Motorized Shades vs Manual Shades: Which Is Worth the Extra Cost?
January 21, 2026
4.8
(3204) Reviews
Indoor shades control light and privacy while complementing your home’s design. From roller and cellular to motorized options, each shade is selected based on room function, window size, and daily use.
A full lineup of shade options with both motorized and non-motorized options
Indoor shades help control light, glare, and privacy while supporting energy efficiency and room comfort. With manual and motorized options available, shades can be tailored to each room’s function, window size, and daily use without overwhelming the design.
Select traditional operation or motorization based on convenience and window access.
We bring over 1000 fabric options to your home and help you select specific product and fabrics to compliment your space
All of our window coverings come with a lifetime warranty for complete piece of mind
If you don't love your product we will replace it with a product of equal value
Explore our shading systems, designed to bring comfort, protection and style to your windows, patios & outdoor living areas.
Schedule ConsultationWe bring sample products & fabrics directly to your home so you can see and feel the products in your home.
We take precise measurements of all your windows and provide you a no pressure quote at the time of your consultation.
Installation completed by Zinga's employee who are experts in their craft. Free yourself of the stress of installing.
Zinga's is a total class act from start to finish. The entire process was smooth, professional, and well-organized. Amber C and the warranty team were responsive, knowledgeable, and genuinely helpful - not rushed, not dismissive, just solid customer service done right. The cordless option is fantastic, the install was clean, and everything works exactly as promised. You can tell this company cares about doing things correctly and standing behind their work. Highly recommend Zinga's if you want quality products, clear communication, and a team that actually follows through. Wendy M.
Outstanding experience with Zinga and sales representative **Garrett** Dotson. From start to finish, the entire process of selecting window treatments for our home in Beachwalk by Manasota Key was thorough, professional, and genuinely customer-focused. Garrett came to our house, carefully reviewed every window, and made thoughtful recommendations tailored to each room’s size, location, and purpose. He walked us through a wide variety of roller shade materials, clearly explaining how each option would look and perform in different lighting conditions. His advice on motorized shades for added convenience was especially helpful, and he presented it as a smart upgrade rather than a pushy upsell. Pricing was competitive and reasonable, and Garrett took the time to explain all aspects of the warranty so there were no surprises. He also suggested promotional financing options that made the overall project more manageable for our budget. Throughout the entire appointment, he was patient, friendly, and extremely helpful, answering all of our questions in detail. Garrett also clearly explained the advantages of Zinga’s products and service over the competition, which gave us a lot of confidence in our decision. Thanks to his expertise and professionalism, we felt fully informed and very comfortable moving forward. Highly recommend Zinga and especially Garrett Dotson for anyone looking for high-quality window treatments and a top-tier in-home consultation experience. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I am writing to share my appreciation for the excellent work done by your installation team, specifically, Phil, Todd, and Rob. Although, the amount of time that it took from the initial order, to install, seemed a bit excessive (3.5 months), I am very pleased with the blinds installation and the professional service provided. The team was efficient, detail-oriented, and ensured everything was perfect before finishing the job. Thank you for the great experience and for the high-quality work. Troy
Adrian came out to show me options for my back sliders. He was extremely professional, and knowledgeable. I really appreciate his expertise and very excited to get my new shades for the back sliders! Thank you to Adrian & Zingas!
Adrian came over and went through the process and what all is entailed with their products. He knew everything about his craft and could answer any question. An expert at navigation what is best for the customer and helped us come to the best option for our needs. We had his competitors out to give us quotes and they were inferior products, knowledge and pricing. I would highly recommend them to friends and family.
Tyler and Peyton just completed the installation of our automated shades. They both were professional and efficient at their job. They arrived on time, did a great job with the installation, cleaned up after they were finished, and ensured we understood how to use and maintain the shades. Excellent customer service. Highly recommend Zingas!
Highly recommend this awning and company!! We have been in the awning business for 40 plus years and know quality… Zinga’s product is over the top and better than we expected. Great experience from beginning to end: Kiersten, in the office, Adam, sales contact, and Drew and Tyler, installation..all professional and knowledgeable of the product they represent. Thank you for an amazing awning and experience! Todd & Rachel Lengle
My installer Andrew was wonderful. Couldn’t believe how fast he got everything done. Polite and knowledgeable I certainly recommend this company Zinga’s for your window treatments EXCELLENT
I worked with Zingas for our new build. They measured the blinds before the house was finished We knew we’d be in the house a few weeks before our order came in so they installed temporary blinds in the meantime! We had a sunroom that needed insulation from too much heat or cold and a master that needed room darkening. Their suggestions were perfect and I appreciated their advice. Tracy was my contact.
