The Best Garage Door Openers for 2022
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Best Garage Door Opener
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Today’s openers combine the classic mechanical setups with modern-day technology for efficiency and ease of use. To help you select which one is best for you, I have outlined the various features below along with a list of the best garage door openers currently available.
UPDATED: April 7, 2022.
MY TOP PICK:
If you are looking for the best overall, I recommend the Chamberlain B970 because it features a belt drive for quiet operation, built-in Wi-Fi to provide the door status from anywhere, and a battery backup so it works even if the power is out.
What is a garage door opener?
These devices use a combination of chains, rods, cables, or belts to lift the weight of a large garage door. The units usually consist of a compact yet powerful motor, along with remotes that allow you to easily control the door.
Different Types of Garage Door Openers
There are several different types of garage door openers. The two main types are drive and jackshaft openers, defined by the way they lift the door. Drive openers can be broken down further into three categories: chain-drive, belt-drive, and screw-drive.
Chain-drive models are built with a chain that pushes and pulls the garage door up and down. Older chain-drive models are famous for being loud— they’re responsible for the vibrations that wake your entire house up. But before you throw out chain-drive models altogether, know that most new models are equipped with special motors and ultra-quiet technology to soften the noise.
Chain-drive openers tend to be more affordable, and they’re a great choice for detached garages. They work for attached garages too: just make sure to look for a quiet model, especially if your bedroom or living space is right above the garage.
Belt-drive openers lift your garage door by using a rubber belt. These models are quiet, fast, and highly reliable. A belt-drive is a great choice if you’re concerned about noise. But they do tend to be a bit more expensive than chain-drive openers.
Screw-drive openers use a rotating rod to lift and lower the garage door. The units tend to be simple and low-maintenance. Many modern screw-drive units are built with temperature protection and noise reduction features. They’re also the fastest type of opener.
One thing to watch out for: screw-drive openers sometimes malfunction in areas with drastic temperature changes between seasons. This isn’t always the case, but it’s something to consider when you’re choosing the model.
See also: The Best Wireless Doorbells
Finally, jackshaft or wall-mounted openers are compact and save on space. They work well for small garages, thanks to the wall-mounted feature, but they are typically the most expensive type of unit. Jackshaft openers are dependable and very quiet, making them a great option for residential homes — as long as the cost is less of an issue.
Another benefit of this kind of opener is that it does not take up the garage ceiling space with a unit and rail assembly. Also, the vibrations through the ceiling are lower, making it ideal for homes where there are living areas over the garage. However, these units typically require other components including a torsion rod, tension monitor, and door lock.
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There are several ways to control the opening and closing of the door:
Wall Button
Often this is hardwired to the opener but it can be wireless. It is usually mounted next to the house entry door for attached garages. It is great for quick control from inside the garage but does not provide access from the outside like the keypads or remotes.
Standard garage wall button
Remotes
I am sure you are familiar with the simple remote controls that come with all openers. They are equipped with open and close buttons and typically have a range of around 1,000 feet or more. These will often go in your car so you can easily open and close the door when arriving and leaving.
If you need more than the number of included remotes you can often order them from the company or pick up some universal remotes from the hardware store. They can then be programmed to control multiple doors using the specific instructions provided with the opener.
Universal remote
Keypad
Typically mounts to the outside of the garage next to the door frame. It usually features a battery-powered wireless design so it makes it easy to install. It is equipped with a keypad to allow access via a pin number. These will usually come with a flip-up cover to protect the electronics from the elements.
Many keypad openers can be programmed with both permanent and temporary pin codes. The permanent codes are used for regular access by you and your household members and do not expire.
Temporary codes are typically designed just for single use. These offer the ability for you to provide someone with one-time access to your garage. For example, if a friend needs to get a box from you but you are not home. You can provide them with a temporary code, which allows them to get in once but doesn’t give them future access.
Outdoor keypad
Smartphone Apps
Most modern openers offer the ability to control and monitor the garage door from your smartphone. This is a great feature to have when you are on vacation or away from home. If you suddenly get the feeling you may have left the door open you can check it immediately. Another reason this feature might be helpful is if someone needs to access your garage and you are not home you can simply open it for them.
These systems vary by manufacturer, however, the standard setup is to connect the opener to your home WiFi. Then download the app to your phone that is associated with the system, a common one is the myQ app. This will then allow you to control various features of the door and monitor its open status.
Battery Backup
Some units include a battery backup system. This is helpful in the event of a power outage since it will still allow the door to operate.
