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How smart curtain changed my morning routine
Some people wake up effortlessly with their biological clock, some jump out of bed as soon as their alarm rings, and some need to put their phone far away to avoid hitting the snooze button. Personally, I used to hit the snooze button about five times every morning before dragging myself out of bed. As a result, I ended up going to work late at least twice a week because I slept in a dark room and kept snoozing my alarm.
My eyes are sensitive, and I can only sleep well in complete darkness. I once tried opening the curtain the night before to let in the sunlight and wake up early. However, staying up late meant I often had to wake up as early as 5 AM when the first light started to come through my window, leaving me exhausted. So, I still relied on my alarm clock, but it was an unstable solution, and I kept being late for work.
Everything changed once I got my Aqara smart curtain driver. This smart device automatically opens my curtains every morning at 7 AM, gradually over the course of 30 minutes to simulate a natural sunrise. This gives me time to snooze comfortably.
Waking up this way, I feel full of energy, enjoy the natural sunlight, and even have time for some exercise before starting my day.
The smart gadget built my healthy habit
Aqara smart curtain driver: Simple DIY installation guide
I decided to install the Aqara smart curtain drivers in my bedroom because my curtain rods are supported by brackets at both ends and in the middle. This setup required two drivers for even operation. I also had a rod with inconsistent thickness, which Aqara cautions against. However, given the thickness of my bedroom curtains, I decided to go ahead and test it out.
First, I synced the curtain drivers with the Aqara app. After a few prompts, the app recognized the devices, and I could start the setup.
One of the best parts? No tools required for installation!
The user manual guided me on where to place the driver on the rod. I was pleased to find that installation required no tools—just mount the rod hanger, hook the driver onto it, and adjust the hooks with a couple of button presses.
In the app, I set the curtains’ open and closed positions, adjusting for the rod's thickness. I also configured the curtains to open 25% at 7 A.M. and respond to sunlight with the built-in sensor.
The next morning, they opened perfectly on cue. The built-in illumination sensor lets you set the curtains to open with the sunrise, and you can fine-tune this with an aqara motion and light sensor.
Aqara smart curtain driver: Daily use
Aqara curtain driver E1 opens curtains quickly and reliably, with a robust build quality hidden behind the curtain. It's easy to charge via USB-C and offers granular control through the Aqara app, including options to adjust motor speed and simulate a natural sunrise. Basic functions like opening, closing, checking battery levels, and detecting obstructions can be managed through the Aqara app.
The driver can be controlled physically by pressing buttons or by gently pulling the curtain. However, it may not work well with longer curtains that drag on the floor or with rods that have a middle support, as this can leave gaps and prevent full closure.
Aqara curtain driver E1 includes an ambient light sensor for basic automation but does not provide exact lux readings. For more precise control, additional sensors and Aqara app automations can be used.
There are possibilities to control curtains with pre-set schedules such as sunset and sunrise, local weather, and geofencing, or connect with other accessories and scenes. It integrates with other Aqara accessories, such as the motion sensor P1, to trigger actions based on movement or light levels.
Aqara smart curtain driver E1: Where to buy
