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If you want an attractive window covering that increases your home’s energy efficiency, cellular shades are hard to beat. Designed with small, honeycomb-like cells between layers of fabric, these shades trap air to add an extra layer of insulation over windows, helping regulate indoor temperatures year-round.
Cellular window shades are available in a variety of colors and styles. They’re also typically cordless and customizable to meet a range of window sizes, so they can sometimes be a bit expensive. To help you choose the right cellular shades for your budget and your space, we spoke with a home energy efficiency expert for advice and tested a few options ourselves.
Based on our efforts, we chose the Windowsandgarden Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Shades as our top pick for their wide variety of available colors and sizes, easy installation process, and convenient cordless functionality. Ahead, see which other picks performed well in our homes, which untested options we recommend, and which features matter most when choosing among the best cellular shades on the market.
- BEST OVERALL: Windowsandgarden Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Shades
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Chicology Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Shades
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BLACKOUT: Sbartar Cordless Blackout Honeycomb Cellular Shades
↓ Jump to Review - BEST TOP-DOWN: Achim Top-Down/Bottom-Up Honeycomb Cellular Shades
↓ Jump to Review - BEST LIGHT-FILTERING: Levolor Light-Filtering Cellular Shades
↓ Jump to Review - BEST MOTORIZED: Serena by Lutron Motorized Darkening Cellular Shades
↓ Jump to Review - BEST INSULATED: Bali Blackout Insulated Cellular Shades
↓ Jump to Review
Cellular Shades Comparison
| Product | Dimensions | Corded vs. Cordless | Ease of Installation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windowsandgarden Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Shades | Widths of 19 to 38 inches and heights of 19 to 84 inches | Cordless | Easy |
| Chicology Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Shades | Widths of 18 to 72 inches and heights of 64 24 to 84 inches | Cordless | Moderate |
| Sbartar Cordless Blackout Honeycomb Cellular Shades | Widths of 22 to 58 inches and heights of 36 to 64 inches | Cordless | Easy |
| Achim Top-Down/Bottom-Up Honeycomb Cellular Shades | Widths of 23 to 39 inches wide by 64 inches high | Cordless | Moderate |
| Levolor Light-Filtering Cellular Shades | Widths of 10 to 144 inches and heights of 36 to 192 inches | Both options available | Moderate |
| Serena by Lutron Motorized Darkening Cellular Shades | Widths of 15 to 96 inches and heights of 12 to 96 inches | Cordless | Difficult |
| Bali Blackout Insulate Cellular Shades | Widths of 9 to 144 inches and heights of 9 to 144 inches | Cordless | Moderate |
Our Top Picks
Cellular shades combine the aesthetics of Roman shades and the energy efficiency of window insulation kits. If you’re looking to outfit your home with vertical cellular shades, fabric blackout roller shades, or automatic cellular shades, our list of top picks has you covered.
Best Overall
Windowsandgarden Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Shades
What We Like
- Size options fit most standard windows
- Attractive neutral shades will complement virtually any decor
- No cords or cables; safe around children and pets
What We Don’t Like
- Darker colors may fade over time
Specs
- Dimensions: Widths of 19 to 38 inches and heights of 19 to 84 inches
- Corded vs. cordless: Cordless
- Ease of installation: Easy
Unlike traditional blinds and shades that compromise privacy when open, these top-down cellular shades from Windowsandgarden offer a smart solution: Simply lower the top of the shade to let in natural light while keeping the bottom portion in place to block outside views. For a full view, you can also raise the bottom rail. They come in several colors, including cool silver, antique linen, espresso, and white.
These light-filtering shades are available in a range of sizes to fit nearly any window and can be mounted inside or outside the window frame. If you’re working your way through a childproofing checklist, you’ll want to add these cordless cellular shades to your cart since they have no exterior cords or cables. Instead, the cord system is hidden between the layers of 100 percent polyester fabric and contracts or expands when you push or pull on the top or bottom rail.
What our tester says: “These shades have a lovely color and build quality. They filter a good amount of light during the day to let natural light in without causing any glare on my computer screen. Highly recommend!”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Windowsandgarden cellular shades at Amazon.
