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It used to be that a garage door opener’s controls were pretty basic. It raised or lowered the door with the push of a button from a remote or wall-mounted control, allowing access to the garage. However, like many modern home appliances, devices, and gizmos, today’s garage door openers now have smart technology that allows control through a smartphone app.
Along with deciding whether to go with smart controls, one also needs to choose the right model to suit the size and weight of their garage door. Our top pick is the Genie 7155 StealthDrive Connect Garage Door Opener. It’s quiet, easy to install, has a battery backup, and is packed full of useful smart features, all at a relatively affordable price point.
In this guide, I’ll explore the smart functions that today’s garage door openers offer, along with vital features such as horsepower (hp) and type. I’ve carefully reviewed specs and customer reviews for more than 20 different models, and our team has interviewed experienced garage door installers to produce a well-curated list of the best garage door openers on the market.
- BEST OVERALL: Genie 7155 StealthDrive Connect Garage Door Opener
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Genie 2055 QuietLift 550 Garage Door Opener
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SCREW-DRIVE: Genie Signature Series Screw-Drive Garage Door Opener
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WITH CAMERA: Chamberlain B4643T Secure View Garage Door Opener
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR HEAVY DOORS: Chamberlain B6713T LED Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
↓ Jump to Review - BEST WALL-MOUNT: Genie Wall-Mount Smart Garage Door Opener
↓ Jump to Review - BEST QUIET: Chamberlain B2405 Quiet Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR MULTIDOOR GARAGES: Chamberlain C2405 Quiet Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR DOUBLE DOOR: BeamUp The Workhorse BU100 Garage Door Opener
↓ Jump to Review
Garage Door Openers Comparison
| Product | Type | Horsepower | Smart Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Genie 7155 StealthDrive Connect Garage Door Opener | Belt-drive | 1¼ | Yes |
| Genie 2055 QuietLift 550 Garage Door Opener | Belt-drive | ½ | No |
| Genie Signature Series Screw-Drive Garage Door Opener | Screw-drive | 2 | Yes |
| Chamberlain B4643T Secure View Garage Door Opener | Belt-drive | ¾ | Yes |
| Chamberlain B6713T LED Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener | Belt-drive | 1¼ | Yes |
| Genie Wall-Mount Smart Garage Door Opener | Wall-mount | 24V | Yes |
| Chamberlain B2405 Quiet Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener | Belt-drive | ½ | Yes |
| Chamberlain C2405 Quiet Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener | Chain-drive | ½ | Yes |
| BeamUp The Workhorse BU100 Garage Door Opener | Chain-drive | ¾ | No |
Our Top Picks
The list below considers key factors to consider when looking for the best garage door opener for residential needs. In addition to basic, affordable options, there are more advanced smart garage door openers you can choose from.
Best Overall
Genie 7155 StealthDrive Connect Garage Door Opener
Buy at Amazon Buy at Lowe's Buy at Walmart
What We Like
- Compatible with Alexa, Google Home, and more
- Includes keypad, remotes, and wall panel
- Features a powerful motor and durable steel-reinforced belt
- Battery backup for when the power goes out
What We Don’t Like
- Extension rails required for taller 8-foot-high garage doors
Product Specs
- Type: Belt-drive
- Horsepower: 1¼
- Smart functions: Yes
Genie manages to pack a lot of features into this reasonably priced belt-driven garage door opener, including Wi-Fi connectivity, making it one of the best all-around options for garage door openers. I like that this opener checks all the boxes regarding features, with two wireless remotes, a wall-mount console, a keypad, a battery backup, and wireless connectivity. It’s also powerful enough to handle heavier doors thanks to its 1¼ hp motor, and it features a steel-reinforced belt, which helps it to be both durable and quiet.
Genie’s Aladdin app allows users to check the status of the door as well as operate it or program the door to auto-close after it’s been left open for a certain amount of time. It will also pair with a digital assistant for voice control.
Get the Genie StealthDrive garage door opener at Amazon, Lowe’s, or Walmart.
