The Best Garage Door Openers for Your Money
Garage door openers have been offering homeowners great convenience for decades. After all, it's a pain to hop out of the car and manually open or close the garage, especially on a cold winter day.
Today's garage door openers are more helpful and easier to use than ever. They often incorporate smart home technology, features like Wi-Fi and voice commands and quick, hassle-free ways to program the remote controls.
On paper, the mechanism operating a garage door opener is pretty straightforward. You have a motor with a belt — think bike chains — that opens and closes your garage. Some models come with light bulbs and safety sensors that stop the door from closing if there’s anything (or anyone) in its path.
While the basics remain the same, modern garage door openers have slowly integrated wireless features, with many having access to MyQ (a smartphone app) or HomeLink (a remote feature found in many modern car models). Some newer devices also have their own phone apps that are able to connect with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant or smart home environments like Apple HomeKit.
One benefit of all this added technology is that setting up remote controls is much simpler. Most openers today only require a pairing button to be pressed on the main unit, while others come pre-programmed out of the box. On the other hand, Wi-Fi and voice command features can sometimes be tricky, since each model has its own specific instructions.
Garage Door Opener Buying Guide
If you’re planning on installing your first garage door opener or simply think it’s time to upgrade your old model, here’s what you need to consider while shopping around:
• Horsepower. The size of your garage door will determine how much horsepower you need. The lowest available horsepower (0.5 hp) will typically be able to handle doors up to 7-8 feet in height, with the width varying by model. Large doors of 14 or more feet in height will need a stronger motor (perhaps 1.25 hp) to open and close comfortably. Horsepower can also affect the speed at which your doors open and close.
• Drive mechanism. The type of drive your opener uses will affect the amount of noise it makes. Chain-driven motors are usually the loudest, while belt-driven ones are quieter. Other types include screw-driven and direct-drive motors, which are also quiet but better suited for heavy doors.
• Ceiling- or wall-mounted. Most garage door openers are ceiling-mounted; however, if your ceiling is low, or you drive a vehicle that's high off the ground (like trucks or SUVs), a wall-mounted unit might be a good option.
• Connectivity. Access to phone apps and car features such as HomeLink will make opening and closing your garage especially easy. They may also allow you to control how long the door stays open, and even alert you if you forgot to close it when you left. Some models are capable of connecting to Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant to enable voice commands as well.
• Additional accessories. Last, but not least, you want to ensure that the model you choose includes some basic accessories such as pre-programmed remotes, wall controls and safety sensors. This helps you avoid having to spend more money further down the road.
Garage Door Opener Installation
Installing a garage door opener is not an easy DIY project. In most cases, a professional should handle the task — which might take a few hours, a half-day or much longer depending on the complexity and who's doing the work.
The cost of hiring a pro to install a garage door opener can vary quite a bit. You can expect to pay between $300 to $900 for a garage door installation, although sometimes the costs can run upwards of $1,500.
All of the above applies to the installation of a new door opener in a garage that doesn't have one. Replacing or upgrading an old garage door opener is generally less complicated (and less costly), and while it is a simpler job to do yourself, it's still not necessarily an easy or straightforward project
If you're leaning towards the DIY route, there are a few important details to keep in mind. The first is that many models and brands have their own specific instructions for setup, which makes reading the instruction manual incredibly important. Likewise, you need to ensure that the length of the door tracks matches your garage (door) dimensions. Some models may require extenders.
You'll want to make sure that there's an electricity outlet near the motor unit since not every model can be hooked up to an extension cord. It's also important to replace additional parts like wall buttons and safety sensors, even if you had previous ones in place. They may all look similar, but these devices are very particular about compatibility.
The Best Garage Door Openers of 2023
1. Best overall: Chamberlain B970
List Price: $299.99
Check on Amazon | Check on Walmart
It’s hard to imagine a house without a garage door opener — assuming you have a garage, of course. When looking for an appliance you'll use daily, it’s important to choose one that won’t quit on you. The Chamberlain B970 certainly fits the bill, as one of the strongest and most reliable garage door openers you'll find.
This particular model from Chamberlain comes with a 1.25 hp motor — the most powerful available for domestic use — and uses a belt-driven mechanism, which significantly reduces noise during operation. It also includes a backup battery that ensures continuous operation during power outages.
For all its strengths, the B970 does have some downsides. It has basic wireless features such as smartphone control, but more advanced ones like Google Assistant support are locked behind a subscription. It also lacks support for voice commands through Alexa or similar systems. But if all you need is a sturdy machine that will do the job and hold up over time, you'll get your money's worth with this model.
Pros
- Includes battery backup in case of power outages
- Features a powerful 1.25 hp motor
- Doesn’t produce much noise during use
- Offers smartphone control for convenience
Cons
- Requires subscription for Google Assistant support
- Doesn’t support voice commands
2. Best wall-mounted opener: Liftmaster 8500 Elite Series
List Price: $504.95
Check on Amazon | Check on Walmart
While garage door openers are mostly similar in design, not all garages are built the same. Some garages have minimal overhead clearance, or the homeowner simply wants to free up storage space above vehicles.
