Best Garage Door Opener Reviews 2018

When you're pulling into your garage after a long day's work, you'll want a garage door opener that's dependable and easy to use. High quality garage door openers often last longer and may be easier to install to minimize the work on your part. We looked at some of the best garage door opener brands that specialize in remote technology and home systems and found five exceptional products for you to consider.

Overview

PROS

CONS

SPECS

Drive Type

Horsepower

Noise Level

Backup

Extras

Our Top Choice

Chamberlain WD962KEV 3/4 HPS MyQ Belt Drive Garage Door Opener

Chamberlain is a creator of premium garage door openers like this one, which features rugged power and reliable durability. We also loved the fact that it’s “whisper quiet.”

Quiet Operation. Battery backup. Reliable design. MyQ technology for smartphone connectivity.

Expensive compared to lower-end products, but well worth the price.

Belt Drive

¾ Horsepower

Low

Battery Backup Included

2 Remotes, Wireless Entry System

Best Value

Sommer 1042V001 Direct Drive Garage Door Opener

Sommer's German made products stand up to the highest standards. This extremely quiet direct drive opener is easy to install and reliable.

Very quiet with almost no vibrations. Lifetime warranty on entire product – not just chain & motor. Easy installation.

None.

Direct Drive

¾ Horsepower

Very Low

No Battery Backup

Full Lifetime Warranty

Liftmaster 8500 Elite Series® Wall Mount Garage Door Opener

This unique side-mounted garage door opener features the sophistication and power you'd expect from all of Liftmaster's products.

Compatible with HomeLink. Can be connected with free MyQ Smartphone app. Easy installation.

Requires front mount torsion springs for compatibility purposes.

Direct Drive

Not Disclosed: Very Powerful

Very Low

Battery Backup Included

Smart Controls & App

Decko Products24300 3/4hp Garage Door Opener Chain Drive

Decko has been molding their products for consumers since 1932. That's why this chain drive garage solution is reliable, easy to install and easy to adjust.

Easy to install. Pushh-button adjustments. Powerful. Durable, even in extreme weather. 20-point inspection.

Not as quiet as higher-end models.

Chain Drive

¾ Horsepower

Medium

No Battery Backup

Auto Reverse System

Genie 1022-TH ½ HP Chain Drive Garage Door Opener

Genie is a symbol of quality and value among homeowners. This simple and effective chain driven garage door opener gets the job done and includes everything you need.

Inexpensive. Reinforced T-beams for added safety and durability. 2 3-button remotes.

Fewer custom options than competitors, but well worth its modest price.

½ Horsepower

Chain Drive

Medium

No Battery Backup

Simple Installation

(Updated June 4, 2017)

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How Do I Choose the Best Garage Door Opener?

After a long day at work, you get into your car and on turning your ignition, the car won’t start. Luckily, a Good Samaritan drives by and using your jump starter you finally get the car to start. You manage to get home after an hour in traffic and on getting to your driveway, you’re just too drained to manually open your garage door. You leave your car outside and the next day, you almost cry when you notice your side mirror and car speaker are missing. If only your garage door had magically opened itself yesterday evening!

Garage door openers keep your property such as your car, lawn mower, garage heater, cabinet toolbox and other equipment safe inside the garage. It also saves you energy as it automatically opens and closes your garage door. When investing in a garage door opener, there are three key things you need to consider: the horsepower needed to lift the door, the drive system you want, and the speed of the garage opener.

The best garage door opener should make minimal noise, have a reliable remote control and be burglar proof. It would be an added advantage if your garage door could sense obstruction and automatically reverse – we don’t want anybody being squashed, do we?

Price

Garage door openers are consistently priced and it’s worth noting that most brands compete in the same band. From our research, we realized there is a narrow difference in price between different products. With between $210 and $290, you will be in a position to acquire a quality garage door. Of course, some higher-end garage doors will eventually be priced closer to half a grand because they usually come with more bells and whistles.

The type of drive system used to open the garage door is a major factor in price. Those that operate on a belt driver are usually very quiet and cost much more compared to those using a metal chain system, which is noisy. You may find cheap garage door openers that are mass produced, making them poor quality, and you’ll find they may jam when operating. Worse still, they may lack obstruction sensors, resulting in accidents.

Features

Truth be told, it can be overwhelming and challenging, trying to purchase an ideal garage door opener. Here are some features you need to look out for:

Drive system – There are 4 types: chain drive, direct drive, jackshaft and screw drive. Belt-based drives are the quietest but quite pricey while the metallic ones are noisy.
Horsepower – Can be 1/3, 1/2 or 3/4. The horsepower required depends on the weight of garage door. If it’s very heavy then 3/4 horsepower would be the best.
Noise level - Belt driven and direct driven systems have lower noise while the metallic system makes the most noise as it moves.
Operation– Does it use a remote or smart connectivity? What is the range of reception in case you are using a remote? Does it have an auto reverse system?
Installation –Determine whether you can easily install the door opener or you may need the services of a professional..

