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Serena by Lutron Smart Shades Review (2025)

John Carter Doe

October 17, 2025

9.2

Excellent

Thinking About Serena Shades? Here's What to Know

The deal in a nutshell

Look, if you want smart shades that just *work*, Serena by Lutron is still the safest bet. They're incredibly quiet, always reliable, and they run on Lutron's own rock-solid Clear Connect system, not some flaky Wi-Fi connection. You do need their little Smart Bridge hub for app control and all the smart home hookups. And yes, the price is up there. But what you're paying for is that smooth, silent motion and a setup that feels completely finished, not like a project you have to constantly tinker with.

Thinking About Serena Shades? Here's What to Know

What's great (and what's not)

The big win here is just how quiet the motors are. It's impressive. And that connection, thanks to the Lutron bridge, is super dependable. You also get flexible power options—either really long-life batteries or a hardwired setup. Scheduling, scenes, tons of fabric choices, Pico remotes... it's all there. And it plays nice with Alexa, Google, Siri, and HomeKit. But, you've gotta know, the cost per window is higher, and you'll need that Smart Bridge for any of the app or voice commands to work. It's a key piece of the puzzle.

Okay, a quick word of advice: get your measurements right. Seriously, double-check everything, especially if you're mounting them inside the window frame where handles or trim can get in the way. The battery versions are genuinely low-maintenance, though you'll have to swap them out eventually. If you're trying to outfit a whole house and watching the budget, here's a thought: put the premium Serena shades in the main spaces where that quiet polish really matters. Then maybe use a more budget-friendly option elsewhere. If you value stability over chasing the newest protocol, I'd say Serena is still the long-term play.