Smart Roller Shutters 2026: Complete Guide to Motorising and Automating

To motorise and connect roller shutters in 2026, the most complete solution is still a Somfy Oximo io tubular motor controlled by the Somfy TaHoma Switch hub: the io-homecontrol protocol confirms the position of every shutter, and the hub works with Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple Home. On a tighter budget, the Oximo RTS does the same job without position feedback; for a roof window, the VELUX INTEGRA solar roller shutter needs no wiring at all; and if your shutters already have wired motors, a module such as the Shelly 2PM Gen4 is enough to make them smart.

This guide draws on manufacturer specifications, independent reviews and verified buyer feedback. It helps you pick the right type of motor, the right protocol and the right hub, then avoid the most common mistakes. You will find the full selection in our smart blinds and shutters section.

Why make your roller shutters smart?

A basic motorised shutter is operated with a wall switch or a remote. A smart shutter goes further: you control it from your phone, by voice and, above all, automatically, based on the time, sunrise and sunset or the weather. That is where most of the value lies.

• Thermal comfort: closing shutters at night in winter reduces heat loss through the glazing, and closing them during the day on sun-facing walls in summer limits overheating. An automation does it every day, even when you are away.
• Security: shutters that open and close at varying times make a home look occupied while you are on holiday.
• Everyday convenience: gradual opening when you wake up, closing the whole house with one tap, a "movie" scene for the living room.

For more on cutting energy use, see our smart home energy saving guide.

How to choose

The type of shutter

It all starts with the mechanics. An existing roller shutter is motorised with a tubular motor slid into the roller tube, replacing the crank or strap. A roller shutter that already has a wired motor (with an up/down switch) can simply take a smart module behind the switch. Hinged shutters need a dedicated arm motor, such as Somfy's Yslo range. And a roof window takes a dedicated external shutter, often solar powered.

Torque and tube diameter

A tubular motor is chosen according to the weight of the shutter curtain and the diameter of the roller tube. Torque, expressed in newton-metres (Nm), must be enough to lift the curtain with some headroom: a patio-door shutter needs far more force than a small bathroom window. The Oximo ranges therefore come in several torque ratings, from 6 Nm up to several tens of Nm. Measure the tube too, and check that adapters (crown and drive wheels) exist for its profile: old or non-standard tubes make installation harder.

The radio protocol

This criterion decides what you can do later.

• io-homecontrol: a two-way, encrypted radio protocol on 868 MHz, used notably by Somfy and VELUX. The motor confirms it has carried out the command and reports its position.
• RTS (Somfy): a one-way radio protocol. The command is sent, but the hub does not know whether the shutter actually reached the bottom. Simple, proven and very widespread.
• Zigbee and Matter: mostly found on modules that make an existing wired motor smart. They integrate easily with Home Assistant or the Apple, Google and Amazon ecosystems. To understand these standards, read our Matter and Thread guide.
• Wi-Fi: no hub to buy, but you depend on your home network and often on the manufacturer's cloud.

Position feedback

This is the difference between "blind" commands and a reliable system. With feedback, the app shows the real position of every shutter, and an automation can check that everything is closed before you leave. io-homecontrol does this natively; a wired module such as the Shelly 2PM Gen4 estimates the position after calibrating the travel time; RTS does not.

The hub and voice assistants

Somfy radio motors are controlled remotely through a hub. Compatibility with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Apple Home or Home Assistant therefore depends on the hub you choose, not on the motor. Also check how many devices it supports and which protocols it accepts if you plan to add other equipment.

The best options for smart shutters in 2026

Somfy Oximo io: the benchmark for motorising a roller shutter

The Oximo io is a tubular motor with a built-in io-homecontrol radio receiver, designed for all types of roller shutters. It comes in several torque ratings to suit small windows and large bay doors alike.

Strengths: encrypted two-way radio with confirmation that each command was executed, automatic limit setting, obstacle detection on the way down, frost protection on the way up, compatibility with TaHoma Switch and the io-homecontrol ecosystem (including VELUX). 5-year warranty.

Limitations: needs a Somfy hub for remote control and automations; it is the premium option for a roller shutter.

Who it's for: anyone who wants a system that stays reliable over the years, with every shutter's position visible in the app.

Somfy Oximo RTS: the more affordable radio option

The Oximo RTS follows the same principle as the Oximo io, with one-way RTS radio. It is one of the most widely installed roller shutter motors, compatible with a very wide range of Somfy remotes and transmitters.

Strengths: automatic memorisation of the end limits, stops when it meets an obstacle on the way down, many torque ratings, simple installation, control through TaHoma Switch.

Limitations: no position feedback: the hub sends the command without knowing whether it was carried out. Scenes still work, but without confirmation.

Who it's for: those who want to motorise several shutters for less while keeping the option to connect them.

Somfy TaHoma Switch: the hub that controls everything

The TaHoma Switch is Somfy's smart home hub. It connects over Wi-Fi, is powered by USB and can sit anywhere you like. It handles up to 200 devices, and two buttons on top trigger your favourite scenes.