Best Bang for the Buck
Genie 2055 QuietLift 550 Garage Door Opener
Buy at Amazon
What We Like
- One of the most affordable belt-drive door openers
- Boasts quiet operation
- Compatible with HomeLink and Car2U built-in remotes
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t support smart connectivity
Product Specs
- Type: Belt-drive
- Horsepower: ½
- Smart functions: No
This bare-bones garage door opener is a great buy for those who aren’t interested in all the bells and whistles that typically boost the price of other garage door openers. With its ½ hp motor, it’s capable of lifting garage doors of up to 500 pounds. And it uses a belt drive, which makes it much quieter than chain-drive garage door openers.
There’s no Wi-Fi connectivity with this opener, and it lacks a keypad, but it does include a wireless garage door opener that can go in the car. It also works with the HomeLink and Car2U system that is in many late-model cars, eliminating the need for an opener.
Get the Genie QuietLift garage door opener at Amazon.
Best Screw-Drive
Genie Signature Series Screw-Drive Garage Door Opener
Buy at The Home Depot
What We Like
- Faster than most chain- or belt-drive options
- Smart connectivity is compatible with digital assistants
- Large 2 hp motor
What We Don’t Like
- Does not come with a keypad control
- No backup battery for power outages
Product Specs
- Type: Screw-drive
- Horsepower: 2
- Smart functions: Yes
Those who want more power and speed out of their garage door opener may want to look no further than this screw-drive garage door opener from Genie. Its 2 hp motor and screw-drive feature make it twice as fast as most chain- or belt-drive garage door openers while maintaining quiet operation.
In addition to being fast, it also has robust smart controls. It uses Genie’s Aladdin Connect Wi-Fi smartphone technology, which allows the user to control the door from a smartphone or with voice command via a digital assistant. The Aladdin app allows users to monitor this Wi-Fi garage door opener’s status, open or close it, set schedules, and create codes for temporary access. While the Genie Signature Series opener also comes with wall-mount controls and two wireless remotes, it does not include a keypad.
Get the Genie Signature Series garage door opener at The Home Depot.
Best With Camera
Chamberlain B4643T Secure View Garage Door Opener
Buy at Lowe's Buy at The Home Depot
What We Like
- Live video monitoring via a 1080p camera
- Smart controls to set schedules and program access
- Quiet belt drive isn’t disruptive to adjoining rooms
- Video camera includes a 2-way mic
What We Don’t Like
- Camera doesn’t connect to other security camera systems
Product Specs
- Type: Belt-drive
- Horsepower: ¾
- Smart functions: Yes
While a doorbell camera may be a great security tool for a front door, it won’t allow users to see who’s coming and going if the garage door is the home’s most-used entrance, which is often the case. This model from Chamberlain fixes that issue thanks to a 1080p motion-activated camera that streams live and recorded video footage to a smartphone via the myQ app.
In addition to providing remote garage surveillance, the app also allows users to set schedules, open and close the door, and program access. An integrated speaker allows for two-way communication between a smart device and the garage, while a belt drive powered by a ¾ hp motor makes it one of the best quiet garage door opener options. Chamberlain also makes accessing the garage versatile thanks to a wireless keypad, two wireless remotes, and a wall-mounted control panel.
Get the Chamberlain Secure View garage door opener at Lowe’s or The Home Depot.
Best For Heavy Doors
Chamberlain B6713T LED Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
Buy at Amazon Buy at Lowe's Buy at The Home Depot
What We Like
- Robust app allows users to control many features
- Has a battery backup
- Features a quiet belt drive and powerful motor
What We Don’t Like
- Doesn’t support digital assistants
Product Specs
- Type: Belt-drive
- Horsepower: 1¼
- Smart functions: Yes
This garage door opener gives users multiple ways to control heavy doors, including wireless openers, a keypad, a wall-mount console, and wireless connectivity. The Chamberlain connects to a Wi-Fi connection, permitting users to operate the door via the myQ app, which allows users to monitor the status of the door and open or close it from a smartphone. It can also be operated via the included garage door opener remote or through the use of a universal garage door opener.
