Garage Door Openers Reviews
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Best Garage Door Opener for the Money
Best Quiet Garage Door Opener
Best Wall Mounted Garage Door Opener
Best Residential Garage Door Opener
Best Wireless Garage Door Opener
Best Liftmaster Garage Door Opener
Best Garage Door Opener for Heavy Doors
Best Cheap/Affordable Garage Door Opener
These days, opening your garage door has become much more convenient thanks to the thriving industry of openers which are more sophisticated than ever in their features. If you are interested in purchasing one for your home and you have high standards wishing to buy only the best product on the market then you’ve come to the right place. You might also be interested in my articles about the best cell phone signal boosters or the best zero turn mowers.
In this article, I’ve narrowed down the garage door openers available to the best ones in terms of security, design, and affordability. Reliability is also a critical factor taken into consideration because these machines will get some heavy usage if you take your car out frequently. There’s enough variety considering both the performance of the openers and the price. Choosing the right one for you is much simplified with this list so go ahead and check out the best garage door openers right now.
Best Garage Door Opener for the Money
1. Chamberlain WD832KEV Garage Door Opener
One of the leading manufacturers of high-quality and reliable home technology, Chamberlain has created a resounding name in the field of garage door openers. The WD832KEV is Chamberlain’s flagship as it contains the most useful features a garage door opener needs and all that for a convenient price.
Performance-wise, it has definitely enough power to handle the job well. It uses a 0.5 HP steel-reinforced Belt Drive, very efficient and reliable overall. An important feature for this type of machine is the quiet operation. To eliminate power head vibration and significantly reduce noise, this opener comes with Chamberlain’s exclusive MVIS (Motor Vibration Isolation System). What this means is that you will not disturb those who have rooms above the garage.
A garage door opener with plenty of goodies, it offers among others a timer-to-close function, useful in case you forget to close the garage door as the door can be set to close automatically. MyQ technology is provided by Chamberlain for this model, handy for monitoring the machine and allowing you to open and close the garage door from anywhere using your smartphone.
Because protection is something very prized by anyone looking to purchase this kind of machine, Chamberlain has equipped this garage door opener with the Protector System. It uses safety sensors with Rapid-Snap brackets capable of projecting an invisible light beam across the opening of the garage door. In case something interrupts the beam during the process of lowering the door, this system can automatically reverse the door. When the Protector System’s beam is broken, the sensors signal the door to stop from closing and the opener lights turn on by themselves. For even more security the product also comes with the Security+ anti-burglary cutting edge technology.
This unit is packaged with some accessories that are important for the whole process of closing and opening the garage door. It includes two remote controls with three buttons, a wireless keypad, special safety sensors and a motion detecting control panel. Increased safety is ensured by 200 watts of light though it has to be mentioned that the light bulbs are sold separately. All-around a very powerful tool for handling garage doors, it is an excellent product and fully recommended considering how feature-rich and cost-efficient is.
Specifications list:
- Strong 0.5 HP Belt Drive
- Ultra-quiet operation.
- Timer feature to automatically close the garage door after 1, 5, or 10 minutes.
- MyQ Enabled Technology
- Uses less than 1 watt on standby power.
- Assembly required
- Light compatible with compact fluorescents
Best Quiet Garage Door Opener
2. SOMMER Direct Drive Garage Door Opener
Sommer brings through Direct Drive the top quality technology from accross the Atlantic in the thriving industry of garage door openers. This one is the 1042V001 3/4 HP model which features a stationary chain in a solid steel rail and only has one single moving part which can be located in the traveling motor carriage.
One of the most important aspects about Sommer’s Direct Drive capabilities is the quietness of its operation. For those that value silence above all else in a garage door opener, then this is definitely the best option on the market as it’s considered the quietest machine of its kind with virtually no vibrations.
The power of this opener is maximized by the way the motor is positioned as it’s placed at the door of the opener and not at the back. As opposed to conventional garage door openers, this one won’t have as much gear damage thanks to this feature. Gliding smoothly, the motor is embedded in a very robust rail which is included in the package and should fit nicely for 7 to 8 feet door height.
