Motorized Cellular Shades Buying Guide

Everything You Need to Know Before Customizing Smart Honeycomb Shades

Motorized cellular shades—also known as motorized honeycomb shades—combine elegant design, superior insulation, and smart convenience.

This buying guide walks you through everything you need to know before customizing motorized cellular window shades, from product types and fabric structures to light control, room applications, and installation.

Whether you are selecting shades for standard windows, sliding glass doors, or skylights, this guide helps you choose the most suitable solution for your lifestyle, interior décor, and functional needs.

In This Guide

  1. Why Choose Cellular Shades
  2. Types of Motorized Cellular Shades
  3. How to Choose the Right Cellular Shades
  4. Control Options
  5. Power Options
  6. Measuring & Installation
  7. Cleaning & Maintenance
  8. FAQS

Why Choose Cellular Shades?

Motorized cellular shades offer several benefits:

  • Insulation: The honeycomb design traps air, helping save energy.
  • Noise Reduction: They reduce outside noise, ideal for bedrooms and offices.
  • Smart Control: Motorized shades offer easy control via remote or app.

Types of Motorized Cellular Shades

Kurlax motorized top-down bottom-up cellular shades light-filtering installed in living room

Standard Cellular Shades

These shades offer standard top-down, bottom-up functionality.

Kurlax motorized day and night cellular shades installed in bedroom

Day and Night Cellular Shades

These combine light-filtering and blackout fabrics.

Kurlax motorized skylight cellular shades installed in a bedroom

Skylight Cellular Shades

These are designed for skylights and hard-to-reach windows.

How to Choose the Right Cellular Shades

Step 1: Identify Your Window Type

  • Standard windows and sliding glass doors
    For regular windows, patio doors, and sliders, all three types are suitable depending on your needs.
  • Skylights
    For roof windows or angled installations, motorized skylight cellular shades are the optimal—and often the only—solution.

Step 2: Choose the Right Fabric

kurlax single-cell cellular fabric close up

Single Cell

Made from high-quality nonwoven material, single-cell cellular fabric offers a clean, minimal appearance with reliable everyday performance.

  • Water-resistant and durable
  • Lightweight structure with standard insulation
  • Simple, modern look that fits most interiors
  • Available in 5+ color options
  • Designed to adapt easily to personalized décor and lifestyle needs

Double Cell / Cell-in-Cell

Crafted from premium nonwoven material, double-cell (cell-in-cell) fabric features a layered honeycomb structure for enhanced performance and a more refined appearance.

  • Superior thermal insulation for improved energy efficiency
  • Enhanced noise reduction for quieter indoor spaces
  • Improved UV filtering to help protect furniture and flooring
  • Thicker, more luxurious look compared to single-cell fabrics

Step 3: Select Your Light Control Level

Blackout

  • Aluminum-coated honeycomb interior
  • Blocks 100% of natural light
  • Ideal for bedrooms, nurseries, and home theaters

Available in motorized cellular blackout shades.

Light Filtering

  • Soft, diffused daylight
  • Maintains privacy
  • Helps protect furniture from UV exposure

Ideal for dining rooms, studies, and bathrooms.

Day & Night Combination

  • Sheer fabric for daytime
  • Blackout fabric for night
  • Instant control over lighting and privacy

Works beautifully in almost any room.

Total Darkness Solution

For absolute light control, motorized skylight shades offer:

  • 100% blackout fabric
  • Aluminum side frames
  • No light leakage

Effective for both skylights and standard windows, where full darkness is required.

Kurlax motorized skylight cellular shades installed in the media room

Control Options

Remote Control

Every Kurlax electric cellular shade includes a dedicated remote for simple, reliable operation.

App Control

With a Smart Bridge, you can control your shades via the Tuya App:

  • Open and close shades remotely
  • Schedule by sunrise and sunset
  • Control via Wi-Fi or mobile networks

Voice Control

Connect with:

Enjoy hands-free control of your smart vertical blinds or motorized cellular window shades.

Power Options

Rechargeable Battery Power

Kurlax motorized cellular shades are powered by a built-in rechargeable lithium battery, designed for long-lasting, hassle-free use.

  • Full recharge in 4–6 hours
  • Operates for 4–6 months per charge under normal use
  • No hardwiring required
  • Quiet, reliable performance for everyday operation

Solar Panel Power (Optional)

For a truly maintenance-free solution, Kurlax offers an optional solar panel that keeps your shades charged automatically.

  • Eliminates the need for manual recharging
  • Ideal for hard-to-reach or high windows
  • No complex wiring or electrical work required
  • Uses natural light to maintain battery power

Measuring & Installation

Accurate Measurement Matters

Precise measurements ensure a perfect fit. Please refer to the specific guides for each shade type:

Easy Installation

Cellular Shades

  • Installation time: 15–20 minutes
  • Simple bracket system
  • Install guide

Skylight Shades

  • Installation time: 20–30 minutes
  • Slightly more complex due to side tracks
  • Install guide

No professional installation required.

Cleaning & Maintenance

Cleaning

  • Use a feather duster or soft brush
  • Gentle airflow from a hair dryer for dust removal

Battery Maintenance

  • Recharge time: 4–6 hours
  • Usage time: 4–6 months per charge

Designed for long-term, worry-free use.

FAQS

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. They can be configured as vertical cellular shades, motorized vertical blinds, or wide-span honeycomb systems for patio doors.

Battery-powered motors continue to operate normally until recharging is needed.

Absolutely. All designs are cordless and comply with child safety standards.

Yes. Shades can be grouped via remote or app for synchronized operation.

For motorized top-down bottom-up cellular shades and motorized day and night cellular shades, selecting a blackout fabric significantly reduces incoming light and provides a darkened room.

However, due to their open side design, some light leakage along the edges is normal and unavoidable.

If you require true 100% blackout with no side light leakage, motorized skylight cellular shades are the best solution.

They feature integrated aluminum side tracks that block light completely along the edges. While originally designed for skylights, these shades can also be installed on standard windows where total darkness is essential.