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The 8 Best Garage Door Openers of 2024

Including popular picks from Genie, Chamberlain, and LiftMaster

Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Opener

The Spruce / Amelia Manley

Modern garage door openers are less noisy, more efficient, and faster than they were in the past. Plus, they include vital safety features, such as sensors that prevent closing when anything is blocking the door. If you haven’t upgraded your garage door opener in a while, you might be missing out on important safety and security improvements, along with automatic security lighting, wireless keypads for guest access, and smart home connectivity that enables remote control via your phone.

According to Tommy Mello, chief executive officer and owner of A1 Garage Door Service, selecting a garage door opener is complicated by a number of factors. “The most important variable to consider when it comes to a garage door opener is ceiling height, or headroom as we call it in the door industry,” says Mello. High ceilings work with most openers, while low ceilings complicate matters. According to Mello, “Older properties that house a swing or one piece-style garage door may not have the necessary amount of headroom to accommodate a modern sectional garage door.” You may still be able to use a low-profile garage door opener in these situations, but it’s important to measure your ceilings and understand the limitations.

Garage door openers can last for decades with the right maintenance, which is why selecting one with all the features and accessories you need is so important. We evaluated dozens of models from all of the top manufacturers, first looking at horsepower and drive style, and then features like extra remotes, wireless keypads, security lighting, and Wi-Fi connectivity.

What to Know Before You Get Started

Installation Requirements

The most important installation requirements are ceiling clearance and electrical outlets, but it’s also important to consider the type and weight of your garage door. According to Mello, “8 to 12 feet is the minimum amount of headroom required for proper installation.” If your ceilings aren’t high enough, you may need a low profile garage door opener, and low headroom conversion kit, or you might find it impossible to use a sectional door at all. If your ceilings are too high, then you may need to use a direct drive opener. If you don’t have an available electrical outlet, then you’ll need to enlist the services of a licensed electrician.

Accessories

A garage door opener needs to come with at least one remote, a wall switch or control panel, safety sensors, and a rail. “It is not advised to adapt a new power head to an old rail system in any application,” says Mello. Other useful accessories and features include additional remotes, a wireless keypad, LED lighting, battery backups, and Wi-Fi connectivity to enable smartphone controls and smart home integration.

Maintenance

Each type of garage door opener requires a different level of maintenance. According to Mello, “Screw drive and chain drive systems require annual maintenance and lubrication for proper functionality along with longevity.” In contrast, “Belt drive and direct drive systems do not require lubrication.” Mello recommends a yearly tune-up for all garage door openers, whether it involves lubricating a screw or chain drive system or inspecting a belt or direct drive system for wear and other issues.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Genie Smart Garage Door Opener

Genie 7155-TKV StealthDrive Connect Smart Garage Door Opener

Amazon

What We Like
  • Quiet operation

  • Powerful DC motor

  • Includes battery backup

  • Smart home connectivity

What We Don't Like
  • Slow on notification delivery

  • Light bulbs not included

The Genie StealthDrive Connect is a powerful belt-driven garage door opener that offers whisper-quiet operation and all the torque needed to lift, stop, and reverse a 500-lb. double garage door. It includes everything you need for a successful installation, including the drive unit, rails, belt, and Genie’s Safe-T-Beam sensors. The package also includes a wireless keypad for exterior access, an in-garage control panel that includes a button to activate the lights, and a backup battery that keeps the opener working during power outages. Smart home connectivity is included in the form of Genie’s Aladdin Connect technology.

This opener uses a 1 1/4 HP DC motor that provides both power and quiet operation. It’s equipped with GenieSense, which is a force-sensing technology that monitors the operation of the motor when opening and closing the door to always provide the exact right amount of power and to cease operation if any sudden changes occur. It helps to keep noise to a minimum, extend the operating life of the motor by reducing wear, and also acts as an extra safety feature if anything gets in the way of the door when it’s opening or closing.

Genie’s Aladdin Connect system provides robust smart home connectivity, with the option to control the garage door via a phone app, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant. Apple HomeKit support isn’t included, but both iPhone and Android users can use the Aladdin Connect smartphone app to monitor the status of the door remotely and open or close it as needed without being physically present.

Dual-side lighting provides even illumination in your garage, but the package doesn’t include the light bulbs that you’ll need before you can take advantage of this feature. It uses bulbs with a standard E26 Medium base, so you probably already have something that works, but you may want to take a look at the bulbs Genie sells as an optional add-on. Genie’s GLEDB2-R LED bulbs are specifically designed to eliminate the radio frequency interference that some LEDs emit. Since LEDs that emit radio frequency noise can interfere with the operation of garage door opener remotes, Genie’s radio frequency friendly bulbs are a worthwhile investment that probably should have been included in the package by default.

