Your garage door needs a high-quality opener to be able to operate efficiently and safely.
Since 1993, all garage door openers have come with a sensor that prevents the door from closing if it senses there is something underneath thus avoiding any injury or damage to property. If your garage door opener was made prior to 1993, it is definitely time for an upgrade!
A good opener also makes operating your garage door more convenient — whether convenience to you means having control on your phone or being whisper quiet, we are here to explore the best garage door openers for 2023!
How to Choose a Garage Door Opener that Fits Your Needs
There are so many different garage doors available in the market; how do you decide which one to get?
To get the best bang for your buck, consider your garage. What size is your garage door? How heavy is it? How tall?
These are answers you should know before you start your search.
Fundamentally, you want a garage door opener that has the following characteristics:
- Has a proper weight capacity
- Has a reliable drive system
- Includes needed safety features
- Has an automatic reversing system
- Contains rolling code security technology
- Comes with a manual release
- Has a battery backup option
- Has security lights
With those features listed above in mind, let’s explore the best garage door options out there today.
Chamberlain B1381 Ultra-Bright Smart Garage Door Opener
The Chamberlain B1381 is one of the best garage door openers money can buy. It has a stylish and modern design with multiple features included.
The kit contains a wireless panel and sensors, an installation rail, battery backup, wall control, and two remotes with tri-band technology. It also has built-in WiFi connecting the unit to the MyQ app in your phone, allowing you to control it remotely and check whether it is open no matter where you are.
The Chamberlain B1381 is best for attached garages, particularly those that have rooms near or above the garage.
Key parameters:
- Motor power: 1 ¼ HP
- Drive type: Belt
- Lighting: LED – 3,100 lumens
Biggest advantage: It has “corner-to-corner” lighting – an LED light that illuminates your entire garage.
Pros:
- It has a built-in LED light
- Battery backup
- Good warranty
Cons:
- More expensive than other openers
- You will need to purchase an extension kit if your door is taller than 7 feet
- Does not connect with Amazon Alexa
LiftMaster 8500W Garage Door Opener
The LiftMaster 8500W is a reliable garage door opener that operates smoothly and quietly. The kit includes a garage door lock, battery backup, and built-in WiFi.
It’s able to lift doors of all sizes so long as they have torsion springs. It is wall-mounted and has a timer-to-close feature.
The LiftMaster 8500W is best for garage doors with torsion springs.
Key parameters:
- Motor power: ½ HP
- Drive type: Jackshaft
- Lighting: LED – 1,500 lumens
Biggest advantage: The kit comes with a deadbolt, preventing anyone from forcing the door open even when the opener is disabled.
Pros:
- It is wall-mounted therefore freeing up space in your ceiling
- The physical deadbolt for the garage door adds an extra layer of security
- It has built-in WiFi and works with a smartphone app
Cons:
- Can be costly
- It requires subscription fees for some of the smart home connections
- Does not connect with Amazon Alexa
Sommer Direct Drive Garage Door Opener
Unlike other garage openers, the Sommer Direct Drive garage door opener has a motor that moves with just one moving part along the rail and uses a stationary chain, making it faster and quieter than other garage door openers.
The opener can lift most garage doors, even those 8 feet tall. With an extension, it can even lift doors up to 14 feet tall.
The Sommer Direct Drive is best for owners who want a faster garage door opener.
Key parameters:
- Motor power: 1 HP
- Drive type: Direct
- Average battery life: 30,000 hours
Biggest advantage: The unconventional design of its drive makes this opener quieter and faster than others.
Pros:
- Provides a lifetime warranty for the parts, lift system, and motor
- Runs quietly and faster
- Easy to install
Cons:
- Does not include a keyless entry pad
- The lights do not have motion sensors
- Buttons on the remotes may be too small and hard to press
Genie SilentMax 1200 Garage Door Opener
The Genie SilentMax 1200 Garage Door Opener uses a belt drive that is steel-reinforced and a C-channel rail. It can operate doors up to 7 feet tall with a self-diagnostic Safe-T Beam system.
It is powered by a 140V DC motor with a soft start and stop control. It uses Intellicode Security technology to keep your garage secure.
The Genie SilentMax 1200 is best for garages that are attached next to living spaces.
Key parameters:
- Motor power: ¾ HP
- Drive type: Belt
- Maximum weight capacity: 750 pounds
Biggest advantage: An affordable belt-drive garage door opener.
Pros:
- It opens the door at 9 inches per second – one of the fastest in the market
- The motor is powerful and quiet
- Lights are motion-activated
Cons:
- The keypad’s design looks outdated and doesn’t match the modern look of the system
- It can only support doors that are up to 7 feet tall
- The system is difficult to program if you’re using an older remote
Chamberlain Group B970T Garage Door Opener
The Chamberlain Whisper Drive is weather-resistant, comes with a remote control, and has a motion sensor. The opener uses a belt drive and has a built-in timer that will automatically close the door within a specified time, should it be left open. You can also control the opener using your smartphone via the MyQ app.
The Chamberlain Whisper Drive is best for garage doors that are up to 300 pounds.
Key parameters:
- Motor power: lifting force equivalent to 1 1 by 4 HP
- Drive type: Belt
- Lights: 200 watts
Biggest advantage: It is very quiet when it operates.
