How to Control Your Blinds with a Smart Hub
As smart homes become increasingly popular, automated blinds are gaining traction for their convenience and energy efficiency. However, to fully unlock their potential, you need the right smart hub.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through:
✔ What is a hub for blinds?
✔ What’s the best hub for Google Home/Alexa?
✔ Hub vs. bridge vs. gateway—what’s the difference?
✔ How to choose and set up the right hub for Graywind blinds (Zigbee & Bluetooth only)
What Is a Hub for Blinds?
A smart hub acts as the brain of your smart home, connecting devices that use different wireless protocols (such as Zigbee or Bluetooth) and allowing them to work together.
Why Your Blinds Need a Hub
- Remote Control – Adjust blinds from anywhere via smartphone.
- Automation – Set schedules (e.g., “Open at sunrise”).
- Voice Control – Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri.
- Stable Connection – Avoids Bluetooth’s limited range.
Without a hub, smart blinds may only work via direct Bluetooth, requiring you to be nearby.
Common smart home categories include:
- Lighting and window treatments
- Climate control systems
- Security and surveillance
- Entertainment systems
Is Alexa or Google Home a Smart Hub?
Alexa as a Hub
Works with Echo Plus 2nd Gen./ Echo Show 2nd Gen./ Echo Studio/ Echo Show 10 3rd Gen./ Echo 4th Gen. directly—no hub required (for Graywind).
Older Echo devices require an external hub (such as SmartThings).
Google Home as a Hub
No built-in Zigbee/Bluetooth hub—requires a separate hub (e.g., SmartThings, Hubitat).
Best Hub for Google Home:
- Samsung SmartThings (Zigbee + Bluetooth)
- Hubitat Elevation (local control, no cloud delays)
Core Components: Hubs vs. Gateways
What is a Smart Home Hub?
A central controller that:
- Connects multiple smart devices using different protocols
- Enables cross-device automation
- Provides remote access through cloud connectivity
Gateway Explained
A more limited device that:
- Typically connects a single brand’s ecosystem
- Translates between communication protocols
- Lacks advanced automation capabilities
Key Differences
|
Feature |
Hub |
Gateway |
|
Protocol Support |
Multiple (Zigbee, Z-Wave, etc.) |
Usually single protocol |
|
Automation |
Advanced routines |
Basic commands |
|
Compatibility |
Cross-brand |
Brand-specific |
|
Remote Access |
Yes |
Often limited |
Hub Selection Guide
Key Considerations
-
Protocol Compatibility
Zigbee 3.0 for best reliability | Bluetooth for direct control -
Ecosystem Integration
Alexa/Google/Apple compatibility | IFTTT support for advanced users -
Local vs Cloud Processing
Local processing for faster response | Cloud-dependent for remote access
Top Hub Options
|
Model |
Protocols |
Voice Assistant |
Local Control |
|
Samsung SmartThings |
Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth |
Alexa, Google |
Partial |
|
Hubitat Elevation |
Zigbee, Z-Wave |
Alexa, Google |
Full |
|
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) |
Zigbee |
Alexa Only |
No |
|
Home Assistant Yellow |
Zigbee, Z-Wave, Thread |
All |
Full |
Setting Up Your Hub
Step-by-Step Installation
- Physical Setup
- Place hub centrally for best signal
- Connect to router via Ethernet (recommended)
- Network Configuration
- Assign static IP for reliability
- Configure firewall permissions if needed
- Device Pairing
- Put blinds in pairing mode
- Use hub’s discovery function
- Assign to rooms/groups
- Automation Programming
- Create sunrise/sunset rules
- Set temperature-based triggers
- Configure voice commands
How to Choose the Best Hub for Graywind Blinds
Since Graywind only supports Zigbee & Bluetooth, consider:
✔ Compatibility
|
Hub Model |
Protocol |
Works with Alexa? |
Works with Google? |
|
Samsung SmartThings |
Zigbee, Bluetooth |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
|
Amazon Echo (4th Gen) |
Zigbee |
✅ Yes |
❌ No |
|
Hubitat Elevation |
Zigbee, Z-Wave |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
|
SwitchBot Hub 2 |
Bluetooth, Matter |
✅ Yes |
✅ Yes |
✔ Reliability
- Avoid hubs with frequent disconnections (a common complaint on Reddit)
- Local control hubs (Hubitat, Home Assistant) reduce cloud dependency
✔ Smart Home Ecosystem
- Alexa users: Echo with Zigbee hub
- Google Home users: SmartThings or Hubitat
- Apple HomeKit: HomePod + Starling Home Hub
Graywind's Zigbee & Bluetooth blinds offer flexibility, but pairing them with the right hub ensures seamless smart home control.
Need help? Please contact our customer service or ask questions in the comments.
Q&A
Q：Which hub should be chosen for the ZB/ BLE motor purchased?
A：We offer both Zigbee and Bluetooth gateways. Different motors correspond to different hubs.
- Bluetooth motors connect to a Bluetooth gateway.
- The Graywind Zigbee gateway supports Matter over Thread, and all Zigbee and Matter motors can be connected.
Q：I bought a lot of curtains. How many hubs should I buy?
A：Check the distribution of the curtains. It is recommended that there be at least one hub on each floor. If the floor area is large, it is recommended to place two of them near the curtain.
Q：What network should the hub connect to? 2.4GHz?
A：2.4 Ghz
Q：Can the curtain be controlled when one is not at home with the hub?
A：Yes, you can.
After connecting to the GW APP through the gateway, remote control can be carried out via the APP.
Q：I bought your product. Why do I still need a hub for your brand's APP? Isn't it promoted as direct connection
A：Directly connected to the mainstream smart ecosystems on the market, ZB: Alexa; Matter: Homekit Alexa Google Assistant Smartthings
Q：Why can't the timing function be set? Isn't the Bluetooth motor directly connected to the APP
A：Bluetooth direct connection can only control up and down and cannot be timed. This is also introduced on the promotional page
Q：The hub cannot be connected to the curtain of your product
A：Check whether the type of hub matches the motor model; If it is a ZB hub, check whether the network cable is plugged in. Is the network signal light on the hub on.
