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Are you in the market for a replacement garage door opener? The latest ones have features you couldn’t even have imagined a few years ago! But with so many choices available, how can you narrow down the best ones?
Austin’s Greater Garage Doors compiled an easy-to-navigate list of the best garage door openers based on the features that so many car owners prioritize. We searched for reviews from reputable sources, such as Popular Mechanics, Forbes, autoguide.com, and the award-winning home improvement site, thespruce.com.
But before we start talking about brands, here are some facts you should know about garage door openers.
Different Types of Garage Door Openers
The mechanisms of the different types of garage door openers are worth considering when selecting which opener you want to live with for the next 10–15 years. Some are quieter, some are sturdier, some more powerful, and some require less maintenance:
- Chain-drive openers operate by using a chain that connects a trolley to the motor. They are the most affordable option. But what you gain in savings, you’ll give up in noise-reduction. That’s something to think about if your bedrooms or office are located directly above the garage.
- Belt-drive openers are made from materials that provide much quieter operation than openers that use a chain. These kinds of openers need very little maintenance and if they do break, they’re easy to replace. Chains are stronger than belts, however.
- Screw-drive openers move the trolley with a threaded rod that’s rotated by the motor. It’s a very powerful opener, but it’s also fairly noisy. It doesn’t have many parts, so it’s easy to maintain. The screw needs to be lubricated regularly, though.
- Wall-mounted openers (also called jackshift) are primarily used for commercial applications but are ideal for residential use if you need more overhead space in your garage. These openers are installed either to the left or right of the garage door. The torsion bar is turned with pulleys and cables driven via a 24v DC motor. Wall-mounted openers are very quiet but are also expensive.
Best Garage Door Openers for 2021
Best Overall Garage Door Opener
In this category, two openers rose to the top:
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- Chamberlain B1381
- Effortless and smooth lifting operation
- Smartphone capability (open and close it from anywhere with an app)
- Belt-drive mechanism reinforced with steel, so it can lift heavy doors.
- Includes a backup battery if your power goes out
- Extra security with deadbolt locking once the door closes
- Connects with Amazon Key to allow safe delivery of your packages
- Very quiet DC-powered motor
- Built-in bright LED lighting system that connects with other smart lights in your home
- At the high-end of the price range
- Close behind the B1381 is the Chamberlain B970 at a slightly reduced price. The B970 was voted the best pick for heavy doors by both Popular Mechanics and autoguide.com
- LiftMaster 8500W
- Wall mount garage door opener, so frees up overhead space
- Similar features to the Chamberlain model (smartphone capability, quiet motor, LED system, backup battery, Amazon Key)
- Auto-force feature adjusts force to lift door as needed
- Advanced technology for auto-reverse safety
- Chamberlain B1381
- LiftMaster is a popular and highly rated commercial garage door opener brand
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- The LiftMaster model is expensive, but jackshift (wall-mounted) systems are known to be pricey.
“Belt-drive openers are made from materials that provide much quieter operation than openers that use a chain.”
Best Budget/Affordable Opener
- LiftMaster 1355
- In a Popular Mechanics survey, 94% gave this LiftMaster model four stars or above.
- Chain-drive operation is reliable and sturdy, but it will be noisier than other types of mechanisms
- Single-button remote garage door opener system
- Its outstanding feature is advanced security. The Security+ 2.0 feature sends a new code to your phone every time you open the door (in tandem with the MyQ mobile app). And the Posilock® feature provides electronic protection from forced openings.
- Built-in Wifi garage door opener functionality
- Same autoforce and auto-reverse technology as higher-priced LiftMaster models
Best Quiet Garage Door Opener
Genie models are highly rated for quiet operation:
- The “Best Quiet” model is the Genie SilentMax 750S
- Powerful belt-driven model that can lift doors up to 500 pounds
- Smooth operation won’t rattle your house
- Integrated battery backup
- “Light-beam” safety technology similar to LiftMaster models
- Will not accommodate doors over 8 feet
- Another highly rated quiet model is the Genie Stealth 500 Essentials. It’s priced slightly less than the SilentMax but it has fewer frills and no backup battery.
- Neither of these models work with WiFi.
Best Smart Opener
The Genie SilentMax Connect offers all of the features of the Genie SilentMax but also connects to Google and Alexa smart home devices. However, there’s no battery backup on this model. A better Genie option is the Genie StealthDrive Connect:
- WiFi compatible
- Same light-beam safety technology as other brands
- Backup battery included
- Strong and quiet like other Genie belt-driven models
- Monitor, open, and close your garage door using your smartphone
- Connect with Alexa and Google Home.
- Garage accessories include two garage door remotes and a wireless garage door keypad with PIN access
- You may pay up to $100 more for the Genie StealthDrive Connect vs. the SilentMax Connect, so it’s important to decide which features are most important to you
Garage Door Installation in Austin
At Austin’s Greater Garage Doors, our expertly trained technicians can quickly and easily install garage door openers. The better garage door opener models are extremely difficult and frustrating for the novice or DIYer to install themselves. Let us take care of the installation to save you time and headaches!
And if you’re having trouble deciding which garage door opener is the right choice, we’ll consult with you to select the one that best fits your budget and needs. Wherever you are in your decision-making process, Austin’s Greater Garage Doors can help. Contact us or call (512) 865-4813.