The best garage door openers have evolved from just opening and closing garage doors to having superb smart features. If you have had no reason to explore garage door openers in a while, you will be amazed by the available smart features.
A good garage door opener should provide ease and comfort of garage use as well as safety. This is why Genie SheathDrive Connect Garage Door Opener is the best overall.
Picking out a suitable opener for your garage door can be challenging, especially if you are not abreast with standard features. This article will discuss criteria to consider when choosing a garage door opener. We will also look at other outstanding garage door openers and what makes them stand out.
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How To Choose A Garage Door Opener
All garage door openers are built to enable the opening and closing of your garage door. However, they are not all the same. They come in different specifications and features. Base your choice on the compatibility of the opener with your garage door. Let’s discuss this further.
- Drive Mechanism
The drive type of the garage door opener is a vital factor to consider if you are working on a budget. Also, the weight of your garage door should inform your choice. Garage door opener can be chain, belt, screw or direct driven, and Jackshaft.
Openers with the chain drive have a metal chain connected to the motor, which propels the trolley to open and close the door. Chain-driven garage door openers are the most affordable and long-lasting. It is best suited for heavy garage doors. The downside of this drive type is that it produces a lot of noise.
Openers with the belt drive are similar to those with the chain drive. The difference is that a belt is used instead of a chain. The belt drive is a noiseless and durable option, but it is the costliest of the three drive types. It is also unsuitable for heavy garage doors.
Screw-driven garage door openers use a series of metal rods to propel the trolley. It is a less noisy but expensive option than the chain drive. It is durable and can lift heavy garage doors.
Direct-driven garage door openers do not use belts, screws, or chains. The motor directly propels the movement of the trolley. It is easy to use, noiseless, durable, and requires less maintenance, making it an ideal opener.
Jackshaft garage door openers are the new model openers specialized for sectional garage doors. It is mounted on the door’s side and propels cables to raise the torsion bar to open and close the garage door. It is expensive and specialized for only one garage door type. However, it is noiseless and durable.
- Horsepower
For optimal functionality, your opener must be compatible with your garage door. That is to say, the power of your opener must be proportional to your garage door’s weight. Openers with low horsepower cannot lift heavy garage doors. Residential garage door openers come in ⅓, ½, ¾, and one horsepower.
⅓-horsepower garage door openers do not last long and are only suited for light garage doors such as those made of Vinyl. A ½-horsepower garage door opener will lift your standard-size single and double garage doors. Use garage door openers with ¾-horsepower for heavy wood or steel garage doors.
Openers with one horsepower are typically for industrial garage doors, but you can use them too for your home’s garage door.
- Type Of Current
Garage door opener motors can either be AC or DC-powered. AC power is generated by an electric motor in a magnetic field. AC-powered garage door openers are less expensive and more reliable. Chain-drive garage door openers are usually AC-powered.
DC-powered garage door openers typically use batteries. It is more expensive but is faster, uses less power, and is less noisy than AC-powered garage openers. It also has backup batteries you can rely on in cases of power shutdown.
- Back-up
Although power outages do not happen every other day, you will want to pick a garage door opener that you can operate even in power shutdowns. Go for openers with a manual release or alternative power sources like backup batteries.
- Price
If you are working on a budget, then the price should be one of the things you look out for. However, this should be secondary to the opener’s compatibility with your garage door.
The screw-driven garage door opener is the market’s all-rounder. They are not too pricey, noisy, and can lift a heavy garage door. They also have AC and DC-powered options.
- Automated Features
Choose a garage door opener with security lights, motion detectors, and self-close. So long as it is compatible with your garage door and within your budget.
Top 6 Best Garage Door Opener
1. Allrounder: Genie SheathDrive Connect Garage Door Opener
Genie is our all-rounder because it checks all the boxes of an ideal garage door opener and is not overpriced. Genie SheathDrive uses wifi connectivity, has two remotes, a keypad, and a wall console offering many control options.
It uses a steel belt drive, making it noiseless and durable. Another perk of this opener is its mobile APP, Genie Aladdin, which allows you to operate the opener from your mobile phone.
It is compatible with Google and Alexa assistants, so voice control is another major perk. Its 1 ¼-horsepower motor makes it ideal for your heavy garage door.
Product Specification
- Capacity: 1 ¼-horsepower motor
- Opener Type: Ultra-quiet steel belt-drive
- Smart Features: Voice control, wireless connectivity, remote, keypad, and wall-mounted console.
- Smartphone application
- Power Source: DC-powered motor with a backup battery
Pros
- Its use of the belt drive makes it noiseless.
- It has a powerful motor compatible with heavy garage doors.
- Its smart features are superb.
- Offer many control options, including voice control and a smartphone APP.
- It is durable and requires less maintenance.