Like a smart door lock on a home’s front door, users can program this garage door opener to give temporary access to friends, family, or technicians through programmable app permissions. The app also allows users to set specific times for the door to open and close. In addition to its smart connectivity, this opener has other attractive features, including a battery backup to cover power outages.
Get the Chamberlain LED Wi-Fi garage door opener at Amazon, Lowe’s, or The Home Depot.
Best Wall-Mount
Genie Wall-Mount Smart Garage Door Opener
Buy at Amazon Buy at The Home Depot
What We Like
- Deadbolt security locks automatically engage when door closes
- Safety system monitors cable tension
- High weight capacity of up to 850 pounds
- Wireless wall controls free up the ceiling
- Includes Bluetooth LED light and a backup battery
What We Don’t Like
- Very expensive, even when compared to similar models
- Doesn’t include keypad controller for garage door entryway
Product Specs
- Type: Wall-mount
- Voltage: 24V
- Smart functions: Yes
This wall-mounted garage door opener mounts to the wall next to the garage door, freeing up the ceiling space for other needs, such as storage. It also happens to be loaded with additional features that improve functionality as well as security. This includes a deadbolt system that automatically engages when the door is closed, providing added security that prevents the door from being forced open. It also comes with Genie’s Safe-T-Pulse system, which monitors the cable tension on the door before closing it, ensuring no accidental drops. And, with its 850-pound lift capacity, it’s suitable for heavier doors.
This wall-mount garage door opener is also Wi-Fi capable and works with Genie’s Aladdin app, which gives users robust control and programming options via a smartphone. Other useful features include a Bluetooth LED light, a backup battery, and wireless wall-mounted controls.
Get the Genie wall-mount smart garage door opener at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Best Quiet
Chamberlain B2405 Quiet Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
Buy at Amazon Buy at Lowe's Buy at Walmart
What We Like
- A quiet motor and belt drive cut down on noise
- Can be controlled via a smartphone
- Features an advanced level of encryption
What We Don’t Like
- Only has a ½ hp motor
Product Specs
- Type: Belt-drive
- Horsepower: ½
- Smart functions: Yes
The combination of a quiet motor with a belt drive makes this garage door opener from Chamberlain one of the quietest options on the market. This stealth design makes it ideal for a garage that adjoins a bedroom or nursery. Aside from being one of the quieter garage door openers, it also comes with many features. I like that there are multiple ways to control it, including the myQ smartphone app, remote control, keypad, or wall panel control.
Chamberlain also uses Security+ 2.0 control encryption, making it very difficult to hack into the opener’s radio signals. This quiet garage door opener does lack the strength of other garage door openers with its ½ hp motor, which limits its lifting weight to 350 pounds.
Get the Chamberlain B2405 garage door opener at Amazon (accessories included), Lowe’s, or Walmart.
Best for Multidoor Garages
Chamberlain C2405 Quiet Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
Buy at Amazon Buy at The Home Depot Buy at Walmart
What We Like
- Affordable price for multidoor garages
- Compatible with myQ app for smartphone control
- Comes with many useful accessories
What We Don’t Like
- Uses a chain drive (noisier than belt drives)
- ½ hp motor may lack power
Product Specs
- Type: Chain-drive
- Horsepower: ½
- Smart functions: Yes
This garage door opener is affordable enough that users won’t mind buying two or more of them to outfit a multicar garage, yet it still retains all the features found on higher-priced models. The Chamberlain C2405 works with the myQ app, allowing it to be controlled via a smartphone. It also comes with a keypad control panel, two remote controls, and a wall-mount panel.
The Chamberlain C2405’s motor is smaller than other garage door openers at ½ hp (a large part of why it’s more affordable). However, that smaller size is more than enough to handle the smaller doors found in a garage with multiple doors. While the C2405’s chain drive makes it noisier than other belt-driven smart garage door openers, it’s a fair trade-off for anyone looking to purchase more than one garage door opener.
