REVIEW – I live on the corner of my subdivision, and there’s an annoying sign spotlight that shines right into my yard. I’ve used blackout curtains in my bedroom for years, and they do a nice job, but having to open and close them all the time can be a pain; I know first-world problems. Enter the Tokblind Motorized Blackout Roller Shades. I recently received a set of these blinds to try out for myself. Did they make my life easier and, more importantly, block out all of that annoying light? Let’s take a look at the Tokblind Motorized Blackout Roller Shade.
⬇︎ Jump to summary (pros/cons)
Price: $149.99
Where to buy: Tokblind
What is it?
The Tokblind Motorized Blackout Roller Shade is a made-to-order roller shade powered by a motor with a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts up to six months on a single charge. The shade can be raised or lowered with a click of a remote or voice-controlled via Alexa or Google using the optional RF hub.
What’s included?
- Blackout roller shade w/valance
- Single channel remote control w/mounting bracket
- 3 x mounting brackets and hardware
- 78″ USB charging cable
- Broadlink smart hub
- 2 x User manuals
Design and features
The Tokblind Motorized Blackout Roller Shade comes fully assembled. The shade’s valance and bottom rod are wrapped in fabric that matches the shade, offering a seamless and sleek look. The shade is available in multiple colors, such as beige, dark coffee, and light grey. To help you choose, you can purchase fabric samples ($3.99), which are fully refundable when you purchase your blinds. I chose dark grey and was extremely happy with my choice.
The blinds are made from 100% blackout polyester fabric, with the same fabric on both sides. The durable fabric blocks 100% of natural light, reduces noise, protects against UV rays, and ensures privacy.
The shade motor can be customized to be positioned on either the right or left side of the shade. I opted for the right side due to the location of my power outlet. The motor features a charging port, a reset button, and an LED indicator light.
Installation
When ordering the blinds, you can select between inside or outside mounting options. I chose the outside mounting option, and the installation was incredibly easy. I simply attached the mounting brackets to the wall and then clipped the valance into place.
The metal brackets feature a plastic spring-loaded mechanism that makes attaching and removing the blinds very straightforward.
Remote control
The shade comes with a simple one-channel remote control that features three buttons: up, stop, and down. It is powered by two included AAA batteries. The remote can be programmed to adjust the shade’s running speed, set the top and bottom limit positions, and designate your favorite running position. However, programming the remote involves a series of steps. It requires pressing various buttons in a specific order, which makes it difficult.
If you purchase multiple shades, a multichannel remote is available. The 15-channel remote can control up to 15 shades individually.
The remote also comes with a handy wall mount. I mounted mine near my bed.
Smart hub
The Tokblind Motorized Blackout Roller Shade can be controlled using a smart hub, which is sold separately. Tokblind sent me one to test. To set up the hub, first download the Broadlink app from the App Store or Google Play. In the “Me” section of the app, you will find videos that guide you through the initial setup process for the hub, connecting the shade, and linking it to Alexa or Google Home.
Once everything is connected, the app’s home page will display both the hub and the shade. By clicking on the shade, you can access a virtual remote control, allowing you to operate it without the physical remote. Additionally, the app enables you to set routines and more.
The performance of the hub and voice control with Alexa is inconsistent. Sometimes it works well, and other times it doesn’t. I’m not sure if the issue lies with the hub or if it’s due to unreliable internet performance in that particular room. Honestly, I prefer using the remote control anyway.
I believe the hub would be more beneficial if I were using multiple shades or if I had them in a larger room where the remote control isn’t easily accessible. If you choose to buy the hub, I recommend ensuring that you have a strong internet connection and placing the hub and shades close to your router for optimal performance.
Setup & performance
The Tokblind Motorized Blackout Roller Shade comes with a remote and is preprogrammed for immediate operation, eliminating the need for setup. It is recommended to charge the shade for 10 hours before first use using the included 78″ USB charging cord.
Performance wise the Tokblind Motorized Blackout Roller Shade worked perfectly with the remote control. It effectively blocks outside light, allowing no light to penetrate through the blinds, with only a slight amount seeping in from the edges. The short video below was recorded on a bright day around 3 p.m. The shade performed just as well at night, successfully blocking the light from that annoying spotlight in my yard.
Final thoughts
I am extremely satisfied with the Tokblind Motorized Blackout Roller Shade. The installation process is straightforward, the shades look great, and they effectively block out 100% of unwanted outside light. If you’re not specifically looking for blackout shades, I recommend visiting Tokblind’s website to explore their other excellent options.
What I like about the Tokblind Motorized Blackout Roller Shade
- Easy to install
- Well made
- Look great
- Do an excellent job blocking out light
What needs to be improved?
- Remote is difficult to program
- Update to USB-C charging port
- Can get expensive (especially if you’re looking to buy multiple shades)
Price: $149.99, Hub: $49
Where to buy: Tokblind
Source: The sample of this product was provided for free by Tokblind. Tokblind did not have a final say on the review and did not preview the review before it was published.
Check out these other shade and blind reviews!
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- SmartWings Motorized Smart Roller Shades review – I didn’t know how useful smart shades could be!
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