It’s Not Just a Spoon. It’s a Kunz Spoon.

Not Just a Spoon

 

This sturdy stainless steel spoon is much larger than a standard one, and it makes kitchen tasks, like basting and plating, more efficient.

Although there’s no denying that a Kunz (pronounced “koons”) spoon bears an uncanny resemblance to any ordinary spoon, the Kunz spoon’s appearance belies its true purpose as one of the most multipurpose items in a chef’s kit.

This spoon was designed with cooks in mind by internationally renowned chef Gray Kunz: Its dimensions make it the perfect tool for drizzling sauces, basting a juicy steak with sizzling-hot butter, and plating a rich, creamy sauce without splattering everywhere.

But similar to my beloved bench scraper, my Kunz spoon is a simple yet reliable kitchen workhorse. It gets me through mundane cooking tasks, such as extracting a heaping spoonful of yogurt from its tub, as well as more-complex culinary endeavors, like butter-basting a dry-aged ribeye until it’s medium-rare.

Over the past eight years, Kunz spoons have become an extension of my hand, helping me navigate kitchen tasks nimbly and efficiently. Their versatility easily supersedes the capabilities of any other spoon in my kitchen—and, frankly, of almost any other tool.

Since I was first introduced to Kunz spoons, I’ve acquired several of them (some of which I’ve gifted to friends and family and others I’ve lost along the way). However, my current collection consists of two: a classic Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon, which I’ve had for four years, and a Gray Kunz Spoon: JB Prince x Tilit Edition, which I recently acquired because it was just too beautiful not to. (Note: Since the latter spoon is a newer acquisition, in this piece, I’m focusing on my already-trusted, classic Kunz spoon.)

You might already own a big spoon, but not all big spoons are created equal. If cooking a great meal is the goal, Kunz spoons are the standard due to their unique size, shape, and weight—specifically designed for navigating kitchen tasks with ease.

A Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon next to a regular spoon.
Comparing my regular dinner spoon (top) to my beloved Kunz spoon (bottom). Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter

For starters, a regular-size Kunz spoon is much bigger than a standard-size dinner spoon; the former holds 2.5 tablespoons, while the latter holds roughly one tablespoon. I find a Kunz spoon’s ample capacity particularly effective for seamlessly transporting ingredients from point A to point B—for example, when I portion creamy risotto from a pot to a plate or slather homemade hummus onto a serving platter (using the back of the spoon to create a smooth, swirly effect).

A Kunz spoon also has a wider surface area and a shallower belly than most conventional spoons, so it’s much more practical for basting. The unique shape helps me to evenly and rapidly cascade waves of hot ghee onto a sizzling steak to achieve a beautifully browned crust, without overcooking the center. Then when I’m plating a dish, such as when I’m preparing steak au poivre, I use the spoon to delicately layer a pan sauce on top.

A side profile of a Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon.
A profile view of a Kunz spoon’s shallow bowl. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter

With its unique curvature, a Kunz spoon is ideal for making large quenelles out of softened butter, whipped cream, or ice cream. I do this by dipping the spoon into hot water for a few seconds until it’s warmed up, and then I wipe it clean. Then I use the side of the spoon to glide across the softened food, creating smooth, oval-shaped scoops that easily slide off.

A Kunz spoon is also about 2 inches longer than the average spoon (9 inches versus 7 or 8 inches). That added length prevents my fingers from accidentally dipping into a sauce or salad dressing as I mix or stir it. And it keeps my hand at a safer distance from splattering oil as I baste scallops in sizzling brown butter or sauté Brussels sprouts in a piping-hot pan.

When you hold a Kunz spoon, you’ll notice that it’s substantially heavier than most standard flatware; it weighs 78 grams, whereas my ordinary dinner spoon weighs 61 grams. I’ve found that the added weight increases stability and control when I’m mixing, plating, and portioning ingredients. The spoon’s bowl is also wide enough that I can use it as a pseudo-spatula to help carefully flip and toss foods in a pan.