Best Bang For The Bank
Chicology Cordless Cellular Shades
What We Like
- Push-and-pull design is easy to use
- Both light-filtering and blackout options available
- Energy-saving honeycomb design to keep heat in or out
What We Don’t Like
- Filtering quality varies with color
Specs
- Dimensions: Widths of 18 to 72 inches and heights of 24 to 84 inches
- Corded vs. cordless: Cordless
- Ease of installation: Moderate
These cellular shades from Chicology have a clean, cord-free design that eliminates safety hazards, visual clutter, and frustrating tangles. Instead, they feature a cordless lift system that makes adjusting them as easy as pushing or pulling the handle. Available in a wide range of sizes to fit windows from 18 to 72 inches wide and 24 to 84 inches high, they support either inside or outside mounting. Both the light-filtering and blackout models are designed with honeycomb cells that trap air to enhance insulation and boost energy efficiency.
Crafted from 100 percent polyester, the shades come in a variety of color options to suit different needs for light control and privacy. Light-filtering versions are available in a selection of soft, muted tones like Morning Mist and Morning Pebble, and the blackout model is offered exclusively in elegant shades such as Evening Mist and Montanan Snowfall.
Get the Chicology cellular shades at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best Blackout
Sbartar Cordless Blackout Honeycomb Cellular Shades
What We Like
- Blocks UV rays while providing insulation
- Noise-reducing technology helps with soundproofing windows
- Easy to install and use
What We Don’t Like
- Blackout fabric can be heavy when opening
Specs
- Dimensions: Widths of 22 to 58 inches and heights of 36 to 64 inches
- Corded vs. cordless: Cordless
- Ease of installation: Easy
Designed with a special liner between layers of 100 percent polyester fabric, these cordless cellular blackout shades from Sbartar do an excellent job blocking sunlight and UV rays. Their honeycomb structure also adds insulation and helps absorb noise to create a quieter indoor environment. Users can choose from either an inside or outside frame mount.
While operating these blinds is simple via pulling the base rail up or down, their top-notch blackout performance does make them a bit heavy. While a cord may make raising them easier, we’re glad they’re cordless and don’t present a strangulation risk to children and pets. We also appreciate that they come in a variety of neutral colors, a couple of bold shades, and a range of sizes between 22 to 58 inches wide and 36 to 64 inches tall.
What our tester says: “These blackout curtains are incredible. I love that they make the room pitch dark in the middle of the day, but since they’re made of heavier material, they are a bit tough to roll up.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Sbartar cellular shades at Amazon.
Best Top-Down
Achim Top-Down/Bottom-Up Honeycomb Cellular Shades
What We Like
- Great for tall windows
- Available in several room-darkening shades that keep light out
- Constructed with fade-resistant materials
What We Don’t Like
- May require 2 people to install
Specs
- Dimensions: Widths of 23 to 39 inches wide by 64 inches high
- Corded vs. cordless: Cordless
- Ease of installation: Moderate
These top-down cordless cellular shades from Achim allow users to customize which parts of their windows are covered, with the option to either lower the shades from the top or raise them from the bottom. To let light into the room while preventing anyone from peering in from outside, simply leave the bottom of the shades all the way down and lower the top.
Made from a nonwoven polyester fabric, these cordless light-filtering shades effectively resist fading and sagging and are mountable either inside or outside a window frame. Available in several sizes and colors, they’ll fit windows from 23 inches wide and 64 inches tall to windows 39 inches wide and 64 inches tall.
Get the Achim cellular shades at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Best Light-Filtering
Levolor Light-Filtering Cellular Shades
What We Like
- Hundreds of sizes available
- Versatile design lets light in from below or above
- Both cordless and cord-loop designs offered
What We Don’t Like
- Manual may be difficult to follow for first-time installers
Specs
- Dimensions: Widths of 10 to 144 inches and heights of 36 to 192 inches
- Corded vs. cordless: Both options provided
- Ease of installation: Moderate
These Levolor light-filtering shades allow sunlight in but keep cold air out. They feature a top-down, bottom-up design that lets users choose which part of the window they want to expose. While that’s true of many of the cellular shades on our list, something that makes this pick unique is the nearly unbelievable range of sizes and colors they come in. Users can choose from dozens of colors as well as custom sizes between 10 to 144 inches long and 36 to 192 inches high.
Another thing that makes these shades stand out from the rest is that you can opt for a cord-loop design instead of a cordless operation. Some users may actually prefer the cord-loop version since the cordless shades tend to have a small gap at the top that Levolor suggests filling with additional pleats. Also, they’re a bit trickier to hang than some of our other picks, so you may want to refer to our guide on how to install blinds before getting started.