In the safety department, Sommer crammed enough features to justify the money spent. The Protection System is included, adding a powerful layer of security with its efficient light beam sensor. An extra detection system is used for monitoring internal obstacles, closing the door when sensing movement. The secure rolling code technology clocked at 310 MHz completes the package along with two transmitters and an interior wall station.
The Direct Drive’s innovative German technology is confirmed by an independent test institute which runs the machine through cycles up to 100,000 times. A full installation kit is included to get you started easily and considering that this machine is HomeLink compatible, we can safely say that this is an ideal choice for any homeowner looking to make a solid investment into a garage door opener.
Taking into account all that’s been said about this model, it’s quite clear by now that this one is worthy of your consideration. An extremely quiet opener which provides solid performance, efficient security and to top it all off, the price is very fitting for most budgets. Definitely a recommended option all-around.
Specifications list:
- Very quiet
- Strong traveling motor technology
- Cycle tested
- Includes rail for 7 ft. to 8 ft. door height
- Secure Rolling Code Technology
- Two transmitters and one interior wall station
- HomeLink compatible
Best Wall Mounted Garage Door Opener
3. Liftmaster 8500 Wall Mount Garage Door Opener
Trusted as one of the best brands of professional garage door openers, LiftMaster makes use of a fantastic selection of home products created for many lifestyles and applications. One of their premium products is the 8500 Wall Mount garage door opener which brings the latest innovations for the strongest security and the best performance.
The 8500 Elite Series is powered by a reliable 24 V DC motor that can be operated at variable speeds and has a very quiet motor and a smooth process of starting and stopping. The safety features are where this opener truly shines.
In terms of security, the 8500 provides an Auto-force feature to monitor the whole garage door system. This can be useful for adjusting the forces for the fluctuations in temperature, floor height and can come in handy to track any door movement. The best part about this is that the monitoring system works constantly.
Taking protection very seriously, LiftMaster lets you program security codes electronically using the MyQ Control Panel. The Protector System uses advanced sensors to project an infrared beam which will trigger an automatical reversal of the door when interrupted during the door lowering process. Security+ 2.0 rolling code technology guarantees that a new code is provided every time you use the remote control.
One of the reasons why you should consider this model as your next garage door opener is the easy installation through wall-mounting without any rails to hang. Reliability is also an area of expertise of LiftMaster as the 8500’s enclosed gear case will offer continuous lubrication and protection for years and years of smooth operation.
A possible downside for some would be the price which is a bit over the acceptable affordable range but if you would like to buy pretty much the best in the industry you’ve got to consider spending some more money. Quality doesn’t come cheap but the LiftMaster has proven that getting your money’s worth for a garage door opener these days shouldn’t be that hard.
Specifications list:
- Powerful 24V DC
- Ultra-quiet operation
- Easy wall-mount installation
- Auto-force feature
- Enclosed gear case for lubrication and protection
- 6-foot power cord
- Remote light provides 200 watts of light
- Manual release handle in case of power failure
4. Decko Heavy Duty Quiet Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
Decko is a company active in many areas with a powerful dedication to building a strong relationship with its consumers by making strict quality control for all aspects of the manufacturing process. In the garage door openers department, Decko has the 24503 0.75 HP which promises quiet operation and reliable performance.
Aspects that make the 24503 stand out is the ease to install it and how durable it has been engineered so as to last a very long time. The parts are made to be durable and lot of work has been focused on quality inside and out. Operating it is also something every homeowner will love, adjustments can be done without any hassles for travel limits and force. The opener’s kit contains two remote controls with three buttons, a wireless keypad, a wall panel with handy functions and, of course, the optical safety sensors.
Speaking of sensors, Decko designed this garage door opener with an auto reverse safety system relying on sensors and non-polarized wired connections making no compromises in terms of installation. The opener can handle sectional garage doors of various sizes within a 7 feet height and 18 feet width limit. In case your door is larger there is the possibility to add an 8-foot extension to accommodate it.