Pros:
- Much quieter compared to other garage door openers
- Advanced object sensor that immediately stops the door from closing upon contact
- Easy to install
Cons:
- While the garage door opener is easy to install, the manual isn’t easy to follow
- The light’s motion sensor is of average quality
- When the battery is low on power, it will constantly beep, and there is no off button
Genie ChainMax 1000 Garage Door Opener
The Genie ChainMax 1000 has a 140V DC motor and a chain drive. It can raise doors up to 7 feet high and up to 8 feet tall if you purchase the extension kit.
The manufacturer recommends their brand’s LED lights be used with the included ligth, but you can also use other incandescent light bulbs (max of 100 watts).
The Genie ChainMax 1000 is best for heavy garage doors.
Key parameters:
- Motor power: ¾ HP
- Drive type: Chain
- Light: LED
Biggest advantage: A quieter garage door opener that uses a chain drive, and it is capable of opening at 7.5 inches per second
Pros:
- Affordable
- The DC motor uses less electricity compared to AC motors
- Easy to install
Cons:
- If your garage door is bigger than 7 feet tall, you have to purchase the extension kit
- Harder to program the remotes if you’re using old intellicode remotes
- Not compatible with CFL light bulbs
Craftsman ½ HP Chain Drive Garage Door Opener
The Craftsman ½ HP Chain Drive Garage Door Opener can lift doors up to 7 feet tall. It has a tri-frequency radio system that ignores any interference caused by other objects.
You can operate the door using the remote or the wireless and keyless entry pad secured by a four-digit pin. The kit comes with a 5-piece sectional steel rail.
The Craftsman ½ HP Chain Drive is best for single-wide garage doors
Key parameters:
- Motor power: ½ HP
- Drive type: Chain
- Light: Uses a 100-watt bulb or CFL equivalent
Biggest advantage: Less expensive than other garage door openers
Pros:
- It has a sleep mode that uses less than 1 watt of power
- Easy to install
- You can adjust the duration of its light
Cons:
- The opener is smaller than others with only ½ HP, limiting it to single-wide garage doors
- This garage door opener has no battery backup option
- Noisier than other garage door openers
RYOBI GD201 Garage Door Opener
The RYOBI GD201 comes with the basic features you find with other garage door openers such as remotes, sensors, and lights.
You have the option to buy a separate accessory kit that provides extra features such as making it possible to play music if you purchase the Bluetooth speaker or parking assist. It comes with a 2 HP motor, belt drive, and LED light.
The RYOBI GD201 is best for garage doors no taller than 7 feet.
Key parameters:
- Motor power: 2 HP
- Drive type: Belt
- Light: Uses LED
Biggest advantage: You can add extra features to this garage door opener to customize it.
Pros:
- Powerful motor makes opening and closing the door smooth and fast
- Built-in WiFi
- Quiet
Cons:
- The backup battery must be purchased separately
- It beeps while it’s closing
- The app notifies you through email, instead of phone, when someone opens your garage
Genie StealthDrive Connect 7155-TKV Garage Door Opener
The Genie StealthDrive Connect has a steel-reinforced belt drive and is powered by a DC motor. You can operate this opener through its two remotes, the wireless keypad or the wall console.
It can also be controlled using your smartphone and is compatible with both Google Assistant and Alexa. It has a battery backup that can power the opener up to 50 cycles.
There is a label on the keypad’s inside cover with instructions on how to do a factory reset and includes the factory PIN. Make sure to take off this label once you’ve programmed the system.
The Genie StealthDrive Connect is best for both single and double-door garages.
Key parameters:
- Motor power: 1 ¼ HP
- Drive type: Belt
- Light: LED
Biggest advantage: Compatibility with Google Assistant and Alexa.
Pros:
- It has a powerful motor
- Includes 5 lithium metal batteries
- Compatible with your smartphone
Cons:
- Programming the wireless keypad is tricky
- Not enough light on the keypad
- Security-risk if label inside keypad is not removed
LiftMaster 1355 Garage Door Opener
The LiftMaster 1355 Garage Door Opener has an AC motor and a chain drive. You can operate it using a single-button remote with rolling code technology providing the remote with a new code each time it is used. The light automatically turns on when the sensor beam is broken to give you better visibility.
The LiftMaster 1355 is best for residential and light commercial garage doors.
Key parameters:
- Motor power: ½ HP
- Drive type: Chain
- Light: 75 watts
Biggest advantage: It has WiFi connectivity and can be operated anywhere using the MyQ app
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Used rolling code technology, which adds an extra layer of security
- Built-in WiFi
Cons:
- The light bulb is not included with the kit
- It does not have a backup battery
- Noisier than other garage door openers
What to Look for When Choosing a Garage Door Opener
Since there are multiple garage door opener types available, it would be best to do some research on those types and their key features in order to make an informed decision.
Here are some features we think you should consider when making your purchase:
- Noise level: Garage door openers that have belt drives are quieter than ones that use a chain drive. This may not be a concern if your garage is not attached to your house.
- Controls: A garage door opener is supposed to make operating your garage door more convenient, so choose one with either a remote or smartphone connectivity.
- Warranty: As the years pass, you may run into issues with your opener. While proper maintenance will prevent a lot of those issues, having a warranty gives you extra peace of mind.
- Security: Your garage may be an avenue into your home, and even if it isn’t attached, there is likely to be expensive items stored within. Make sure your opener offers the level of security that you desire.
