Best Electric Curtain Tracks in the UK for 2026
There are dozens of motorised curtain tracks on the market, but most comparison sites have never touched one. We have. We sell Silent Gliss systems every day, we know the specs inside out, and we hear the feedback from customers after installation. This is our honest take on the best electric curtain tracks available in the UK right now.
If you just want the short answer: the Silent Gliss Autoglide 5100 is the best all-round electric curtain track for most homes. But "most homes" isn't every home, so read on for the full picture.
Quick comparison
| Silent Gliss 5100 | Silent Gliss 5600 | Silent Gliss Metropole | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | Most homes | Heavy curtains, long runs, smart homes | Visible pole aesthetic |
| Max length | 6 metres | 25 metres | 6 metres |
| Weight capacity | 25kg (straight) | 65kg (straight) | 25kg (electric models) |
| Installation | DIY (plug in) | Electrician required | DIY (plug in, electric models) |
| Smart home | No | Yes (Move 4.0 Server) | No |
| Bay windows | Yes (single bend) | Yes (multiple bends) | Yes (manual models only) |
| Wave curtains | 60mm or 80mm (extra) | 60mm or 80mm (included) | 64mm or 80mm (extra) |
| Price from | £469 | £1,849 | £882 (electric) |
| Discount | 35% off RRP | 20% off RRP | 30% off RRP |
| Warranty | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
1. Silent Gliss Autoglide 5100 — best for most homes
The 5100 is the track we sell more than any other, and for good reason. It plugs into a standard UK mains socket, so you don't need an electrician. It's whisper-quiet. It handles curtains up to 25kg on a straight run, which covers everything from lightweight voiles to lined curtains (we weighed real curtains to check). And it fits tracks up to 6 metres, which covers the vast majority of domestic windows including most bay windows.
There are four variants, all with the same motor and track, just different controllers:
- 5100 B (from £469) — wireless wall button
- 5100 R (from £530) — wall button plus handheld remote
- 5100 T (from £617) — wall button plus programmable timer
- 5100 TC (from £678) — wall button, remote and timer
The most popular is the R (remote control). The TC is worth it if you want curtains that open with your morning alarm.
One thing to know: the 5100 doesn't have smart home integration. No Alexa, no Google Home, no app. If you want that, you need the 5600. For most people this isn't an issue. The timer does the job of opening and closing on a schedule, and the remote works from across the room.
Pros: Plug-in installation (no electrician), quiet, reliable, 35% off RRP, bay window capable, 5 year warranty.
Cons: No smart home, 25kg weight limit, white track only, max 6m length.
2. Silent Gliss 5600 — best for heavy curtains and smart homes
The 5600 is the heavy-duty option. It handles curtains up to 65kg, runs up to 25 metres, and integrates with home automation systems via the Move 4.0 Server. It's the track you need for large windows, heavy interlined curtains, or commercial installations.
The trade-off is installation and price. The 5600 is hardwired, so you'll need a qualified electrician. And it starts from £1,849 (with 20% off RRP), which is significantly more than the 5100. Wave curtain gliders are included free though, which saves £38-44 per metre compared to the 5100.
If you're building or renovating and the electrician is already on site, the 5600 makes sense. If you're adding electric curtains to an existing room and your curtains weigh under 25kg, the 5100 does the same job for less than half the price.
We've written a detailed 5600 vs 5100 comparison if you're deciding between the two.
Pros: 65kg capacity, 25m max length, smart home ready, wave gliders included, available in white or silver.
Cons: Electrician required, higher price, 20% discount vs 35% on the 5100.
3. Silent Gliss Metropole — best if you want a visible curtain pole
The Metropole is the only electric curtain pole we're aware of. Every other electric track is a ceiling or wall-mounted rail designed to be hidden. The Metropole is designed to be seen, and it looks the part: 9 colours, 9 decorative finial styles, available in 30mm or 50mm diameter.
The electric models use the same 5100 motor (plug-in, same four controller variants), so installation is equally straightforward. Manual models start from £113, electric models from £882.
Choose the Metropole if you want the aesthetic of a traditional curtain pole with electric operation, or if ceiling mounting isn't practical in your room.
Pros: Decorative pole aesthetic, 9 colours and finials, electric or manual, plug-in installation.
Cons: No bay window bending on electric models, same 25kg limit as 5100, higher starting price than 5100 track.
What about Somfy, IKEA, and other brands?
We get asked about alternatives regularly. Here's the honest picture:
Somfy makes solid motors and has better smart home integration across a wider range of devices. But Somfy doesn't make complete track systems. You're buying a Somfy motor fitted into someone else's track, which means more variables and less accountability if something goes wrong. We've written a full Silent Gliss vs Somfy comparison.
IKEA VIDGA is the budget option at around £130 for a basic setup. It's fine for a light curtain on a short, straight run. But it maxes out at 3 metres, the motor is louder, there's no bay window option, and the build quality isn't in the same league. It's a different product for a different budget. Full comparison: IKEA vs Silent Gliss.
Lutron focuses on the premium smart home market with Caseta and RA3 systems. Excellent app control and home automation. But their motorised curtain tracks are part of a wider (and expensive) whole-home system, and UK availability is limited. More here: Lutron vs Silent Gliss.
SwitchBot is a retrofit gadget that clips onto an existing manual track. It's cheap (around £70-100) but it's pulling your existing curtains with a small motor. It works for lightweight curtains on short runs, but it's not a proper motorised track. Comparison: Silent Gliss vs SwitchBot.
How to choose
Start with three questions:
- How heavy are your curtains? Under 25kg, the 5100 handles it. Over 25kg, or if you're not sure, the 5600 gives you headroom. Our curtain weight guide has real measurements.
- Do you need smart home control? If yes, the 5600 with Move 4.0 Server is the only Silent Gliss option. If a timer or remote is enough, the 5100 saves you over £1,000.
- Is the track visible or hidden? If visible, the Metropole. If hidden behind a pelmet or in a ceiling recess, the 5100 or 5600.
For most people the answer is the 5100 R (wall button and remote, from £530). It covers the widest range of situations without overspending.
Our recommendation
We sell all three tracks and have no reason to push one over another. The 5100 outsells the others because it genuinely is the best fit for most UK homes: plug-in installation, quiet motor, bay window capable, and the best discount we can offer at 35% off RRP.
If your situation needs more (heavier curtains, longer runs, smart home), the 5600 delivers. If you want the look of a traditional pole, the Metropole is unique.
Every track comes with a 5 year Silent Gliss warranty, and we're here to help you measure up and choose the right option. Get in touch if you need advice on which track suits your windows.
For a full breakdown of what you'll pay, see our electric curtains pricing guide.
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