Garage door openers are tools which help to save the hassle of getting in and out of your vehicle, just to close the door.
Despite it not being too much of a task, we still want to drive our car into the garage without any physical exertion.
A garage door opener is convenient equipment to have which also provides you with additional security. You’ll be informed if the door isn’t properly closed thus reducing the chances of a robbery.
Contents
- 1 Types of Garage Door Openers
- 2 Best Chain Drive Garage Door Openers Review
- 2.1 1Chamberlain C410 Durable Chain Drive Garage Door Opener
- 2.2 2Chamberlain C450 Smartphone-Controlled Durable Chain Drive Garage Door Opener
- 2.3 3Genie ChainMax 1000 Chain Drive Garage Door Opener 3/4 HPc DC
- 2.4 4Chamberlain C870 Smartphone-Controlled Durable Chain Drive Garage Door Openert
- 2.5 5LiftMaster 1355 Contractor Series 0.5hp Chain Drive Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
- 3 Best Belt Drive Garage Door Openers
- 3.1 6Chamberlain B970 Smartphone-Controlled Quiet & Strong Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
- 3.2 7Chamberlain B550 Smartphone-Controlled Quiet & Strong Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
- 3.3 8Chamberlain B503 Ultra-Quiet & Strong Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
- 3.4 9LiftMaster 3280 Premium Series 0.5HP Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
- 3.5 10 Chamberlain WD832KEVG 0.5HP Ultra-Quiet Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
- 4 Best Garage Door Openers: Editor’s Top 3 Picks Comparison Chart
- 5 Best Garage Door Openers Buying Guide
Types of Garage Door Openers
All garage door openers usually operate in the same way. Despite a similar design, the drive mechanism used varies. There are five kinds of openers:
Belt-drive garage door opener
A belt made of either steel-reinforced rubber, Kevlar polymer, fiberglass or polyurethane drives the trolley; opening the garage door.
Such openers are quiet and operate smoothly. They can also lift oversized and heavy doors. While they hardly require maintenance, these are expensive.
Chain-drive garage door opener
In such openers, a bike-style chain is looped around the rail that pulls the trolley. Such openers are durable, affordable, and can easily open old and oversized doors.
You can even use such openers when there is no power. However, these are noisy and need periodic maintenance.
Screw-drive garage door openers
As the name suggests, a long screw lifts the door. A threaded and long metal rotates moves the trolley along its track when it rotates.
The good thing about such openers is that they are less noisy than chain-drive openers. Plus, these have fewer moving parts and are more durable too.
While they are quite fast, such openers require lubrication to prevent wear.
Direct-drive garage door opener
A stationary chain drives the motor along in such kinds of openers. Since there is one moving part only, the motor is reliable and extremely quiet.
On the other hand, these are quite expensive, and you won’t find a lot of options on the market.
Jackshaft garage door openers
Instead of being mounted on the garage’s ceiling, these openers are mounted on the wall. While these are extremely expensive, they are highly secure.
The deadbolt mechanism of this opener locks the door when it is closed. Such openers allow plenty on-board computerization and are quite durable.
However, it is noisy, requires frequent maintenance, and works only on sectional doors.
The two most commonly used garage door openers are belt-drive and chain-drive openers.
To save you the hassle of extensive research, we have listed the ten best garage door openers. We read what customers have to say about the openers so that making a choice is easier for you.
Best Chain Drive Garage Door Openers Review
1Chamberlain C410 Durable Chain Drive Garage Door Opener
4.5 / 5A reliable garage door opener, the C410 is easy to install and smoothly operating option. It is one of the best garage door openers and has commendable safety features.
It is powered by Chamberlain’s lift power system, thus making the opener a long-lasting and durable option. The C410 has a high lifting capacity compared to many other ½ power class openers.
The unit is designed for keeping security and safety in mind. It is equipped with security features like Posilock protection against forced entry and security+2.0 code encryption.
Meanwhile, features like the enhanced TriBand frequency technology ensures superior performance and range. Other features also include a wireless exterior keypad and dual function wall control.
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Pros
- Smooth operation
- Extremely quiet
- Easy to install
Cons
- Can’t use a universal remote for the integrated buttons
- Opener requires reprogramming quite frequently
Who Should Buy It?
If you have a 7-feet garage door, then this is one of the best garage door openers you can get.
2Chamberlain C450 Smartphone-Controlled Durable Chain Drive Garage Door Opener
4.4 / 5The Chamberlain 450 is quite similar to the C410 mentioned above. The smart technology of this best garage door opener gives you more control. It also makes it easy to manage your home.
Moreover, Chamberlain’s lift power system delivers a high lifting capacity.
The built-in Wi-Fi feature lets you control the door with the company’s MyQ App. With the app, you can open, close, get real-time alerts, and know the door’s status.
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Pros
- Easy to program
- Painless installation
- Quiet compared to many other models
Cons
- Not compatible with Google Home
- Wi-Fi set up is problematic
Who Should Buy It?