The Kunz spoon’s slightly tapered end is one of its key distinguishing features. Rather than having the smooth, rounded edges of a regular spoon, a Kunz spoon has a shape that aims liquids in one direction, creating a steady drizzle facilitated by gravity. To get the best results when plating, point the spoon’s tip perpendicular to the intended surface for increased precision and accuracy.

Sauce dripping off of a Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon.
The tapered tip makes drizzling liquids more precise. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter

I also sometimes use a Kunz spoon as a tasting spoon. However, I always wash it between tastings to avoid cross-contamination.

My prized Kunz spoon has just a few shortcomings. Although it’s made from 18/10 stainless steel, hard-water stains can develop on the brushed-steel handle. Fortunately, this is nothing a baking-soda slurry can’t tackle. And with a bit of scrubbing, I can restore the spoon to its pristine glory in mere minutes.

My Kunz spoon has also collected its fair share of minor scuffs and scratches over the years, but I like to think of them as mementos of all the delicious foods we’ve cooked together. Proceed with caution, however, when you’re using this sturdy metal spoon to scrape foods on delicate surfaces that tend to scratch easily, such as nonstick pans.

Although the Kunz spoon is dishwasher-safe, I’d opt for handwashing it with mild dish soap and warm water. I’d also recommend drying it promptly with a microfiber cloth, to avoid watermarks. Still, my Kunz spoon needs less maintenance than my wooden spoons, which require a more in-depth cleaning regimen.

Counterfeit Kunz spoons have emerged on the market. In an Instagram post from October 2023, JB Prince’s CEO and president cautioned customers to be mindful of where they’re purchasing Kunz spoons. As of October 2024, however, Kunz spoons feature an official Gray Kunz logo (a “K” engraving on the handle) to help prevent counterfeit products from proliferating on the market.

A Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon with the carrying case.
My sexy new matte-black Gray Kunz Spoon: JB Prince x Tilit Edition ($40). Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter

Whether you’re a novice or an expert cook, adding a Kunz spoon to your kitchen toolbox can elevate your culinary skills. That’s why it’s become my go-to gift for friends and family who show an interest in cooking.

My cousin, a physician based in North Carolina, has minimal time to cook. And she’s found the Kunz spoon to be helpful for meal-prepping sautéed veggies for her young daughter. Meanwhile, my partner, who barely cooks, uses it to spoon ice cream out of the tub for sundaes, and he says it’s the perfect shape to scoop half an avocado in one go.

I understand why splurging on a Kunz spoon can seem superfluous, especially when other spoons appear to be equally suited to kitchen tasks. However, I implore you not to make the same mistake I once did in underestimating the practicality of owning this big kitchen spoon.

From helping me navigate my first line-cook job to assisting me in prepping simple weekday meals, my Kunz spoon will forever be my faithful kitchen companion. No ordinary spoon will do.

This article was edited by Alexander Aciman and Megan Beauchamp.





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Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon 20241112 191309 full

 

This sturdy stainless steel spoon is much larger than a standard one, and it makes kitchen tasks, like basting and plating, more efficient.

Although there’s no denying that a Kunz (pronounced “koons”) spoon bears an uncanny resemblance to any ordinary spoon, the Kunz spoon’s appearance belies its true purpose as one of the most multipurpose items in a chef’s kit.

This spoon was designed with cooks in mind by internationally renowned chef Gray Kunz: Its dimensions make it the perfect tool for drizzling sauces, basting a juicy steak with sizzling-hot butter, and plating a rich, creamy sauce without splattering everywhere.

But similar to my beloved bench scraper, my Kunz spoon is a simple yet reliable kitchen workhorse. It gets me through mundane cooking tasks, such as extracting a heaping spoonful of yogurt from its tub, as well as more-complex culinary endeavors, like butter-basting a dry-aged ribeye until it’s medium-rare.

Over the past eight years, Kunz spoons have become an extension of my hand, helping me navigate kitchen tasks nimbly and efficiently. Their versatility easily supersedes the capabilities of any other spoon in my kitchen—and, frankly, of almost any other tool.

