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WWPN STAFF
Best Garage Door Opener - A Complete Buying Guide
- WWPN Staff
- , Guide
The technology is advancing by the day to make our lives easier and comfortable. For instance, a garage opener is now available with world-class features to provide ease of access for the users. These functions also ensure a secure system to keep your home safe. But are you confused while selecting one for yourself? If you are looking for the best garage door opener, or the best smart garage door controller, we are here to guide you through the process!
While garage door openers are available in a lot of varieties, you need to choose what works best for you. Some of them are Bluetooth enabled garage door openers while others might be a WIFI garage door opener. Moreover, all these are loaded with different features.
Each feature might be useful for a different segment of users. For instance, if you are running on a budget, you might want to avoid the specialized features of the door opener. Hence, it is not wrong to assume that going through the entire process is a tedious task. You will need some time to understand the list of features and functionalities before making an informed decision. This article aims to reduce your workload by guiding you through the entire process.
Table of Contents
Buying Guide
The types of garage openers can vary with the mode of operation, type of drive, or level of safety. Here is a list of varying features and their alternatives to give you a complete picture.
Drive System
In simple language, a drive system is a chain that controls the door. It helps to pull it upwards or close it to shut. We can divide them into three types:
- Chain drive
This is one of the most basic types of drives. The design is similar to a bicycle chain. It is tried and tested and has been in use for a long time. You need minimal maintenance for these drives. These are great if you have standard aluminum garage doors.
- Belt Drive
A belt drive has a steel reinforcement on one side of the chain. This essentially helps to reduce the noise from operating the door.
- Screw Drive
As the name suggests, the drive has a spiral design made from forged steel. This makes the drive very strong and durable. These are suitable for heavy-duty operation.
Lift Power
The garage opener works alongside a motor that supplies power to it. Usually, the power ratings allow a comparison to HorsePower for better understanding. Higher horsepower means the machine is powerful enough for heavy-duty applications. Higher power also means less stress on the motor.
- Maximum Lift Power
This is a high power level, which is equivalent to 1 ¼ HP. It is suitable for a single heavy door or places with extreme weather conditions.
- High Lift Power
The power supply here is equivalent to ¾ HP. These are suitable for frequently used garages. It avoids wear and tears from heavy use.
- Medium Lift Power
Here the power supply is equivalent to ½ HP. This power supply is suitable for standard aluminum doors that have standard durability.
Mode of Operation
There can be various modes through which you can control the garage door opener. These are:
- Manual Control
In this type, you can control the operation with a wall-mounted garage door opener keypad. The keys are situated on the inside of the garage that allows you to manually raise or lower the door.
- Remote Control
As the name suggests, there is a remote garage door opener controller to allow easy accessibility. It is a smart opener with less hassle. The remote is usually compact and easily fits into your pockets.
- Wireless Control
The most advanced and the best garage opener keypad is the one present on your phone. A system that has built-in wifi can be controlled through an app in your smartphones. You can also include these in your central wireless system to control it with home automation.
Security System
You can find a variety of security features to suit your requirements. A standard for all wireless garage door openers is a vacation lock. It refrains anyone from opening the door while you are on vacation.
Other additional security features include limited user access and maintaining entry logs. Some also include a scheduling feature wherein you can set the door close time.
Special Features
There are a set of special features that enable ease of use and improved user experience. You need to carefully identify your requirements and match them with the features.
For instance, you could be located in extreme weather conditions with frequent power cuts. Here you need to go with a best garage door opener that is compatible with battery backup.
Another feature is a smart opener with a built-in WIFI. This allows you to control the opener with your smartphones or as a part of home automation. You can also have online monitoring features for easy control.
What are the Important Factors to Consider While Selecting the Door?
You can be purchasing a new garage opener in two cases. Either you are upgrading your door opener/ getting one installed or building an entire garage for the first time. In either of the two cases, make sure that the door is completely compatible with the garage door opener. While upgrading an old one, you need a best garage door opener that can retrofit into the existing structure.
This includes the weight of the door that should be in sync with the power of the door opener. Another one is the type and material of the door. This also includes information on the frequency of use.
