ZemiSmart Blind Motor w/Matter over Thread (review)

This review evaluates the ZemiSmart MTP1 blind motor, a retrofit solution designed to automate existing roller shades with Matter over Thread connectivity. The MTP1 is presented as a strong contender in the smart home market, particularly in comparison to similar products from brands like Aqara, due to its advanced mounting mechanism and Matter over Thread integration. The ZemiSmart MTP1 is a plastic slab design, measuring 60mm wide, 135mm tall, and 30mm deep (40mm including the button). A key improvement highlighted is its wall mount, which features a series of steps corresponding to a clip on the mount. This design allows for more granular adjustment of the motor's position after initial affixing, ensuring the correct tension on the beaded cord. This is noted as a significant advantage over previous designs, such as the Aqara RSD E1, which required precise initial placement. The device includes a large, round button on the front that acts as a stop control and allows for speed adjustments with a quick twist. The top of the motor has two openings for the beaded cord, leading to an internal cog. The underside features a rubber cover protecting a USB-C port for recharging the internal battery, a reset button, and a toggle switch for initial setup. The package includes three different-sized cogs to accommodate various bead sizes, a USB-C cable, and a small remote control. The remote uses a 433MHz transmitter for direct control, featuring open, close, and stop buttons, and allows cycling through three motor speeds with repeated presses. It also comes with a magnetic mounting plate and is powered by a CR2032 battery. The MTP1 is compatible with various blind types, including roller shades, Venetian blinds (though it can only control angle or opening/closing, not both), honeycomb shades, and zebra shades. It can also work with cord-only blinds if the cord diameter is 3-4mm. Physical installation of the MTP1 involves fixing it to a wall. The improved mounting bracket facilitates easier adjustment of cord tension. The article suggests drilling for a more secure fit, as an adhesive sticker is not included. For Apple Home integration, a Home Hub acting as a Matter Controller with a Thread Border Router (e.g., HomePod mini) is required. Setup involves scanning a Matter code, similar to other HomeKit devices. A crucial step is setting the upper and lower limits of the blinds using the remote or motor itself before adding the device to Apple Home, to ensure proper functionality. Once added, the device appears as a single tile with a slider control for precise blind positioning. Battery levels are also displayed in the settings. One of Matter's advantages is multi-platform compatibility. The MTP1 allows generation of new digit-based Matter codes for pairing with additional platforms, such as Google Home and Samsung SmartThings. In these platforms, the device functions similarly with a tile and slider control, with SmartThings offering additional open, close, pause, and preset position buttons. The blinds can be integrated into scenes and automations for scheduled operations. A limitation noted is that the three motor speeds (low, medium, high) can only be adjusted directly on the device or via the remote, not through the Apple Home app or other connected apps. Regarding build quality, the ZemiSmart MTP1 is described as solidly constructed, an improvement over some of the brand's past products. While the dial on the device offers direct control for stopping and speed adjustment, automations and voice commands are often preferred for specific positioning. The included remote provides rapid response times due to its direct connection. In day-to-day use, the motor has demonstrated reliability over two months of continuous use, including daily automations and periods of frequent manual operation. The battery life is projected to last 7-8 months based on current usage, with 10% depletion per month. Noise levels were measured at 58dB for high speed, 54dB for medium, and 44dB for low speed. The review concludes by recommending the ZemiSmart MTP1 for its Matter over Thread connectivity, ease of installation, reliability, and decent battery life, emphasizing its value as a retrofit option for smart home enthusiasts looking to reduce reliance on Wi-Fi devices. #ZemiSmartMTP1 #BlindMotor #MatterOverThread #SmartHome #HomeKit #RetrofitBlinds #SmartBlinds #HomeAutomation #ThreadConnectivity #ZemiSmartMTP1 #BlindMotor #MatterOverThread #SmartHome #HomeKit #RetrofitBlinds #SmartBlinds #HomeAutomation #ThreadConnectivity