Type: Belt | Power: 1 1/4 HP | Smart Features: Yes

Best Value

Skylink Chain Drive Garage Door Opener

Skylink Atoms 1/2HPF Chain Drive Garage Door Opener

Amazon

What We Like
  • Works with HomeLink

  • Built-in LED lighting

  • Quiet operation for a chain-driven unit

What We Don’t Like
  • Only one remote

  • No external keypad

If you need a garage door opener that just works without a lot of extra features, the ATOMS ATR-1611C by Skylink is a no-frills model that gets the job done. This opener is powered by a 1/2 HP DC motor that’s strong enough to lift most metal garage doors and a chain drive that’s significantly quieter than most other chain drives. It’s also fairly compact and lightweight, which makes it easier to install than larger, heavier units. It works with standard 7 foot garage doors right out of the box, and you can buy an optional extension kit to bump that up to 8 or 10 feet if you need it. Skylink also sells an optional battery backup that allows the opener to operate during power outages.

This opener includes built-in LED lighting, which is a great value since a lot of garage door openers force you to purchase light bulbs separately. That’s about it for special features though, as the package only includes a single remote and a wired button that you can install inside your garage. A wireless remote keypad is available as an optional add-on if you need it, and you can also buy additional remotes. You may not need to invest in additional remotes though, since this opener is compatible with the HomeLink system that a lot of automotive manufacturers include in their newer vehicles. If your car supports HomeLink, then you can use that to open and close the garage door without a separate remote.

Type: Chain | Power: 1/2 HP | Smart Features: No

Best Smart

Chamberlain B4613T Smart Garage Door Opener

Chamberlain B4613T myQ Smart Garage Door Opener

Amazon

What We Like
  • Guest access feature

  • Battery backup included

  • Solid Wi-Fi connectivity

  • IFTTT support

What We Don't Like
  • Smart home integration requires IFTTT

  • Lighting points away from the garage door

The Chamberlain B4613T features improved Wi-Fi connectivity over previous models and doesn’t require a hub, so all you need to get the most out of this smart garage door opener is your Wi-Fi network and smartphone. It includes a very bright 1,000 lumen LED light that’s bright enough to light up your whole garage, but the light is aimed away from the garage door, so the lighting will be brighter toward the back wall of your garage than toward the front. The lighting and the motor are both capable of running off a built-in battery backup, which means you can operate the door and also light up your garage even during a power outage.

This opener uses Chamberlain’s myQ app for smart feature access, which includes the ability to operate the garage door remotely, check whether it is open or closed, and receive alerts when it opens. You can also add up to three guests to provide temporary access via myQ. Direct smart home integration with systems like Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa is currently absent, but you can use the native support for IFTTT (If This Then That) to bridge the gap. It’s more complicated than direct support, but it’s also very robust if you’re really into smart home technology and are willing to get your hands dirty. It also supports HomeLink, which is a system that a lot of newer vehicles use to operate garage doors and gates remotely.

Type: Belt | Power: 3/4 HP | Smart Features: Yes

Best Quiet

Chamberlain B2405 Garage Door Opener

Chamberlain B2405 Smart myQ Blue Garage Door Opener

Amazon

What We Like
  • Smartphone controls

  • Works with Amazon Key

  • Includes wireless exterior keypad

What We Don't Like
  • Light bulbs not included

  • No motion-sensing security light

If you have a bedroom located directly above your garage, or you’re just tired of vibrations running through your house every time someone opens or closes the garage door, the Chamberlain B2405 is the solution. This opener is remarkably quiet thanks to its 1/2 HP AC motor that drives a steel-reinforced belt. The belt is strong and long-lasting thanks to the embedded steel, and it’s even backed by a 15 year warranty. It’s also whisper quiet since there’s no metal-on-metal contact. The motor itself is also ultra-quiet, which is why this opener is ideal for installation in garages that are located below or immediately adjacent to living areas.

This opener comes with a number of useful accessories, including two remotes, an in-garage control panel, safety sensors, and a wireless keypad that you can install outside for remote access to your garage. It also features integrated lighting, but you need to supply your own light bulbs, and there’s no motion sensor so the lights only turn on when the door is operated instead of when motion is detected. It also includes Wi-Fi connectivity, which supports remote operation through a phone app that works on both iPhones and Android devices. The app allows you to check the status of the door and also open or close it if you don’t have one of the physical remotes handy. It also supports Amazon Key for secure package delivery, which is a bonus if you’re a frequent Amazon shopper.