Strengths: supports io-homecontrol, RTS and Zigbee 3.0; voice control through Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple Home; a clear TaHoma app for schedules and scenes; can be integrated into Home Assistant through the Overkiz integration.

Limitations: no longer handles Z-Wave and does not act as a Matter bridge: Somfy shutters are not exposed natively over Matter.

Who it's for: anyone with Somfy io or RTS motors who wants to control them remotely and automate them.

VELUX INTEGRA solar roller shutter: for roof windows

The VELUX INTEGRA solar roller shutter (SSL range) is an external shutter for VELUX roof windows. Its solar panel charges a battery, so no mains supply is needed, and it is controlled via io-homecontrol.

Strengths: fitted from the outside with no wiring, protection against summer heat and extra insulation in winter, compatible with TaHoma Switch and with VELUX ACTIVE with Netatmo for automations based on indoor conditions.

Limitations: only for compatible VELUX roof windows; you must order the size that matches your window. The rain sensor that is often mentioned belongs to VELUX INTEGRA electric roof windows (it closes the window), not to the shutter itself.

Who it's for: loft conversions and bedrooms under the roof, where summer overheating is at its worst.

Shelly 2PM Gen4: to connect a shutter that already has a wired motor

If your shutters already have a wired motor operated by an up/down switch, there is no need to replace the motor. The Shelly 2PM Gen4 is a two-channel module that fits behind the switch and has a dedicated mode for roller shutters, blinds and awnings.

Strengths: Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, Matter by default and switchable to Zigbee, power metering, obstacle detection in cover mode, shutter position after calibration, native Home Assistant integration. The existing switch keeps working.

Limitations: installed in the wall box, so call an electrician if you are not confident; one motor per module; not suitable for radio motors without up/down control wires.

Who it's for: homes that already have wired electric shutters, and Home Assistant or Matter users.

Comparison table

What about hinged shutters and other brands?

For hinged shutters, you need a dedicated arm motor. At Somfy, that is the Yslo range (including the Yslo Flex io kit), with status feedback, obstacle detection and frost protection. Don't confuse it with the Axovia 3S io, which is a motor for hinged gates, not shutters. For gates, see our smart gate and garage door opener comparison.

Other manufacturers also make connected tubular motors, notably Nice with its Era Inn range and two-way radio, as well as complete shutter makers such as Bubendorff. These motors are mostly sold through installers: check which hub or gateway is required before you choose.

Automations that are genuinely useful

• Sun-based schedules: open at sunrise and close at sunset, with an adjustable offset, instead of a fixed time you have to correct every season.
• Heat protection: partially close south- and west-facing shutters during the hottest hours, based on a forecast or a temperature sensor.
• Presence simulation: opening and closing at varying times while you are away, ideally combined with smart lighting.
• Scenes: "good night" closes everything, "wake up" opens the bedroom gradually, "leaving" checks that everything is closed thanks to position feedback.
• Coordination with heating: if you also have a smart thermostat, a platform such as Home Assistant can link the two.

Mistakes to avoid

• Choosing an undersized motor: too little torque wears the motor out and may stop it lifting a heavy curtain. Weigh or estimate the curtain and leave a margin.
• Mixing protocols without thinking: an RTS motor does not report its position, even when driven by the same hub as an io motor. For feedback everywhere, stick with io-homecontrol.
• Forgetting manual operation: during a power cut, a motorised shutter stays where it is. For an important exit, look into backup options.
• Neglecting the end limits: badly set limits strain the curtain and its fixings. Reset them after any work on the shutter.
• Buying a hub before the motors: the motors' protocol determines the hub, not the other way round.
• Trusting generic promises: energy savings depend on your insulation, glazing, orientation and heating system. Shutters help; they do not replace a renovation.

Installation and safety

Replacing a crank or strap with a tubular motor is within reach of a confident DIYer: remove the shutter box cover, take out the tube, insert the motor with its adapters, connect it, then set the end limits and pair it. Always switch off the circuit at the consumer unit before starting. The connection to the mains must follow the wiring rules that apply in your country; if in doubt, and for any new circuit or work inside the consumer unit, call a qualified electrician. For a roof window or any work at height, a professional is strongly recommended.

If several people use the shutters, keep at least one physical control (wall switch or remote) per room: not everyone has a phone in hand, and local control keeps working without the internet.

Verdict

For most homes, the best choice is the Somfy Oximo io paired with the TaHoma Switch: position feedback, easy automations and compatibility with the main voice assistants. To motorise lots of shutters on a tighter budget, the Oximo RTS remains a safe bet, at the cost of position feedback. For a roof window, the VELUX INTEGRA solar roller shutter is the obvious pick because it needs no wiring. And if your shutters are already electric, the Shelly 2PM Gen4 makes them smart without changing the motor. Whatever you choose, start with one or two windows to validate the hardware before equipping the whole house.