Model: Virtual Cord
$350 – $800
Premium Z-Wave motorized shades with Somfy motor and cordless design
Have children/pets (safety)
Best for Kids certified, no cords
Want premium dealer-installed shades
Professional quality Somfy motors
Use SmartThings or Hubitat
Full Z-Wave integration support
Use Z-Wave smart home hub
Native Z-Wave Plus with 65ft range
Use Apple HomeKit
No HomeKit support (Z-Wave only)
Want Matter compatibility
No Matter - Z-Wave protocol only
On tight budget
$350-800+ per shade is premium pricing
Want quiet operation
Motor louder than some competitors
Motor louder than competitors like Lutron Serena
TechHive reviewBattery compartment difficult to access for swapping
TechHive reviewRequires Z-Wave hub - no direct WiFi connection
Product specsMust purchase through authorized dealers - no direct consumer ordering
Graber websiteMotor noise
commonCause: Somfy motor design
Battery access
commonCause: Compartment design
Premium pricing
commonCause: Professional grade product
Dealer-only purchase
occasionalCause: Distribution model
Not having Z-Wave hub
Cannot integrate with smart home, remote only
Tip: Get SmartThings, Hubitat, or Graber gateway
Expecting HomeKit compatibility
Z-Wave not supported by HomeKit
Tip: Choose Lutron Serena for HomeKit
Not planning for battery changes
Difficult battery compartment access
Tip: Consider hardwired option if available
Graber app remote access, multi-user sharing
Z-Wave local control via hub, remote control, scheduling via hub
Position, schedules via Graber app
Z-Wave operates locally with hub. Graber gateway enables cloud features. Can work fully local with SmartThings or Home Assistant.
Tested with up to 7 devices
Z-Wave Plus 65ft range. Somfy motor. 8AA lithium batteries. Remote or app control. Up to 7 shades per gateway. SmartThings/Hubitat/HA native. Best for Kids certified.
No HomeKit/Matter. Motor louder. Battery access difficult. Dealer purchase only. Premium pricing. Z-Wave hub required. 7 shades per gateway max.
Lutron Serena
If: Need HomeKit or quieter motor
Yoolax Matter Blinds
If: Want Matter/HomeKit support
Bali Autoview Z-Wave
If: Want similar Z-Wave alternative
Use Z-Wave hub (SmartThings/Hubitat)
Excellent Z-Wave integration, premium quality
Want dealer professional installation
Graber dealers ensure proper fit and setup
Use Apple HomeKit
No HomeKit - get Lutron Serena instead
Want Matter future-proofing
Z-Wave only, no Matter upgrade path
Lutron Serena has quieter motor and HomeKit support. Graber has Z-Wave (better for SmartThings/Hubitat). Both are premium quality. Choose based on your smart home ecosystem.
Source: TechHive comparisonUses 8AA lithium batteries per battery case. Battery life depends on usage - typically several months to a year. Solar panels or hardwired options may be available for some models.
Source: Product manualGraber shades are sold through authorized dealers only - not available for direct consumer purchase. Find a local dealer through the Graber website for custom fitting and installation.
Source: Graber websiteYes, via Z-Wave integration. You need a Z-Wave controller/stick connected to Home Assistant. The shades appear as cover entities with position control.
Source: SmartThings CommunityNo, Graber Virtual Cord shades use Z-Wave protocol which is not compatible with Apple HomeKit. For HomeKit, consider Lutron Serena or Matter-enabled shades.
Source: Product specs