Door Height
The standard garage door height is 7 feet. As a result, most openers are designed to work with this dimension. Please measure the height of your door before selecting a particular model. If you happen to have a taller door most manufacturers offer extension kits for 8 to 10-foot doors.
Now, on to the individual products. I’ve compiled a list of the top models available from well-known manufacturers including Chamberlain, LiftMaster, Craftsman, and more. Each unit has been assigned a key feature that makes it particularly noteworthy and has been broken down according to its essential functions to help you make an informed selection.
The following units are my picks for the best garage door openers for 2022.
Best Overall: The Chamberlain Smartphone-Controlled B970
Chamberlain has been around for 40 years, and the company specializes in high-tech smart home accessories. This B970 garage door opener lets you open and close your garage door with the one device you always have in your pocket: your smartphone.
The Chamberlain B970 uses a quiet, slow-closing belt drive with steel reinforcing. When the garage door is in motion, the sound is extremely quiet, no louder than a whisper. This is a great choice if you have an attached garage with bedrooms or living areas nearby. It’s also highly durable and will last for years.
The device comes with a battery backup so you won’t be stuck in case of a power outage. An indoor control panel displays the time and temperature along with the battery status. It also has a motion sensor that will turn on the lights, so you can easily pull into your garage at night.
While installation is not difficult, the WiFi can be tricky to set up. However, the garage door will work even if you don’t set up the WiFi right away.
Here’s a video that will walk you through the installation process:
Runner-up: The Direct Drive 1042V004
This German-engineered product is built to the highest quality. The innovative design runs smoothly and quietly, featuring a motor sprocket that runs along a fixed chain. The opener comes with a wall station and two remote controls, and it will fit openings up to 8 feet tall. It also has a soft start-and-stop to reduce wear on the door.
The Direct Drive 1042V004 comes with a lifetime warranty. You can install it yourself or pay a contractor to do it. It will likely take you about 2-4 hours to do it yourself. Sommer provides a how-to YouTube video along with an instruction manual. The product also comes with two lithium batteries for backup, so that you will still be able to operate your garage door in case of a power outage.
Best Jackshaft Design: The LiftMaster 8500 Elite
This product is an ideal choice if you want a completely silent model, or, if you want to free up space on your ceiling to use for additional storage. It runs on powerful p3 motors, and has a safety mechanism that keeps the door from shutting when something is in the way.
This jackshaft opener comes with an auto-locking feature so you don’t have to second-guess yourself all day when you’ve run out the door quickly in the morning. Just set the door to shut at a certain time, and then forget about it. You can also install an app that will alert you when the door opens. It’s the perfect choice for travelers or parents who want extra peace of mind.
For installation, you’ll need, at a minimum, 8 inches of room to the side and 3 inches of room above the garage door shaft. Due to the jackshaft design, the door closes with its own weight. Depending on the design of your garage door, you might need to purchase some springs to give the door an extra push to close.
You can see how the unit operates in this video:
Best LED Light: The Chamberlain B1381 with LED Lighting
Built by Chamberlain, this garage door opener comes with all-around LED lighting that is motion-activated. The lights are very bright and will fully illuminate the garage, making it easy for you to pull in or out in the dark. This is perfect for anyone who works the night shift or leaves and comes home during early morning hours.
The motor is almost completely silent: a great benefit if you have bedrooms above or near the garage. There’s also a safety mechanism that will keep the door from closing if there’s something blocking the way (a child, car bumper, toys, etc). This particular model is built for a standard 7-foot garage door opening. If your door is larger, purchase an extension kit.
Perhaps the greatest advantage to this unit is the fact that you can pair the garage door opener with a free MyQ app that allows you to open and close from your smartphone. The app allows you to set custom alerts. For example, you can be alerted when your garage door is left open for more than an hour, or when it opens between the hours of 9 am-5 pm.
Installation is fairly simple. The remotes and wireless keypad come pre-paired. All you have to do is set your keypad PIN. And, the remotes have a range up to 1,500 feet. The unit also comes with a battery backup that lasts for 1-2 years.
Most Quiet: The Atoms ATR-1611C by Skylink
Skylink is a company that designs Do-It-Yourself products for the everyday homeowner. They specialize in solutions that make your life better and are easy to install. This unit is a chain-drive and has an extremely quiet operation — ideal if you have sleeping children, a night work schedule, or bedrooms located near the garage.
The remote control works with a rolling code system. Essentially, every time you open your garage door, the remote control sends a unique, encrypted code. Has your garage door ever opened at a strange time of day? There’s a good chance that’s because a neighbor’s remote sent a signal to your garage door and opened it. That’s little more than an annoying inconvenience, but this loophole can be exploited by people trying to break into your home. Rolling code technology closes this loophole and makes it nearly impossible for outsiders to hack your system.