Get the Chamberlain C2405 garage door opener at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Walmart.
Best for Double Door
BeamUp The Workhorse BU100 Garage Door Opener
Buy at Amazon Buy at The Home Depot
What We Like
- Lifting capacity of ¾ hp for heavy-duty use
- Ultraquiet 24V DC motor
- 120-watt transformer for long-lasting use
- Features a built-in 1,500 lumen LED light
- 1-button remote control for ease of use
What We Don’t Like
- No smart features integrated into the design
Product Specs
- Type: Chain-drive
- Horsepower: ¾
- Smart function: No
Those who need a straightforward garage door opener for double doors can rely on the BeamUp BU100 overhead garage door opener, also known as “The Workhorse.” Made with a chain-drive system, this durable model has a lifting capacity of ¾ hp and a long-lasting, ultraquiet 24V DC motor and 120 watt transformer. For versatility, this opener is compatible with 8-foot-by-7-foot garage doors to 16-foot-by-7-foot double doors.
Need more? This garage door opener has a wall-mounted push button and one-button remote control as well as a safety sensor to prevent unwanted opening or closing. The BeamUp model also has a built-in 1,500 lumen LED light for visibility in dimly lit garage spaces.
Get the BeamUp garage door opener at Amazon or The Home Depot.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Chose the Best Garage Door Openers
I considered several criteria when making our list of the top garage door openers. While most garage door openers have plenty of lifting capacity, not all include smart features. I chose mainly smart garage doors with robust controls that allow the owner to operate the door remotely, set schedules to automatically open and close the door, and create permissions for granting (and removing) access to family members, friends, and service providers like dog walkers, cleaners, and repair men and women.
Since garage doors can be surprisingly loud, I also leaned toward belt-drive models that offer quiet operation at an affordable price. For our high-performance selections, I favored screw-driven garage door openers, which boast the most lifting power while also being twice as fast as other garage door opener types.
Finally, garage door openers that offered the most versatility by including remotes, wall-mounted controls, garage door keypads, and smart controls ranked higher than those that did not include all of these options.
What to Consider When Choosing a Garage Door Opener
Read on to learn about the different types of garage door openers on the market as well as other features that are vital to consider when shopping for one, including horsepower and smart features.
Types of Garage Door Openers
When it comes to choosing a garage door opener, there’s more than one type to consider. “The vast majority of the products we install are one of four types: belt-driven, chain-driven, screw-driven, or wall-mounted,” says Craig Focht, CEO at All Pro Door Repair in the Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas area. “Chain-driven openers are by far the most common, for reasons of longevity and ability to move heavier doors with less difficulty. Belt-driven units have the advantage of being much quieter, which is important to many if there is a bedroom above or adjacent to the garage.”
- Chain-driven: Well regarded for its strength and affordability, a chain-driven garage door opener uses a chain that pulls a trolley up a track, lifting the door. This type of garage door opener is very durable, but the metal chain can be noisy.
- Belt-driven: Belt-driven garage door openers use a rubber belt to pull a trolley that connects to the garage door. They are quieter and require less maintenance than chain-drive openers, but they are also more expensive.
- Screw-driven: This type of garage door opener uses a threaded steel rod and a wire. The steel rod rotates, wrapping the wire around it, which pulls up the door. They work more quickly than other garage door openers but generally require more maintenance.
- Wall-mounted: Wall-mounted garage door openers mount to the wall beside the garage door as opposed to mounted on the ceiling. Sometimes called side-mounted garage door openers, they feature a design that is ideal for garages with low ceilings or for those who want to free up the ceiling space above the vehicle for storage or other uses.
Size of the Door
Nearly all garage door openers are designed to work with a door that is 7 feet tall, which is the standard height of a garage door. To use a garage door opener for a garage door that is 8 or 9 feet tall requires a compatible extension kit, which is sold separately.
