Automatic garage door openers are convenient tools that allow you to open your garage doors with the push of a button. Typically, you can expect to spend anywhere from $125 to $175 for a budget-friendly opener, while heavy-duty models can run for as much as $500. Most garage door openers fall into the $200 to $400 range.
To help you narrow down your options and find the best garage door opener for your needs, I researched the top models available. Overall, my top choice is the Chamberlain B6753T Smart Garage Door Opener, which comes with a variety of useful accessories and has a powerful lifting function. Read the guide below for more of my top picks.
Top 7 Garage Door Openers
- Chamberlain B6753T Smart Garage Door Opener: Best Overall
- Chamberlain B550 Garage Door Opener: Best For Light Doors
- Genie 7155-TKV Garage Door Opener: Best Voice Assistance
- BeamUP BU100 Garage Door Opener: Easiest Installation
- Skylink Atoms ATR-1611C Garage Door Opener: Best Sensors
- LiftMaster 8500 Elite Series Jackshaft Operator: Best for Large Vehicles
- CRAFTSMAN Smart Garage Door Opener: Best Value
Compare Top Garage Door Openers
| Product | Lifting Power | Accessories | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|
Chamberlain B6753T Smart Garage Door OpenerCheck Price | Equivalent to 1.25 horsepower | Two sensors, two remote controls, keypad, battery backup | Lifetime motor and belt warranty, 5-year parts warranty, 1-year accessories warranty |
Chamberlain B550 Garage Door OpenerCheck Price | Equivalent to 0.5 horsepower | Two sensors, one keypad, one control panel, and two remote controls | 15-year belt warranty, 10-year motor warranty, 1-year parts and accessories warranty |
Genie 7155-TKV Garage Door OpenerCheck Price | Equivalent to 1.25 horsepower | One battery backup, One keypad, one control panel, and two remote controls | Lifetime motor and belt warranty, 5-year parts warranty, 1-year accessories warranty |
BeamUP BU100 Garage Door OpenerCheck Price | Equivalent to 0.75 horsepower | One control panel and one remote control | 1-year belts, part, and accessories warranty |
Skylink Atoms ATR-1611C Garage Door OpenerCheck Price | Equivalent to 0.5 horsepower | Two sensors, one control panel, and one remote control | 1 year |
LiftMaster 8500 Elite Series Jackshaft OperatorCheck Price | Equivalent to 0.5 horsepower | One control panel, one remote control, one light | 5-year limited, 1 year for battery backup |
CRAFTSMAN Smart Garage Door OpenerCheck Price | Equivalent to 0.5 horsepower | One dual-function wall control panel, one keypad, two lights, two remote controls | 10 Year limited warranty-motor; 1 year limited warranty-chain, parts and accessories. |
Best Overall
Chamberlain B6753T Smart Garage Door Opener
This powerful garage door opener features a strong belt drive and Chamberlain’s MAX Lifting power to work on doors of nearly any size. Additionally, it 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.
Pros and Cons of Chamberlain B6753T 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
What People Are Saying About The Chamberlain B6753T Smart Garage Door Opener
I found that customers who gave this product a positive review liked that it was easy to install, ran quietly, and had a sturdy belt. Several were also impressed with the dual LED lighting’s brightness level. However, there were some complaints from customers that this opener was slow to open, and others said were disappointed by the extra cost associated with the camera and video storage.
Best For Light Doors
Chamberlain B550 Garage Door Opener
With a 0.5-horsepower-equivalent motor, this garage door opener works best with 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.
Pros and Cons of Chamberlain B550 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
- Does not come with a battery backup
What People Are Saying About The Chamberlain B550 Garage Door Opener
In my research, I found that satisfied customers pointed out that this smart garage door had excellent motion detection and a minimal noise level. Many noted that it was easy to install as well. However, other customers didn’t like that they had to purchase a subscription to use all of the functions in the included app. They also said that the installation instructions were difficult to understand.
Best Voice Assistance
Genie 7155-TKV Garage Door Opener
Quietly using a DC motor paired with a steel-reinforced belt drive, I think this smart garage door opener is a great option for garages attached to bedrooms or nurseries. 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 7155-TKV 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
What People Are Saying About The Genie 7155-TKV Garage Door Opener
Positive reviews I found highlighted how quiet this garage door opener’s motor was and how high-quality its materials were for the money. In addition, many said that it was easy to install. However, some customers had issues connecting it to or using it with Amazon Alexa, and others were disappointed by its lack of motion-sensing light.
Easiest Installation
BeamUP BU100 Garage Door Opener
This garage door opener has a sleek, all-white design, making it the perfect addition to a modern home. I like that it also provides customers with instruction manuals, video tutorials, and tech support to ease the installation process.
Pros and Cons of BeamUP BU100 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
What People Are Saying About The BeamUP BU100 Garage Door Opener
I found that positive reviews raved about this garage door opener’s easy installation and quiet DC motor. Many also said that they were pleased with the company’s customer service. Unsatisfied customers noted that this garage door opener model wouldn’t connect to HomeLink. Some customers were also missing installation pieces and accessories.
Best Sensors
Skylink Atoms ATR-1611C Garage Door Opener
In addition to a one-button remote and keychain fob, this garage door opener comes with two infrared safety sensors to ensure that there aren’t obstructions to the door. The opener also has an integrated LED light for better garage visibility.