Type: Belt | Power: 1/2 HP | Smart Features: Yes

Best with Camera

Chamberlain Garage Door Opener

Chamberlain B4643T Smart Built in Camera Garage Door Opener

Amazon

What We Like
  • 140 degree wide angle camera

  • Displays live video in the phone app

  • Motion-activated 1,000 lumen security light

  • Comes with two remotes

What We Don't Like
  • Subscription required to store video

  • Battery backup not included

  • Wireless keypad not included

This Chamberlain garage door opener builds on the solid base of their other smart openers with the addition of a wide angle camera. It’s built around a powerful 3/4 HP motor that offers smooth, belt-driven operation without any jerky motion when starting or stopping. It works with 7 foot doors out of the box, with an optional rail extension kit that can take it all the way up to 10 feet. There’s also an optional wireless keypad, complete with camera, but that isn’t included in the package. You do get two remotes, along with a control panel to install inside your garage. The built-in lighting is especially bright, with a motion-activated 1,000 lumen security light.

The camera that’s built into this opener provides a bird’s eye view of your garage door and the surrounding environment, allowing you to verify that the door is closed with your own eyes, or check in remotely if the door is ever left open accidentally or opens unexpectedly. Remote access to the camera is provided via Chamberlain’s myQ app, which is available for both iPhone and Android, and allows you to check in on the video feed and operate the door from anywhere as long as you have internet access. Chamberlain does charge an optional subscription fee to store video if you want the ability to check recordings of past activity, but checking in on the live view is free.

Type: Belt | Power: 3/4 HP | Smart Features: Yes

Best for Heavy Doors

Genie Signature Series 2 HP Wi-Fi Enabled Smart Home Garage Door Opener

Genie Signature Series 2 HP Wi-Fi Enabled Smart Home Garage Door Opener

Home Depot

What We Like
  • Thin profile for more headroom

  • Powerful direct drive motor

  • Quiet operation

What We Don’t Like
  • No keypad or battery backup

  • Limited to 7 foot doors (8 foot with an extension kit)

  • No Google Assistant or HomeKit support

If you have an especially heavy garage door, the Genie MachForce Connect 4063 is equipped with a powerful 2HP direct drive motor that’s capable of handling even the heaviest doors. It is limited to 7 foot doors, with an optional kit that bumps that up to 8 feet, but that’s due to the way screw drive garage doors work rather than the actual power of the motor. Whether you have a substantial steel garage door, or a weighty wood door, this opener will get the job done fast. In addition to raw power, its maximum opening speed is a brisk 12 inches per second that outperforms a lot of its competitors.

This Genie opener provides raw power, speed, and quiet operation, but it doesn’t include a lot of extras. The package includes the opener, push-button wall console for inside your garage, two remotes, and optical safety sensors, but no wireless keypad, backup battery, or other accessories. It does include Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to monitor and operate your garage door from your iPhone or Android device, but smart home options are limited. It works with Alexa, including voice commands if you have an Echo smart speaker, but lacks support for either Google Assistant or Apple HomeKit.

Type: Screw | Power: 2 HP | Smart Features: Yes

Best for Light Doors

Craftsman CMXEOCG472 1/2 HP Smart Garage Door Opener

Craftsman CMXEOCG472 1/2 HP Smart Garage Door Opener

Amazon

What We Like
  • Wireless outdoor keypad

  • Includes two remotes

  • Smartphone monitoring and controls

What We Don’t Like
  • Weak Wi-Fi connectivity

  • Noisy operation

If you have a light garage door, like a small golf cart door, the Craftsman CMXEOCG472 is equipped to handle it with ease. This opener is technically rated to work with standard 7 foot garage doors, but the 1/2 HP motor is especially well suited to lightweight doors and will last longer in light duty applications. It’s also a direct replacement for older Craftsman garage door openers, so you may be able to use the existing chain, rail, and other hardware if you had to make modifications to accommodate a small garage door. It is a bit noisy, but some level of noise is to be expected from a chain drive opener like this.

This garage door opener includes a number of useful features and accessories that make it just as well-suited to lightweight standard garage doors as well as smaller doors. It includes an indoor switch, outdoor keypad, and two programmable three button remotes. Wi-Fi connectivity is also included, although it is a bit weak and will struggle to connect if your router is too far away. If your network signal is strong in your garage, then you can take advantage of remote operation and monitoring via a free phone app.

