--- title: "This Small Upgrade Can Lower Your Electricity Bills" description: "Check out our list of recommendations for the best cellular shades available on the market, plus shopping tips." date: "2020-12-31" modified: "2025-08-18" authors: - name: "Deirdre Mundorf" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.bobvila.com/authors/deirdre-mundorf/" url: "https://www.bobvila.com/articles/best-cellular-shades/" categories: - "Furniture & Decor" - "Interior" - "Interior Design" - "Reviews" tags: - "Commerce" - "MPR" --- # This Small Upgrade Can Lower Your Electricity Bills ![The Best Cellular Shades Options]() *Photo: Amazon* 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. 1. **BEST OVERALL:** [Windowsandgarden Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Shades]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#windowsandgarden-cordless-honeycomb-cellular-shades>)* 2. **BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK:** [Chicology Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Shades]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#chicology-cordless-honeycomb-cellular-shades>)* 3. **BEST INSULATED:** [Bali Blackout Insulated Cellular Shades]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#bali-blackout-insulated-cellular-shades>)* 4. **BEST BLACKOUT:** [Sbartar Cordless Blackout Honeycomb Cellular Shades]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#sbartar-cordless-blackout-honeycomb-cellular-shades>)* 5. **BEST TOP-DOWN:** [Achim Top-Down/Bottom-Up Honeycomb Cellular Shades]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#achim-top-downbottom-up-honeycomb-cellular-shades>)* 6. **BEST LIGHT-FILTERING:** [Levolor Light-Filtering Cellular Shades]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#levolor-light-filtering-cellular-shades>)* 7. **BEST MOTORIZED:** [Serena by Lutron Motorized Darkening Cellular Shades]() *[↓ Jump to Review](<#serena-by-lutron-motorized-darkening-cellular-shades>)* ## Cellular Shades Comparison | **Product** | **Dimensions** | **Corded vs. Cordless** | **Ease of Installation** | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Windowsandgarden Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Shades]() | Width: 19 to 38 inches Height: 19 to 84 inches | Cordless | Easy | | [Chicology Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Shades]() | Width: 18 to 72 inches Height: 24 to 84 inches | Cordless | Moderate | | [ Bali Blackout Insulate Cellular Shades]() | Width: 9 to 144 inches Height: 9 to 144 inches | Cordless | Moderate | | [Sbartar Cordless Blackout Honeycomb Cellular Shades]() | Width: 22 to 58 inches Height: 36 to 64 inches | Cordless | Easy | | [Achim Top-Down/Bottom-Up Honeycomb Cellular Shades]() | Width: 23 to 39 inches Height: 64 inches | Cordless | Moderate | | [Levolor Light-Filtering Cellular Shades]() | Width: 10 to 144 inches Height: 36 to 192 inches | Both options available | Moderate | | [Serena by Lutron Motorized Darkening Cellular Shades]() | Width: 15 to 96 inches Height: 12 to 96 inches | Cordless | Difficult | ![Windowsandgarden Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Shades installed]() *Photo: Paul Rankin* ![Sbartar Cordless Blackout Honeycomb Cellular Shades installed]() *Photo: Paul Rankin* ## 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. 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**]()**.** 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**]()**.** These Bali blackout insulated cellular shades are a reliable choice for those wanting to regulate room temperature and block out light. Built to last, these blinds feature durable aluminum head and bottom rails. For added safety in homes with children and pets, a continuous cord loop is standard, eliminating the hazard dangling cords can pose. There's even a motorized version available for added convenience and hands-free control. They're available in both single- and double-cell fabric options and come in a wide range of sizes. Each set includes hold-down hardware to keep the shades securely in place. They are a little more involved to install, however, so help from a retailer like [Blinds.com]() that has a customer service line or offers professional installation for a fee is a nice option. **Get the Bali blackout blinds at [**Blinds.com**]()** **or** [**The Home Depot**]()**.** 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**]()**.** 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**]()**.** 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**]()**.** 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]().** ## [Jump to Our Top Picks](<#recap>) ![The Best Cellular Shades Options]() *Photo: Amazon* ## 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. ## Author Deirdre Mundorf is a former teacher turned writer who most enjoys working on topics related to homes, family, and pets. She has been contributing to BobVila.com since 2020.