The short answer
Choose by what covers the window. Curtains that slide sideways need a track motor: the Spark MC-10 Curtain System is a kit with motor, track (3.2 to 6.2 m) and a 433 MHz remote. Roller, zebra and Shangri-La blinds need a tubular motor: the Spark MC-20 Tubular Motor fits inside the blind tube, in sizes 25 and 35. Both come in Wi-Fi or Zigbee versions.
On this page
Track or tubular curtain motor: what is the difference?
A track motor pulls curtains sideways along a rail. A tubular motor sits inside the tube of a blind and rolls it up or down. The window covering decides: curtains that gather at the sides take a track, and blinds that roll into a cassette take a tube.
Each smart curtain motor in the Spark range sits on one side of that line: the MC-10 Curtain System is the track motor, and the MC-20 Tubular Motor is the tubular one. Both come in Wi-Fi or Zigbee versions and work in the Tuya Smart and Smart Life apps.
| What to compare | MC-10 Curtain System (track) | MC-20 Tubular Motor |
|---|---|---|
| Moves | Curtains, sideways along a track | Blinds, up and down on their tube |
| Fits | Centre or one-side opening, single or double track | Roller, zebra and Shangri-La blinds |
| Sizes | Track lengths of 3.2, 4.2, 5.2 or 6.2 m | Size 25 for smaller tubes, size 35 for larger tubes |
| Control | App, Alexa and Google Home, 433 MHz remote, timer, wired control, pull to start | App, included remote, voice control |
| Power | 1 m power cable with an EU plug | Confirm the supply at the window with a Spark partner |
When a track curtain motor is the right choice
Choose a track motor when the window has curtains that hang in folds and slide to the sides. The MC-10 comes as one kit: a quiet motor, a complete track and a remote control. Curtains open from the centre or to one side, on a single or a double track, with the motor at either end to suit the room and the outlet.
- Track length: 3.2, 4.2, 5.2 or 6.2 m, chosen to cover the width of the window.
- Curtain box: more than 10 cm deep for one track, more than 20 cm deep for two.
- Power outlet: the motor cable is 1 m long with an EU plug, so plan an outlet near the motor end.
The motor starts and stops softly, stops on resistance and has overheat protection. After a power cut its open and closed limits stay saved, and while the power is off you can pull the curtain by hand.
Tubular motor for roller blinds: when the MC-20 fits
Choose a tubular motor when the window takes a blind that rolls. The MC-20 fits inside the blind tube and raises, lowers or stops the blind, in living rooms, bedrooms, offices and meeting rooms. It works with three kinds of blind:
- Roller blinds: a fabric blind that rolls into its cassette.
- Zebra blinds: alternating sheer and solid bands.
- Shangri-La blinds: fabric vanes between sheer layers.
Size 25 is for smaller blind tubes and size 35 for larger ones: the motor head mounts in the end bracket and the drive end turns the tube. Check the tube, or let your Spark partner match the size.
Zigbee curtain motor or Wi-Fi: what does each need?
Both motors come in two versions. The Wi-Fi version connects straight to the home router, with no hub; the Zigbee version joins through a Tuya Zigbee gateway.
That gateway can be the Spark Hub-Z, which lists the Zigbee versions of the MC-10 and MC-20 among its compatible devices, or the gateway built into the Spark 7-inch Panel and 10-inch Panel.
- Choose Wi-Fi for one or two windows, where the home Wi-Fi reaches each motor and no gateway is planned.
- Choose Zigbee for a whole villa or apartment, or when the curtains should join scenes with Zigbee switches, sensors and thermostats.
On the Hub-Z, local Zigbee scenes keep running when the internet is down; one example in its brochure opens the curtains on a schedule. Our guide to Zigbee vs Wi-Fi smart switches compares the two networks.
The motors and the gateway in this guide
How you control motorized curtains: app, voice, remote and scenes
You can combine several ways of control on the same curtain or blind:
- Tuya Smart app: open, close, stop or set a position with the MC-10, or raise, lower and stop a blind with the MC-20, from anywhere.
- Remote: a 433 MHz wireless remote comes with the MC-10, and a remote for up, down and stop comes with the MC-20.
- Voice: the MC-10 works with Alexa and Google Home, and the MC-20 supports voice control.
- Timers and scenes: schedule the MC-10 to open in the morning. Paired to the Hub-Z, the Zigbee versions of both motors can join its scenes.
- By hand: with pull to start, a gentle pull sets the MC-10 moving. Several MC-10 motors can also move together.
