Aqara
Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1
- Zigbee2MQTT / ZHA
- Local control
- Zigbee
Prices verified September 2026
See more blinds & curtains picks on our Amazon storefront →Our verdict
The budget king for bead-chain roller blinds found in most UK homes — it clips onto the existing chain via one of four included adapters (3–6mm bead thickness), so nothing about the blind itself changes. Skip the Aqara hub and pair straight to Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA. The built-in battery is non-replaceable but recharges over USB-C, good for roughly two months between top-ups on a daily-use 1.8m blind, or leave it on permanent USB-C power if a socket's nearby. Rated for blinds up to around 3kg — heavier fabric shortens battery life. SwitchBot's roller shade is a full blind replacement, not a retrofit; buy this instead to keep your existing blind.
What can Home Assistant control on the Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1?
| Control | Type | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Position | Slider (0-100%) | Set an exact open amount — requires manual calibration first |
| Open / Close / Stop | Button | Full open, full close, or halt mid-motion |
| Battery | Sensor (%) | Battery level |
Calibration is mandatory before the cover entity does anything useful: hold up+down together for 3 seconds until the LED activates, then press up 5 times to set the fully-open end and down 5 times for fully-closed — skip it and the cover controls just sit greyed out in both ZHA and Zigbee2MQTT. It also has no obstruction/jam signal relayed through Zigbee2MQTT, so if you want a safety stop, template one from the position not changing for several seconds while the motor reports running.
Specs
| Dimensions | 42 x 37 x 165mm |
|---|---|
| Battery life | ~2 months per charge (based on operating a 1.8m x 1.8m blind up/down once daily) |
| Power source | Built-in rechargeable lithium battery (non-replaceable) via USB-C, or continuous USB-C power |
| Power consumption | 5W (5V/1A input) |
| Chain compatibility | Beaded/ball chain 3-6mm thickness, 4 adapters included |
| Recommended max blind weight | ~3kg (manufacturer guidance; heavier blinds reduce battery life and reliability) |
How does the Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 compare?
| Product | From | Protocol | Local control | Integration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 (this product) | £49.99 | Zigbee | Yes | Zigbee2MQTT / ZHA |
| Aqara Curtain Driver E1 (Rod) | £89.99 | Zigbee | Yes | Zigbee2MQTT / ZHA |
| Aqara Curtain Driver E1 (Track Version) | £80.99 | Zigbee | Yes | Zigbee2MQTT / ZHA |
| Eve MotionBlinds Upgrade Kit for Roller Blinds | £179.95 | Matter, Thread | Yes | Native |
Frequently asked questions
- Does the Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 work with Home Assistant locally?
- Yes. The Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 is controlled locally in Home Assistant through Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA, so it keeps working if your internet connection or the Aqara cloud goes down. Control and state updates stay on your own network.
- Which protocol does the Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 use, and do I need a hub?
- The Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 uses Zigbee. To pair it with Home Assistant you need a Zigbee coordinator (for example a SkyConnect/ZBT-1 or Sonoff dongle) attached to your Home Assistant host. Aqara's own hub is not required when you integrate through Zigbee2MQTT or ZHA.
- How much does the Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 cost in the UK?
- The lowest price we have listed for the Aqara Roller Shade Driver E1 is £49.99 at Amazon UK, with other UK retailers at up to £53.99. Prices were last checked in September 2026 and change often, so confirm on the retailer's page before buying.