Best Garage Door Openers: A Must-Read Before You Buy
With the right garage door opener, it will be effortless for your car to get in and out of the garage. Aside from convenience, it will also be beneficial in terms of safety. It will make sure that the door will not close accidentally and will prevent the possibility of suffering from mishaps. It is one of the essentials to have in the garage.
Are you looking for the best garage door openers that are available in the market these days? If you are having a hard time deciding on which one will make the best choice, keep on reading the rest of this post. I will share with you some of the essential considerations, as well as five of the products that are sure to be worth your money.
| Product | Brand | |
|---|---|---|
 
|
Chamberlain | Review |
|
Direct Drive | Review |
|
Liftmaster | Review |
|
Genie | Review |
| |
Chamberlain | Review |
Choosing the Best Garage Door Openers
As you try to weigh the possibilities, below are some of the most important considerations that will help you to come up with the right decision:
1. Motor
This is one of the most important parts of the garage door opener and will be highly indicative of performance. Look at the horsepower or HP rating. A higher number will be better. This makes it possible to operate with less wear and making sure that the door will open or close in an instant. However, those with higher horsepower are also generally more expensive.
Aside from the horsepower, you also need to consider the type of motor that is incorporated in the unit. Generally speaking, DC motor is better than an AC motor. A direct current motor can offer softer starts and stops. This means that lesser noise will be produced and it will also not be easily prone to wear.
2. Remote
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With a remote, you will be able to control the door without having to touch it manually. See to it that the remote has convenient features. In today’s time, many products can already be controlled with the use of your smartphone, which will function as the remote. You can download a compatible app. This will also allow you to monitor your garage even at a distance.
3. Noise
The drive system of the garage door opener is often the one that is responsible for making a noise. As much as possible, choose a product that comes with a direct drive motor. In the case of the latter, there is a single moving part. This will make the operations smooth, and best of all, it will not produce any noticeable noise.
4. Safety Features
The garage door opener must be able to offer a wide array of features that will guarantee its safe operations. One of the most important is automatic reverse. This means that while the door is closing, if it is able to detect an object, it will automatically reverse.
The rolling code technology is another safety feature that you should look for. This will provide innovative encryption, which means that no one will be able to access your garage without your authority.
5. BatteryBackup
This is important as it can provide you with the assurance that you will be able to get in and out of the garage, even if there is no power. In case of an outage, the battery will automatically provide the power that is needed for the door to function. More often than not, the battery will last for a day and will have a predetermined number of times it can open or close the door.
6. Installation
If you are into DIY tasks, you do not have to pay a pro to install your garage door opener. With this, make sure that the manufacturer provides comprehensive instructions on how to complete the assembly of their products. See to it as well that they will provide all the accessories that you will need, including screws and brackets.
In the case of some companies, their websites have videos that will provide you with a visual guide on the steps that you need to do to complete the installation.
7. Overhead Lights
This is a feature that is not present in all of the garage door openers that you can see in the market. It will be good if it is incorporated with an overhead light, which must operate independently. Some products are equipped with proximity sensors that will automatically turn off the light once it is able to detect that you are already inside the garage.
8. Warranty Coverage
When it comes to warranty, the longer, the better. Many manufacturers are offering a lifetime warranty, which is perfect if you want to have peace of mind. This means that if the garage door opener becomes defective, you can rely on the support from the manufacturer. They will provide free repair or replace the defective parts without any cost on your end.
In most cases, there is different warranty for the motor and the parts. Be sure to read the terms and conditions. The warranty will be void if the problem is a result of your negligence, such as if you install it the wrong way or if you did not follow the instructions for care and maintenance.
9. Reviews
The best way to evaluate the products available in the market is to read reviews from other people. Through their feedbacks, you can easily weigh the pros and cons for each product. Pay attention to their experiences and insights. However, you should also know how to decipher fake reviews from the real ones. A lot of companies may be paying others to write favorable reviews so that their products will appear to be the best.