Since I was first introduced to Kunz spoons, I’ve acquired several of them (some of which I’ve gifted to friends and family and others I’ve lost along the way). However, my current collection consists of two: a classic Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon, which I’ve had for four years, and a Gray Kunz Spoon: JB Prince x Tilit Edition, which I recently acquired because it was just too beautiful not to. (Note: Since the latter spoon is a newer acquisition, in this piece, I’m focusing on my already-trusted, classic Kunz spoon.)

You might already own a big spoon, but not all big spoons are created equal. If cooking a great meal is the goal, Kunz spoons are the standard due to their unique size, shape, and weight—specifically designed for navigating kitchen tasks with ease.

A Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon next to a regular spoon.
Comparing my regular dinner spoon (top) to my beloved Kunz spoon (bottom). Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter

For starters, a regular-size Kunz spoon is much bigger than a standard-size dinner spoon; the former holds 2.5 tablespoons, while the latter holds roughly one tablespoon. I find a Kunz spoon’s ample capacity particularly effective for seamlessly transporting ingredients from point A to point B—for example, when I portion creamy risotto from a pot to a plate or slather homemade hummus onto a serving platter (using the back of the spoon to create a smooth, swirly effect).

A Kunz spoon also has a wider surface area and a shallower belly than most conventional spoons, so it’s much more practical for basting. The unique shape helps me to evenly and rapidly cascade waves of hot ghee onto a sizzling steak to achieve a beautifully browned crust, without overcooking the center. Then when I’m plating a dish, such as when I’m preparing steak au poivre, I use the spoon to delicately layer a pan sauce on top.

A side profile of a Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon.
A profile view of a Kunz spoon’s shallow bowl. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter

With its unique curvature, a Kunz spoon is ideal for making large quenelles out of softened butter, whipped cream, or ice cream. I do this by dipping the spoon into hot water for a few seconds until it’s warmed up, and then I wipe it clean. Then I use the side of the spoon to glide across the softened food, creating smooth, oval-shaped scoops that easily slide off.

A Kunz spoon is also about 2 inches longer than the average spoon (9 inches versus 7 or 8 inches). That added length prevents my fingers from accidentally dipping into a sauce or salad dressing as I mix or stir it. And it keeps my hand at a safer distance from splattering oil as I baste scallops in sizzling brown butter or sauté Brussels sprouts in a piping-hot pan.

When you hold a Kunz spoon, you’ll notice that it’s substantially heavier than most standard flatware; it weighs 78 grams, whereas my ordinary dinner spoon weighs 61 grams. I’ve found that the added weight increases stability and control when I’m mixing, plating, and portioning ingredients. The spoon’s bowl is also wide enough that I can use it as a pseudo-spatula to help carefully flip and toss foods in a pan.

The Kunz spoon’s slightly tapered end is one of its key distinguishing features. Rather than having the smooth, rounded edges of a regular spoon, a Kunz spoon has a shape that aims liquids in one direction, creating a steady drizzle facilitated by gravity. To get the best results when plating, point the spoon’s tip perpendicular to the intended surface for increased precision and accuracy.

Sauce dripping off of a Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon.
The tapered tip makes drizzling liquids more precise. Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter

I also sometimes use a Kunz spoon as a tasting spoon. However, I always wash it between tastings to avoid cross-contamination.

My prized Kunz spoon has just a few shortcomings. Although it’s made from 18/10 stainless steel, hard-water stains can develop on the brushed-steel handle. Fortunately, this is nothing a baking-soda slurry can’t tackle. And with a bit of scrubbing, I can restore the spoon to its pristine glory in mere minutes.

My Kunz spoon has also collected its fair share of minor scuffs and scratches over the years, but I like to think of them as mementos of all the delicious foods we’ve cooked together. Proceed with caution, however, when you’re using this sturdy metal spoon to scrape foods on delicate surfaces that tend to scratch easily, such as nonstick pans.