Other interesting features of this machine are the Home Link compatibility, the dual lighting system. If you’re still on the fence about the quality of this garage door opener perhaps is worth mentioning that these devices go through a very rigorous 20 point quality control inspection.
Created with the self-installing user in mind, Decko excels at the ease of use and the overall quality of their garage door openers and the 24503 is no exception. The machine works as advertised and considering the reasonable price we can definitely recommend it to anyone in the market for buying the best garage door opener available.
Specifications list:
- Belt drive with auto reverse safety system
- Easy installation
- Used for sectional doors up to 7′ tall and up to 18′ wide
- 8-foot extension for larger doors
- 3 wall panels, two remotes, wireless wall button and keypad
5. Chamberlain WD962KEV Garage Door Opener
Chamberlain is arguably the most respected brand when it comes to garage door openers because of their dedication to providing the most performant and reliable machines for this job. This model, called WD962KEV, is loaded with great features including Battery Backup that allows the usage of the opener even when the power is out.
Blending power through its strong belt drive and a quiet operation thanks to Chamberlain’s innovative design which incorporates Motor Vibration Isolation System you should get rid of all that powerhead vibration and reduce the noise considerably. A cool feature of this garage door opener is the Timer-to-Close function. Setting the door to close automatically after a set amount of time is now possible. The programming for this option can be done after 1, 5, or 10 minutes.
I’ve mentioned earlier the Battery Backup and how handy would be to still have the garage door opener functional in case of a power outage. This provides up to 20 cycles of opening and closing the door in the first 24 hours. Controlling the WD962KEV has never been easier thanks to the reliable MyQ technology which permits you to use your smartphone to manipulate the garage door opener from anywhere you wish. Just to be able to stay more relaxed when you’re away, Chamberlain has made it possible to receive notifications when the door to your garage opens or closes.
It seems that Chamberlain operates on the ’safety first’ notion because this machine is well endowed in this area. Protector System safety sensors are a part of a security structure along with Rapid-Snap brackets. This structure allows for an invisible light beam to be projected across the garage door opening and its function is basically to automatically reverse the door in case something comes in its path while the door’s being lowered. This detection technology also provides another useful feature. It turns the opener lights on the moment something comes in contact with the infrared beam.
Taking into account how generous has Chamberlain been with all these features for this model, finding flaws is quite hard. Maybe the sensor wires’ quality deserves a mention as it’s not really the best out there but all in all, this is certainly a solid investment.
Specifications list:
- Powerful 0.75 HP DC belt drive system
- Battery that allows for normal use even when the power is out
- MyQ Technology Enabled
- Timer-to-Close feature
Best Residential Garage Door Opener
6. Genie 2042-TKC QuietLift 800 Garage Door Opener
One of USA’s best-known companies for quality garage door openers, Genie is a company you can depend on for your next purchase for this kind of device. The 2042-TKC QuietLift 800 is a strong competitor on this market and in the following paragraphs, I will try to help you understand its features better.
If you like to idea of quietness, this performant opener will guarantee a silent operation. Placing this one close to living quarters shouldn’t be an issue as the noise is very much reduced. The performance of this model is well within the expectations for this price range. The QuietLift 800 has a 1/2 HPc Power Plus DC motor that can easily handle all your needs for a reliable operation. The opener works adequately for residential sectional garage doors that aren’t too high (7 feet maximum).
For safety, Genie incorporates a comprehensive Safe-T-Beam system that should meet all regulations for reliable security. With the help of an auto reversing system, anything that passes through the beam should activate the signal for a closing door to stop and reverse. Durability is one aspect often overlooked by other companies in this industry, but the QuietLift 800 has been designed to be as sturdy as possible to be able to resist a long time.
The installation is pretty straightforward and Genie simplifies the process by providing all the mounting parts in the box. Instructions are clear enough that even someone without much experience can handle the job of setting up the opener correctly. A particularly useful feature is the ’slow start’ which activates the lowering of the door slowly initially and then it acts at normal speed.