Top Picks for the Best Garage Door Opener
Any good quality garage door opener has the basic qualities and some extra special features. You need to keep in mind the durability and lifespan of the products too. We have made a list by considering all such important factors. Some of the best picks are:
Title
Chamberlain B970T Smart Garage Door Opener with Battery Backup – myQ Smartphone Controlled – Ultra Quiet, Strong Belt Drive and MAX Lifting Power, 1.25 HP, Wireless Keypad Included, Grey
Genie Chain Drive 750 3/4 HPc Garage Door Opener w/Battery Backup – Heavy Duty – Operate your garage door when the primary power is out – Wireless Keypad Included, Model 7035-TKV,BLACK
Atoms ATR-1611W by Skylink 1/2HPF Garage Door Opener Featuring Alexa with Extremely Quiet DC Motor, Chain Drive and WiFi Compatible
Product
Manufacturer
Chamberlain
GENIE
Skylink
Part Number
B970
38960R
N/A
Item Weight
35 pounds
8 pounds
33.2 pounds
Product Dimensions
18 x 10 x 6.5 inches
27.5 x 12 x 8 inches
28.74 x 11.02 x 6.5 inches
Batteries
2 Lithium Metal batteries required. (included)
2 CR2 batteries required. (included)
1 CR2 batteries required. (included)
Title
Chamberlain B970T Smart Garage Door Opener with Battery Backup – myQ Smartphone Controlled – Ultra Quiet, Strong Belt Drive and MAX Lifting Power, 1.25 HP, Wireless Keypad Included, Grey
Product
Manufacturer
Chamberlain
Part Number
B970
Item Weight
35 pounds
Product Dimensions
18 x 10 x 6.5 inches
Batteries
2 Lithium Metal batteries required. (included)
Title
Genie Chain Drive 750 3/4 HPc Garage Door Opener w/Battery Backup – Heavy Duty – Operate your garage door when the primary power is out – Wireless Keypad Included, Model 7035-TKV,BLACK
Product
Manufacturer
GENIE
Part Number
38960R
Item Weight
8 pounds
Product Dimensions
27.5 x 12 x 8 inches
Batteries
2 CR2 batteries required. (included)
Title
Atoms ATR-1611W by Skylink 1/2HPF Garage Door Opener Featuring Alexa with Extremely Quiet DC Motor, Chain Drive and WiFi Compatible
Product
Manufacturer
Skylink
Part Number
N/A
Item Weight
33.2 pounds
Product Dimensions
28.74 x 11.02 x 6.5 inches
Batteries
1 CR2 batteries required. (included)
Chamberlain myQ B970 Garage Door Opener
Chamberlain myQ garage door openers are well-known in the field of smart garage industry. This B970 model is one of the great qualities of the product. It is a smart garage door opener with built-in MyQ technology.
It is a smartphone-enabled device that allows you to control and track the door from anywhere using a mobile app.
The opener works on a belt-drive that has steel reinforcement. This ensures that the operation is quiet and increased comfort. The materials used are quite durable and offer a smooth operation.
The power of the Chamberlain B970 is equivalent to 1 ¼ HP, which is one of the highest levels. It makes the opener suitable for any weather condition.
Along with your smartphones, you can also control the door using a remote control.
The set includes one of the best wireless garage door keypads available in the market. With its 2.0 encryption, the keypad has a high-security functionality which secures against hacking or theft.
It is a fantastic choice for people living in extreme weather conditions with frequent power failures. The battery backup ensures a safe replacement during such times. Moreover, the extra power suffices for any such conditions.
Pros
- It has a battery backup for power failures
- Includes two remote controls with 1500 ft range
- Power sufficient for any extreme weather conditions
- It has an anti-vibration technology
- Smartphone enabled control
Cons
- A little expensive due to the advanced features
Genie Chain Drive Garage Door Opener Model 7035
Genie is another great brand to opt for a keyless garage door opener. It offers a great combination of strength and reliability. If you are looking for all standard features at an affordable price, this is the right choice for you.
