hang it on the track between the curtain hooks, run a one-tap calibration in the SwitchBot app, and your existing curtains can then be motorized and used in your smart home. There’s no drilling, no rewiring, and no need to position magnets to stick to the rail, as earlier SwitchBot curtain motors required. SwitchBot claims the whole setup takes about 30 seconds.
One thing to check first: this version is for U-rail tracks only, not curtain rods.
SwitchBot Curtain Track 4 battery
The Battery+ version pairs a small built-in battery with a detachable 5,000mAh module for a total of 6,400mAh. SwitchBot rates it at up to 12 months of use for each charge, depending on curtain weight and movement frequency. When it needs charging, you pull the module off, charge it via USB-C, and clip it back on. SwitchBot also sells a Solar version that uses a small panel to keep the battery topped off if the window gets enough sun.
SwitchBot Curtain Track 4 in Apple Home
The motor itself connects via Bluetooth, so getting it into Apple Home requires a compatible SwitchBot Hub, which brings it there via Matter. Once it’s there, the curtains work like any other window covering in your Home app. You can add them to scenes, control them with Siri, and include multiple windows in a single automation. It’s always nice to time smart curtains/shades with dusk/dawn as well.
SwitchBot’s built-in QuietDrift mode opens the curtains slowly in the morning, at about half a centimeter per second, so the room fills with daylight gradually rather than all at once. SwitchBot says it runs at around 25 dB in that mode. You can also give the curtain a gentle tug by hand and the motor takes over, which is great if you don’t have your iPhone with you or someone doesn’t have access to your Apple Home setup.
SwitchBot built it in a way to correct drift over time, so you shouldn’t need to recalibrate it if it gets off.
Wrap up on SwitchBot Curtain Track 4
The SwitchBot Curtain Track 4 turns the U-rail curtains you already have into Apple Home window coverings without replacing anything. The detachable battery is the best feature here, as it lets you charge it without a long cord.
The SwitchBot Curtain Track 4 is available now on Amazon and directly from SwitchBot.