Pros and Cons of Skylink Atoms ATR-1611C Garage Door Opener
- Is less expensive than some other, similar garage door openers
- Includes a fab that attaches to your keychain
- Works with in-car remotes without extra hardware
- The backup battery is sold separately
- Does not feature smart home technology
What People Are Saying About The Skylink Atoms ATR-1611C Garage Door Opener
Positive reviews raved about this opener’s minimal noise, sensitive motion, and easy installation. Other reviews believed that this garage door opener was high-quality, considering its cost. In contrast, negative reviews said that their model stopped working after a short period of time, and others were frustrated by its sensitive motion sensor.
Best for Large Vehicles
LiftMaster 8500 Elite Series Jackshaft Operator
This sleek garage door delivers powerful operation and can be controlled with a smartphone so you can create your own open and close schedules and get alerts sent to your phone. It features a space-saving design that can be mounted on your wall, freeing up crucial ceiling space and reducing vibration level.
Pros and Cons of LiftMaster 8500 Elite Series Jackshaft Operator
- Sends audio and visual warnings when the door is closing
- Sends a new code to the opener with every click for added safety and security
- Features a motion detector that automatically activates lights when you enter the garage
- Is not compatible with roll-up garage doors
- Has a high price point
What People Are Saying About The LiftMaster 8500 Elite Series Jackshaft Operator
I found that customers who were pleased with this product said that it ran quietly and that it had straightforward installation. Several others were impressed with its durable design and ability to work on heavy doors. However, there were some customers who were disappointed by the extra fees needed to get this opener to work on older car remotes. Others had issues with the emergency cord not functioning properly.
Best Value
CRAFTSMAN Smart Garage Door Opener
At a lower price than many similar models, I like that this garage door opener from Craftsman provides a chain drive operation with a rugged steel construction with enough horsepower to lift a seven-foot door. Additionally, this opener is compatible with your smartphone, so you can monitor and control your opener directly from the 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
What People Are Saying About The CRAFTSMAN Smart Garage Door Opener
I noted that several customers who gave this garage door opener a positive review were impressed with its easy assembly and that it ran quietly. Others appreciated how bright its lighting was. However, others felt this product was not durable and that it was made cheaply. Some found the remote finicky and said it didn’t always work properly.
Garage Door Opener Buying Guide
In addition to choosing the two main components of your garage door opener—the drive and the motor— there are also several other factors you should take into consideration, including controls, accessories, installation, and smart features. Read my 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 drive 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 requires periodic maintenance to ensure the chain still works.
- Direct/screw: Direct drive is slightly more expensive than chain drive, but it doesn’t require maintenance and has quiet operation.
- Belt: Belt drive garage door openers often have a high price point, but they can be worth the extra cost because of their durability, lack of maintenance requirements, and smooth and silent operation.
- Jackshaft: This type of drive is used in commercial settings with heavy doors. They’re secure, but they are loud and require maintenance.
What are the various motor types in garage door openers?
Garage door openers have two types of motors: AC and DC.
- AC: AC motors have been used in garage openers for years. They’re cheap and reliable, but they can be large and noisy.
- DC: Newer garage door openers have DC motors that improve upon AC motors by being smaller and quieter.
How do you determine the power level of a garage door opener?
Garage door openers with AC motors measure their power in horsepower (HP). DC motors technically can’t be rated using HP, so they use horsepower similar (HPS) or horsepower comparable (HPC). These measurements allow you to compare AC motors to DC motors when looking at several models next to each other. Below, I break down power into categories and explain what types of garage doors these categories can handle.
- ¼ HP: These motors are only powerful enough to open light aluminum doors slowly.
- ½ HP: This type of motor works well with a variety of garage door materials except for solid wood.
- ¾ HP: This type of motor smoothly and quickly opens residential garage doors of every material.
- 1 HP: These are most often found in commercial settings, but you can find residential ones if you have a particularly heavy door.
How are garage door openers controlled?
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 goes inside of your garage, allowing you to open your garage from within 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, you can lift its cover and type in the code. Newer garage door openers often have smart features and are sometimes compatible with Wi-Fi and can be controlled with a smartphone app or by smart devices like Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa.
What’s the installation process like for a garage door opener?
Garage door openers come with step-by-step instructions for easy installation. If you have trouble installing the opener, contact the manufacturer for help or get a professional to install it for you.
Learn more about the cost of installing a garage door for more detailed pricing information.
How To Replace a Garage Door Opener
Replacing a garage door opener once you’ve bought a newer model can be tricky if you’re looking to DIY. Thankfully, Scott Caron, master electrician for Ask This Old House, has you covered with detailed instructions about how you can swap out your garage door opener in no time.
- The first thing you should do is to ensure the power to the garage is turned off at the circuit panel.
- Next, 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 bracket and remove the bracket on and above the door.
- Next, using a screw gun, install the bracket that comes with the opener over your garage door.
- Slide the track into the bracket and secure it with a wrench.
- Using your wrench, screw in the new motor into the existing brackets on your ceiling.
- Following that, connect the lifting arm from the door to the track.
- Next, 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.
- Finally, plug the motor into a power outlet and turn the power back on. Test it to make sure it’s working properly.
Garage Door Opener FAQs
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, almost all garage door openers have a built-in light that turns on while you’re operating them. These lights are usually set 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?
In 1993, a United States law was written to require 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 anyone from getting injured and any item from getting damaged.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
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: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and 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 compared each model’s feature set to create a final short list, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
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.