An automatic garage door opener adds convenience, security, and reliable access to your garage with the push of a button. Entry-level models typically cost $179–$224, while heavy-duty openers with advanced features can exceed $440.
To help you find the right model, we researched today’s top garage door openers and compared their performance, features, ease of installation, and overall value. Read on to learn more about our top picks.
Key Takeaways
- The Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Opener ranks as the best overall garage door opener for its powerful belt drive, integrated 130-degree wide-angle camera, and smartphone connectivity.
- Garage door openers typically range from $179–$224 for budget models but more advanced devices with added features can cost upwards of $400 or more.
- Drive type and motor power are the most important factors to consider when shopping for a garage door opener. Belt drives offer the quietest operation, and horsepower ratings determine lifting capacity for different garage door weights.
Top 5 Garage Door Openers
Here’s our list of the best garage door openers available on Amazon:
- Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Opener: Best Overall
- Chamberlain Garage Door Opener: Best For Light Doors
- Genie Smart Garage Door Opener: Best Voice Assistance
- BeamUP Garage Door Opener: Easiest Installation
- CRAFTSMAN Smart Garage Door Opener: Best Value
Compare Top Garage Door Openers
Check out our top picks for the best garage door openers and compare important details like lifting power and warranty coverage below.
| Product | Lifting Power | Accessories | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
Chamberlain Smart Garage Door OpenerCheck Price | Equivalent to 1.25 horsepower (HP) | Two sensors, two remote controls, keypad, and battery backup | Lifetime motor and belt, 5 years parts, and 1 year accessories |
Chamberlain Garage Door OpenerCheck Price | Equivalent to 0.75 HP | Two sensors, one keypad, one control panel, and two remote controls | 15 years belt, 10 years motor, and 1 year parts and accessories |
Genie Smart Garage Door OpenerCheck Price | Equivalent to 1.25 HP | One battery backup, one keypad, one control panel, and two remote controls | Lifetime motor and belt, 5 years parts, and 1 year accessories |
BeamUP Garage Door OpenerCheck Price | Equivalent to 0.75 HP | One control panel and one remote control | 1 year belts, parts, and accessories |
CRAFTSMAN Smart Garage Door OpenerCheck Price | Equivalent to 0.5 HP | One dual-function wall control panel, one keypad, two lights, and two remote controls | 10 years motor and 1 year chain, parts and accessories (both limited) |
Our Reviews of the Best Garage Door Openers
To help you shop for a new garage door opener, we found the best options on Amazon and reviewed each one based on what matters most. Learn more about our top picks below.
Best Overall
Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Opener
Good for: Homeowners with heavy-duty garage doors who want modern connectivity
This garage door opener features a strong belt drive and Chamberlain’s “MAX Lifting Power” technology to work on doors of nearly any size. Additionally, the device includes a built-in 130-degree wide-angle camera to show you what’s happening in and around your garage through the myQ smartphone app. The opener also features power-outage protection, allowing the unit to operate even during power outages.
Pros and Cons of Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Opener
- Includes integrated corner-to-corner LED lighting
- Includes an ultra-quiet motor and smooth start/stop motion
- Allows for two-way audio between your garage and your smartphone
- Sensor system can be overly sensitive
- Has a higher price point than some other models
Key Features
- 1.5 HP and a direct current (DC) motor
- Battery backup functionality
- Built-in 130-degree wide-angle camera
- Ultra-quiet, belt-drive operation
What People Are Saying About The Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Opener
Customers say this product is easy to install, runs quietly, and has a sturdy belt. Several reviewers were also impressed by the brightness of the dual LED lighting. However, some customers complained that this opener was slow to open, and others were disappointed by the extra cost of the camera and video storage.
Best For Light Doors
Chamberlain Garage Door Opener
Good for: Light-duty garage door opening with smart home functionality
With a 0.75-HP-equivalent motor, this garage door opener is best suited for lighter doors. Every time you use one of the remote-access accessories, it triggers an encrypted code to the garage door opener, preventing unauthorized access. Chamberlain also pairs this opener with a five-year motor and belt warranty.
