Silent Gliss 5600 vs 5100: Which Electric Curtain Track Do You Need?

The short answer

The Autoglide 5100 is the right choice for most homes. It plugs into a standard socket, you can install it yourself, and it costs roughly a third of the price of the 5600. The 5600 exists for situations the 5100 cannot handle: very heavy curtains, very long runs, smart home integration, or commercial environments.

Both are made by Silent Gliss in Switzerland, both carry a 5-year warranty, and both are whisper-quiet. The difference is in capacity, control options, and installation requirements.

Side-by-side specs

Feature	Autoglide 5100	5600
Best for	Most homes	Large or heavy curtains, commercial
Max track length	6 metres	25 metres
Max curtain weight	25kg (straight), 15kg (bent)	65kg (at 10m straight)
Installation	DIY, plugs into any socket	Hardwired by an electrician
Bay window bending	Up to 2 bends, max 90 degrees each	Unlimited bends
Smart home	No	Yes, via Move 4.0 Server
Track colours	White only	White or silver/grey
Timer	Built-in (T and TC models)	Via Move 4.0 app
Manual override	Yes, always	Yes, on tracks up to 12m
Touch and Go	Yes	Yes, on tracks up to 12m
Discount	35% off RRP	20% off RRP
Price at 2m	From £524	From £1,884
Warranty	5 years	5 years

When you need the 5100

The 5100 is the right track if all of the following are true:

• Your curtains weigh under 25kg (straight track) or 15kg (bay window). This covers the vast majority of domestic curtains. If you are not sure, see our curtain weight guide.
• Your track length is under 6 metres.
• You want to install it yourself without calling an electrician.
• You have a standard mains socket within 5 metres of where the track will go (the 5100 comes with a 5m cable and fitted UK plug).

The 5100 accounts for the vast majority of our sales. For a standard home with standard curtains, it is the better product: simpler to install, less than a third of the price, and the 35% discount makes it excellent value.

When you need the 5600

The 5600 is the right track if any one of these applies:

• Heavy curtains. Interlined curtains, heavy velvets, or very tall curtains that exceed the 5100's 25kg limit. The 5600 handles up to 65kg.
• Long runs. Anything over 6 metres. The 5600 goes up to 25 metres, making it suitable for full-width glazing, open-plan living spaces, and commercial settings like hotels and theatres.
• Smart home integration. The 5600 with the optional Move 4.0 Server connects to your home network for app control, scheduling, and integration with other smart home systems. The 5100 does not have smart home capability.
• Complex bay windows. The 5100 allows two bends. The 5600 allows unlimited bends, which is necessary for complex or multi-angled bays.
• Commercial use. Hotels, theatres, offices, care homes, and other commercial environments where durability, long runs, and smart control matter more than DIY convenience.

Installation: plug-in vs electrician

This is often the deciding factor for homeowners.

The 5100 comes with a fitted UK mains plug on a 5-metre cable. You mount the brackets, clip in the track, and plug it into the nearest socket. Most people complete the installation in under an hour. No electrician, no wiring, no fuss.

The 5600 is hardwired to the mains. An electrician needs to run a spur to the track location and connect the motor. This adds cost (typically 100 to 200 for an electrician visit) and means you need to plan the installation around a tradesperson's availability. The upside is a cleaner finish with no visible cable.

Price comparison

The 5100 is significantly cheaper, and carries a larger percentage discount:

Length	5100 (35% off)	5600 (20% off)	Difference
2 metres	From £524	£1,884	£1,360
3 metres	From £565	£1,956	£1,391
5 metres	From £647	£2,098	£1,451

At every length, the 5600 costs roughly 3.5 times more than the equivalent 5100. This is not because the 5100 is cheap. It is because the 5600 is built to a different standard for a different purpose. If you do not need the extra capacity, the 5100 is better value in every way.

What about controllers?

The 5100 comes in four models (B, R, T, TC) with controllers included in the price. The entry-level B model includes a wireless wall button. The TC model includes a wall button, handheld remote, and programmable timer.

The 5600 ships as a track and motor only. All controllers are optional extras: a wireless wall switch, handheld remote, or the Move 4.0 Server for smart home control. This gives you more flexibility but means the headline price does not include any way to operate the curtains beyond a hard-wired wall switch (which also costs extra).

Can I upgrade from a 5100 to a 5600 later?

Not easily. They are completely different systems with different motors, brackets, and wiring requirements. If you think you might need the 5600's capacity in the future, it is better to go with the 5600 from the start rather than replacing a 5100 later.

That said, if your curtains are within the 5100's weight limit and your track is under 6 metres, there is no reason to choose the 5600 for future-proofing. The 5100 is a proven, reliable system that handles normal domestic curtains with ease.

Our recommendation

If you are a homeowner with standard curtains and a window under 6 metres wide, buy the Autoglide 5100. It is simpler, cheaper, and you can install it yourself in an afternoon.

If you have heavy curtains, very wide windows, a complex bay, or you want smart home control, the 5600 is the right choice. It costs more and needs an electrician, but it handles situations the 5100 simply cannot.

Not sure which one you need? Call us on 01543 279996 and we will help you work it out. We sell both and have no incentive to push you towards the more expensive option.