Type: Chain | Power: 1/2 HP | Smart Features: Yes

Best Wall Mounted

LiftMaster Elite 8500W

LiftMaster Elite Series 8500W Jackshaft Garage Door Operator

Amazon

What We Like
  • Quiet operation

  • Includes battery backup

  • Wi-Fi connectivity

  • Works with Amazon Key

What We Don’t Like
  • Doesn’t work with all garage doors

  • Some smart features require a subscription

The LiftMaster Elite Series 8500W is a wall-mounted direct drive garage door opener that’s ideal for large garage doors and high ceilings. Since this opener is wall-mounted, it frees up headroom, which is a must if you drive a large truck. It’s also a good option if your garage has high ceilings that would make it difficult to install a traditional belt, chain, or screw-driven garage door opener. It doesn’t work with roll up doors, reverse wound, or tapered drums, and it requires a torsion bar and springs, but it is capable of handling doors up to 14 feet high and 18 feet wide. The direct drive configuration also gives it a powerful lifting capacity of 850 lbs.

This is a powerful garage door opener that’s good for high ceilings and huge doors, but it’s also packed with useful features. It includes a security lock that engages automatically when the door is shut, a backup battery that allows it to continue working when the power is out, and built-in Wi-Fi connectivity that lets you control it and check whether it’s open or closed via the MyQ app. That also enables compatibility with the Amazon Key system, which allows authorized delivery drivers to access your garage for secure package delivery. The package also includes a remote LED light that connects to the MyQ app, a three button physical remote control, and a smart control panel.

Type: Direct | Power: Not provided | Smart Features: Yes

Final Verdict

We recommend the Genie 7155-TKV Smart Garage Door Opener as our best overall garage door opener. It’s powerful, quiet, and includes a number of useful accessories like a battery backup, wireless keypad, and smart home connectivity that works with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. If you’re working on a tighter budget, the ATOMS ATR-1611C By Skylink, our best value pick, is light on accessories, but it’s strong enough to handle most 7-foot metal garage doors and works with HomeLink for convenient in-car operation.

What to Look For in a Garage Door Opener

Size and Type

When you start looking for a garage door opener, the style and size of your door is the most important concern because the opener you buy needs to be able to lift that specific door. The type of garage door opener is also important, because the way a garage door opener lifts a door has a big impact on the size of doors that it can handle.

Garage door size refers specifically to the height of the door. Most standard residential garage doors are 7 feet tall, so most residential garage door openers are designed for doors of that height. If your door is 8 feet tall, or even larger, then it’s important to look for a garage door opener that’s specifically designed to handle doors of that size. Some garage door openers can handle larger doors with the use of a kit, so that may be an option.

Here are the main types of garage door openers:

  • Chain: These openers use a roller chain that’s very similar to a bicycle chain. The garage door opener motor is connected to a pulley and a curved door arm by the chain, which allows it to pull the door open and push it closed. According to Jon Russel, Director of Systems for Precision Garage Door Service, this type is quite common, “due to home builders selecting this type because of its very low cost.” They’re usually noisier than other types and require regular maintenance.
  • Belt: Belt-driven openers work the same way as chain-driven openers, but they utilize steel cord belts instead of metal chains. “The belt drive is not only strong, but it's very quiet as well,” says Russell. The Chamberlain B2405, our best quiet pick, works with up to 7 foot doors, but you can extend that to 8 or 10 feet with an optional kit.
  • Screw: These systems use a long screw that’s rotated by the motor instead of a belt or chain. They can be very powerful, but they’re more difficult to extend than chain and belt drive systems so don’t buy one that’s designed for a 7 foot door and just assume you’ll be able to find an extension kit for your 10 foot door. Mello also cautions that, “This system is noisy or loud by default due to the direct connection of the worm gear and requires frequent maintenance consisting of low-temperature grease due to the friction built into the system.” The Genie MachForce Connect, our best for heavy doors, is an exception, since it uses an ultra quiet motor to mitigate any noise concerns while also providing exceptional lifting power.
  • Direct drive: These openers differ from the others, because the motor interfaces directly with the garage door instead of using an intermediary like a belt or chain with a trolly system. “A direct drive system attaches directly to your spring system and drives from one corner of the garage door allowing for the quietest operation along with fewer parts than a traditional operator resulting in the best longevity possible with the convenience of a quiet and smooth operating system,” says Mello.