Although the Kunz spoon is dishwasher-safe, I’d opt for handwashing it with mild dish soap and warm water. I’d also recommend drying it promptly with a microfiber cloth, to avoid watermarks. Still, my Kunz spoon needs less maintenance than my wooden spoons, which require a more in-depth cleaning regimen.

Counterfeit Kunz spoons have emerged on the market. In an Instagram post from October 2023, JB Prince’s CEO and president cautioned customers to be mindful of where they’re purchasing Kunz spoons. As of October 2024, however, Kunz spoons feature an official Gray Kunz logo (a “K” engraving on the handle) to help prevent counterfeit products from proliferating on the market.

A Gray Kunz Sauce Spoon with the carrying case.
My sexy new matte-black Gray Kunz Spoon: JB Prince x Tilit Edition ($40). Maki Yazawa/NYT Wirecutter

Whether you’re a novice or an expert cook, adding a Kunz spoon to your kitchen toolbox can elevate your culinary skills. That’s why it’s become my go-to gift for friends and family who show an interest in cooking.

My cousin, a physician based in North Carolina, has minimal time to cook. And she’s found the Kunz spoon to be helpful for meal-prepping sautéed veggies for her young daughter. Meanwhile, my partner, who barely cooks, uses it to spoon ice cream out of the tub for sundaes, and he says it’s the perfect shape to scoop half an avocado in one go.

I understand why splurging on a Kunz spoon can seem superfluous, especially when other spoons appear to be equally suited to kitchen tasks. However, I implore you not to make the same mistake I once did in underestimating the practicality of owning this big kitchen spoon.

From helping me navigate my first line-cook job to assisting me in prepping simple weekday meals, my Kunz spoon will forever be my faithful kitchen companion. No ordinary spoon will do.

This article was edited by Alexander Aciman and Megan Beauchamp.


