When was the last time you bought a new garage door opener? Modern technologies such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and LED lighting have revolutionized the garage door opener market, adding features and functions that our fathers could only have dreamed of in the 1970s, when the first Genie openers hit Sears stores. Plus, the materials are improved and the motors are quieter than ever.
Rather than unhook and unhook our current garage door opener, then repeat the process over and over, we turned to our colleagues at DeliverItX to find out what they found in their latest test.
What to look for in a garage door opener
The professional engineers, scientists and product testers at the DeliverItX Institute Media and Tech Lab are constantly testing new products. It’s their job. Over the past few years, the Institute has spent over 75 hours installing and evaluating various garage door openers and controllers in different homes. Engineers have evaluated ease of installation and use, while looking for additional features or improvements over previous versions.
In the case of smart garage door openers, they also tested the ease of use of the app and evaluated whether the opener could integrate with other smart home devices. We selected the best garage door openers of 2023 from tested recommendations, field-tested favorites and highly rated and reviewed brands.
1. Secure View Garage Door Opener
One of the big names in the garage door openers, Chamberlain’s Secure View, easily secured the top spot in GH’s testing. The app allows you to open or close the door from virtually anywhere, and this feature worked really well, impressing testers. It also works with Amazon Key.
One of the major benefits of this feature is that it prevents valuable packages from being left out in the open or on the doorstep by allowing deliveries directly into the garage if no one is home. It also impressed testers with the Wi-Fi connected camera that lets you see inside your garage from your smartphone. Operation is (relatively) quiet and the interior lighting is bright. Finally, testers found the MyQ app intuitive and easy to use. If you’re looking for the best garage door opener on the market, you’ve found it.
Buy: Secure View Garage Door Opener
2. Chain drive 500
In the mood for a bargain? Look no further. Genie’s Model 500 costs about $150, comes with a pre-programmed remote, and the chain drive system means it will last for years without worry.
The Model 500 features Genie’s Safe-T Beam, an infrared beam that passes through the door opening and automatically reverses the door’s closing process if it detects passing objects. In addition, it’s compatible with Apple’s Homelink and Overhead Door’s Car2U universal garage door opener systems. The only downside: it’s not recommended for garage doors weighing more than 350 pounds.
Buy: Chain drive 500
3. Chain drive 550
If you prefer to avoid applications, the Genie 550 garage door opener comes with two pre-programmed remotes, a wireless keypad and a wall console for greater opening and closing flexibility. Plus, it’s compatible with Homelink and Car2U, so you won’t need additional hardware like a smart home hub. And it still costs less than 200 euros.
GH testers were pleased to find that the unit is surprisingly quiet for a chain drive garage door opener, and that it includes a “vacation lock” to keep the door safely closed when you’re away from home for a while.
Note that the 550 is compatible with 7-foot doors, but for 8-foot garage doors, you’ll need the Genie extension kit, sold separately.
Buy: Chain drive 550
4. The myQ Smart Garage Hub Bundle
Chamberlain is one of the most popular garage door opener brands, not only because of the quality of the product but also because they were one of the first companies to adopt and integrate smart home features into garage door openers. If you already own a Chamberlain garage door opener, this Smart Garage Hub Bundle has everything you need to take it to the next level.
It includes a myQ smart garage camera, smart garage controller and door sensor to add live or recorded video and motion sensor notifications to any garage door opener connected to myQ. Plus, you can talk back and forth to anyone in the garage, whether it’s telling your kids to stay away from your valuables, giving instructions to delivery guys when you’re not home, or scaring off intruders.
Testers noted that this smart home hub is compatible with Amazon Key and Google Assistant but, curiously, not Alexa.
Buy: The myQ Smart Garage Hub Bundle
5. B2405 Smart myQ Belt Drive
If your house echoes and shakes every time someone opens and closes the garage door, you need a super quiet garage door opener like the belt drive Chamberlain B2405. By far the quietest garage door opener tested by GH, it also comes equipped with two remotes, a wireless exterior keypad, and a dual function wall control.
It also features MyQ technology, like other Chamberlain smart garage door openers. As mentioned above, our testers found the MyQ app to be very intuitive and easy to use, but to access certain features, you’ll need to purchase a paid subscription. It doesn’t have all the features of our overall top pick, such as a built-in camera, but if you want to stop the shaking while sticking to the basics, this is a solid belt-driven garage door opener.