Power

Garage door opener power has been measured in horsepower traditionally, but newer units often have a Newton rating instead. You can easily compare the two if you’re looking at one opener that uses Horsepower and another that uses Newtons, since 1 HP is equal to 1,200 Newtons.

Power is an important concern, because it has a direct impact on the lifting capabilities of a garage door opener. According to Russell, “The steel garage doors made in the past 25 years work just fine with a 1/2 horsepower operator. However, some wood and carriage garage doors require a 3/4 horsepower motor.”

If you select a garage door opener that’s too weak, it will struggle, may fail to open the door at all, and will wear out quickly. However, Mello points out that you shouldn’t worry about installing a garage door opener that’s too powerful. According to Mello, an overpowered garage door opener never has to work at its full output, which reduces wear and tear and ultimately allows it to last longer.

Features and Accessories

The level of features and accessories that you can expect a garage door opener to come with will vary depending on factors like quality and price, according to Mello. Some lower end systems only include a single remote and no other accessories, while higher end systems include more.

According to Mello, “A quality system will consist of multiple handheld remotes, interior wall controls with features, exterior digital keypads that retain access codes and even WIFI enabled units that can be controlled from smart devices connected to Wi-Fi from anywhere in the world.” Our best with camera recommendation, the Chamberlain B4643T, includes Wi-Fi connectivity and a built-in camera that you can view remotely from your phone as long as you have an internet connection.

Here are some important features to look for:

  • Remotes: Remotes are convenient, but they aren’t the most important feature. If you select a garage door opener that supports HomeLink, and your vehicle also supports HomeLink, then you can use the built-in controls in the vehicle without a separate remote. If your vehicles don’t have HomeLink, then it can be handy to have an extra remote or two.
  • Exterior keypad: For the easiest installation experience, look for a model that includes a wireless keypad. This provides a way to access the garage without a remote, and some even let you set a temporary code to provide access to guests.
  • Lighting: There are other garage lighting solutions out there, but having a bright light that turns on whenever your garage door opens at night can be very useful since it saves you from fumbling around in the dark for a light switch. Some garage door openers also include built-in security lighting that turns on whenever motion is detected.
  • Wi-Fi connectivity: This feature allows the garage door opener to connect to your home Wi-Fi network, which can enable a lot of useful features. Most openers with this feature will have an associated phone app that you can use to check if the door is shut and operate the door remotely. Our best overall option, the Genie 7155-TKV, also supports smart home integration that allows you to operate it via voice commands through Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.
  • Cameras: This smart feature builds on Wi-Fi connectivity by sending video from a built-in camera to the associated smartphone app. Our best with camera recommendation, the Chamberlain B4643T, includes a 140 degree security camera and lets you view a live video feed on your phone from anywhere you have internet access. For an additional monthly fee, you can also store and retrieve old video, which is useful from a security perspective.
FAQ
  • How do you program a garage door opener?

    Virtually all garage door opener units have a "learn" button. To pair your remote with your opener, press this button. It should activate an indicator light for 30 seconds to a minute. While it's lit, press and hold the main open/close button on the remote until the light on the overhead unit starts blinking. The blinking light tells you your garage door opener is programmed with the remote.

  • How do you open a garage door manually that has a garage door opener?

    Your garage door most likely has a manual cable, which disconnects from the opener chain, allowing you to open it manually. There might also be some small key you can use to unlock the manual cable (if it's not already unlocked).

    Pull down hard on the cord to release the door. Then lift it with your hands, pushing it all the way up to make sure it stays in place and doesn't fall back down.

  • Which is better, a chain or belt garage door opener?

    The answer largely depends on your garage's location and your personal preferences. Chain options are great for heavier doors and are more affordable than their belt counterparts. They are noisier, so it may be worth getting a belt garage door opener if your garage is close to any bedrooms. Belt options also require less maintenance and can have extra features like battery backup. Some also think they open and close faster since they have a smoother operation than chain options.

Why Trust The Spruce?

Jeremy Laukkonen is a commerce updates writer at The Spruce who has over a decade of experience writing about home improvement, appliances, and smart home tech. For this piece, he evaluated key factors like horsepower and drive style, accessories like extra remotes, and useful features like cameras and smart home connectivity. Upgrading his own 90s-era Craftsman unit to a Genie Smart Garage Door Opener is on his ever-growing to-do list of home improvement tasks that somehow never manages to get any shorter.

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