Smart blinds and shutters: Matter, Zigbee, RTS, io and KNX

A motor joins a smart home in one of three ways: it has a radio or bus interface built in, it is wired to a separate control module that has one, or it is reached through the manufacturer's own hub. Which route fits depends on the controller already in the building, and on whether the motor can report back its position or only receive commands.

The protocols you will meet

• [Matter](/glossary/matter) is an application-layer standard from the Connectivity Standards Alliance. A certified Matter window covering can be controlled by any Matter controller that supports the window covering device type, regardless of brand. Matter devices run over Thread, Wi-Fi or Ethernet, and usually use Bluetooth Low Energy for commissioning.
• [Zigbee](/glossary/zigbee) is a low-power mesh network. Devices work with a Zigbee hub; interoperability between brands depends on the device profile they implement.
• Thread is a low-power IPv6 mesh. On its own it is a transport; for coverings it matters mostly as the network under Matter.
• Z-Wave is a sub-gigahertz mesh network with its own certification program and hubs.
• RTS is Somfy's one-way radio protocol for blinds, shutters and awnings: the motor receives commands but does not confirm them or report its position.
• io-homecontrol is a two-way radio protocol shared by several makers of shutters, blinds and windows, so the controller can learn whether a command was carried out. Some io-homecontrol remotes are one-way only.
• KNX and SMI are building buses, normally wired. KNX is a general building automation bus; SMI (Standard Motor Interface) is a bus defined for shutter and sun protection drives. Both suit larger projects planned at construction time.
• Proprietary radio systems from individual motor makers work with that maker's remotes and hubs, and sometimes with third-party hubs through a gateway.

One-way or two-way

A one-way motor is fine for a remote control in the room. For automation, two-way control is worth having: scenes can show the real position, and the controller knows if a shade did not move because of an obstacle or a flat battery. Check the protocol, not just the word "smart".

How to check a claim

Product pages often list many logos. Two checks help. First, a Matter claim can be verified in the CSA Distributed Compliance Ledger, where certified products are listed with their vendor and product identifiers. Second, for other protocols, look for the protocol in the manufacturer's technical data rather than in marketing text, and check whether it is built into the motor or needs an extra module.

What the catalog shows

This page lists every smart home product: motors and controllers that declare a networked or smart home control protocol, products holding an active Matter certification, and smart home gateways and devices.

• 281 of them hold an active Matter certification. 167 of those are filed as window covering devices, followed by tubular motors (73), curtain motors (27) and window covering controllers (14). The Matter blinds motors list shows them on their own.
• Outside Matter, declared protocols include Z-Wave, Zigbee, Bluetooth LE, RTS and KNX, each on a small number of products, and proprietary radio systems on more.
• Dooya, Wistar and Elero have the most entries here.

Torque and diameter are published for only a few of these products, because certification records describe the device type, not its mechanics. To size a motor, combine this list with the sizing guidance on roller shutters or interior blinds and curtains.

Before you order

• Name the controller first: the hub, home platform or building bus the motors must join.
• For Matter, check which transport the device uses and that your controller supports it, since a Thread device needs a Thread border router.
• For battery motors, check how radio use affects battery life.
• For large buildings, ask whether the motor can be grouped and addressed on the bus without per-motor programming at the window.

Window covering motors with a networked protocol are also listed on smart blinds motors. For the standard itself, see the Matter standard page.

Data as of 2026-10-05.