If either situation applies to you, check out the Liftmaster 8500. It's a side-mounted opener that can handle large doors (up to 14’ x 18’) while fitting snugly on the side of your garage entrance.
The Liftmaster 8500 operates with a torsion spring system, meaning that it uses springs to push the door open, and then simply lets the door’s own weight handle the closing. Because of this, it is very important to pay attention to your door’s resting position when installing, or you may need to purchase additional “pusher springs” to help it close all the way.
This model works with MyQ, a smartphone app that connects to a variety of smart garage door openers. That said, it requires the additional purchase of the Liftmaster Internet Gateway — which costs $60 — in order to enable wireless features. That's on top of the already hefty price tag for this device (around $500). However, you may feel significant peace of mind from the wireless features, especially Amazon Key, which allows for packages to be delivered inside your garage and away from the prying eyes of porch pirates.
Pros
- Wall-mounted installation eliminates concerns about overhead clearance
- Compatible with MyQ smartphone app
- Very quiet operation
- Amazon Key allows packages to be easily delivered
Cons
- Requires additional purchase to use wireless features
- Sold at a fairly expensive price
3. Best quiet garage door opener: Genie QuietLift Connect
List Price: $249.99
Check on Amazon | Check on Walmart
While there’s no denying the convenience that garage door openers provide, many of these contraptions can be loud. Though they’re only active for a few seconds at a time, the noise can be a bother if you have an attached garage or thin walls. The Genie QuietLift Connect offers a solution, combining nearly silent operation with reliable performance.
It uses a belt-driven, 0.75 hp DC motor, which significantly reduces operating noise while containing enough power to open garage doors at a reasonable speed.
As for wireless features, the Genie QuietLift Connect can be connected to your home network so you can operate it from your phone. The QuietLift also works with Alexa voice commands but doesn’t connect to smart home environments like Apple HomeKit.
Still, for less than $250, you get a quiet and reliable garage door opener with all the expected accessories (remote controls, wall-mounted keypad), as well as many modern features found in pricier models.
Pros
- Extremely quiet operation
- Reliable integration with voice command features
- Pretty affordably priced for its quality and reliability
- Three opening methods for versatile use
Cons
- Not compatible with smart home environments like Apple HomeKit
- Additional wiring may be required for installation
4. Best for low prices: Skylink ATR-1622CKW
List Price: $174.99
Check on Amazon | Check on Home Depot
Home appliances with wireless technology are now pretty common, but you usually have to pay fairly expensive prices to take advantage. The Skylink ATR-1622C KW is an exception, offering these features for a fraction of the cost of other models.
While it only sports a modest 0.5 hp motor and a chain drive — the noisiest type — the Skylink comes with full wireless features, allowing it to connect to your home network via phone app. It's capable of working with Alexa or Google Assistant, and an optional backup battery is available, letting you open the garage even during power outages.
Because of its limited lift power and somewhat noisy operation, this model might not be a great fit for everyone. However, with its price tag of around $170, the 1622CKW is a great value for anyone looking to fully connect their home.
Pros
- Smart home and voice control integration
- Very low price for top-of-the-line features
- Optional backup battery for use during power outages
- Bright built-in LED light
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy doors
- Somewhat noisy operation
5. Editor's pick: Genie GEN1035V
List Price: $199.99
Check on Amazon | Check on Walmart
Not every garage needs a high-powered, high-tech way to open its doors. Some homeowners just want a simple device to do the job reliably and not break the bank. If that sounds like you, the Genie 1035V is a terrific choice, especially if your garage door is on the smaller side and you don’t mind a little noise.
This model runs on a 0.5 hp motor and a chain drive, and it comes with essentials like a preprogrammed remote, a wall button, and safety sensors to prevent the door from closing on anything in its path.
Bear in mind that this is a basic model that doesn’t have its own lighting. But Genie’s Aladdin Connect adapter can be purchased separately, if you want to add smartphone controls and remote monitoring features.
Pros
- Safety sensors prevent the door from closing on obstacles
- Preprogrammed remote and wall button included
- Long-lasting and reliable operation for a budget-friendly price
- Five-piece rail system is easy to install
Cons
- Doesn’t have built-in lighting
- Must purchase an adapter for smartphone controls
Why Trust Us
Our commitment to the consumer begins with product selection and ends with the last word we write in each article. Each garage door opener is carefully vetted quantitatively through star ratings and the number of reviews and qualitatively through careful examination of reviews and the features each one has to offer. Leveraging our team of bargain hunters, we’re also always sure to keep your budget in mind while we find the best garage door openers on the market. Our team of experts is dedicated to accurately depicting the pros and cons of each garage door opener, translating technical product specifications into information you can understand. We aim to provide you with the most reliable and efficient garage door opening experience that your money can buy.
More From Money:
The Best Smart Thermostats for Your Money, According to Heating and Energy Experts
The Best Gutter Guards for Your Money, According to Roofers and Home Improvement Pros