It’s Not Just a Spoon. It’s a Kunz Spoon.
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  1. […] فقرة [adBest Smart Retrofit SwitchBotTop pickThis powerful yet quiet curtain opener is widely compatible with most curtain styles and supports solar charging.Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThingsThe SwitchBot Curtain 3 has the best mix of features of all the curtain openers I tested. It has a streamlined design, it works reliably, and it has a motor that can be set to run especially quiet (when it’s in QuietDrift mode; more on that below).The Curtain 3 will fit on any curtain rod from 0.59 inch to 1.57 inches in diameter, and SwitchBot also sells a U-rail version (an I-rail model is coming but not yet available). The Curtain 3 is the only model we tested that also works with telescopic curtain rods, and it comes with a Rod Connector adapter, which we didn’t need to use in our testing. SwitchBot includes an assortment of clips and a chain, which you may need, depending on the style of curtains you have. A SwitchBot representative told me that the clips are especially beneficial to prevent snagging when you’re using the device with a grommet-style curtain.The SwitchBot Curtain 3 works with the widest range of curtain styles of any opener we tested. Its installation process isn’t technically complicated, but it required more dexterity and patience than the steps for the Aqara model.The SwitchBot Curtain 3 works with the widest range of curtain styles of any opener we tested. Its installation process isn’t technically complicated, but it required more dexterity and patience than the steps for the Aqara model.The SwitchBot Curtain 3 works with the widest range of curtain styles of any opener we tested. Its installation process isn’t technically complicated, but it required more dexterity and patience than the steps for the Aqara model.The SwitchBot Curtain 3 works with the widest range of curtain styles of any opener we tested. Its installation process isn’t technically complicated, but it required more dexterity and patience than the steps for the Aqara model.The SwitchBot Curtain 3 works with the widest range of curtain styles of any opener we tested. Its installation process isn’t technically complicated, but it required more dexterity and patience than the steps for the Aqara model.It won’t interrupt a conversation. In normal operation, the SwitchBot Curtain 3 runs with just a slight hum—the sound isn’t jarring, but you can definitely tell when the device has been triggered. (The same is true for the Aqara Curtain Driver E1.) In my tests, the sound wasn’t loud enough to wake my napping son when the curtains closed on schedule as the intense late-afternoon sun streaked through the window.However, the Curtain 3 also has what SwitchBot calls QuietDrift, which is designed to make the opening and closing movements all but undetectable. And it works: In that mode the SwitchBot opener was 24 decibels quieter than in normal mode when I measured it with a sound-meter app 1 foot away from the device. It’s quiet enough that you could sleep through it—and I often did when the curtain automatically opened in the morning.In the QuietDrift mode, the opener didn’t drop to the 25-decibel claim on SwitchBot’s site, but a decibel reading in the low 30s is significant enough that the sound sinks well into the background.The reason it’s quieter, however, is that QuietDrift is slow—really slow. My two 50-inch-wide curtain panels took about 10 seconds longer to open or close with the device in QuietDrift compared with the normal setting. In most situations this will be fine, as it basically becomes a background motion that you barely notice.The main caveat is that QuietDrift works only for schedules and automations, so it doesn’t work when you’re opening and closing the curtains on demand in the app, through voice assistants, or with the remote. In addition, enabling QuietDrift drains the batteries faster (another reason to invest in SwitchBot’s solar-panel accessory).SwitchBot says that the device’s 3,350 mAh battery should last for as long as eight months before needing to be charged. By comparison, Aqara claims that the 6,400 mAh battery in the Curtain Driver E1 will work for up to one year.Be prepared to invest in accessories. The Curtain 3 isn’t really smart unless you also buy the $70 SwitchBot Hub 2, which adds remote access and the full range of smart-home options, including voice control. Without a hub, you’re limited to controlling the Curtain 3 by Bluetooth, within a range of roughly 30 feet or less, and you don’t have the ability to create automations or control the device remotely.SwitchBot also sells a compatible solar charger (about $25 per opener, or sold in a pack of two for about $50 or four for nearly $100), which is worth the investment: The solar charger eliminates worries about changing or recharging batteries, and it has a built-in light sensor, which you can use for creating automations. After you plug in the solar panel and straighten its connector arm, the app automatically recognizes the accessory, showing a little sun on the battery display icon.SwitchBotThe optional solar panel connects securely and then hangs down from the SwitchBot Curtain 3. With opaque curtains it’s hidden from view indoors but visible from outside. Michael Murtaugh/NYT WirecutterSwitchBotThe $20 SwitchBot Remote isn’t a must-have but may be useful in situations where a member of the household doesn’t want to use an app or speak voice commands to a smart speaker.You can mostly hide the magic. When installed, the Curtain 