PoE: Continuous power and no recharging like hardwired, but it runs over a single Ethernet cable rather than a dedicated electrical line. It does have wiring requirements, including a standard-rated network cable and a PoE switch, so it's best planned while a home is being network-wired.
SmartWings was the first brand in the world to launch a PoE Matter motor, bringing this approach to window shades — and the motor has been covered by tech outlets like PCWorld and 9to5Mac.
It's a natural fit for homes being built or renovated. Those projects already involve running network cable, so PoE shades can tap straight into it, skipping the separate electrical wiring or the ongoing battery swaps. It also works well for large, high, or skylight windows where steady, continuous power matters.
How PoE Shades Get Their Power
PoE isn't new technology — network cameras and IP phones have used it for years. The idea is simple: one Ethernet cable does two jobs at once, carrying electricity and data on the same line.
Applied to a shade, that means the motor's power and its control signal both travel through that single cable.
You don't need an outlet beside the window, and you don't take the shade down every few months to charge it the way you would with a battery model.
Once the cable is connected, the power stays on and the signal stays live.
SmartWings combined PoE and the Matter protocol in one motor, the world's first PoE Matter over Ethernet motor for shades. It works across a range of shade types, including roller shades and zebra shades, rather than being limited to one product line.
Battery, Hardwired, or PoE: Choosing a Power Source
SmartWings offers three power methods, and none is simply better than the others — the right one depends on your home and how you'll use the shades:
Battery: No wiring and self-installable, which suits homes you've already moved into, rentals, or windows that are awkward to run cable to. A full charge lasts roughly 4–6 months, depending on how often you use the shade and how many cycles it runs each day.
Hardwired (DC 12V / AC 110–240V): Continuous power with no charging, suited to large windows, high windows, and commercial spaces. It needs an electrician to run the wiring, which can get costly in an already-finished home.
PoE: Continuous power and no recharging like hardwired, running over a single Ethernet cable rather than a dedicated electrical line. It does come with wiring requirements, including a Cat5e or Cat6 cable and a PoE switch, so it's best planned while a home is being network-wired.
You can compare all three on the SmartWings power source page or browse the hardwired shades collection.
Why New Construction and Renovations Suit PoE
New builds run network cabling during construction. Planning a network point near the window at that stage lets a PoE shade tie into the home's wiring later, instead of running a separate electrical line to each window.
Renovations work along the same lines. When Cat5e or Cat6 cabling is routed to the window during the remodel, a PoE shade can connect through it, which avoids opening the wall again to pull a power line.
PoE does have its setup requirements: a rated network cable, a PoE switch to supply the power, and the correct wired connection between them. It is not a matter of plugging into an existing network jack. Once it is set up, the connection is steady and responsive, the control signal travels over a physical cable rather than over the air, and there is no battery to recharge, which keeps maintenance low over time.
For more on how SmartWings power options differ, see the motorized window shade features guide.
PoE for Large, High, and Skylight Windows
The larger and higher the window, the more power the motor needs to move the fabric, and the more often it draws it. A battery model on a skylight or a high window turns charging into a chore, and a large shade demands steadier power to begin with.
This is where PoE fits. Continuous power keeps a big shade moving smoothly, and routing a rated network cable to a high or skylight position is simpler than running a dedicated electrical line, as long as the PoE wiring requirements are met.
For commercial spaces, it also lets you centralize power for many shades at a network switch, which is far less work to maintain than charging each one.
For larger windows that need this kind of steady power, the PoE motor is available on roller shades and zebra shades.
Smart Home Compatibility
SmartWings PoE motors are built on the Matter protocol and connect through Ethernet, with a single network cable handling both power and data. They can work with major Matter-compatible smart home platforms, including Apple Home, Alexa, and Google Home, as long as you have a compatible Matter controller for your chosen ecosystem.
Matter is a unified cross-platform standard, so you aren't locked into one ecosystem. In practice that means a few things:
Voice control: Raise and lower the shades through your platform's voice assistant.
Scheduling: Set the shades to open and close at fixed times on their own.
Wired stability: Commands travel over a physical line, so response is quick and the connection stays steady.
SmartWings has no proprietary phone app — control happens through smart home platforms, voice, or a remote.
For how Matter fits into a smart home, see the motorized window blinds smart home guide, and for Apple users specifically, the Apple Home buying guide.
Is PoE Right for Your Home
The call is fairly simple: if your home is being built, being renovated, or already has network cabling in the walls, PoE is a smooth choice — especially for large, high, or skylight windows and commercial spaces.
If you've already moved in and don't plan to open walls for cabling, a battery model is the easier path.
The value of PoE is that it puts two things on one cable: continuous, stable power, and freedom from both recharging and a separate electrical run.
For a smart home planned from the ground up, it's worth considering at the wiring stage. In its coverage of this motor, 9to5Mac highlighted the no-charging, wired reliability that makes it dependable day to day.
You can explore the full range from SmartWings, or look at the roller shades collection if you want a clean, versatile option for light and privacy control.
FAQ About SmartWings PoE Smart Shades
Q1: How are PoE smart shades different from regular motorized shades?
PoE shades use one network cable for both power and data, which cuts down on the need for an outlet at the window and the routine of recharging. A typical battery model needs charging every few months.
Q2: Do PoE shades need a separate electrical line?
No. They draw power through a standard Ethernet cable, with no dedicated electrical line to run. That's why they install more easily in new construction and renovations.
Q3: Which SmartWings shade types work with a PoE motor?
Several, including roller and zebra shades. Pick the style and fabric first, then choose PoE as the power source.
Q4: Can PoE shades be voice or smart home controlled?
Yes. The PoE motor is built on Matter and compatible with Apple Home, Alexa, and Google Home (Matter needs a Thread Border Router). It supports voice control and scheduling.
Q5: Are PoE shades good for large or skylight windows?
Yes. Continuous power keeps large shades moving smoothly and steadily, which suits the demands of a big or high window. The PoE motor is available on SmartWings roller and zebra shades.
Q6: Can I install PoE shades after moving in?
Only if there's network cabling already in the walls. If not, a battery model is easier, with voice control, scheduling, and about 4 to 6 months per charge.
