How To Find Best Garage Door Opener
There are many products which cater to the needs of car owners, and most of them are created to deal with minor issues that cannot be addressed by car manufacturers. Some features are just not financially feasible to develop whereas others would require the redesign of the automobile as a whole, but it is a little too late for that.
One of the most fascinating things to look at in the automotive industry is the dynamic between third-party accessory manufacturers and the features which come included with new models. For example, GPS navigation systems used to be purchased separately from your car before many models were outfitted with onboard computer systems.
Today, we are going to be taking a look at the best garage door opener models that are available, which is one of the accessories we just discussed. While a garage door opener would not be strictly classified as an automobile accessory, it is still a useful product that is related to the use of your car.
If you are still opening your garage door manually, think about all of the time that you waste on it over the course of a month. A garage door opener will ensure that you can make the most of your time when you are returning home as you simply press a button and your garage slides open for you.
Keep in mind that a garage door opener will not only be useful if you are in your car. If you decide to go for a jog and you forget to bring your keys, for example, you can just pop open your garage door using an app on your phone. While a garage door opener seems like a relatively simple product, they are still being optimized further.
Since garage door openers are continually being improved, you may even wish to invest in a replacement for your current model if it is not functioning as well as you would hope. A model which is further optimized will be more quiet, operate faster, and it will be easier to install.
Depending on how often you use your garage, you will get more or less use out of your garage door opener. For example, if your garage is positioned inconveniently and you regularly park in your driveway, you will not need the best garage door opener possible, merely a model which is reliable.
Before we move on to our best garage door opener reviews, we are going to take a look at two things to consider before you make your purchase.
First, we are going to look at the reasons why you will have to take care when choosing your garage door opener. After that, we will look at some of the most crucial features to look for in a new garage door opener.
Why You Should Choose Your Garage Door Opener Carefully
You may be wondering why you would want to put this much effort into finding the best garage door opener possible, and there are a few reasons. Primarily, we are concerned with the issue of safety that you face when opting for a garage door opener that features quality that is less than stellar.
Safety
Garage doors can get heavy, and you will want to ensure that the garage door opener that you choose will not fail halfway through the process of raising the door. A garage door opener which malfunctions while in operation can drop your garage door on anything that is underneath it.
As we mentioned before, some garage doors can be heavy enough to cause severe damage when falling, so you will want to get an opener that you are sure you can trust. If you are going to be entrusting a product with your safety, you will want to ensure that it is one which will not fail on you.
Getting The Most For Your Money
Aside from the issue of safety, there are plenty of other things to account for when researching your ideal garage door opener, but none of them are quite so crucial. Another reason why you will want to be careful while making your purchase is that it may end up saving you a decent sum of money.
You may be wondering how you can save money by taking some time to study your purchase before making it, and it is rather simple. Most customers assume that a higher price will mean superior quality while they are shopping, but you will find that this is not always the case.
If you want the best garage door opener for the money, you will want to find a model which is affordable but is still just as capable as one which can be found for a higher price. You may be wondering what the best garage door opener is, and we would argue that it is usually the one that gives you the best value for money.
Finding The Right Model
A good deal of forethought put into your purchase will also ensure that you end up with a garage door opener that is ideal for your needs. A product like a garage door opener has to be carefully selected to ensure that it is compatible with the garage door that you have installed in your home.
While most garage door openers are compatible with all garage doors within a specific size range, you will want to double check, or you may find yourself returning the wrong garage door opener. There are many more reasons why you would want to purchase your garage door opener carefully, but we have to move on.
On What To Pay Attention When Choosing Your Garage Door Opener
Here’s few things you need to pay attention when chooseing your garage door:
Type
The first consideration to make before your purchase is the type of garage door opener that you choose to invest in. The most common kind of garage door opener makes use of a chain to pull the trolley (and the door) up to the open position, which is durable and reliable but makes a lot of noise.
The next option, which is similar to the chain drive option, is the belt-driven garage door opener. Models which make use of a belt to run the opening mechanism will be much quieter than competing models, so you won’t have to worry about causing a racket and disturbing the house.
The last choice you have when deciding on the best garage door opener is to opt for a model which uses a screw drive. Screw-drive garage door openers are a great option for customers who need a model that is even more durable and reliable than a model which makes use of a chain drive.