Motorise shutters and existing motors from the wall box
Roller shutters are common on homes in Jordan, and if one already has a motor you can make it smart from the wall box. The ZR-55 Zigbee curtain module and the WR-55 Wi-Fi curtain module fit behind the switch and add app, voice and timer control to motorised curtains, roller shutters and blinds.
Their brochure shows a tubular shutter motor with up, down and neutral connections; have your electrician check that yours wires the same way.
| Version | Motors and load | Wall push-buttons | Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1CH | One motor, 5 A | Up/down push-button inputs | Wall push-buttons, app, voice and timers |
| 2CH | Two motors, 2 × 5 A | None | App, voice and timers |
One up or down press runs the motor to its end position, and the same press again while it moves stops it. App and wall commands stay in sync, and the motor direction can be reversed in the app.
The ZR-55 (Zigbee 3.0) pairs through a compatible Zigbee gateway, and the WR-55 joins the home 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Both run on AC 100 to 240 V~, 50/60 Hz and work with Alexa and Google Home.
Smart curtain switch or smart shutter switch: which keys?
Fitting new wall switches anyway? A Spark curtain and shutter switch puts motor control on the wall. The 3-key versions open, stop and close one motor; the 4-key versions open and close two, such as a curtain and a shutter, sheer and blackout tracks, or two windows.
| Switch | Keys | Network | What it controls |
|---|---|---|---|
| ZM-110-B | Mechanical, LED on each key, rated 16 A | Zigbee | 3 key: one motor. 4 key: two motors |
| ZT-60-B | Touch, flat glass-look panel | Zigbee | 3 key: one motor. 4 key: two motors, one column each |
| WT-60-B | Touch, flat glass-look panel | Wi-Fi | 3 key: one motor. 4 key: two motors, one column each |
| WT-55-B | 4 touch keys, flat glass-look panel | Wi-Fi | Two lighting circuits and one shutter or curtain motor |
The WT-55-B suits a bedroom or a study: two light keys on the left, shutter keys on the right. The B models are black (the touch ones with a gold frame), and each has a white W version. A Spark partner confirms the wiring to your motor.
Wall control for curtains and shutters
How to choose a smart curtain motor: questions to answer first
Answer these room by room, before the ceilings and curtain boxes are finished.
- 1
Curtain, blind or shutter?
Sliding curtains take the MC-10, rolling blinds take the MC-20, and a shutter with its own motor takes a ZR-55 or WR-55 module.
- 2
How wide is the window?
Pick an MC-10 track of 3.2, 4.2, 5.2 or 6.2 m, or let the blind tube decide between MC-20 size 25 and size 35.
- 3
One layer or two?
A double track for sheer and blackout curtains needs a curtain box deeper than 20 cm. Ask how many motors it takes; a 4-key switch controls two.
- 4
Where is the power?
Plan an outlet within the MC-10's 1 m cable. For the MC-20 and the wall-box modules, agree the supply with your electrician; the modules need a neutral.
- 5
Wi-Fi or Zigbee?
Wi-Fi for a few windows without a hub. Zigbee for a whole home, through a Spark panel's built-in gateway or the Hub-Z, whose local scenes keep running offline.
The product pages give no weight rating, so for heavy blackout curtains or very wide blinds, ask a Spark partner to plan the window and specify the motor, track and switch.
Questions people ask about smart curtain motors
What is the difference between a tubular motor and a curtain track motor?
A track motor pulls curtains sideways along a rail; a tubular motor sits inside a blind tube and rolls the blind up and down. At Spark, these are the MC-10 and the MC-20.
Do Zigbee curtain motors need a hub?
Yes. The Zigbee MC-10 and MC-20 join through a Tuya Zigbee gateway, such as the Hub-Z or a Spark 7-inch or 10-inch panel. The Wi-Fi versions connect straight to the router.
Can I motorize my existing curtains?
The MC-10 is a complete kit with its own track and runners, so it goes up as a new track. A curtain or shutter that already has a motor can be made smart with a ZR-55 or WR-55 module.
Can a smart switch control a roller shutter?
Yes. The ZM-110-B, ZT-60-B and WT-60-B drive a curtain or window-shutter motor from the wall, and the WT-55-B adds two lights. To keep your up/down push-buttons, fit a 1CH ZR-55 or WR-55 behind them.
Do smart curtains work with Alexa and Google Home?
The MC-10 does, and so do the ZR-55 and WR-55 modules, the ZR-55 through a compatible gateway. The MC-20 supports voice control. Voice commands need an internet connection.