Construction and Design

The majority of garage door openers come in three designs categorized by the driving system. The quieter ones have a belt drive system that uses a rubber belt to raise and shut the door. The metallic systems use a chain similar to that of a bicycle to operate and are quite noisy. The screw driven garage door opener pulls and pushes the door along a rod. It comes with fewer parts and is easy on the pocket in terms of maintenance.

The horsepower used to operate the garage door depends on the weight of the door. The three available horse powers are 1/3, 1/2 and 3/4 with the one with the most horsepower being used for very heavy garage doors. You will find that some door openers have incorporated remote control technology into their designs, allowing you to open or close the door from a distance.

As technology advances, more and more brands are incorporating smart connectivity into their designs so you can use the internet to operate your door. Most garage door openers can operate a 7 foot high door without you modifying anything. Sensors have been incorporated into some models which allow the door to stop and reverse when there’s an obstruction.

Performance and Ease of Use

The performance of your garage door opener depends on the horsepower available. The lifting power is usually specified but it is wise noting that a higher horse power moves your door without much strain. Remote operation is the easiest because at the press of a button, your door can open or shut.

Garage door openers may require a professional to install in order to make sure everything is in place. You will need to allow enough time for installation – at least four hours, especially where you’re getting rid of an old one. In case you are the one doing the installation, ensure all the parts are present and it’s advantageous to have an extra pair of hands to help.

What is the Best Garage Door Opener?

At this point you are aware that for a garage door to operate effectively, it must have the right horsepower as well as a good drive system. Let’s look at some product options to help you in your purchase of an ideal garage door.

Our Top Choice

The Chamberlain MyQ Belt Drive Garage Opener features whisper-quiet operation and a heavy duty steel belt drive, 3/4 horsepower motor for long lasting use you can count on. Don’t need this much horsepower? You may want the ½ HorsePower MyQ Garage Door Opener which also features the same great technology which allows you to control not only your garage door, but also lights and lamps right from your smart phone.

Chamberlain Whisper Drive Garage Door Opener with MyQ Technology and Battery Backup

Chamberlain Garage Door Opener System WD962KEV

Features

Chamberlain's mission is to exceed the customer's expectations at every turn, providing the best products and plenty of support when it's needed. They feel accountable for the ongoing satisfaction of customers and they also feel driven to continue to improve.

This particular mode – the MyQ Belt Drive Garage Opener, features backup battery power and a reliable steel-reinforced belt drive for long lasting durability you can count on. With over 800 positive reviews on Amazon and a widely-known expert brand like Chamberlain, you can't go wrong.

Let's take a closer look:

3/4 horsepower is powerful enough to lift medium and heavy doors reliably.
Built-in battery backup lets you use your garage door even in a power outage.
MyQ technology is enabled with this device, which means you can connect your smartphone with the additional purchase of a MyQ Gateway.
The timer function lets you set the garage to close after a certain period of time so you never forget.
Two three-button remotes, one wireless entry system and one control panel are included.

Get a garage door opener you can rely on with this belt drive system. It's just one of Chamberlain's many options to choose from.

If this one isn’t the one for you, we encourage you to check out Chamberlain’s other garage door solutions.

Best Value

The Sommer ¾ Horsepower Direct Drive Garage Door Opener features reliable, simple operation and a lifetime warranty on the entire unit. If you're looking for something on the higher end, check out Sommer's Direct Drive Ultra-Durable Garage Door Opener with Wireless Keypad.

Sommer Direct Drive 3/4 HP Garage Door Opener with Secure Rolling Technology

Sommer Garage Door Opener System 1042V001

Features

Sommer is an international company offering some of the highest quality garage door openers, radio controls and gate operators. Their engineering facilities in Germany create their products with the highest standards in mind. Sommer USA distributes products from Charlotte, North Carolina.

This garage door opener is both silent and efficient; doing all the work you need it to without making a fuss. It uses a direct drive system with a stationary chain in a sturdy steel rail for optimal simplicity and durability. Sommer is so confident in this direct drive opener that they say it's the last garage door opener you'll ever buy.

Let's take a closer look:

Unlike most competitors, this garage door opener has a lifetime warranty on the entire product – not just the chain and motor.
Installation is relatively easy with this simple garage door opener, since the rails easily fit together and the chain simply folds out and fits into the carriage. An easy-to-follow video is available on the Sommer website.
3/4 horsepower is plenty for a standard garage door, but Sommer has more powerful options if your garage door is particularly large or heavy.
The only moving part is the traveling motor carriage, which is how this garage door opener keeps noise and potential maintenance to a minimum.

You can definitely save money without sacrificing quality with this Direct Drive Garage Door Opener from Sommer.

Not the right garage opener for you? Check out more of Sommer's great value garage door openers and accessories.

The Liftmaster 8500 Garage Door Opener Package offers a full set of sophisticated tools to seamlessly manage small to large doors, featuring a power lock and small, space-saving design. For a more standard model with the same Liftmaster craftsmenship, check out the LiftMaster 8550W Garage Door Opener Elite.

