Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS review — the simplest way to make your blinds smart

Many of us have electric roller blinds at home controlled by a physical switch that raises and lowers them.

While for most people this is a perfectly functional solution, those with a more tech-oriented mindset wonder how they can control them via smartphone, a voice assistant, or an integrated smart home system.

There are several solutions on the market — from Shelly to more affordable options from Tuya — but one of the most solid options comes from Sonoff.

The brand recently launched the new Fusion series — a range of devices for making your home smarter, turning lights, blinds, switches, and sockets into intelligent devices.

For blinds, the bet is not just another module to install in the back box, but a complete kit with switch and frame to simplify installation.

Here is our review of the Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS — the Wi-Fi with Matter solution for this smart blind switch.

Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS review — A simple, functional, and elegant way to make your blinds smart

Making your home’s blinds smart without replacing the existing motor is one of the most sought-after home automation projects for anyone wanting to take a step forward in smart home without major works.

The SONOFF Orb-RBS sets out to do exactly that, integrating with virtually any smart home ecosystem through the Matter protocol.

The SONOFF Orb-RBS is a smart wall switch for roller blinds that combines a dual rocker switch from the Fusion series with a pre-installed MINI-RBS smart module.

Compatible with Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, SmartThings, and Home Assistant via Matter and 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, it allows blinds to be adjusted by percentage, schedules to be set, scenes created, and control by voice. Motor direction reversal can be done directly in the app without needing to change the wiring.

It is available for €19.99.

Design and build quality

The Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS has a clean, minimalist look that will replace whatever you currently have installed on the wall.

It consists of a dual switch with a circular central area — a physical button at the top to raise the blind and another at the bottom to lower it.

Around it sits a simple square frame, with two slots on one side for easier removal later and the brand logo on the other.

This frame can be replaced with a double or triple version — purchased separately — to accommodate additional switches alongside it, such as a light control.

On the back is the smart module, where the various cables are connected — both for power and for blind control.

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Motor requirements and installation

Before starting, we recommend switching off the circuit breaker to avoid any risk of electric shock or motor damage.

A neutral wire must be present in the switch back box to power the smart module, and a few basic tools are needed — a fine-tipped screwdriver to tighten the terminals and pliers to cut cable if any connections need to be made.

In our case, the existing traditional switch had no neutral wire connected, which required a few additional steps.

Although it was not connected to the switch, there was a neutral wire inside the back box connected to a connector block, which allowed us to create a branch for the Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS.

Once all the cables were prepared, it was simply a matter of following the wiring diagram. Neutral on one side, live on the other, then the two blind control cables alongside.

Once everything was assembled and tightened, it was time to switch the circuit breaker back on and follow the setup steps detailed in the next section. After pairing with the smartphone, it is simply a matter of mounting the switch on the wall in place of the previous one and fitting the frame.

Setup and the eWeLink app

With the wiring done and the circuit breaker back on, it is time to set up the Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS.

This requires installing the control app on a smartphone. Contrary to what you might expect, Sonoff does not have its own app — instead it uses the eWeLink app, which supports a wide range of smart devices.

Once the app is installed, tap to add a new device. On the Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS, check that the LED is flashing two blue blinks in a repeating cycle. If not, hold the Bluetooth button to enter pairing mode.

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Since the Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS supports Matter pairing, the smartphone may detect it immediately and prompt you to set it up. In our case, we had to dismiss this prompt, as it kept asking for a Hub — which this Wi-Fi version does not require.

Instead, start the pairing process directly in eWeLink by scanning the QR code on the back of the device (hidden in the article images) and follow all the steps shown, including connecting to a local Wi-Fi network and assigning the device to a room.

Once configured and connected, the blind can be controlled. On first use, the app will prompt an automatic calibration — the blind opens and closes twice to set the upper and lower limits. This can also be done manually.

From that point, the blind can be fully opened or closed, set to a specific percentage, or positioned using presets for sunrise, sunset, or a favourite position.

Timers can also be set for opening or closing, along with multiple scheduled routines.

Notifications can also be received whenever the device goes offline, and a full log is available showing when the blind was opened and closed and whether it was triggered by the physical switch, the app, or a schedule.