Pros and Cons of Chamberlain Garage Door Opener
- Comes with a wireless keypad
- Remote-access accessories send an encrypted code to the opener to prevent hacking
- Comes with online videos to make installation easier
- Does not come with a battery backup
- Requires signing up for a subscription for full mobile app functionality
Key Features
- 0.75-HP DC motor with belt drive
- Battery backup during power outages
- Built-in camera with 130-degree viewing angle
- Mobile myQ app for remote monitoring
What People Are Saying About The Chamberlain Garage Door Opener
Satisfied customers appreciate this garage door opener’s motion detection and minimal noise, with many saying that it’s easy to install. However, some customers don’t like having to subscribe to use all the functions in the mobile app. Some reviewers also said the installation instructions were difficult to understand.
Best Voice Assistance
Genie Smart Garage Door Opener
Good for: Large sectional garage doors that measure up to 7 feet high
Quietly powered by a direct current motor and a steel-reinforced belt drive, this smart garage door opener is a good option for garages attached to bedrooms, nurseries, or other sound-sensitive rooms. This smartphone-controlled model is compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Home for full voice control. Plus, it’s easy to install, with no extra hardware needed.
Pros and Cons of Genie Smart Garage Door Opener
- Includes five lithium batteries
- Comes with two pre-programmed remotes
- Motor has lifting power equivalent to 1.25 horsepower
- Has a higher price point than other garage door openers
- Some customers found that the connection to Amazon Alexa was weak
Key Features
- Wi-Fi, Google Assistant, and Alexa compatible
- Mobile app provides installation guidance
- Direct current motor with steel-reinforced belt drive
- Integrated battery backup for outages
What People Are Saying About The Genie Smart Garage Door Opener
Positive reviews highlight how quiet this garage door opener’s motor is. Other customers praise the quality of its materials for the money. In addition, several customers said it was easy to install. However, some customers have had issues connecting the opener with Amazon Alexa, and others were disappointed by its lack of a motion-sensing light.
Easiest Installation
BeamUP Garage Door Opener
Good for: Homeowners looking for a budget-friendly garage door opener
This garage door opener has a sleek, all-white design, making it a great addition to modern homes. We like that it comes with instruction manuals, video tutorials, and tech support to simplify the installation process. It also features a 0.75-HP DC motor that can handle various door sizes.
Pros and Cons of BeamUP Garage Door Opener
- Is strong enough to work on single- and double-garage doors
- Comes in multiple styles
- Has a sleek white design
- Some customers had issues connecting the device to HomeLink
- Comes with fewer accessories than some other garage door openers in this review
Key Features
- 0.75 HP DC motor with a steel chain drive
- 1500-lumen LED security lighting
- Includes video tutorials and phone tech support
- Works with single or double garage doors
What People Are Saying About The BeamUP Garage Door Opener
Positive reviews talk about this garage door opener’s easy installation and quiet direct current motor, and many customers seem pleased with the company’s customer service. Unsatisfied customers say this garage door opener model wouldn’t connect to the HomeLink smartphone app. Some customers also report missing installation pieces and accessories.
Best Value
CRAFTSMAN Smart Garage Door Opener
Good for: Reliable performance at an affordable price
At a lower price than many similar models, this CRAFTSMAN garage door opener offers belt-drive operation, rugged steel construction, and enough horsepower to lift a seven-foot door. Additionally, this opener is compatible with your smartphone, allowing you to monitor and control it directly from the company’s myQ app.
Pros and Cons of CRAFTSMAN Smart Garage Door Opener
- Has a three-button remote with a range of up to 1,500 feet
- Sends a new code to your garage with every click to prevent hacking
- Includes a wireless keypad
- Not suited for heavy doors
- Connectivity is weaker than in some other models
Key Features
- 0.75 HP DC motor with a belt-drive system
- Battery backup for power outages
- Two remotes with a 1,500-foot range
- Wi-Fi enabled with myQ smartphone app
What People Are Saying About The CRAFTSMAN Smart Garage Door Opener
Several customers said they were impressed by this opener’s ease of assembly and quiet operation, and others mentioned its bright lighting. However, some reviewers felt this product was not durable and made cheaply. Some found the remote finicky and said it didn’t always work properly.
Garage Door Opener Buying Guide
The two main components to consider when buying a garage door opener are the drive type and the motor output. But it’s also important to think about other features like controls, accessories, installation, and smart technology. Read our buying guide below for more information on how to choose the best garage door opener for your home.
What are the types of drive types in garage door openers?
The drive is the mechanism that lifts your garage door. There are four types of garage door openers, but only the first three are used in homes.
- Chain: Chain-drive garage door openers are typically the least expensive type but require periodic maintenance to ensure the chain still works.