Get the Levolor cellular shades at The Home Depot or Levolor.
Best Motorized
Serena by Lutron Motorized Darkening Cellular Shades
What We Like
- 3 control options: remote, smartphone app, or smart-home assistant
- Customizable sizes and multiple color options
- Energy-efficient blackout and light-filtering construction
What We Don’t Like
- Installation is quite involved; best purchased from an online blinds store that offers installation
Specs
- Dimensions: Widths of 15 to 96 inches and heights of 12 to 96 inches
- Corded vs. cordless: Cordless
- Ease of installation: Difficult
In addition to blocking harmful UV rays and helping regulate indoor temperature, Serena by Lutron motorized cellular shades offer hands-free operation that adds a layer of convenience and luxury. With three easy control options—smartphone app, remote control, or voice commands via Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri—these shades are as user-friendly as they are high-tech. When it’s time to recharge them, simply pull the battery’s wire out of the headrail and plug it into a standard wall outlet.
Designed for a clean look, these cordless honeycomb shades have a sleek headrail and integrated top back cover that conceals hardware and blocks even tiny slivers of light. Available in both blackout and light-filtering fabrics, they come in a wide range of neutral and vibrant colors. The shades are also fully customizable to fit the exact dimensions of your windows. Because they are so advanced, however, installation may be better left to a pro.
Get the Serena by Lutron cellular blinds at The Home Depot.
Best Insulated
Bali Blackout Insulated Cellular Shades
What We Like
- Provides UV protection and insulation
- Available in double- or single-cell fabrics
- Comes in many colors and sizes to suit virtually any space
What We Don’t Like
- Installation may be difficult for inexperienced DIYers
Specs
- Dimensions: Widths of 9 to 144 inches and heights of 9 to 144 inches
- Corded vs. cordless: Cordless
- Ease of installation: Moderate
These Bali blackout insulated cellular shades are a reliable choice for those wanting to regulate room temperature and block out light. The cordless, spun-lace blinds are built to last, thanks to durable aluminum head and bottom rails. For added safety in homes with children and pets, the design includes a cord lock and stop tassel to prevent tangling or breakage. They’re available in both single- and double-cell fabric options and come in a wide range of sizes to fit many different window types.
Each set includes hold-down hardware to keep the shades securely in place, and larger sizes feature a continuous cord loop for smooth operation. There’s even a motorized version available for added convenience and hands-free control. Even without the motor, however, they are a little more involved to install, so help from a retailer like Blinds.com that has a customer service line or offers professional installation for a fee is nice.
Get the Bali blackout blinds at The Home Depot or Blinds.com.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested and Chose the Best Cellular Shades
The best cellular shades should be easy to install, simple to use, and customizable enough to fit a wide range of window sizes and styles. They should also be available in a variety of colors to suit different tastes in decor.
To compile our list of top picks, we combined hands-on testing with in-depth research into construction materials, design features, and performance. Many of the shades we selected offer energy-efficient features like honeycomb insulation and light-filtering or blackout capabilities. We also considered sound absorption and overall build quality, prioritizing options that deliver a balance of style, function, and long-term durability.
For the products we tested, we began by measuring for blinds and installing them to see how well they fit standard window sizes and how straightforward the setup process was. We tried both cordless and motorized models to assess ease of use, responsiveness, and functionality.
What to Consider When Choosing Cellular Shades
As you begin your search for the best cellular shades, you’ll discover there’s a lot to consider. We recommend you read through our list of key considerations before making a purchase.
Types of Cellular Shades
The most common types of blinds and cellular shades are corded, cordless, motorized, and top-down. Understanding the differences between them will help consumers decide which one is ideal for a given space.
Cordless
Cordless cellular shades are ideal for homes with small children or pets. While traditional window shades and blinds have long, dangling cords that are a potential strangulation risk for children and animals, cordless cellular shades use an internal cord instead, eliminating that safety risk.
To roll up shades or pull them down, all you have to do is lift or lower the top or bottom rail. Like roller shades, many cordless cellular shades have a locking system that keeps them in place until you choose to raise or lower them.
Corded
Corded cellular shades aren’t as common as cordless versions, but they’re out there if that’s what you prefer. Corded shades come in two types: standard and continuous. Standard models have a hanging cord and are best suited for small or medium-sized windows and homes without children or pets. Alternatively, continuous-loop models have an endless cord that doesn’t dangle, making them a safer option for homes with pets or children.
