Best cordless shades

Update your abode instantly by adding the best cordless shades to your windows; it's easier than you think.

best cordless shades
white honeycomb cordless shade hanging freely
(Image credit: Maridav/Shutterstock)

If you've ever run into problems with tangled pull cords or snapped slats you know what a hassle blinds can be. That's where cordless blinds come in to save the day! These alternatives to traditional blinds are easy to install, and safer to use, especially if you have small children running amok! 

Best overall

cordless blinds

(Image credit: Amazon)

Achim Home Furnishings cordless 1-inch light filtering blind

Staff pick

Simple lines and intuitive use set Achim Home Furnishings' cordless blinds above the rest.

Pros:

  • Tangle-free, no cords
  • Minimal dust accumulation
  • All parts included
  • Tilt wand lets you customize visibility

Cons:

  • Only comes in white

Amazon was kind enough to remind me that I'd bought a pair of these cordless blinds by Achim Home Furnishings many apartments ago. I can say with complete confidence that I'd repurchase them in a heartbeat; they deserve their title of Best Overall. These 1-inch slat vinyl cordless blinds are effortless to install and surprisingly affordable, considering their high quality. Most importantly, they gave my past bedroom some sorely-needed privacy—quickly. I chose the 64-inch drop for my uniquely-tall turn-of-the-century bedroom windows, but don't fret. If you have standard windows, they're sold in five different drop lengths, starting at just 25 inches. They're available in countless width options ranging from only 18 inches to a whopping 72 inches across.

Best value

cordless blinds

(Image credit: Amazon)

Redi Shade Easy Lift Trim-at-Home cordless pleated light filtering shade

No tools needed

Installing Redi Shade's Trim-At-Home cordless shade is dead simple—trim it, stick it to your window frame, and voila: no more naked windows!

Pros:

  • Very lightweight
  • Trim width yourself with a sharp knife
  • No tools needed
  • Made of fabric, not flimsy paper

Cons:

  • Window must be 1.25 inches deep or installation won't work

Redi Shade's collection of Trim-At-Home cordless pleated shades are economical and uniform in appearance. They come in various standard sizes and two neutral tones, white and natural. All you need to do is measure your window width, mark it on the shade, trim the shade width with a sharp kitchen knife, and stick it to your window frame via its adhesive strip. The pleated spun lace fabric allows just enough light through and filters it nicely. 

Venetian neutrals

cordless blinds

(Image credit: Amazon)

CHICOLOGY Cordless 1-Inch Vinyl Mini Blinds

Kid and pet safe

Filter bright light, darken rooms or fully raise CHICOLOGY's cordless vinyl mini blinds for customized natural light in any room of your home.

Pros:

  • Classic design
  • Flexible vinyl slats, not fragile metal
  • Three colors, countless sizes

Cons:

  • Only sold in three shades

CHICOLOGY's cordless Venetian blinds are pretty standard in appearance, but sizing is where they shine. Due to the sheer volume of sizes offered, I lost count while perusing them. They're commercial-grade and dust resistant as well, making them a high-quality buy. These blinds' ease of use is unparalleled—you can raise or lower the CHICOLOGY's shades with the touch of a finger. This makes them a smart pick for kids' bedrooms or corporate settings where fuss-free and straightforward use is essential.

Trusted brand

cordless blinds

(Image credit: Amazon)

Bali Blinds cordless light filtering cellular shade

Standard sizes fit most modern windows

If you need to diffuse overly bright light in your home, then Bali's cordless cellular shades are the ones for you.

Pros:

  • All mounting hardware included
  • Honeycombed fabric diffuses light
  • Cellular pleats, not slats
  • Curious pets won't get stuck in them

Cons:

  • Designed for permanent mounting

Bali's been a respected brand in window shades for 150 years, and today's products are loved just as much as the originals. Cellular shades augment light via fabric; they diffuse light, allowing the entire room to brighten evenly. Bali's shades are pleated, an additional plus; their honeycombed material is thick enough to provide extra privacy. Tip: cellular cordless shades are a smart swap for those of us with mischievous pets that live to tangle themselves in Venetian blinds (I speak from unfortunate experience). There won't be any slats for them to snap or bend, meaning no unsightly holes in the blinds and no notes from your landlord, either.

When in Rome

cordless blinds

(Image credit: Amazon)

Arlo Blinds cordless bamboo Roman shades

Appealing across time

This particular shade style is so ancient that it was used in the Roman Coliseum—amazingly, they're just as popular today.

Pros:

  • Dozens of sizes
  • Cordless lift
  • Several types of wood tones to choose from
  • Includes 7-inch valance

Cons:

  • Mildew may form if your environment is too damp
  • Not privacy blinds

Some things never go out of style, but we hadn't guessed that a specific type of window shade would fit in that category. Enter Arlo Blinds' roman shades, handmade in the same centuries-old style with thin, light strips of various wood varieties (we liked the Tuscan Bamboo). Thus, they're meant for indoor use only; natural, untreated materials are generally prone to mildew if used outdoors. A word of caution: Roman shades don't provide any privacy, despite their appearance. If you don't want folks looking inside at night, these are not the shades for you.

Bottom line

Why you can trust Real Homes Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Cordless shades offer timeless style without having to worry about pull cords, broken slats, or anyone getting tangled up at an inopportune time. They can help to transform any room and do it without breaking your budget in the process. 

Our staff pick, cordless blinds by Achim Home Furnishings, are a purchase I made myself in the past—and I'd recommend them to anyone. If you like the look of Venetian blinds and don't mind a bright, pearly-white finish, then you're in luck. They won't break the bank, and most importantly, they can provide complete privacy.

Why trust us? 

 

At RealHomes, we recommend the best products to enhance your life. As expert curators, we handpick products based on quality and usefulness to positively impact your day-to-day, from cart to doorstep. We take our responsibility seriously — testing products, reading reviews, and sourcing knowledgeable outlets to ensure our selections are worthy of your time and money. We deliver detailed product overviews, balancing objective information with subjective opinions, so making the best choice for your home and lifestyle is as easy as possible.

Freelance Contributor

Lili Angrisano is a Freelance Contributor for GardeningEtc and Real Homes. You'll find her designing her next cosplay, conquering her 700+ book (and counting!) Kindle library, or tending her apartment garden in her spare time. 

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