No more enduring extreme weather conditions just to access your garage. With the best garage door opener, you can operate your garage door from the convenience of your own vehicle. This technology eliminates the need for relying on someone else to manually open your garage door as you remain inside the car. Regrettably, many people only realize the worth of a garage door opener when it requires replacement.
The fact is, nowadays, a new home is not considered complete if it doesn’t have a smart garage door opener installed in it. But is it really this important?
Why Do You Need a Garage Door Opener?
A garage door opener is an automated device that usually opens and closes a garage door, controlled by switches on the garage wall. Most models also include a small handheld radio remote control that you can carry around and use to open and close the garage door from a short distance.
Additionally, a smart garage door opener usually connects to your garage door and then connects to your Wi-Fi network, allowing you to monitor and control it from anywhere. Also, you can connect to other smart home devices, set your smart lights to turn on. Or even you set smart locks to lock your door when it closes.
Another benefit is that garage door openers are long-lasting, and they will serve you for a long time. Now that we know that a garage door opener is essential in a home let’s check out the best garage door openers on the market.
What is the Best Garage Door Opener?
1. LiftMaster 8500 Elite Jackshaft Operator
If you’re looking for the best wall-mounted door opener, we recommend the LiftMaster 8500 Elite Jackshaft Operator. Unlike other garage door openers, this unit mounts to the wall rather than the ceiling. However, it does not work with roll-up doors. Conversely, it is usually compatible with sectional garage doors, and you will definitely need a front-mount bar system.
The unit comes with a powerful P3 motor that offers smooth and reliable operation. The wall-mounted design usually makes it quiet by getting rid of vibrations and sounds through the garage ceiling. Additionally, it features a motion detector that automatically projects a beam light across the garage entry, plus it features a remote wall control and a myQ control panel.
PROS
- Very quiet when operating
- Compatible with a smartphone for close monitoring
- Comes with a space-saving design
- Features motion detector which automatically projects a beam light
CONS
- Doesn’t come with a backup battery
2. Chamberlain Ultra Quiet Smart Garage Door Opener-B970T
The Chamberlain Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener features built-in myQ technology and Wi-Fi to keep you connected and protected. So you can open and close your garage door to know the status of the garage anywhere from the smartphone myQ app. Also, the garage opener is compatible with services like Google Assistant, Key by Amazon, Wink, and IFTTT.
Though the services need a monthly subscription, they make your home much smarter and secure. For instance, Key by Amazon lets your delivery person get to your garage to drop off any packages. Conversely, the Google Assistant allows you to open your garage door with voice commands. In addition, this opener features a backup battery that operates immediately after the power goes out, so your car won’t be stuck inside the garage if you need it.
The Chamberlain B970T Opener claims 1 ΒΌ horsepower; therefore, whether your garage door is made of heavy materials or frozen to the ground model has enough pulling power to open or close it with ease. Also, the steel-reinforced belt drive usually makes the pulling smooth and quiet. Moreover, this opener model has a lifetime motor and belt warranty. The kit has two safety sensors, two remote controls, a single control panel with built-in motion sensors, and one wireless keypad.
PROS
- Features a powerful motor that operates quietly
- Comes with built-in smart features like myQ and Wi-Fi
- Comes with safety sensors and remote controls
- Feature a handy battery backup when the power goes out
CONS
- Comes on a high price tag
3. Chamberlain Smart Garage Opener With Built-in HD Camera- B4545T
If you’re looking for a garage door opener that comes with a camera, look no further than the Chamberlain Garage Door Opener (B4545T). This unit features a built-in motion-activated HD camera which offers live 360-degree video of the garage. Also, since this model is Wi-Fi enabled for myQ, you can watch activities going on in your garage from anywhere. Additionally, the camera has a night-vision lens, so you can still monitor your garage at night.
The B4545T Opener features 2-way audio. In addition, you will get alerts from the myQ app whenever movement is detected. Also, you can operate your garage door using the included two remote controls, wall control panel, wireless keypad, or direct through the smartphone app.
The unit has reinforced belt drive that is made from high-grade and durable materials. Also, the belt-drive garage door opener operates smoothly and quietly. Furthermore, the opener is compatible with doors up to 7 ft high. However, 8 and 10 ft doors usually require an extension kit.
PROS
- Comes with a built-in HD security camera with night vision
- Operate smoothly and quietly
- Compatible with smartphone
- Easy to install
CONS
- Doesn’t come with a battery backup
4. BeamUP Workhorse Sectional Garage Door Opener-BU100
If you’re looking for the best garage door opener that’s easy to install, count on the BeamUp Workhorse Section Garage Opener. You can install this Workhorse opener model without requiring special tools. The opener claims 3/4 HP, enough to open any 7 feet tall sectional garage door. Besides, the unit features a built-in LED security light that usually lights up in case of any force entry attempt to the garage.
