SOMA Smart Shade 2

Quick verdict

Superseded. SOMA now sells the Smart Shades 3, the model that replaced this one: SOMA's store lists only the Shades 3, and somasmarthome.com/products/soma-smart-shades-2 now serves the Shades 3 page, so there is no live Shade 2 product page left. If you are buying new, buy the Shades 3 - it carries a Zigbee radio alongside Bluetooth and joins a Zigbee 3.0 network directly after a firmware update from the SOMA app, so it needs no SOMA Connect bridge. This page stays for existing owners. The Shade 2 motorizes existing roller shades and chain-operated blinds, the solar panel keeps it charged without intervention on sunny windows, and it is Bluetooth-only, so Home Assistant reaches it only through the SOMA Connect bridge - the soma integration polls that bridge over your LAN, so a Bluetooth proxy will not reach it. Motor speed is leisurely but acceptable for daily use.

Standout: Solar-powered motor that charges from the light coming through the window, eliminating battery maintenance entirely for well-positioned windows.

Last checked: 2026-08-06

Compatibility snapshot

Why it stands out

• solar panel keeps the battery charged indefinitely in most window positions, truly maintenance-free
• installs on existing roller shades and some chain-operated blinds without replacing anything
• Home Assistant support via the SOMA Connect bridge enables local HTTP API control

Reasons to hesitate

• superseded by the SOMA Smart Shades 3; SOMA's store no longer lists the Shade 2, so new stock is clearance or secondhand
• Bluetooth-only means you need the SOMA Connect bridge for any non-Bluetooth smart home integration
• motor speed is slow, it takes a while to fully open or close a shade
• solar charging requires adequate sunlight, north-facing or heavily shaded windows may not charge sufficiently

Best for

• south or west-facing windows where solar charging will keep the motor running indefinitely
• renters or anyone who wants to motorize existing shades without permanent modification

Avoid if

• you are buying new - the SOMA Smart Shades 3 replaced this model and adds a direct Zigbee path that needs no SOMA Connect bridge
• your shades are on north-facing or heavily shaded windows where solar charging will not keep up
• you need fast shade operation or very precise positioning

Privacy and local-control notes

Bluetooth device with local control via the optional SOMA Connect bridge. No cloud account required for basic operation. Voice assistant integration requires the bridge.

Home Assistant support: supported · integration path: SOMA (soma) via SOMA Connect bridge, local HTTP API.

Buying reality check

Price notes: Superseded by the SOMA Smart Shades 3, so Shade 2 pricing is whatever clearance or secondhand stock is asking rather than a current list price. The SOMA Connect bridge is an additional purchase required for smart home integration beyond Bluetooth. No subscription fees.

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