Cons
- Its rail system is not designed to work with garage doors taller than 7 feet. You will need to get an extension for taller garage doors.
2. Most Smart: Chamberlain B4613T Smart Garage Door Opener
Chamberlain is an outstanding smart garage door opener. It has in-built Wi-Fi and BlueTooth connectivity that allows you to operate the opener from a distance. It also has a Smartphone APP, myQ APP, that will enable you to work the opener with a tab of your phone. It has two wireless remote controls that you can operate over a long-distance range.
It also comes with safety contacts mitigating possible risks. You can grant access to three family members on the APP.
Product Specification
- Opener Type: Belt-driven
- Drive Type: Steel Anti-vibration Belt Drive
- Capacity: 1 ¼-horsepower
- Power Source: DC-powered with a backup battery.
- Smart Features: Advanced LED lighting, Remote controls, Safety Sensors, Wi-Fi, and BlueTooth Connectivity.
Pros
- It has outstanding smart features and a share option on its app
- Its motor offers an ultra-quiet operation with the steel-reinforced belt drive.
- It has powerful motor compatible and is ideal for heavy garage doors.
- You can use its remote control over a long distance.
Cons
- You need an extension for tall garage doors.
- Its safety sensors can be fastidious.
3. Most Ideal For Heavy Garage Doors: Genie Signature Series Machforce Connect – 4063
MachForce Connect-4063 is perfect for your heavy wood garage door. It has smart features such as voice control and two remote control. You can access the opener via Genie Aladdin APP. Its wall-mounted console has light control and code lock features. While it is specialized for 7 feet garage doors, with extensions and extra light bulbs, you can use it for taller doors.
Product Specification
- Opener Type: Screw drive
- Drive Type: Free Direct
- Capacity: 2 Horsepower
- Power Source:140Voltage DC-powered.
- Smart Features: Two pre-programmed remote control and a wall-mounted console.
Pros
- Its powerful 2-horsepower motor makes it compatible with heavy garage doors.
- The screw drive mechanism makes a durable and less noisy option.
- It has superb smart features like voice control, built-in Wi-Fi, and BlueTooth Connectivity.
- You can operate the opener from your smartphone via its Mobile APP.
- It requires less maintenance and is easy to use
Cons
- A rail extension and extra light bulbs are needed for garage doors taller than 7 feet.
An alternative to Genie’s MachForce Connect is RYOBI GD201.
4. Best Inbuilt Camera: Chamberlain B4643T Smart Garage Door Opener
With an in-built 1080-pixel Camera, Chamberlain B4643T has the best camera on the market. Its camera can sense motion and instantly send a live stream to your smartphone. It also records video footage, letting you see what is happening. With a subscription to the myQ APP, you can store video footage for up to 30 days.
Chamberlain B4643T has two remote controls that you can operate from a 1500 feet range. It has a wall console and a safety sensor.
Product Specification
- Opener Type: Belt drive
- Capacity: ¾-horsepower
- Drive Type: Ultra-quiet steel reinforced belt drive.
- Power Source: Rechargeable 120voltage battery
- Camera: 1080-pixel
- Internal Storage: 16GB
- 2-Way Audio
- Smart Features: Two pre-programmed remote control, safety sensors, wall console motion sensors, and Wi-Fi/BlueTooth Connectivity.
Pros
- It has the best security camera, high video quality, and excellent night vision.
- It is compatible with Google Assistant and Alexa.
- It has clear two-way audio.
- It has motion sensors and safety contacts.
- Its steel-reinforced belt drive makes for ultra-quiet operation.
- Its ¾-horsepower motor makes it ideal for heavy garage doors.
- You can access it via smartphones.
Cons
- It lacks a backup battery.
- Extensions are needed for garage doors taller than 7 feet.
- Video storage is a paid feature.
- It is costly.
5. Best Wall Mounted: Liftmaster 8500 Elite Series Jackshaft Garage Door Opener
One perk of wall-mounted garage door openers is that they do not take up ceiling space. The Liftmaster 8500 garage door opener is mounted on the side of the door. It is one of the few opener types compatible with garage doors as tall as 14 feet.
Due to its direct drive mechanism, it has a noiseless operation. It has in-built light, a wall-mounted console, safety sensors, and a Visor remote pad.
Product Specification
- Opener Type: Direct drive
- Drive Type: Jackshaft
- Capacity: ¾-horsepower
- Power Source: DC-powered, 24Voltage Battery
Pros
- It is ideal for 14-feet tall garage doors.
- Its direct-drive mechanism makes for quiet operation.
- It does not take up ceiling space.
- Its ¾-horsepower makes it compatible with quite heavy garage doors
- It has motion detection activation light.
- It has a close-timer feature.
Cons
- No smartphone control
- No backup battery
- It is only ideal for sectional garage doors.
- No Wi-Fi Connectivity.