While this device is built for 7-foot garage doors, there are extension kits available for 8- or 10-foot doors. The unit is fairly easy to install and set up, and it also comes with a backup battery so you’re covered in case of power outages.
Best for Standard Doors: The Genie 7035-TKV
Genie garage door openers have been around since 1954. They offer trusted products for homeowners and have a friendly customer service team, available 6 days a week. Their 7035-TKV model is lightweight, easy to install, and comes with pre-programmed remotes so you can start using it right away.
This chain-drive model features a start-and-stop mechanism for extra safety, quiet, and longer-lasting components. It also features a vacation lock and light control, and comes with a battery backup that will open and close the door up to 50 times.
Installation is a breeze, with 5 simple snap-on pieces. The completed system is compatible with Homelink and Car2U technology. If you want to pair the system with a smart device like Alexa or Google Assistant, purchase the Aladdin Connect kit.
Best Wall Mounted: The Chamberlain RJO20 Direct Drive
As with the other Chamberlain devices, the RJO20 Direct Drive works with the MyQ app, so you can open and close the garage door (or get alerts when it is opened and closed) from your smartphone. This device is mounted on the wall, freeing up lots of space on your ceiling for storage.
With a whisper-quiet motor, this unit works well in residential homes. It’s great for DIY-ers, as the snap-lock rail system is simple to install. The remotes are pre-programmed, and Chamberlain has a library of online installation videos for extra guidance.
You can program the automatic door lock to safely deadbolt the door when it’s closed. This is great for fast-paced mornings (getting the kids off to school, for example) or for extra security during vacation. It also comes with one securely encrypted 3-button remote that is hack-resistant.
The unit also includes a 200-Watt light that is mounted separately to illuminate the garage. While it only comes with 1 remote, you can program the door to work with up to 3 remotes — just purchase them separately or reprogram existing remotes.
Best Wireless: The Heavy-Duty Genie ChainDrive 550, Model 2035-TKV
Made by Genie, this chain-drive unit will require almost no maintenance over time — and it’s a breeze to set up. The unit comes with pre-assembled chains and two remotes that are pre-programmed. All you have to do is snap together five pieces and choose a PIN for the wireless keypad. There’s no hardware required and you don’t even have to assemble the cables.
This system is built for 7-foot doors, though extension kits are available for different sizes. The included backup batteries will last up to 2 years. The model comes with a 10-year limited warranty on the motor, a 5-year warranty on the chain, and 1-year warranties on parts and accessories. It’s compatible with Homelink and car2U technology, so you can control the opener from your car.
Best for Smartphones: Chamberlain B550 with MED Lifting Power
Want to know what’s going on with your garage door? With this device by Chamberlain, you can receive notifications whenever your garage door is opened, closed, or left open for a certain period of time.
This device is designed with a steel-reinforced belt drive. This makes opening and closing almost completely silent — plus the components are highly durable so you won’t have to replace for years. This is a good choice if you’re thinking about selling your home in 5+ years, or just want reliability for yourself.
The unit comes with 2 remotes and a wireless exterior keypad that you can program with your own 4-digit PIN. The remotes are securely encrypted so you don’t have to worry about anyone hacking the technology to open your door. One of the only downsides to this device is that you can’t install LED lights, otherwise the range of your remotes will be drastically affected.
Up to 3 people can install the MyQ app to open/close the door and monitor activity from anywhere. This gives you greater peace of mind, whether you’re on vacation, a working parent, or using dog-walkers or contractors. The safety sensors are highly sensitive to anything that’s in the way, and they will reverse the garage door to protect you, your items, and the door itself.
Best Safety Sensors: Craftsman ½ HP Belt Drive
The Craftsman HP belt-drive garage door opener comes with a wireless entry pad and a secure rolling code system. It comes equipped with a wall controller that can operate the door and its lights separately to provide garage illumination without opening or closing the door. The opener can be programmed with a maximum of 24 permanent access codes and 24 temporary codes that allow for single access. For example, if you need someone to get into your garage once while you are away. Works with the myQ app, so from anywhere you can control and see real-time the status of your garage door.
Built for standard 7-foot garage doors, this unit comes with safety sensors that will stop the door from closing on an object. There are extension kits available separately that allow it to work with 8 to 10-foot door heights. The belt drive system provides an operation that is smooth and nearly silent.
I hope this list of the best garage door openers was helpful.
If you think I left out one that is important or have a suggestion for a future article, let me know in the comments below.
Brandon Hubbard, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C