Noise Level
While this is something that we addressed in passing in the last section, you will find that the level of noise which is emitted by your garage door opener should be accounted for. Of course, whether or not a low noise level is necessary will be determined by your preferences as well as who you live with and your neighbors.
If you have neighbors that are far away or ones who do not mind a racket and you live alone, you will not get much use out of a quiet garage door opener. However, even then, you may find yourself getting annoyed by the constant clatter of your garage door opener when you pull up to it.
Controls
Among the most critical features to consider when picking your garage door opener, the method you use to control it will perhaps have the most significant impact on your user experience. Most older model garage door openers use a remote control that operates using either radio or IR.
Newer garage door openers don’t even have a proprietary remote, instead opting for an app that works with your smartphone. This is also more convenient since you will not need to purchase additional remotes if you park more than one car in your garage or if you forget to bring the remote with you.
Security
Above all else, you will have to keep in mind that your garage door is still an entrance to your house, and often the most promising one for burglars. You will want to ensure that the garage door opener that you choose will keep the entrance sufficiently secured, and this can be accomplished using several methods.
Most garage door openers will automatically lock your garage door shut when they are in the down position. There are other features available on more advanced models, however, ranging from alarm systems to detect break-ins through the garage to a biometric lock on the exterior.
Best Chamberlain Garage Door Openers
Here’s our recommendation for the best Chamberlain garage door openers:
Winner – Chamberlain WD832KEV Garage Door Opener
If you are looking for the best Chamberlain garage door opener, there are few models which can compete with the WD832KEV, which offers the perfect balance of simplicity and price. As with most Chamberlain models, this product is much easier to assemble on your own than competing products.
Specifications
- Features a belt drive for the quietest possible operating noise
- The belt drive features steel reinforcement for optimal durability and reliability
- Features an isolation system to reduce motor vibration
- Automatically shuts the garage door after a preset time for increased security
- Works with MyQ so you can use this garage door opener with your smartphone
- Features a system of sensors to ensure that the door does not close on you or your car
Overview
This garage door opener also features an excellent combination of safety features as well as security features.
One of our favorite safety features for this garage door opener is the network of sensors that ensure that it will not close on you, your vehicle, and anyone or anything else. Most injuries which are caused by garage door openers are as a result of someone standing beneath them as they close.
Our Rating
If you are interested in the included security features, this model is designed with an adjustable automatic door closing system to keep your home secure in case you forgot to close the garage. You have the choice of either one minute, five minutes, or ten minutes when setting the length of this period.
If you do not want to have to use the included remote to open up this garage door, you have the choice of opening it up with a smartphone using the MyQ garage door opener app. A model which can be operated using your smartphone will typically be referred to as a smart garage door opener.
Runner Up – Chamberlain WD1000WF 1-1/4 HPS Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
If you are looking for a wifi garage door opener from Chamberlain that comes included with a set of accessories, there are few choices better than this one. The use of wifi as a method of operation makes it much easier to patch into your home network and get running with the use of a smartphone.
Specifications
- Features smartphone compatibility thanks to the inclusion of MyQ technology
- Compatible with eight-foot garage doors in addition to ten-foot doors
- Operates over wifi for superior user-friendliness as well as ease of setup
- Comes included with two remote controls in case the wifi function can’t be set up
- Comes included with a wireless keypad for the exterior
- Comes included with an LCD control unit which can also display time and temperature
- Features a battery backup which can run for three days of power outage
Overview
Being able to use your garage door with your smartphone ensures that you don’t always have to keep track of your remote. The app that works with this competitor for the title of best garage door opener is intuitive, and it lets you do anything that would be capable with the remote control.
Our Rating
The inclusion of a wireless keypad ensures that you will be able to get in from the outside if you are on foot and you don’t have your phone with you. This keypad essentially turns your garage door into another regular door for those who are approaching the house on foot, even though it may be a little bit larger.
One of the more impressive design choices was to equip this model with a battery backup that allows it to function for up to three days without any electricity. If you want to be able to get your car in and out of your garage in the event of an emergency, this may be the best option for you.