3 itself is fully hidden from people inside the house, staying behind most curtains, which is terrific—these things aren’t meant to be a distraction. But that depends on the fabric of your curtains: If you have gauzy, light-filtering material instead of something opaque, you might be able to see the silhouette of the Curtain 3, and that goes double for the solar-panel charger, which is distracting. If your curtains aren’t see-through, you should be able to hide all the gadgetry, but if you can’t do that, you may be unhappy with the result.Flaws but not dealbreakersInstallation should be easier. Each SwitchBot Curtain 3 has two hooked arms that snap onto the curtain rod. (SwitchBot gave this design an excellent name, calling it DynamiClamp.) You can remove the arms from the main part of the curtain opener by pressing the tab on each side of the unit. SwitchBot suggests removing one of the arms during installation, so you start by hooking one arm on the curtain rod attached to the main robot; once that’s in place, you attach the second arm and connect everything together. Installing the curtain opener in this order is supposed to make things easier, but the arms don’t have much give and are kind of stubborn when you try to position them correctly, a task that could be a challenge or require assistance depending on your level of dexterity and mobility.It can’t be fully hidden. If you have grommet, ring-top, or tab-top curtains, you will see where the Curtain 3 attaches to the curtain rod at the top.Setting up Apple Home with Matter was clunky. The SwitchBot Hub 2 works with Matter, but the setup in the app is still in beta, and we found the process tedious. Note that the Matter protocol in general is still in its early days, and getting everything up and running presents a learning curve.The process involves performing a reset and finding and copying a code—and then, after all that, Matter sees each of the sensors in the Curtain 3 system as a distinct device, which can be confusing. For example, the SwitchBot Hub 2 has humidity and temperature sensors, so in Apple’s Home app they appear in the list as “Matter Accessory,2” and “Matter Accessory,3.” Here’s hoping that future updates will smooth out the process.Privacy and security snapshotSwitchBot may collect information like your location, IP address, integrated devices and how you use its products, such as when you turn the device on and what features you use.Switchbot may share some infoYou must create an account and login to the SwitchBot app to set up and use your device, which will share your name, email address, physical address, and phone number with SwitchBot.SwitchBot offers, but does not require, two-factor authenticationReview SwitchBot’s privacy statement for more information.Source link [og_img SwitchBotTop pickThis powerful yet quiet curtain opener is widely compatible with most curtain styles and supports solar charging.Compatibility: Amazon Alexa, Apple Home, Google Home, Samsung SmartThingsThe SwitchBot Curtain 3 has the best mix of features of all the curtain openers I tested. It has a streamlined design, it works reliably, and it has a motor that can be set to run especially quiet (when it’s in QuietDrift mode; more on that below).The Curtain 3 will fit on any curtain rod from 0.59 inch to 1.57 inches in diameter, and SwitchBot also sells a U-rail version (an I-rail model is coming but not yet available). The Curtain 3 is the only model we tested that also works with telescopic curtain rods, and it comes with a Rod Connector adapter, which we didn’t need to use in our testing. SwitchBot includes an assortment of clips and a chain, which you may need, depending on the style of curtains you have. A SwitchBot representative told me that the clips are especially beneficial to prevent snagging when you’re using the device with a grommet-style curtain.The SwitchBot Curtain 3 works with the widest range of curtain styles of any opener we tested. Its installation process isn’t technically complicated, but it required more dexterity and patience than the steps for the Aqara model.The SwitchBot Curtain 3 works with the widest range of curtain styles of any opener we tested. Its installation process isn’t technically complicated, but it required more dexterity and patience than the steps for the Aqara model.The SwitchBot Curtain 3 works with the widest range of curtain styles of any opener we tested. Its installation process isn’t technically complicated, but it required more dexterity and patience than the steps for the Aqara model.The SwitchBot Curtain 3 works with the widest range of curtain styles of any opener we tested. Its installation process isn’t technically complicated, but it required more dexterity and patience than the steps for the Aqara model.The SwitchBot Curtain 3 works with the widest range of curtain styles of any opener we tested. Its installation process isn’t technically complicated, but it required more dexterity and patience than the steps for the Aqara model.It won’t interrupt a conversation. In normal operation, the SwitchBot Curtain 3 runs with just a slight hum—the sound isn’t jarring, but you can definitely tell when the device has been triggered. (The same is true for the Aqara Curtain Driver E1.) In my tests, the sound wasn’t loud enough to wake my napping son when the curtains closed on schedule as the intense late-afternoon sun streaked through the window.However, the Curtain 3 also has what SwitchBot calls QuietDrift, which is designed to make the opening and closing movements all but undetectable. And it works: In that mode the