This garage door opener has been specifically designed for 7-feet garage doors. Since it offers a high lifting capacity, it is suitable for those that have a heavy garage door. Heavy doors include doors made of steel.
3Genie ChainMax 1000 Chain Drive Garage Door Opener 3/4 HPc DC
3.9 / 5Apart from being long-lasting, reliable, and dependable, the ChainMax is also affordable. It has a superior design which also ensures quiet operation.
The best garage door opener for traditional chain drive operation is this one by Genie. Apart from being long-lasting, reliable, and dependable, the ChainMax is also affordable.
It has a superior design which also ensures quiet operation. The ChainMax garage door opener is equipped with a powerful 140-volt DC motor that allows smoother door travel.
It also comes with multiple accessories that allow ease of use. It also comes with many safety and security features.
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Pros
- Clear instructions allow easy installation
- Very quiet
- Easy to program the two remotes
Cons
- Opening speed is relatively slow
- Some parts are made of plastic thus are not durable
Who Should Buy It?
The ChainMax 1000 is an ideal option for residential garage doors that have a height of up to 7 feet. It is best for those looking for a secure option that connects with HomeLink or Car2U.
4Chamberlain C870 Smartphone-Controlled Durable Chain Drive Garage Door Openert
4.4 / 5Engineered using smart technology, it makes it simple to manage your garage door. It is strong enough to withstand tough weather conditions.
Yet another best garage door opener by Chamberlain, this unit is a highly durable unit. Engineered using smart technology, it makes it simple to manage your garage door.
It is strong enough to withstand tough weather conditions. Plus, the precision engineering and anti-vibration technology ensure smooth performance and years of reliability.
Like other Chamberlain models, this is also powered by the lift power system that provides the maximum lifting capacity in this category.
The MyQ app and built-in Wi-Fi allow you to open, close, get real-time alerts and check the door’s status from anywhere.
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Pros
- Easy to understand instructions
- Controllers have a great range
- Quiet and runs well
Cons
- Wi-Fi feature is not too efficient
- Customer support is not really efficient
Who Should Buy It?
It is ideal for 7 feet garage doors. You can also use it for 8-feet and 10-feet doors with an extension kit. It is most suitable for areas with frequent power shortage as it comes with backup power. Moreover, If you have a heavy garage door, then the max lifting capacity of this door opener is ideal.
5LiftMaster 1355 Contractor Series 0.5hp Chain Drive Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
4.5 / 5It is designed, keeping in mind security and efficiency in mind. Moreover, the built-in Wi-Fi ensures easy connectivity.
There are numerous features that compelled us to include this product in our list of best garage door openers. It is designed, keeping in mind security and efficiency in mind. Moreover, the built-in Wi-Fi ensures easy connectivity.
With the MyQ mobile app, users can control the door and receive alerts from anywhere. There are numerous security features. The Security+2.0 sends a unique code with each remote click so that only you can open the door.
Moreover, Posilock protects against a forced opening. Meanwhile, the alert-2-close sends a signal when MyQ is closing the door. The protector system’s invisible light beam reverse the door automatically in case of an obstruction.
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Pros
- Easy to install
- Available at a decent cost
- Adjustment is easy once understood
Cons
- You will need to purchase a universal keypad
- Might need a compatibility bridge
Who Should Buy It?
Like other best garage door openers in this list, this unit is also suitable for doors with a height of 7-feet. It is most suited for those looking to stay connected and control the entry and exit of their house regardless of where they are. Thanks to its Wi-Fi capability, it can be operated from anywhere.
Best Belt Drive Garage Door Openers
6Chamberlain B970 Smartphone-Controlled Quiet & Strong Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
4.5 / 5The B970 is fitted with an extra durable steel-reinforced technology. Apart from being extremely quiet, the unit also features smart-technology that make the door easy to manage.
Like other models from the same company, the B970 also comes with the MyQ app. As a result, you can get real-time alerts and know all about your door from anywhere.
Thanks to the anti-vibration technology, the garage ensures smooth and quiet performance. Moreover, the battery backup lets you use the opener without power.
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Pros
- Reliable customer service
- Assembly is pretty straightforward
- Very silent
Cons
- Connecting the door to a router wirelessly is difficult
- Costs extra for integration with IFTT, Google Home, or Amazon Alexa
Who Should Buy It?
Due to the anti-vibration feature, this is the ideal option for those with attached garages. Moreover, like other Chamberlain products, it is suitable for door measuring 7-feet in height.
7Chamberlain B550 Smartphone-Controlled Quiet & Strong Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
4.3 / 5This model too is a strong, durable, and quiet garage door opener. Smart technology along with steel-reinforced belt drive gives you more control.
The B970 and B550 are quite similar in terms of functionality and application. This model too is a strong, durable, and quiet garage door opener. Smart technology along with steel-reinforced belt drive gives you more control.
It is also precision-engineered thus ensuring reliability for years to come. It offers a smooth and quiet operation that you can sleep through easily.