The door opener works on a DC motor that provides power equivalent to ¾ HP. This is suitable for a heavily used garage to ensure smooth operations. Another important feature is the quiet chain drive that operates the door.
One of the advantages of this product is that it allows easy installation with its 5-piece rail system. The system is lightweight and snaps together to ensure convenience while installing. The remotes are also ready to use straight out of the box.
Additional special features include a strong battery backup for any power failures. It can support up to 50 cycles, which is more than sufficient for you.
You can find several accessories that come along with the product. Some of these are wireless garage door keypad, two remote controls, multi-functional wall console, and light control buttons.
Pros
- Automatic battery backup
- Includes a vacation lock feature
- Easy installation
- Multi-functional wall console
Cons
- Might fall short in extreme weather conditionschange technology
- Brushless motors eliminate any carbon brushes
Skylink Atom ATR-1611W Garage Door Opener
The Atom Garage Door Opener by Skylink is one of the most affordable products that provide high value to the customer. It has some great reviews from customers.
The garage door opener has a strong and durable DC motor that has quiet operations as compared to other motors.
The drive system consists of a chain drive that ensures heavy-duty use without any hassle. The power output of the product is equivalent to ½ HP, which is sufficient under normal circumstances.
One of the outstanding features of the Atom Garage door opener is the integrability with Orbit Smarthome control. It is compatible with all voice assistants like Google Assistant, Alexa, or IFTTT.
Another unique feature is the presence of a built-in 12W LED. This helps you in the long run and illuminates dark garages at any time of the day.
The WIFI connectivity allows you to remotely access the door and improves convenience. However, if you are looking for a low-cost alternative, you can go ahead with a without WIFI option too.
Pros
- Built-in LED light
- Strong motor
- Smarthome control integration
- Heavy-duty opener
Cons
- Does not include a battery backup
- Chain drive can cause some noise.
Chamberlain WD832Kev Garage Door Opener
If you are looking for a high-quality Med Lift Power for your home garage, this is the best choice. The product includes the brand value of Chamberlain along with a highly affordable garage opener set.
This garage door opener has an ultra-quiet ½ HP equivalent motor along with a steel enforcement belt drive to ensure quiet and smooth operation. It also features a Motor Vibration Isolation System to reduce noise.
This is a smartphone-enabled device that easily allows you to operate from remote places without any hassle. You can track the door using the MyQ application on your phones.
The door opener includes a special timer feature that helps to automatically close the garage door in case you forget. It has variations of 1, 5, or 10 in the settings. Another security feature includes an invisible light beam that helps to track any interruptions. If there are any, the system automatically reverses the door.
The door opener system includes some of the best wireless garage door keypad, motion detection control panels. Two remote controls and safety sensors.
Pros
- Includes Motion Vibration Isolation System
- It has a timer-to-close function
- Smartphone enabled
- Motion Detection Panel
Cons
- Not appropriate for heavy-duty and rough weather conditions
- The Internet gateway is sold separately
Genie Stealth Drive Connect Model 7155-TKV
This Stealth Drive Connect is a smart garage door opener. It includes a strong 1 ¼ HP equivalent motor along with a steel reinforcement chain. This ensures the highest degree of strength and power.
The system has an Aladdin technology that helps you to monitor and control the garage door from anywhere. The system is compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant. This allows you to operate using voice control.
The door opener has some special features that make it stand out. One of them is a battery backup that can last up to 50 cycles. Another feature is the easy installation of the system.
You can easily control the operations from outdoor or inside the garage using specific accessories. These are a wireless keypad with PIN access, remote controllers, wall console, and light control button.
Pros
- Great for extreme weather conditions
- Easy to install
- Compatible with voice assistants
- Quiet operating mode
Cons
- It is a bit expensive
You are going to use the garage door opener for a long time, so make sure to select a good one. Moreover, you also need a highly secured system that cannot be hacked easily. Cars are expensive, and you need a high-quality door system to protect them.
Hopefully, the reviews clear all your queries and guide you through the process. Select the priority features and then go on to the special features. This will also allow you to cut down on costs. Go ahead and select the right garage door opener and enjoy life worry-free!
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