What is Somfy Zigbee? Smart Curtain Control Explained

Somfy’s introduction of Zigbee connectivity to the Glydea Ultra curtain motor range marks a significant shift in how electric curtain tracks integrate into modern smart homes. While Somfy’s RTS system has long been the standard for reliable remote-controlled curtains, Zigbee opens the door to deeper automation, broader compatibility and smarter control.

If you’re considering Somfy electric curtains for a new installation or smart home project, understanding the difference between the Somfy RTS and Somfy Zigbee can help you choose the right system for both today and the future.

What is the Somfy Zigbee System?

Somfy Zigbee is based on the Zigbee 3.0 wireless communication standard, a widely used smart home protocol designed for low-power, highly reliable connected devices.

Unlike traditional RTS systems, which mainly operate as one-way radio control, Zigbee allows two-way communication between devices. This means your curtain motor can both receive commands and report its status back to your smart home system.

In practical terms, this allows:

  • Real-time curtain position feedback
  • More advanced automations
  • Better integration with smart home platforms
  • Device-to-device communication through a Zigbee mesh network

The technology is currently available with the Somfy Glydea Ultra 60 Zigbee curtain motor, combining Somfy’s premium ultra-quiet motor technology with modern smart home connectivity.


RTS vs Zigbee - What’s the Difference?

At first glance, the Glydea Ultra RTS and Glydea Ultra Zigbee systems appear almost identical. Mechanically, they are very similar:

  • Both are mains-powered
  • Both support heavy curtains up to 60kg
  • Both operate extremely quietly
  • Both work with straight, curved and bay window tracks
     

The main difference lies in the control system.

 Feature RTS Zigbee
Communication Type One-way Two-way
Smart Home Integration Limited Extensive
Status Feedback No Yes
Native Automation Basic Advanced
Smart Home Compatibility Somfy ecosystem Multi-platform
Mesh Networking No Yes
Future Expandability Moderate Excellent

With RTS, the motor receives commands from a remote or wall switch, but the system does not always know the curtain’s exact position.

With Zigbee, your smart home platform can see whether the curtains are:

  • Open
  • Closed
  • Partially open
  • Moving

This creates far more advanced automation possibilities.

Why Zigbee Matters for Smart Homes

One of the biggest advantages of Zigbee is compatibility.

Traditional RTS systems work extremely well within the Somfy ecosystem, particularly when paired with the Somfy TaHoma hub. However, Zigbee expands compatibility beyond proprietary systems.

Depending on your setup, Somfy Zigbee motors can integrate with:

  • Amazon Alexa
  • Google Home
  • Samsung SmartThings
  • Home Assistant
  • Hubitat
  • Control4
  • Zigbee-compatible home automation systems

For homeowners building a connected home, this removes the need to lock into a single manufacturer ecosystem.

Smarter Automations

Zigbee also allows for more intelligent automation routines.

Examples include:

  • Opening curtains gradually at sunrise
  • Closing curtains automatically when the room overheats
  • Coordinating curtains with lighting scenes
  • Automatically closing curtains when watching a film
  • Using occupancy sensors to manage privacy
  • Because Zigbee devices communicate as part of a mesh network, reliability can also improve across larger homes.

The Benefits of the Glydea Ultra Platform

The Zigbee version still benefits from all the premium features of the Glydea Ultra range.

Ultra-Quiet Operation
One of the standout features of the Glydea Ultra is its exceptionally low operating noise level — approximately 38dB — making it ideal for:

  • Bedrooms
  • Media rooms
  • Luxury living spaces
  • Hotels
  • Quiet commercial environments

Touch Motion

The motor supports “touch motion” functionality, allowing users to gently pull the curtain by hand to activate automated movement.

This creates a much more natural user experience than relying solely on remotes or apps.

Smooth Soft Start and Stop

The Glydea Ultra system uses controlled acceleration and deceleration to:

  • Protect curtain fabrics
  • Reduce wear
  • Improve movement smoothness
  • Create a more premium feel

Is Zigbee Better Than RTS?

Not necessarily — it depends on the installation.

RTS is still excellent for: Zigbee is ideal for:
Simple remote-controlled curtains Smart Homes
Standalone installations New Builds
Customers already using Somfy RTS products Home automation projects
Projects where advanced automation is unnecessary  Voice assistant integration
RTS systems remain extremely reliable and straightforward to operate. Future-proof installations
  Customers using platforms like Home Assistant or SmartThings
  For most modern smart home projects, Zigbee offers greater flexibility and scalability long term.

Battery vs Mains Considerations

Currently, the Zigbee functionality is primarily associated with mains-powered Glydea Ultra systems.

Battery-powered motors such as the Somfy Movelite WireFree range remain excellent solutions for retrofit installations where wiring is difficult or undesirable.

However, for larger curtains and high-use applications, mains-powered systems continue to offer:

  • Greater lifting capacity
  • Continuous power
  • Faster operation
  • Better performance for heavy fabrics

Choosing the Right Somfy Curtain Motor

When selecting a Somfy electric curtain system, the decision usually comes down to four key factors:

  1. Curtain weight
  2. Wiring availability
  3. Desired smart home integration
  4. Budget and future automation plans

For simple convenience and reliability, RTS remains a strong option.

For customers investing in a connected smart home ecosystem, the Somfy Glydea Ultra Zigbee system represents one of the most advanced electric curtain track solutions currently available.

 

Somfy’s move towards Zigbee reflects the wider direction of the smart home industry — greater interoperability, better automation and more intelligent connected devices.

While RTS continues to provide dependable everyday performance, Zigbee offers a more future-ready platform for homeowners who want their curtains to become part of a fully integrated smart home

environment.

For premium electric curtain installations, particularly in larger homes and smart home projects, the Somfy Glydea Ultra Zigbee system delivers an excellent combination of quiet performance, smart connectivity and long-term flexibility.