Liftmaster Jackshaft Wall-Mounted Garage Door Opener Package with Power Lock, Safety Beams & Smart Controls

Liftmaster Garage Door Opener System 8500

Features

Liftmaster has been on the forefront of developing garage opening technology for over 45 years and they've certainly earned their place at the top. They are widely used both by home owners and for commercial use. Liftmaster has never been afraid of serious innovation and has an expansive line of products to fit a range of lifestyles.

This "Jackshaft" model is very unique, mounting to the side of your garage door instead of the ceiling. It's small and extremely powerful. The included control pads are fairly sophisticated compared to competitors, featuring a motion sensor light, timer function and more. The outside keypad can remember a variety of door codes and has a function to close all the doors at once. The remote clicker has three buttons for separate doors and one that can be connected to your outdoor lights.

Let's take a closer look at this sophisticated garage solution:

This type of opener unit saves space in your garage and is powerful enough to open wide and heavy doors.
The LiftMaster opener adds a layer of security, since the door cannot be opened without activating the unit. There's also an included power lock that automatically locks down your garage door for an added layer of security.
From the inside of your garage, you can disengage the opener if you need to manually open the garage door.
Liftmaster does recommend a professional installation as this machine is very powerful and there are several parts to this garage door opening system.
There's no chain to create extra noise, making this opener extremely quiet.

Get a total intelligent garage opening solution with the Liftmaster 8500 Elite.

In addition to this high quality garage door opener, Liftmaster also has a great line of garage opening remotes and accessories.

The reliable Decko Heavy Duty Chain Drive Garage Doro Opener features everything you need in a garage door solution: three-function wall lock, three button remotes and a wireless keypad. For larger doors and frequent use, you may want to consider the higher-end Decko Heavy Duty Belt Drive Garage Opener.

Decko 3/4 HP Heavy Duty Reduced Noise Chain Drive Garage Door Opener with 3 Function Locking Wall Control, Two Three-Button Remotes and Wireless Key pad

Decko Garage Door Opener System 24300

Features

Decko opened its doors in 1932 as a general store offering just about anything their customers wanted. Over the years, their commitment to customer service has lead them to develop a variety of high quality household items such as workbenches, racking solutions, tool cards, filters, brackets and furniture. They make sure their close-knit team is always happy to help and always knowledgeable when it comes to the many applications of their products.

Since Decko is always thinking about the customer, this chain belt garage door opener is built for easy installation for the do-it-yourself consumer. Non-polarized wired connections make installation not only simple, but safe. Overall, this garage solution is sturdy and resistant even to extreme weather conditions.

Here's what you can expect with this chain drive garage door opener.

Decko's 20 point quality inspection means you can rely on this product to be in top condition.
You can also rely on their lifetime limited motor warranty in case something goes wrong.
3/4 horsepower is plenty of power for medium sized doors.
Push-button adjustments make it easy to adjust travel limits and force.

This garage solutions is available as a chain drive or belt drive system.

Get the user-friendly Decko Chain Drive Garage Opener today, or check out Decko's many consumer-focused garage products.

The Genie 1022 Chain-Lift Garage Door Opener features two remote transmitters, reinforced T-Beams and reliable durability. For larger doors and more control, check out the Genie Silent Max Belt Drive Garage Door Opener, featuring a motion detector and wireless keypad.

Genie ½ Horsepower DC ChainLift Garage Door Opener with Two-Transmitters

Genie Garage Door Opener System 1022-TH

Features

Genie was founded in 1923 under the name Alliance Manufacturing Company, creating a broad range of consumer, commercial and military products. They continued to revolutionize products with new features such as the first direct drive screw opener and split rail systems. Genie was well trusted by their consumers by the time they got into the home hardware and garage door game. Today their garage solutions feature some of the most advanced features on the market.

The Genie 1022 1/2 Horsepower Chain Drive Garage Door Opener is ideal for small and medium garage doors. With a low price and simple installation, this garage opener is great for those looking for a simple and effective solution. Here are some of the features that this garage door system has to offer:

Two three-button remotes give you easy control over your garage door from afar.
An included wall button lets you control the door from inside your garage.
The sturdy chain makes this garage opener sturdy and effective.
Reinforced T-Beams add extra safety and sturdiness to this garage opening setup.

Make the easy decision with this reliable garage door opener or check out Genie’s many highly rated openers and accessories.

Get the Best Garage Door Opener of 2018!

It’s our hope this review was insightful and helped you identify a particular garage opener to purchase the next time you go shopping. Whether you're just looking for reliability or something more, these top-notch brands have many more appliances for your needs.

Our Top Choice

Chamberlain WD962KEV 3/4 HPS MyQ Belt Drive Garage Door Opener

Best Value

Sommer 1042V001 Direct Drive Garage Door Opener

Liftmaster 8500 Elite Series® Wall Mount Garage Door Opener

Decko Products24300 3/4hp Garage Door Opener Chain Drive

Genie 1022-TH ½ HP Chain Drive Garage Door Opener