Motorized
As the term suggests, motorized cellular window shades are equipped with a motor that users can operate via remote control. This feature makes them easy and convenient since you can raise or lower them without getting up to pull the cord or reposition the base. Some motorized shades are also programmable, allowing you to set a schedule where they automatically open and close during the day.
Top-Down
Top-down shades, also called top-down/bottom-up shades, are designed to let in light without compromising privacy. With this type of cellular shade, users can leave the bottom closed to cover most of the window and pull the top down to allow some natural light into their space. Conversely, you can also open the bottom and close the top or open/close both portions at the same time. For this reason, top-down cellular shades are quite versatile.
Dimensions
As with purchasing blinds, curtains, or other types of window treatments, users will need to know the dimensions of their windows. However, since most cellular shades can be mounted either inside or outside the window frame, you’ll also want to consider where you plan to install them.
For an inside mount, measure the width and length of the inside of the window frame. Manufacturers often automatically deduct between ¼ and ⅛ inch from the listed dimensions to allow for the right fit for an inside mount. Before making a purchase, confirm if this deduction has already been made from the shades purchased.
For an outside mount, the general recommendation is for the cellular blinds to extend about 3 inches past each side of the window to ensure sufficient privacy and light blocking. Use a pencil to mark 3 inches past each window edge and measure that space.
To achieve the most accurate measurement, use a steel tape measure instead of a ruler or cloth measuring tape. Measure to the nearest ⅛ inch, and always double-check the measurements before recording them as width first, then height.
Style
The overall look and style of cellular shades will have an impact on interior aesthetics. Cellular shades are available in a wide variety of color and fabric choices, so finding a model that coordinates with a given living space should be relatively easy.
Another style option shoppers will want to consider is whether they prefer blackout or light-filtering cellular shades. Blackout shades offer the freedom to completely darken a room, regardless of the time of day, and are often a popular choice for bedrooms or media rooms. Light-filtering shades are more suitable for living areas since they allow in some light even when they are closed.
Additional Features
Some manufacturers include additional features to improve the performance of the cellular shades. One such feature to consider is a double- or triple-cell shade. As opposed to a single layer of honeycomb cells, these models instead have either two or three layers of cells, which provides additional insulation.
If shoppers are interested in motorized cellular shades, they will want to look for products that they can control via either a remote control or a smartphone app. Some motorized cellular shades are also compatible with smart-home devices, which provides even more flexibility.
FAQs
For more information about cellular shades, check out the frequently asked questions below and their corresponding answers.
The big difference between honeycomb and cellular shades is the two-plus layers that help compartmentalize air within honeycomb blinds. Alternatively, a pleated cellular shade has just one layer of material and does not have any slats built in.
Yes, cellular shades can be cleaned but not washed with water. To avoid damage while removing dust and other small debris, gently run your vacuum cleaner’s brush attachment across the shades. Be sure to follow the pleats on the shades to prevent crumpling the fabric. If there is dust, dirt, bugs, or other debris inside the pockets of the shades, use a can of compressed air to blow it out.
Cellular blinds should never be wet or dampened. Submerging cellular shades or using a wet cloth to clean them can cause them to lose their shape and cause the built-in metal components to rust.
While some lighting scenarios may make it possible to see lines and shadows through cellular shades, you cannot completely see through them at night.
Yes, cellular shades are an energy-efficient option. These honeycomb blinds have cells between two layers of fabric to hold in air, which acts as insulation that helps lower energy costs. For even more energy efficiency, consider adding thermal curtains as well.
The average lifespan of cellular shades is roughly 5 to 7 years, though that depends greatly on the quality of their construction and frequency of use.
We spoke with Jason Altshuler, the founder and CEO of Colorado’s My Electric Home, a company that provides home electrification services that help you increase your home’s energy efficiency, about this question. According to Jason, “Light shades, such as white or cream, reflect sunlight well and promote energy efficiency, while darker colors provide better privacy and a visual accent in the interior.”
According to My Electric Home’s Jason Altshuler, an expert in lowering home energy costs, “Double-cell cellular shades are better if you want to increase thermal insulation, reduce heating and air conditioning bills, and muffle street noise.” While single-layer cellular shades are generally less expensive, they’re best reserved for rooms that don’t need much in the way of blocking light and sound or maintaining a consistent temperature.