There is also the option to select the blind or curtain type, share control with another person, or connect with voice assistants.

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Smart home ecosystem integration

Beyond the eWeLink app, the Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS can also be connected to voice assistants or smart home systems.

It can be linked to Amazon Alexa or Google Home for voice-controlled opening and closing, or connected to platforms such as Homey or Home Assistant to integrate with more complete ecosystems and enable automations with other smart devices in the home.

The experience varies from platform to platform and some adjustments are always needed.

With Alexa — the system we use at home — the command needs to be phrased as “Living Room Window 1 to 40”. Saying “40%” is not recognised.

Additionally, 40% in Alexa corresponds to 60% in the app, which makes cross-platform control slightly confusing at first.

That said, using voice assistants is genuinely practical — you can group multiple blinds and close them all at once with a single voice command.

Day-to-day experience with the Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS

The Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS will not be the right choice for every user.

Since it requires replacing the entire switch, it will either mean having mismatched switches around the home or making a larger upfront investment to replace all of them at once.

That said, it ends up being one of the most practical systems available, given that switch back boxes often have limited space for additional cables and modules.

Since the switch and the module are a single unit, there is no need for a chain of connections between the motor, the module, and the switch buttons — which makes installation considerably simpler.

In terms of operation, the switch continues to work with physical buttons exactly as before, now with the added ability to control it from a smartphone or other platforms.

App control also works without any issues — the blinds can be opened or closed from anywhere in the world.

The one thing worth noting is that since the blind rolls up from the top, setting it to 50% will in practice open it slightly short of halfway, requiring around 60% to reach the midpoint.

This is only an initial issue, however — you quickly learn which value to use to reach the position you want.

The rest of the Sonoff Fusion Series — multiple switches, devices, and connectivity options

Beyond the Wi-Fi Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS, it is also possible to purchase this blind control device with Zigbee 3.0 connectivity.

The Fusion series also includes other device types for the home: a single or double light switch, a dimmer light controller, a socket, and an outdoor switch.

For areas of the home where several switches sit side by side, double and triple frames are also available to group two or three switches together.

Who is the Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS for?

The Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS is for anyone who wants to make their home’s blinds smart without replacing the existing motor and without sacrificing a clean look on the wall.

It is especially suited to users who already have other smart devices at home and want to integrate their blinds into an existing ecosystem such as Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa, or Home Assistant via Matter.

It is a good option for those who prefer an integrated solution over adding a hidden module behind an existing switch — the kit includes switch and frame in a single ready-to-install product. Compatibility with double and triple frames from the same series is an added argument for those who want to unify the look of their switches throughout the home.

For users without basic electrical knowledge or without a neutral wire available in the switch box, installation may be more complex than expected and the help of a qualified electrician is recommended. For those with many blinds at home who want a consistent system, the upfront investment of replacing all the switches can be considerable — though the unit price of €19.99 is very competitive for a complete kit.

Verdict on the Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS

The Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS is a well-thought-out solution for anyone who wants to integrate their blinds into a smart home ecosystem without compromising on aesthetics. Being a complete kit with integrated switch and frame simplifies installation, and the end result on the wall is considerably neater than a hidden module behind a conventional switch.

Installation requires some care — particularly checking for the presence of a neutral wire in the switch box, which may exist physically in the back box without being connected to the existing switch.

Once that is sorted, the cable connection process is straightforward and well documented. During setup via the app, the smartphone’s automatic Matter pairing may incorrectly request a Hub that is not needed on this Wi-Fi version — the solution is to start the pairing process directly in eWeLink rather than accepting the automatic pop-up.

Automatic calibration works well and the in-app control experience is smooth, with percentage adjustment, schedules, and automations all available. Alexa integration works but has some quirks — notably the need to omit the percentage symbol in voice commands and the value discrepancy between platforms, which requires a bit of initial adjustment.

At €19.99, the Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS is one of the most accessible and complete options on the market for making blinds smart with Matter, and the end result justifies the investment.

Sonoff Fusion Orb-RBS FAQ

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