Our Zingas window blind installer, Chris Harrod, did a terrific job. He was professional, efficient, and caring. We felt we were in capable hands from the outset. Chris made sure everything was to our satisfaction before, during and after the installation. We are a repeat Zingas customer, and will continue to be in the future!
We love our new shades! Absolutely beautiful, and the black out shades really are black out. Casey and Jessica were great to work with, very communicative. And the shades were ready before originally estimated! Dylan and Jonathan did a fantastic job on the install. Very efficient and tidy, they got those shades up so fast. Highly recommend Zinga’s.
I have a small patio that faces east and gets full sun from sunrise to about 1:00 pm. It made it hard to enjoy my morning coffee and inspirational reading on the patio. The retractable screen has been a God send. It looks good and works as intended. It’s given me my patio back. The sales team, Casey and Jessica, were professional and kept me informed on the progress of my order. It was reassuring working with them.
I just wanted to say how many pleased I have been with the purchase and installation of our Storm Screens from Zinga’s. From the initial consultation, measurements and excellent installation by Justin, Drew, and Payton, they work flawlessly and look great too! Thanks Zinga’s for a great experience.
The salesperson we met with was wonderful! The company kept us informed every step of the way. Drew did a wonderful job installing our new shades. He was quick, neat and professional. I would highly recommend Zinga’s if you are looking for window coverings!
The two installers, Gary and Terry, would be welcomed in our home anytime. They knew their jobs as any great team would. The cold didn’t bother them. Our expectations were exceeded. They were excited to demonstrate the attributes of the awning from the height adjustments to the led lights. They took pride in their work and product. An assignment well done
Todd replaced our blinds for three large windows and the vertical blinds for a three section sliding glass door. I'm really happy with results. He did an excellent job! Will definitely recommend.
Allen went way beyond today. He figured out a way to customize my valances because it wasn't working the ordinary way. Zingas has been an amazing company to work with and everyone of their employees have gone over the top to make sure I was completely satisfied. I can not say enough good things about them and without a doubt would highly recommend them!
First of all the sales rep, Adrian is outstanding. His attention to detail is wonderful. And they have secret formula to ensure lifetime efficiency of your motorized screens. The install folks who came out Friday, Drew, Justin, Peyton, and Tyler were spectacular. They made us FEEL like this was the most important install they have ever done. Good guys and polite. As the references told me when I called, the only “knock” on Zingas is their inside customer support. It’s not close to where it should be. Thank you to Morgan Booger for stepping and stepping UP! So appreciated. Looking forward to a lifetime of comfort with our new Zinga’s Motorized Screens.
We are very pleased with our window treatments from Zingas. We purchased window blinds and shutters. High quality! Misty helped us along the way to insure we were happy. Sales team very helpful with selections!
Our two installers for our blinds were the nicest gentleman who worked very hard to make everything perfect for us. They were funny and fun to be around. We had a great experience. We love our blinds. Wish I had more windows. I’d buy more blinds.
Shades FAQs
Cost is an important part of the decision, but so is how often you use your space. Motorized shades pay off in comfort and convenience when you adjust your shades multiple times a day or want automation tied to light, temperature, or occupancy. For example, motorized shades can close automatically at peak sun to protect furniture or open in the morning to welcome daylight without you having to do anything. Manual shades still provide excellent light control, but they require one more physical step each time you want to adjust them.
Yes — and that’s one of their biggest benefits for many homeowners. Motorized shades can integrate with smart home platforms and automation systems so they respond to conditions like sunrise, sunset, temperature, or activity. For example, shades can close automatically when the afternoon sun hits a living room or open in the morning with your lights and thermostat. Manual shades don’t have this capability, but many homeowners find the automation worth considering if they value comfort, energy efficiency, and hands-off operation.
Yes — many modern motorized shades, including ours, use rechargeable lithium-ion power sources instead of hard-wiring to your home’s electrical system. The big benefit of lithium power is long run time with low maintenance. When used daily under typical conditions, these lithium-powered motors can run for up to one year before needing a recharge.
That means you don’t have to think about charging them often or replacing batteries every few weeks like older systems. When recharging is needed, it’s usually simple and infrequent: most homeowners plug in the charger and top off the battery in minutes, often while doing other home tasks. Because the battery life is predictable and long, the biggest value you get is hands-off comfort most of the year. We also guide you on where to place the charging port and how to set reminders so maintenance doesn’t become a chore.
If you prefer not to deal with batteries at all, we can also discuss hard-wired motorized options that tie directly into your home’s electrical system. The choice depends on your priorities for convenience, aesthetics, and ease of installation.