An alternative to Liftmaster 8500 Elite is the Genie Signature Series Wall Mount Garage door opener.
6. Most Affordable: Genie 7035-TKV Chain Drive Garage Door Opener
If you are working on a small budget and willing to forgo premium features for a simple but efficient garage door opener, then Genie 7035-TKV is just perfect. As a chain-drive opener type, its operation is noisy. If your garage is next to a bedroom, you might want to rethink this choice.
It has two wireless remote control, a wall console, and a wireless keypad. It also has a built-in backup battery that can operate the opener 50 times before it dies. Genie 7035-TKV can be accessed through HomeLink.
Product Specification
- Opener Type: Chain Drive
- Capacity: ¾-horsepower
- Power Source: AC-powered with an integrated backup battery
- Smart Features: Two pre-programmed remote control, wall console, wireless keypad.
Pros
- It is very pocket-friendly.
- It can lift heavy doors.
- It comes with a backup battery.
- It is compatible with car control systems like HomeLink.
- It is durable and easy to install.
Cons
- Noisy operation.
- It needs extensions to support garage doors taller than 7 feets
- It lacks advanced intelligent features.
- It lacks in-built lighting.
An alternative to this is Skylinks Atoms ATR-1611C ½ Horsepower Garage Door Opener with in-built LED light.
How Many HP Do I Need For A Garage Door Opener?
Usually, a ½ horsepower garage door opener is suitable for your garage door. However, there are some factors to consider when deciding how much horsepower your garage door opener needs.
- Weight Of The Garage Door
Large and hefty garage doors work better with openers with high horsepower. While a ½ horsepower opener will most time do the job, a ¾ horsepower garage door opener will be more efficient for heavy garage doors.
- Durability
For long-lasting use, go for openers with higher horsepower. They are more durable and can last up to 10 years. You need to consider other parts of the garage door, like the springs and cable, so everything works fine together.
Common Garage Door Opener Horspower Rating
- ⅓ Horsepower
⅓ horsepower is the most common and inexpensive type of garage door opener. It is the least horsepower rating. You should only use these door openers for light garage doors made of Vinyl and Aluminium.
A ⅓ horsepower garage door opener can lift your heavy garage door if adequately balanced. However, it will get bad quickly as the load exceeds its output.
- ½ Horsepower
½-Horsepower is the standardized horsepower rating for residential garage doors. Openers with this horsepower rating can lift your normal-size single and double garage doors. It is perfect for 8-12 feet tall garage doors.
- ¾ Horsepower
Some garage doors are more weight than the standard, like those made of hardwood or galvanized steel. Your garage door opener needs at least ¾ horsepower to lift these door weights. You should get openers with these for even standard-size garage doors. Although it is expensive, it is very durable. It is perfect for garage doors taller than 12 feet.
- 1 Horsepower
One horsepower is unnecessary for your garage door opener as the output exceeds your door weight. Only openers of commercial garage doors need this amount of power.
Can A Garage Door Opener Be Too Powerful?
A garage door opener can only be too powerful if you use a high horsepower opener with a very light garage door. An instance is combining a one horsepower opener with a light, below 7 feet aluminum or vinyl garage door.
The opener will work with a speed that exceeds normal. The high speed causes your garage door to wear out over time. It may also get stuck on its track.
If you notice the force of your opener is too much, check the force adjustment knob. You might have accidentally set it to high force. If this is the case, reduce the power to fix the issue. If this makes no significant change, get a technician to look at it.
How Much Should A New Garage Door Opener Cost To Be Installed?
The cost of installing a new garage door opener is $300 – $600. The price depends on the type of opener, its current, its unique features like Remote type, and horsepower.
Let’s break down the cost of garage door opener installation by significant factors.
- Cost Of Installation By Type
The drive mechanism affects the garage door opener’s price and installation cost.
- Belt-driven garage opener: its installation will cost $200 – $400
- Chain-driven garage door opener: its installation costs $150 – $300
- Screw-driven garage door opener: to install screw-driven openers expect to spend $200 – $350.
- Direct-driven garage door opener: installation will cost $300 – $500.
- Jackshaft garage door opener: Jackshaft openers are the costliest. Expect to spend $550 – $700 on its installation.
- Cost Of Installation By Current
As we mentioned earlier, the current type of the opener’s motor affects the price and installation cost. AC-powered openers are more affordable.
- Alternative current: AC-powered openers costs $150 – $300(labor cost not included).
- Direct current: DC-powered openers costs $300 – $500(excluding labor cost).
- Cost Of Installation By Horsepower
- ½-horsepower:$250 – $400 will cover its installation cost.
- ¾-horsepower: its average cost of installation is $500.
- One-horsepower: with other factors coming to play, you will spend $700 – $1000 to install a one-horsepower opener.