- Direct/screw: Direct drive is slightly more expensive than chain drive but requires no maintenance and operates more quietly.
- Belt: Belt-drive garage door openers often have a high price point, but they can be worth the extra cost because of their durability, low maintenance requirements, and smooth, quiet operation.
- Jackshaft: This type of drive is used in commercial settings with heavy doors. They’re secure, but they are loud and require maintenance.
Motor Types
Garage door openers have two types of motors: alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). Alternating current motors have been used in garage openers for years. They’re cheap and reliable, but often large and noisy. Newer garage door openers use DC motors, which are smaller and quieter.
Power Level
Garage door openers with alternating current motors are rated in horsepower (HP), while direct current motors use horsepower-equivalent (HPS) or horsepower-comparable (HPC) ratings. These ratings allow you to compare the power of different motors side by side. Below, we break down power ratings and explain the types of garage doors and loads each one can handle.
- 0.25 HP: These motors are only powerful enough to open light aluminum doors slowly.
- 0.50 HP: This type of motor works well with a variety of garage door materials except for solid wood.
- 0.75 HP: This type of motor smoothly and quickly opens residential garage doors of every material.
- 1 HP: Most often found in commercial settings, but you can find residential versions if you have a particularly heavy door.
Controllers
Keyless entry is the norm for residential garage door openers, so you’ll usually receive at least one remote control door controller and one keypad with your purchase. The remote lets you open your garage from inside your home.
If you have more than one remote, you can leave the extra ones on your keychain, in your car, or in your bag. The keypad is usually placed right outside of the garage door. To use your keypad, lift its cover and enter the passcode you assign.
Newer garage door openers often have smart features, Wi-Fi compatibility, and the ability to sync with a smartphone app or smart devices like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
Installation
Garage door openers usually come with step-by-step instructions for easy installation. If you have trouble installing an opener, contact the manufacturer for help or hire a professional contractor.
How To Replace an Old Garage Door Opener
Homeowners can often replace a garage door opener as a do-it-yourself (DIY) project. Scott Caron, the master electrician for Ask This Old House, has you covered with detailed instructions about how you can swap out your old garage door opener for a new one.
- Make sure the power to the garage is turned off at the circuit panel.
- Unplug your existing garage door opener and loosen the brackets securing it. Gently lower it down from the ceiling.
- Using an open-ended adjustable wrench, loosen the old bracket and remove it from the door.
- Using a screw gun, install the new bracket over your garage door.
- Slide the track into the bracket and secure it with a wrench.
- Using a wrench, screw in the new motor into the existing brackets on your ceiling.
- Connect the lifting arm from the door to the track.
- Wire the keypad inside of the garage.
- Run the wire through a conduit to connect it to the garage door motor.
- Using a screw gun, mount the wireless keypad outside of the garage.
- About 6 inches from the floor in the inside of the garage, mount the electric eyes.
- Plug the motor into a power outlet and turn the power back on. Test the opener to make sure it’s working properly.
FAQs About Garage Door Openers
Will my garage door opener work if the power is out?
Since garage door openers are connected to your home’s electrical system, they usually won’t work if the power is out. However, you can find some models that have a manual release for you to pull the door up or down yourself. Some also come with a battery backup to keep the system running until the power comes back on.
Do garage door openers have lights?
Yes, most modern garage door openers have a built-in light that turns on during operation. These lights are usually on a timer and will automatically turn off after a set period of time, typically a few minutes.
Do garage door openers have a reverse mechanism?
A federal law was written in 1993 requiring all garage door openers to have a reverse mechanism. This reverse mechanism forces the door to go back up if it senses an object or person blocking the garage. This prevents people from getting injured and your car and other items from getting damaged.
Our Methodology
To find our top picks, we rely on several key sources of information:
- Initial research: Our research process began by generating a list of garage door openers with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
- Expert insights: Over the years, we’ve learned that listening to what others have to say is key to producing accurate, well-rounded articles. To complement our in-house expertise, our team reviewed and watched videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject-matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
- Final product selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we pared the list down further by comparing each model’s feature set and selecting the best-in-class options for a variety of buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Why You Can Trust Us
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIYers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice through television programs, print media, and digital content.
Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published countless reviews of garden, lawn, and outdoor products—from fertilizer and garden hoses to patio furniture and lawn mowers.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