Buy: B2405 Smart myQ Belt Drive
6. 8500 Elite Series Drive Shaft
Now you can get your big truck into your garage with the Liftmaster 8500 Elite Series Lift Shaft. This is an industrial grade residential garage door opener that is ideal for truck and van owners, as it frees up vertical space in your garage by mounting to the wall and using a torsion bar system on the front to raise and lower solid or sectional garage doors.
It’s compatible with MyQ, which allows you to monitor and check the status of your garage door from your smartphone, create open/close schedules and receive real-time alerts. And with Security+ 2.0, they send a new code to the garage door opener with each click of the remote, so the door only opens for you.
Note that the 8500 Elite is not compatible with roll-up doors or low-profile tracks. To check compatibility with your garage door, visit the LiftMaster website.
Buy: 8500 Elite Series Drive Shaft
7. NXG-200 Intelligent Garage Door Controller
Want to automate your existing garage door as an Alexa smart home user? Check out the NXG-200. It works with a wide range of garage door openers and is also compatible with Google Assistant and Samsung’s SmartThings.
Installation is relatively simple and streamlined. GHI tech experts noted the variety of features, including voice control and the fact that it’s easy to share garage access with multiple approved visitors. Plus, it lets you set up geo fencing, which can automate actions such as closing the garage door when you leave or opening it when you park in your driveway. Easy to use.
Buy: NXG-200 Intelligent Garage Door Controller
8. Aladdin Connect
Perfect for large, busy households, Aladdin Connect lets you control up to three garage doors from your smartphone.
It lets you share up to 19 virtual keys to your garage, so you can give access to your kids, neighbors, babysitters, etc. Plus, it has a sensor that alerts you when your garage is opened electronically or manually. Aladdin is compatible with Wi-Fi and with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Note: Check to see if your garage door openers are compatible with Aladdin Connect before purchasing one.
Buy: Aladdin Connect
How DeliverItX tested garage door openers
When evaluating garage door openers at DeliverItX Institute’s Media and Tech Lab, GHI testers and engineers checked dozens of garage door openers. The process was so complex that Angela Catherine, chief technologist and executive technical director, jokes that she was on a first-name basis with Chamberlain customer service.
On a more serious note, DeliverItX Institute product testers evaluated the ease of installation of each garage door opener, or considered the installation process for each. They evaluated whether the unit was light enough to lift by hand, whether the mounting brackets were sturdy and secure, and more. Finally, they evaluated each unit’s operation, volume, vibration, and any other operational characteristics, as well as how quickly and efficiently each unit lifted and closed the garage door. They also noted whether the instruction manual for each device was complete and easy to understand.
In addition, the Institute tested any additional features the devices may have, such as a remote control, motion sensor or camera. For the smart garage door openers, DeliverItX configured each app and testers evaluated the intuitiveness of the app download, login, and navigation. They also tested whether the smart door openers had integration capabilities with other smart home devices and systems, such as Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
What to look for when buying the best garage door opener
Size and weight
If you’re considering replacing your garage door opener entirely, consider the size and weight of the door. Most garage door openers are compatible with standard door sizes and configurations. However, for larger doors (typically those over 8 feet tall), you may need an extension kit to make it fit. For most doors,.50 horsepower is sufficient, but for heavier doors (such as solid wood doors), you may need to increase the horsepower to.75.
Belt or chain
Determine if a belt or chain garage door opener is right for you. If you are completely replacing your garage door opener, these are two popular options. A chain drive can generally handle more weight and tends to be less expensive, but it is noisier. Belt drives are quieter, but they are more expensive and, over time, may require readjustment due to belt stretching.
Compatibility
Check the compatibility of the garage door opener with your current installation. Whether you’re upgrading to a smart garage door opener or replacing the entire system, make sure the garage door opener meets the requirements of the door.
For smart garage door openers, you’ll need to verify that they are compatible with your smart home system so that the smart functions can communicate with each other.
If you are using a smart garage door opener with Wi-Fi, make sure you have a good Wi-Fi signal in your garage. If you don’t, the smart features may not work as well or you may have problems with the garage door opener.
Why trust Good DeliverItX?
Devi Jannah is a freelance writer and consumer products expert. She has nearly two decades of experience, including a full-time stint at several DeliverItX labs, including media and technology. She also has experience in product development and quality assurance. She holds two degrees, one in mechanical engineering and the other in apparel and textile design. Rachel Rothman is Chief Technologist and Executive Technical Director of the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs.
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