Yahoo Autos Best garage door openers of 2024
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Garage door openers do just what the name suggests. With the press of a button, the motor is activated, which sends the trolley in motion, which pulls the heavy garage door open and closed with ease. Most models come with handy accessories like LED lights, wall-mounted button controls and PIN pads, and portable remote controls. Some also come loaded with tech and security features that also help make the garage a more useable, secure, and versatile space for your home. There are even some garage door openers with smart features like voice control, WiFi connectivity and compatibility with smart devices and speakers like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.
Depending on the model you select, garage door openers can do things like automatically illuminate your space, automatically close and lock the garage door, connect to your smart home hub, and more. As you shop for a garage door opener, there are a lot of functions and features to consider, so we’ve compiled a list of our favorites to help you with your decision. Whether you’re looking to modernize and upgrade your garage with a top-of-the-line smart garage door opener, or you’re looking for a modest but reliable belt drive unit, our list features options that will fit a variety of budgets and needs.
Genie Residential Wall Mounted Garage Door Opener - $498.00
Key Features
Compact design (6.8”W x 14.5”T x 9”D)
Features a Genie wireless wall console w/ Bluetooth LED light
Two pre-programmed "Intellicode" remotes
Automatic door lock
Limited Lifetime Motor Warranty and 5-year parts warranty
Wall-mounted garage door openers are a great option if you’re looking to save space as they easily mount directly to the wall next to the garage door, eliminating the need to mount the motor and rail to the ceiling. This frees up space for overhead storage and gives your garage a clean, unobstructed look. This particular Genie wall-mounted garage door opener is compatible with residential sectional garage doors up to 850 lbs in weight and 14’ in height. Perfect for garages with low ceilings or ceiling storage.
The price tag on this unit does give us pause, but it’s loaded with features. One that it is missing that we wish it did have, however, is battery backup power. If you don’t have a whole house or portable generator and having power for your garage door opener during a power outage is a feature you must have, then we recommend taking a look at this wall-mounted model from Genie with backup battery power, currently $498 at Amazon.
Installation requirements for this unit include 2.5” of space above the unit and 7” of space to the side of the garage door’s spring tube, as well as, a standard outlet within 6’ of the wall-mounted garage door opener.
Genie Chain Drive 550 garage door opener - $162.00
Key Features
Cost-effective
Two pre-programmed 3-button garage door opener remotes
Wireless keypad to open the door with a PIN
Multi-function wall console with “vacation lock” and light control button
Safe-T-Beam non-contact reversing system
Smart features include Bluetooth wireless LED light, and WiFi connectivity to your favorite smart devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant
Currently listed as Amazon’s No. 2-selling garage door opener behind only the myQ Chamberlain wireless Garage Hub, which is not an actual garage door opener but a peripheral device that you can add onto an existing garage door opener. So this makes the Genie 2035-TKV Amazon’s actual top-selling garage door opener.
It uses a chain drive to pull the garage door up with the help of a half-horsepower DC motor. It is modestly priced and has a tremendous amount of positive user reviews some calling it “quiet and smooth operating,” which, in our opinion, is a great quality to look for in a garage door opener. When it comes to lift power, Genie recommends the Chain Drive 550 for 7’ high garage doors. If you have an 8’ door the extension kit (sold separately) is required.
CRAFTSMAN 1/2 HP Smart Garage Door Opener - $199 (5% off)
Key Features
Smart features include built-in WiFi for remote operation from anywhere, and compatibility with Amazon Key
Two 3-button remotes
Dual-function wall control
Keypad
2 lights (100-Watts each - bulbs sold separately)
Safety reversing sensors
10-year limited warranty on the motor; 1-year limited warranty on the chain, parts, and accessories
This option from Craftsman is myQ smart garage compatible. It uses a steel-constructed chain drive and a 1/2 horsepower AC motor so this particular model is not recommended for larger residential garage doors but it is a fine choice if you don't have a heavy garage door to lift. Craftsman recommends use on 7' doors.
With the built-in Wi-Fi and myQ app, you can monitor and control your garage door from anywhere. Or you can program up to 3 garage door openers (two 3-button remotes are included with the initial purchase) with a range of up to 1,500'.
This model is also equipped with Craftsman's Security+ 2.0, which is a feature that sends a new code to your garage door opener every time you click it. These unique access codes are designed to prevent accidental openings by a neighbor's garage door remote or someone from duplicating your code in order to enter your garage.
Genie Chain Drive 500 Garage Door Opener - $146.66 (27% off)
Key Features
Safe-T-Beam feature, which helps prevent the door from closing when there is something in the path of the door
Compatible with HomeLink and Car2U
5-year motor and gearbox warranty, 5-year warranty on the chain, and 1-year parts and accessories warranty
This is unit from Genie is currently on sale and therefore the most economical option on our list. Lift power for this smaller compact unit comes from a 1/2 horsepower DC motor, which Genie recommends for use on 7' garage doors that weigh no more than 350lbs.
For what it's worth it has a great average rating on Amazon with some citing that this unit is "super easy to install" and "nice and quiet," which we think makes it worth checking out if you are looking for a reliable garage door opener but don't want to pay more for bells and whistles you don't need or won't end up using.
Chamberlain Smart Wall Mounted Garage Door Opener with Battery Backup - $499 (6% off)
Key Features
Programmable - you can set a recurring schedule for when you want your garage door to close or when the garage door opener lights turn on and off
Can be synced with other smart devices and smart hub platforms
LED "smart" light
Motion detecting
Wall-mounted control panel
Quiet operation
Battery backup function allows you to still operate the door even during a power outage
6-year manufacturer warranty for the motor, and a 1-year manufacturer warranty on accessories, drive, and parts
We love wall-mounted garage door openers. The slim design allows the trolley to be installed on the wall right next to the garage door. This frees up ceiling space for things like lighting, fans, oversized vehicles, and storage. This unit from Chamberlain is on the more expensive end of the spectrum but it's loaded with features and is gonna be one of the, if not the, quietest options on our list.
The Chamberlain model RJ070 garage door opener also comes with some great safety and security features. Sensors prevent the door from accidentally closing on people, pets, or vehicles. And the included automatic garage door lock will deadbolt your garage door whenever it's closed. This model is also compatible with the myQ app and with the built-in Wi-Fi, you can easily connect this smart garage door opener to your home network and your home's smart hub platform. This will allow you to remotely open or close your garage door when away and receive alerts on your smartphone.
Chamberlain B4603T Belt Drive Smart Garage Door Opener - $259.00 (11% off)
Key Features
Wireless keypad
Motion-detecting wall control
Included safety sensors
2 x 3-Button remote controls
Wireless keypad
Lifetime warranty on the motor and belt, 5-year warranty on parts, and 1-year warranty on included accessories
The Chamberlain B4603T boasts a quiet steel-reinforced belt drive powered by a quiet DC motor with soft start/stop operating, which makes it a great choice if you're installing the unit in a garage that is close to living spaces in your home. It comes with a bright integrated, 1,000-lumen, motion-activated LED light. This unit is also myQ app compatible, which means you can operate the garage door opener from anywhere. It's also currently on sale at Amazon.
Chamberlain C2405 Chain Drive Smart Garage Door Opener - $208.95 (5% off)
