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I’ve lived with plenty of builder-grade garage door openers, and they all kind of blur together. They’re all loud, basic, and easy to forget. The Chamberlain 1 HP Belt Drive Garage Door Opener (Model B5330) was a completely different experience from day one. Even before I started using its smart features, the upgrade was obvious: it’s much quieter, smoother, and more refined than what I had before.
Best Automated Garage Door Opener
Photo: Paul Rankin for Bob Vila
I opted for professional installation. While the Chamberlain is definitely DIY-friendly (you don’t touch the garage door springs, which are the dangerous part), the mounting, alignment, wiring, sensor setup, and programming felt like enough work that I was happy to hand it off. That said, Chamberlain makes the process approachable with clear instructions and step-by-step 3D guidance in the BILT app, so confident DIYers should be just fine.
Once installed, the standout feature was immediately the myQ app. Being able to open and close my garage door from anywhere is genuinely game-changing. If someone needs access to the house while I’m away, I can let them in instantly. The built-in wide-angle camera lets me check on the garage at any time, which I didn’t think I’d use as much as I do—but it’s incredibly convenient.
One of my favorite everyday features is the motion-activated lighting. Walk into the garage at night, and the lights automatically turn on—no switches, no fumbling in the dark. It’s a small detail, but one that many openers skip, and I miss it immediately when I use other garages.
The myQ ecosystem goes even further. I’ve linked it to my Amazon account for in-garage deliveries, which means packages are dropped securely inside instead of sitting outside. Notifications are excellent too: I know exactly when the door opens or closes and how long it’s been open. I’ve also paired it with my electric car, so the door automatically closes when I leave and opens when I return. No remote, no tapping the app. It’s been flawless. I honestly can’t really think of anything to complain about here. Chamberlain did a great job. (They’re one of the top garage door brands for a reason.)
Maintenance has been minimal, and no more demanding than any other opener. Add in the battery backup (which offers huge peace of mind during Florida power outages), and this opener feels like a meaningful quality-of-life upgrade I plan to use every day.
Where to Buy
Chamberlain 1 HP Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
Buy at The Home Depot