SwitchBot opener was 24 decibels quieter than in normal mode when I measured it with a sound-meter app 1 foot away from the device. It’s quiet enough that you could sleep through it—and I often did when the curtain automatically opened in the morning.In the QuietDrift mode, the opener didn’t drop to the 25-decibel claim on SwitchBot’s site, but a decibel reading in the low 30s is significant enough that the sound sinks well into the background.The reason it’s quieter, however, is that QuietDrift is slow—really slow. My two 50-inch-wide curtain panels took about 10 seconds longer to open or close with the device in QuietDrift compared with the normal setting. In most situations this will be fine, as it basically becomes a background motion that you barely notice.The main caveat is that QuietDrift works only for schedules and automations, so it doesn’t work when you’re opening and closing the curtains on demand in the app, through voice assistants, or with the remote. In addition, enabling QuietDrift drains the batteries faster (another reason to invest in SwitchBot’s solar-panel accessory).SwitchBot says that the device’s 3,350 mAh battery should last for as long as eight months before needing to be charged. By comparison, Aqara claims that the 6,400 mAh battery in the Curtain Driver E1 will work for up to one year.Be prepared to invest in accessories. The Curtain 3 isn’t really smart unless you also buy the $70 SwitchBot Hub 2, which adds remote access and the full range of smart-home options, including voice control. Without a hub, you’re limited to controlling the Curtain 3 by Bluetooth, within a range of roughly 30 feet or less, and you don’t have the ability to create automations or control the device remotely.SwitchBot also sells a compatible solar charger (about $25 per opener, or sold in a pack of two for about $50 or four for nearly $100), which is worth the investment: The solar charger eliminates worries about changing or recharging batteries, and it has a built-in light sensor, which you can use for creating automations. After you plug in the solar panel and straighten its connector arm, the app automatically recognizes the accessory, showing a little sun on the battery display icon.SwitchBotThe optional solar panel connects securely and then hangs down from the SwitchBot Curtain 3. With opaque curtains it’s hidden from view indoors but visible from outside. Michael Murtaugh/NYT WirecutterSwitchBotThe $20 SwitchBot Remote isn’t a must-have but may be useful in situations where a member of the household doesn’t want to use an app or speak voice commands to a smart speaker.You can mostly hide the magic. When installed, the Curtain 3 itself is fully hidden from people inside the house, staying behind most curtains, which is terrific—these things aren’t meant to be a distraction. But that depends on the fabric of your curtains: If you have gauzy, light-filtering material instead of something opaque, you might be able to see the silhouette of the Curtain 3, and that goes double for the solar-panel charger, which is distracting. If your curtains aren’t see-through, you should be able to hide all the gadgetry, but if you can’t do that, you may be unhappy with the result.Flaws but not dealbreakersInstallation should be easier. Each SwitchBot Curtain 3 has two hooked arms that snap onto the curtain rod. (SwitchBot gave this design an excellent name, calling it DynamiClamp.) You can remove the arms from the main part of the curtain opener by pressing the tab on each side of the unit. SwitchBot suggests removing one of the arms during installation, so you start by hooking one arm on the curtain rod attached to the main robot; once that’s in place, you attach the second arm and connect everything together. Installing the curtain opener in this order is supposed to make things easier, but the arms don’t have much give and are kind of stubborn when you try to position them correctly, a task that could be a challenge or require assistance depending on your level of dexterity and mobility.It can’t be fully hidden. If you have grommet, ring-top, or tab-top curtains, you will see where the Curtain 3 attaches to the curtain rod at the top.Setting up Apple Home with Matter was clunky. The SwitchBot Hub 2 works with Matter, but the setup in the app is still in beta, and we found the process tedious. Note that the Matter protocol in general is still in its early days, and getting everything up and running presents a learning curve.The process involves performing a reset and finding and copying a code—and then, after all that, Matter sees each of the sensors in the Curtain 3 system as a distinct device, which can be confusing. For example, the SwitchBot Hub 2 has humidity and temperature sensors, so in Apple’s Home app they appear in the list as “Matter Accessory,2” and “Matter Accessory,3.” Here’s hoping that future updates will smooth out the process.Privacy and security snapshotSwitchBot may collect information like your location, IP address, integrated devices and how you use its products, such as when you turn the device on and what features you use.Switchbot may share some infoYou must create an account and login to the SwitchBot app to set up and use your device, which will share your name, email address, physical address, and phone number with SwitchBot.SwitchBot offers, but does not require, two-factor authenticationReview SwitchBot’s privacy statement for more information.The 4 Best Smart Retrofit Shade, Blind, and Curtain Openers of 2025[title_words_as_hashtags […]

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