This Workhorse Sectional Garage Door Opener is compatible with Alexa, IFTTT, HomeLink, and Apple Watch, so you can connect it to your Apple Watch or iPhone and monitor your garage anywhere. It also smoothly and silently opens garage doors of nearly any size and configuration. Furthermore, the unit usually operates with a durable, heavy-duty chain drive.
PROS
- Easy to install
- Operates smoothly and quietly
- Comes with an LED light that alerts you in case of forced entry to your garage
- Compatible with Apple Watch, Alexa, IFTTT, and HomeLink
CONS
- Extension kits are usually sold separately if needed
What Are the Main Types of Garage Door Openers?
When shopping for the best garage door opener, you will realize that they are different types of garage door openers available which include:
1. Belt drive
This belt drive uses a rubber steel-reinforced belt to either lift or lowers the garage door, letting it run smoothly and quietly. A belt drive is a wise option if you’ve living quarters above the garage. However, it does require a little more maintenance than other garage opener models.
2. Direct drive
This type of drive garage door opener comes with a direct drive system where the motor functions as the trolley, meaning the whole motor move along the rail. Since these direct drive systems don’t have moving parts, they usually run silently with less vibration.
3. Screw drive
With this type of opener, you will have minimum maintenance and moving parts to monitor and control over time. Screw drive usually uses a threaded rod to open or close the garage door and works perfectly for heavier and wider doors. Furthermore, the screw drive opener usually runs more quietly than other models too.
4. Chain drive
A chain-drive garage door opener is the most popular type of opener on the market. It usually uses a metal chain to move the trolley to open or close the door. A chain drive usually causes more noise and vibration than other garage opener models; however, they cost less than other types of openers.
Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Garage Door Openers
1. Door size
Before you can buy your best garage door opener, ensure you measure the width and height of your garage door. Most belt and chain drives can handle doors up to 7 ft. tall however you can find an extension kit up to 10 ft.
2. Installation
When buying the best garage door openers, you want something that will give you an easy time installing. We recommend you hire a professional to install it; however, most garage door openers can be self-installed.
Additionally, whether you do it or hire a professional, ensure all the accessories are included. Most garage door opener packages feature keypads, safety sensors, control panels, and remotes that need installation too. It can be overwhelming to keep straight if it is your first time installing one.
3. Horsepower
When shopping for the best garage door opener, you will need to consider the horsepower of the opener. The horsepower (HP) measurement is the power the door opener motor has. Usually, a motor with greater horsepower will open and close the garage door more quickly and handle heavier and larger doors.1/2 HP is ideal for most garage doors in newer homes.
If you’re a heavier solid wood garage door, you may want to go for 3/4 HP so it can lift the door hassle-free. Additionally, you can get 1 and 1 1/2 HP models suitable for commercial or special situations.
4. Smart control
You want your best garage door opener to be easy to use at any time. And the good thing is, most garage door openers let you connect the opener to your home’s Wi-Fi network. You can then open or close the garage door through a smartphone application. Besides, most of these smartphone apps will alert you when the door is open in any situation.
Additionally, some garage door openers can connect to your Smart Home System, joining all your appliances on a single system. Conversely, the opener should have an automatic close, so if you constantly forget to close the garage door, you can automatically set a timer to close an open door after several minutes.
Most garage door opener models will ship with a remote control device that you can put in your car and a wall-mount button for use inside the garage. Also, some models will have a keypad that you install outside the garage door, so you simply enter a code, and the door opens.
5. Security
Security is something you can’t compromise when it comes to having a garage door opener; you don’t want an opener that anyone can open at any time. Your unit should’ve rolling code or some encryption technology built into it.
Furthermore, the unit should have security lights. Look for one that has at least two light bulbs activated by motion.
6. Battery backup
This factor is an important consideration, so in case the power goes out at your home when you are about to drive out, the opener will still operate, letting you exit the garage rather than be caught inside by office time. So what would you tell the boss?
Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Garage Door Openers
1. Can you open a garage door that has an opener manually?
Yes, most garage doors usually have a manual cable that disconnects from the opener chain, letting you open it manually. Also, there might be some small keys that you can use to unlock the manual cable. First, pull down the cord to release the door, then lift it with your hands, ensuring you push it in place and don’t happen to fall back down.
2. How do you program garage door openers?
Almost all garage openers have a “Learn” button. To connect your remote with your door opener, press this button. It should activate an indicator light for about 30 seconds. While the indicator light is on, press and press and then hold the open/close button on the remote device until the light starts blinking. Finally, your garage opener is now programmed with the remote.
3. Which is better, belt or chain-driven garage door opener?
It depends on preference. Although these two openers perform the same function, get a belt-drive or wall-mounted garage door opener if you want a unit that operates quietly. Chain drives are usually sturdy than belts, so they might last longer though they make more noise.