Something I think counts as a small drawback is the range of the remote which is not excellent but it shouldn’t be such a huge disadvantage. If we analyze all the features and consider the price you need to pay for this product, Genie’s QuietLift 800 2042-TKC makes this list of recommended best garage door openers easily.
Specifications list:
- 0.5 HP DC Belt
- 2 3-button Remotes
- Wall Console
- Wireless Keypad
- Safe-T-Beams
- Weight of 39.2 pounds, dimensions of 39 x 11 x 8 inches
Best Wireless Garage Door Opener
7. Chamberlain Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
Chamberlain has consistently delivered quality garage door openers and one of their most appreciated models is the WD1000WF which comes equipped with some of the most powerful features on the market. Besides the usual goodies for this price range, there’s also battery backup and smartphone control.
Performance is good as always, the 1¼HPs are more than enough for smooth gliding and reliable closings and openings. Chamberlain managed to strike a good balance between the power of the motor and the silence of the overall operation. Thanks to the Whisper Drive, frequent usage is possible without disturbing anyone from a bedroom located close to the garage.
An interesting option is the MyQ controlling through a smartphone. Why is this important? Well, it gives you the peace of mind that everything is safe back at home when you’re gone. Monitoring and controlling the garage efficiently is easier than ever with the built-in Wi-Fi which can connect to the network from your house.
The MyQ scheduling feature can become very handy in certain situations. For example, you can get rid of the worry that you left the door to the garage open as you now have the possibility to set a specific time to close it every day. The same scheduling capability is extended to the lights. They can be turned on at a specific time each day if you prefer to always arrive home to a lighted house. An overall increase in the security factor for your house can also be achieved with this system. If you’re gone on vacation, for example, you can set the lights to turn on to look like you’re home.
The battery backup feature will be a lifesaver in case of power outages as it allows the opener to keep functioning for three days after it. An extra convenience is added through the wall control with a light switch. It can detect motion and you can monitor certain parameters such as time, temperature, and diagnostic information easily on its integrated LCD display.
I’ve mentioned the LCD Wall Control Panel, but Chamberlain also includes a few useful items such as a wireless keypad, safety sensors, garage door remotes. Considering the quality and performance of this garage door opener, it’s fully recommended to check it out further if this looks like something pertaining to your needs.
Specifications list:
- 1.25 HPS
- MyQ smartphone control with Wi-Fi, CFL, 200 W, 120 V
- Compatible with 8 ft high doors and 10 ft high doors (sold separately depending on the seller)
- LCD wall control
Best Liftmaster Garage Door Opener
8. Liftmaster 8587 Elite Series Garage Door Opener
LiftMaster is definitely one of the best choices for a garage door opener and the Elite Series is a great solution to resolve in a convenient manner the problem of opening and closing your garage door. It brings maximum power to handle with ease even the heaviest doors.
The 0.75 HP motor with chain drive is not only performant but also very durable. A special rail system and the reinforced chassis should provide plenty of support. In case you were worried about the noise, the Motor Vibration Isolation System integrated by LiftMaster ensures that the operation of the opener is as quiet and smooth as possible even after many uses. Something also worth keeping in mind is how energy-efficient is the 8587 as it consumes less power in standby mode, up to 75 % less in fact.
MyQ technology is present with this model, useful for monitoring and controlling your garage door directly from your smart devices. A convenient function is the pop-up notifications received which can be set to alert you of the status of the garage door and house lights. The app used by MyQ is free without requiring any activation fees.
LiftMaster always prided themselves on security and this aspect is further emphasized by their reliance on Security+ 2.0 which safeguards your household. It sends a new code every time you click so that the access through the door is only provided to you. Another security feature is PosiLock which monitors against forced openings electronically and is set to lock down your door automatically.
Timer-to-Close is another option added by LiftMaster to program beforehand the closing of the door automatically after you’ve left. There is also the Alert-2-Close warning system which gives you audible and visual signs the moment your garage door is about to close. Completing the safety package is The Protector System and the motion detector great for automatically reversing the door if anything gets in the way of the projected light beam.