Like other Chamberlain models, the door opener provides a high lifting capacity. Similarly, Chamberlain MyQ app and built-in Wi-Fi give you control of your door from anywhere.
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Pros
- Operates very quietly
- Very easy to install even without prior experience
- Easily controlled over the net
Cons
- You’ll have to pay to use the connected features
- You might need to purchase a separate homelink bridge
Who Should Buy It?
People with shared or attached garages can find this to be the most suitable option. You can open or close your garage door without disturbing your neighbor with vibrations thanks to the anti-vibration technology.
8Chamberlain B503 Ultra-Quiet & Strong Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
4.3 / 5The B503 is powered by the MED lift power system that delivers a great lifting system. The efficient power allows reliable performance and effortless lifting.
The B503 has the MED lift power system that delivers a great lifting system. The efficient power allows reliable performance and effortless lifting.
Another great feature is the superior range. It has 2-3 button controls which allow you to control 3 openers.
It also features exclusive Triband technology which can boost remote range up to 1,500 feet. As a result, you can enjoy quicker entry and exit. It also comes with numerous security features.
The security+2.00 along with 100 billion code encryption keeps you safe from hacking. At the same time, Posilock ensures anti-theft protection.
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Pros
- Quiet operation
- Easy to program
- Nice remote range
Cons
- Installation is a little difficult and time consuming
- Have to pay for Alexa support through IFFT
Who Should Buy It?
It is perfect for those that have a garage door measuring 7-feet in height. Ideal for those looking for a powerful yet silent option as to not disturb others.
9LiftMaster 3280 Premium Series 0.5HP Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
4.3 / 5LiftMaster’s 0.5HP motor belt drive system offers reliable performance and smooth-running power each year.
LiftMaster’s 0.5HP motor belt drive system offers reliable performance and smooth-running power each year.
With the MyQ app, users can control and monitor the houselights and garage door with their device remotely.
You can rely on this garage door opener to work for years to come!
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Pros
- Easy to install
- Available at a great price
- Wi-Fi control works perfectly
Cons
- You might have to purchase a universal remote
- Problematic to use with multiple garage doors
Who Should Buy It?
It is built for people with 7-feet garage doors. Furthermore, apart from being the ideal choice for high security, it is a suitable option for those looking to stay connected.
10 Chamberlain WD832KEVG 0.5HP Ultra-Quiet Belt Drive Garage Door Opener
4.5 / 5The opener adds convenience with its timer-to-close function. So, if you forget to close the door, it will automatically close.
The last product on our list of best garage door openers is the perfect blend between quiet and power. This ultimate blend is possible because of the 0.5 HP steel-reinforced belt drive.
Another impressive feature is the motor vibration isolation system. Consequently, this eliminates powerhead vibration which in turn reduces noise.
In addition, the opener also adds convenience with its timer-to-close function. So, if you forget to close the door, it will automatically close.
Moreover, the MyQ technology lets you open, close, and monitor the door from anywhere only using your smartphone.
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Pros
- Smooth installation
- Wi-Fi remote works great
- Super quiet
Cons
- Garage door jerks on closing
- Not programmable
Who Should Buy It?
This garage door opener seems to be the best options if you have rooms above the garage. Since it is extremely quiet, it won’t disturb the residents overhead.
Best Garage Door Openers: Editor’s Top 3 Picks Comparison Chart
Below are the 3 out of the 10 best choices that I’ve picked out for you:
| Best of The Best | Best Value | Also Great | |
| | | |
| 4.5 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |  3.8 / 5 | |
Chain drive | Belt drive | Belt drive | |
0.5 HP | 1.25 HP | 0.5 HP | |
AC | DC | AC | |
Easy to install | Easy to install | Easy to install | |
Quiet Operation | Quiet Operation | Quiet Operation | |
Best Garage Door Openers Buying Guide
Apart from the type, you should also consider the following features to purchase the best garage door opener:
Motor types
Garage door openers come with either a DC or AC motor. AC motors are more reliable and affordable. Meanwhile, DC models don’t make a lot of noise and are smaller too.
Lifting power
The lifting power refers to the horsepower needed to lift or close the door. The standard range of horsepower is 0.5 to 1.5 HP. On one end, 0.5 HP is sufficient for majority types of doors.
However, it might not be able to lift doors made of solid wood. On the other hand, high-powered models are able to lift doors with less effort. Plus, with higher horsepower, opening and closing the door is quicker and smoother.
Home-automation system
With a home-automation system, you can control the garage door opener remotely.
Battery backup
Even if the power is out, this feature lets you use the garage door opener
Built-in Wi-Fi
With this feature, you can connect your opener to a wireless network. Then, you can control it and check its status from anywhere you are.
Dual frequency
A dual frequency garage door opener lets the remote switch between two frequencies. This way, you can minimize interference if you live in a densely populated area.
Safety features
Make sure your chosen garage door opener has features that prevent it from suddenly falling on you. There are cases where the belt malfunctions and a 600-pound door might just fall on you!
So, the garage door opener you choose should have commendable safety features.
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