Quick answer
Manual roller shutters are typically 30-40% cheaper than electric on the same window, mechanically simpler, and require almost no maintenance. Electric shutters are easier to use daily, automate, and essential for large or hard-to-reach windows.
Pick manual for low-use windows on a budget. Pick electric for high-use main living areas, large windows, or households where someone struggles with daily operation.
- Who this is for
- Homeowners deciding between manual and electric for one or more windows.
- Key takeaway
- Don't default to electric on every window. Mix the two and save real money.
The default sales pitch is "motorise everything". That's good for the installer's margin and not always good for you. Here's the honest head-to-head on electric vs manual roller shutters in Australia.
Typical price ranges
Indicative supplied-and-installed pricing across Australia in 2026. Final pricing depends on installer assessment.
Same window. Manual
$600-$1,000
1500 × 1500 mm standard
Same window. Electric (hard-wired)
$1,000-$1,550
same window, motorised
Typical price gap per window
$350-$700
add 15-25% for whole-house pack
Retrofit motor to manual
$400-$700
per window, later
What changes the price
Where electric wins
High-use main living windows, large sliding doors, hard-to-reach windows above stairs or behind furniture, and households with mobility-impaired users.
Where manual wins
Bedrooms, studies, rear-of-house windows that get operated occasionally. Cheaper, simpler, and lasts longer because there's nothing electric to fail.
Mix-and-match
Most installers happily mix electric on main living glass with manual on bedrooms. A typical 10-window quote saves $1,500-$3,000 doing this versus motorising everything.
| Feature | Manual | Electric |
|---|---|---|
| Typical cost (standard window) | $600-$1,000 | $1,000-$1,550 |
| Daily use effort | Pull strap or winder | Wall switch / remote / app |
| Best for | Bedrooms, low-use windows | Living areas, hard-to-reach, large windows |
| Maintenance | Almost none | Occasional motor service |
| Reliability | Excellent (mechanical | High) motor brand matters |
| Automation | No | Yes. Schedules, app, sensors |
| Electrical work needed | No | Hard-wired yes; battery/solar no |
| Suitable for sliding doors | Up to ~2.4 m wide | Up to ~5 m wide |
| Future motorisation | Yes, retrofittable | N/A |
Electric vs manual roller shutters. Head to head
Typical cost (standard window)
- Manual
- $600-$1,000
- Electric
- $1,000-$1,550
Daily use effort
- Manual
- Pull strap or winder
- Electric
- Wall switch / remote / app
Best for
- Manual
- Bedrooms, low-use windows
- Electric
- Living areas, hard-to-reach, large windows
Maintenance
- Manual
- Almost none
- Electric
- Occasional motor service
Reliability
- Manual
- Excellent (mechanical
- Electric
- High) motor brand matters
Automation
- Manual
- No
- Electric
- Yes. Schedules, app, sensors
Electrical work needed
- Manual
- No
- Electric
- Hard-wired yes; battery/solar no
Suitable for sliding doors
- Manual
- Up to ~2.4 m wide
- Electric
- Up to ~5 m wide
Future motorisation
- Manual
- Yes, retrofittable
- Electric
- N/A
Reliability over 15 years
Manual shutters with a quality strap or winder routinely last 20+ years with no service. Electric shutters last similarly long but the motor (if a cheaper brand) can fail at 8-10 years. Stick with major motor brands (Somfy, Becker, Alpha, Nice) to keep service costs down.
Power outage operation
Electric shutters can typically be opened manually via an override crank or cord in a blackout. Confirm this is specified before signing. Battery and solar shutters keep working in outages until the battery runs flat.
Checklist before you accept a quote
- 1
Audit usage per window
Daily, weekly, or rarely? That decides manual vs electric per window.
- 2
Confirm motor brand for electric
Major brands have parts available years later; generic motors often don't.
- 3
Ask about override
How does the electric shutter open in a power cut?
- 4
Plan future motorisation
If you want to motorise later, ask for motor-ready barrels and cabling now.
Frequently asked questions
Are electric or manual roller shutters better?
How much more do electric shutters cost than manual?
Can I motorise manual shutters later?
Compare like-for-like manual and electric quotes.
Tell us which windows matter most. We'll line up written quotes for both.