Top Picks for the Best Garage Door Openers
If you are still undecided on which one to choose, below are five of the products that you will surely love:
1. Chamberlain WD962KEV Garage Door Opener
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Modern yet simple – this is one of the reasons why I believe this should be on the top of your list of choices. It has high-end features that are indicative of premium quality. However, you can expect that it is excellent in terms of simplicity. Even its installation can be accomplished in a snap.
Among others, one feature that is worth highlighting about this product is the MyQ App. The latter will allow you to control the garage door opener with the use of your mobile phone. You will also be able to receive a notification if the garage door opens or closes. Even if you are on a holiday or business trip, you can have peace of mind.
The Ultra Quiet Belt Drive is another feature that gives this a reputation that is hard to match. The latter allows it to open and close smoothly. Best of all, it will do so without making an annoying noise.
The battery backup is another feature that you will love. In case there is no electricity, there is no need to be frustrated. The garage door will still open and close. Within one day of power outage, the high-quality battery will allow the door to open and close by as much as 20 times.
Pros:
- Has lot of positive reviews online
- Installation is easy even for beginners
- Comes with a rugged motor
- Operates without making a loud noise
- Durable construction
- Lifetime warranty from the manufacturer
2. Direct Drive 1042V001 Garage Door Opener
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While there are many things to love about this product, one that I personally find to be exceptional is the safety beam sensor, which can provide you with peace of mind. The latter allows the door to reverse when it is able to detect an object.
The Secure Rolling Code Technology is another feature that gives this product an edge above many others within the competition. Basically speaking, the latter will make sure that no one will be able to open the door without your permission.
It is also impressive that this product is fitted with a direct drive motor. The latter means that there is only one moving part in the motor. This minimizes the noise and vibration for the smooth operation of the garage door opener.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, the manufacturer is providing a lifetime warranty on all parts of the door opener. At any given point, if it becomes defective, just get in touch with the company’s support team and they will extend a helping hand.
Pros:
- Powerful and long-lasting batteries
- Stylish and elegant design
- Remote has high-end technology
- Durable construction
- Easy to install
3. Liftmaster 8500 Wall Mount Garage Door Opener
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Looking at the features, one that captured my attention is the 24V DC motor. The latter is the one that is primarily responsible for allowing it to offer high reliability. In the same way, the motor also allows the garage door to open and close without making a loud noise.
In terms of safety features, it also makes use of an invisible light beam as a sensor. The latter will prevent the door from closing fully if the sensor is able to detect an object that will be hit by the door.
It also comes with an auto-force feature, which allows the product to function like it has a mind of its own. With the latter, there are automatic adjustments that are made based on external factors, such as movement of the door track and fluctuations in temperature.
For the parts, the manufacturer is offering warranty that lasts for five years. For the motor, on the other hand, the warranty is good for a lifetime. This is more than enough to cast any doubt that you might have about this garage door opener.
Pros:
- Compatible with a mobile application
- Easy installation
- Has an abundance of safety features
- Internal components are long-lasting
4. Genie SilentMax 1200 Garage Door Opener
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This garage door opener is good for middle of the road door opener. It has 3/4 HP power with 140 V motor. It is quiet and can handle most garage doors well.
With the direct drive screw system, simplicity is another good reason to choose this product. The installation will be a snap for you to accomplish. Also, this is almost maintenance-free.
Lastly, it comes with Genie Intellicode Technology. The latter is known for an innovative encryption process, which will lessen the likelihood that someone will be able to open the garage door without your permission.
Pros:
- Simple to install
- High-proximity sensor
5. Chamberlain C450 Smartphone – Controlled
Garage Door Opener
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From the way the product is named, you can operate the unit with a mobile phone. It gives enough power to open most doors with 1/2 horse power.
This product uses a durable chain drive and has great range with its two remotes. It fits 7 ft high areas with 8 ft to 10 ft high garage doors.
The best in class warranty that is offered by the manufacturer is another thing that makes it exceptional, providing you with peace of mind.
Pros:
- Durable construction
- Easy to install
- Reliable proximity sensor
Conclusion
From the five products that have been mentioned above, Chamberlain WD962KEV Garage Door Opener stands out from all others. It has smartphone compatibility, operates smoothly, does not produce a loud noise, and installation is easy to accomplish. Given its quality, it will definitely worth your money.
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