Horsepower and Lifting Capacity
Garage door openers typically have motors that range from ½ hp to 2 hp. The more horsepower a garage door opener has, the more weight the opener can lift.
Generally speaking, a ⅓ hp garage door opener will be able to lift a 1-car garage door. A ½ hp opener, which can lift up to 300 pounds, can handle most 2-car garage doors, while a 1½ hp garage door opener is suitable for heavier wood garage doors of up to 400 pounds.
Battery Backup
While garage door openers add convenience, they can also leave users trapped outside during a power failure. “Battery backup is a very common accessory, and in my opinion should be standard, at least in an area like ours where storms can take the power out with little warning,” says Focht. “In the event of a major storm or power outage, a battery backup allows you to open the door with zero fuss. This is convenient when you have children in the car or have to get to work. Most newer openers will have this included, but it’s something to look for.” Most battery backups can raise and lower a garage door about 50 times on a single charge.
Safety and Security
Garage door openers do have the potential to be dangerous as they create enough force to crush someone in the event they are caught underneath them. All garage door openers come with laser sensors that are installed on either side of the door, no more than 6 inches off the ground. These sensors automatically stop the door from closing if the laser eye is tripped, preventing pets and children from being trapped under the closing door.
These openers add garage door security by preventing the door from being opened manually when the door is closed. Some higher-end garage doors have deadbolt locks that engage automatically when the door closes, locking the garage door and adding an extra layer of security. Others have alerts that let the user know when the door has been left open, helping to protect items stored in the garage.
Smart Features
Many garage door openers have smart capabilities that allow them to connect to a smart device via Wi-Fi, turning the smart device into an automatic garage door opener. Using the garage door’s compatible app, users can monitor the door’s status, open and close the door remotely, and even perform more advanced functions, such as scheduling specific times for the door to open and close and setting permissions to allow visitors to access the garage door’s controls.
The compatible apps also allow users to set alerts in the event the garage door is accidentally left open. Many smart garage door openers are also compatible with digital assistants such as Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, ideal for shoppers who use other types of outdoor smart-tech, such as automatic gate openers or smart garage lighting.
FAQs
The size opener needed depends on the size and type of garage door that it will need to operate. For a 1-car garage, a garage door opener needs to have at least ⅓ hp. Most sectional 2-car garage doors require a ½ hp opener, while heavier wooden or insulated garage doors require a 1¼ hp or even a 2 hp opener.
Although programming may vary a little from garage door opener to garage door opener, most use the same general method. Locate the learn button near the antenna on the garage door opener. Press and release the button. Within 30 seconds, press and hold the button on the remote you wish to connect to for a few seconds and then release.
Most sectional 2-car garage doors require an opener with at least ½ hp (enough to lift up to up to 350 pounds); however, an opener with a more powerful motor will open the garage door more smoothly and with less wear and tear on the opener, extending its life. For best performance and longevity, purchase a garage door opener with a ¾ hp motor.
A belt-drive garage door opener requires less maintenance and is smoother and quieter than a chain-drive system. However, a belt-drive system is also more expensive. Chain-drive systems have more tensile strength than belt-drive garage door openers, allowing them to lift more weight than a belt-drive.
A garage door opener can last for 10 to 15 years. Exactly how long a garage door opener lasts depends on how frequently it opens and closes, the weight of the door, and how well it is maintained.
You can extend the life of a garage door opener by reducing the amount of resistance it has to overcome. Make sure the door is properly aligned and that the rollers are in good working condition.
There are a few telltale signs of a failing garage door opener. One of the most common signs is if the garage door begins to open and then suddenly reverses. A garage door opener that vibrates noisily, moves slowly, or gets stuck is also likely near the end of its life.
Most garage door openers can be installed with basic tools and general knowledge of carpentry, making it a doable DIY project. That said, make sure to check the warranty before installing a garage door opener on your own, as some manufacturers will void the warranty if the opener is not professionally installed.