If security is your primary concern, then choosing the Elite Series by LiftMaster is a wise decision. In terms of affordability, it won’t disappoint and if we take into account all its features, then we clearly have one of the best garage door openers for house owners.
Specifications list:
- 0.75 HP motor with chain drive
- MyQ technology
- Motor Vibration Isolation System
- Alert-2-Close warning system
- The Protector System
- beam rail system & reinforced chassis
- Energy-efficient: uses considerably less power in standby mode
Best Garage Door Opener for Heavy Doors
9. SOMMER Direct Drive 1.0 HP Garage Door Opener
The Germans from Sommer have become a force in the market for garage door openers. It’s easy to see why. Their flagship, called Direct Drive, is an outstanding machine in basically every aspect from performance to price. This one is the 1052V000 model with 1 HP and its defining characteristics are: quiet, durable, and efficient.
What’s great about the Direct Drive is that it doesn’t have many moving parts as opposed to more conventional garage door openers. You won’t find any noisy chains, belts or screws here. This extreme quietness – virtually no vibrations – is ideal for houses which have living quarters placed above the garage.
The 1052V000 Direct Drive offers a very strong motor that can deliver maximum performance. Although it makes sense to expect this version to be faster than the 3/4 HP one, apparently that’s not really the case. Sommer says that the 1 HP model is designed to be slower but has more torque to handle heavier loads like larger doors. If your door doesn’t lean on the bigger side more, then perhaps the 1042V001 3/4 HP is better fitted to your needs.
Installing this opener is not very difficult thanks to the full installation kit included. The package also contains a rail suited for 7 feet, up to 8 feet doors. If you aren’t confident in your abilities or have zero experience with these machines maybe getting an expert to install it for you is a much better solution. The ease of use is another point in favor of this model, there haven’t been any issues with programming the remote control or the transmitter.
Some people report that getting the HomeLink function to work correctly can be a bit tricky but aside from that, there are virtually no downsides to this garage door opener. It offers a lot for the money and for this reason you should seriously consider it if you are interested only in getting the best.
Specifications list:
- Premium heavy duty motor
- Rail for 7 ft. – 8 ft. door height
- Extremely quiet, no vibration
- Two transmitters and interior wall station
- Secure Rolling Code Technology, Home Link Compatible
Best Cheap/Affordable Garage Door Opener
10. Chamberlain PD762EV Garage Door Opener
Chamberlain can be found on this list once again with yet another solid quality garage door opener. The PD762EV is a durable machine, operating by chain drive built with the MyQ Smartphone Control technology and coming with a very simple to use wall control panel.
The rugged 0.75 HP AC motor should handle with ease most normal doors in a very rapid manner. MyQ technology is enabled for convenient monitoring of the garage door when away though you will need to purchase the Internet Gateway separately.
Compatibility with HomeLink is another great feature of the PD762EV. If you aren’t familiar with it, HomeLink is one of the most trusted wireless control systems available. With it, you can safely open and close the garage door to your home and control the security system, lighting, and others. This controlling freedom is possible using three buttons integrated into the interior of your vehicle. HomeLink is definitely a feature you can depend on though keep in mind that this model doesn’t have it built in so you will need to buy a bridge too.
The full kit of the PD762EV contains some essential accessories such as two 3-button visor remotes, safety sensors and the motion detecting wall control panel. Something I think a lot of people will love about this opener is the Tri-Band burst radio technology for the remotes which improves the range and overall performance. There are many situations in which even a bit of interference seems to cut the signal from the remote but thanks to this technology, it should be less frustrating to open and close the garage door.
Considering how smooth this unit works overall, I’d say this one is a solid investment. You will be very pleased with the silent operation, the simple programming and the ease of use. If the Chamberlain Garage Door Opener looks like something that has the qualities you seek, then you can rest assured that it’s worth every cent.
Specifications list:
- 0.75 HP AC Motor with rugged chain drive
- Two 3-button visor remote with tri-band frequency
- MyQ Enabled connectivity
- Easy-to-Install Motion Sensing Wall Control
- Home Link Compatible