Best Genie Garage Door Openers
Here’s our recommendation for the best Genie garage door openers:
Winner – Genie SilentMax 1200 Garage Door Opener
When it comes time to choose the best genie garage door opener, there is no question that the SilentMax 1200 is the best choice. While Genie may be an iconic company for the construction of the best garage door openers, many of their customers know this model as the best of the best.
Specifications
- This is one of the quietest models that is available
- Features soft start/stop functionality for the controller which results in smoother movements
- Comes included with a rail that is quick and easy to install
- The belt drive system on this model is reinforced with steel
- Features GenieSense which ensures that the door operates at peak efficiency
- Features the Safe-T beam system which prevents accidental closing of the door
- Uses intellicode security to keep your home safe from burglars
Overview
The GenieSense system is one of the more remarkable features that this garage door opener is equipped with. This diagnostic system checks the power with which the garage door is operating, and it adjusts it on the fly, ensuring that the door is opening as efficiently and as smoothly as possible.
Our Rating
On that note, this is also one of the smoothest mechanisms that we have seen on a garage door opener in this price range. When you press the button, the door starts to slide up without the characteristic jolt that you may have come to expect from other garage door openers.
Of course, as you may have guessed from the name of this product, it is one of the quietest garage door openers on the market. As with any other opener that uses a metal-reinforced belt drive, there are no issues with belt wear and tear as there was with older models.
Runner Up – Genie ChainMax 1000 Garage Door Opener
This is another competitor for the title of best garage door opener, and it is the chain-driven model of the Genie model that we just reviewed. While this feature may not result in this model being strictly inferior to the SilentMax, we have given this model runner-up status because belt drive models are more popular.
Specifications
- Offers an increased degree of reliability thanks to the use of a chain drive
- Comes included with a DC motor that is 140 volts
- The included rail is designed to prevent the buildup of dirt and dust on the track
- Comes included with two remotes for multiple users
- Comes included with a keypad meant for exterior use
- Includes a control panel that is intended to be mounted indoors
- Features the Safe-T beam system to ensure that no one gets injured
Overview
If you live in a home where the garage is sufficiently isolated from the rest of the house, or if you do not have any nearby neighbors, it is likely that the noise doesn’t bother you. While the chain drive may be noisier, it still has a few definite advantages over the more finicky belt-drive system.
Our Rating
This model features the proprietary Safe-T beam system which is used by most Genie garage door openers; this ensures that the door will not close on an obstruction or a person. This model is meant to work as a safe, smooth way to open your garage door, and we have to admit that Genie accomplished that goal.
Another reason why this is an excellent option is because of the ceiling rail that is included with this model. The c-channel rail ensures that setup and assembly go as smoothly as possible and does not require any tools. The track is also resistant to dirt and dust, which cuts down on your cleaning.
Best Garage Door Opener Mounted To The Side Wall
Here’s our recommendation for the best garage door opener mounted to the side wall:
Winner – LiftMaster 8500 Elite Series 8500 Jackshaft Garage Door Opener
This Liftmaster garage door opener is the best model we have seen for those with smaller garages. If you have low ceiling clearance in your garage, you will very likely wish to invest in a side-mounted opener.
Specifications
- This garage door opener is the most efficient model regarding space used
- Operates using a jackshaft system which allows for side-mounting
- Features security+ 2.0 compatibility to keep your home secure
- Works with MyQ for compatibility with smartphones through an app
- This model is also compatible with a battery backup if needed
- Features a safety beam to ensure that it does not injure you while closing
Overview
Liftmaster is widely perceived as the best garage door opener brand, and this model reinforces that notion through excellent build quality and low noise levels. The electric motors which are used in these garage door openers are powerful, silent, and reliable, which is everything that you need.
Our Rating
If you are looking to use your garage door opener with your smartphone, MyQ compatibility ensures that this is not an issue. If you are worried about power outages, you have the option to install a battery backup to keep your garage door opener running in the worst of conditions.
Another advantage to all jackshaft models is that they tend to be a little more reliable than garage door openers which operate using a belt. All in all, this is an excellent product that we highly recommend if it is compatible with your garage door.
Conclusion
We hope that we have been able to present a good selection of products in our search for the best garage door opener. We intended to include at least one opener that could cater to the needs of each of our readers. Feel free to let us know what you think in the comments.
Resources:
Last update on 2025-03-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API