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The Best Garage Door Opener

Last updated on August 16, 2024
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We looked at the top 9 Garage Door Openers and dug through the reviews from 23 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Garage Door Openers.

Best Garage Door Opener

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

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Our Picks For The Top Garage Door Openers

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Product Overview
Key Takeaway
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Genie Chain Drive 750 HPc Heavy Duty Garage Door Opener

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Genie

Chain Drive Heavy Duty Garage Door Opener

You won't have any trouble installing this garage door opener, as it uses a 5-piece rail system that snaps together with ease. You'll get two pre-programmed remotes and a wireless keypad to use along with your system. There's even a battery backup that allows you to use the garage door up to 50 times during a power outage.

Overall Take

Battery Backup IncludedBuilt with emergencies in mind, this garage door opener comes with a battery backup so you can use it even if the power's out.

Pros
" If you’re looking for an automatic garage door opener and you want something that is very easy to install and something that you will be able to start using straight out of the box then we highly recommend that you..."
 Runner Up

Chamberlain B970 Triband Technology Silent Garage Door Opener

Chamberlain

Triband Technology Silent Garage Door Opener

If you're searching for a garage door opener with all the bells and whistles, this model is for you. It runs quietly and has a battery backup for emergencies and power outages. The best features is its smartphone compatibility, which allows the user to open and close the garage door from their phone.

Overall Take

Smartphone CompatibleSince this garage door opener is smartphone compatible, you'll be able to operate it from your phone, even if you aren't home.

Pros
" From the same guys who made our top pick, the Chamberlain B970 presents itself as the best garage door opener for the money. It brings outstanding value; all packed in a compact system that will never let you down. Packing..."
 Strong Contender

Skylink ATOMS AT-1611 Screw-In Long-Lasting Garage Door Opener

ATOMS Screw-In Long-Lasting Garage Door Opener

This garage door opener uses a DC motor instead of an AC motor, which allows it to operate without all the noise. It can be installed on both single and double garage doors. You will also appreciate the built-in LED light, especially when opening the garage at night.

Overall Take

Runs QuietlyYou won't disturb the neighbors with this garage door opener, as it is designed to run quietly.

Pros
" ATOMS AT-1611 is the most quiet garage door opener with a powerful ½ HP motor. The opener contains a built-in 12 W LED bulb for long-lasting illumination. Also, it works on rolling code technology with a single buttoned remote."
 We Also Like

Liftmaster 8500 Space Saving Wall Mount Garage Door Opener

Liftmaster

Space Saving Wall Mount Garage Door Opener

Instead of the ceiling, this garage door opener mounts on the wall next to the garage door. It's slim design means it won't take up much space. The unit runs quietly, is outfitted with a powerful motor and is fully equipped with a programmable security code panel.

Overall Take

Space-Saving DesignIf space is limited, you'll want to go with this slim garage door opener.

Pros
" Wall-mount design saves space, smooth start and stop, auto-force feature, Protector System, includes MyQ Control Panel."

Buying Guide

Without a garage door opener, you’d have to manually lift the door every time you needed access, which would be especially annoying if you parked your car in there. A garage door opener is a modern convenience many people take for granted. If your home has an opener already, chances are it was already there when you bought the house. But you don’t have to wait until it malfunctions to replace it. In fact, you may find that you can upgrade to a quieter, more efficient model that offers capabilities you don’t currently have.

If you’ve decided you need a new garage door opener, though, where do you start?

“Determining horsepower (HP) should be the first step in picking out a garage door opener,” says Vicki Liston, our home improvement expert and the host of “On The Fly…DIY,” an award-winning show with unique project tutorials. “Too much HP and you are wasting a lot of money. Too little and you run the risk of tearing up the motor. The goal is to find the right balance.”

She suggests that you may need just 1/3 HP for lightweight single-car garage doors. Light-weight double-car garage doors work most efficiently with 1/2 HP. If you have a door made with a heavier material such as wood, try 3/4, 1 or even 1 1/4 HP or HPc (Horse Power Comparable). Basically, the weight and size of your door determine your power needs.

Once you’ve figured out your HP needs, think about what else is most important to you. Factors can include price, noise level, or long-term reliability and maintenance requirements. Your personal preferences here will help you determine which drive type you should get.

Liston explains that chain drives are cheap and reliable, and can be easiest to fix — but they’re noisy. Meanwhile, screw drives are quieter and need less maintenance, but you pay for that privilege. Belt drives are even quieter than screw drives but are expensive, difficult to repair and can’t be used on larger, heavier doors. Direct drives are the quietest opener on the market. They are also reliable, pricey and less common.

Once you’ve decided about drive type, it’s time to delve into the optional features, which make buying a garage door opener a bit more fun.

“There are plenty of bells and whistles that can come with today’s units, depending on your price point,” Liston explains. “From the basics, like overhead lights and a battery back-up to more advanced options, like rolling code security technology for keypads and remotes, internet connectivity, and control via a smartphone app, there’s a spectrum to pick from. Simply combine your HP requirements with your drive preference and any additional features you need for your lifestyle, security and peace of mind.”

One feature found with many modern garage door openers that you may wish to consider is battery backup. This means instead of dragging out a ladder and trying to find the cord to release the door during a blackout, you’ll be able to continue to use the garage door until the power comes back on. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll be limited in the number of times you can open and close your garage door before the backup runs out.

If you’re reluctant to get a whole new garage door opener, though, there are some garage door problems you can fix with a few less-expensive, less time-consuming upgrades.

You’ve likely noticed that some garage door openers are noisier than others. You can actually purchase a noise reduction kit for a fraction of the price of a new garage door opener. You’ll also save yourself the trouble of switching out your existing garage door opener if noise is your only concern.

You also don’t have to buy a new garage door opener if you simply want mobile connectivity. The Chamberlain MyQ Smart Hub works with most garage door openers and gives you control over your remote from wherever you are. If you leave for work in the morning and can’t remember if you closed your garage door, you’ll no longer have to turn around and go back to check. Just open the app on your smartphone and, if you forgot, close it and go on with your day. You can also set notifications to alert you if you leave the door open.

Our Expert Consultant

Vicki Liston 
Home Improvement Expert

Vicki Liston writes, produces, and narrates “On The Fly…DIY,” an award-winning home improvement and DIY show of unique project tutorials for the casual DIY’er.

Home improvement and all things DIY have been Liston’s passion since she bought her first house in 2007 and she started making video blogs in 2014. She’s performed hundreds of DIY projects, from small ones to major, wall-smashing renovations and can teach you how to make a trendy DIY barn door for cheap. The proceeds earned from “On The Fly…DIY” are donated to no-kill animal shelters and rescue organizations.

Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
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Products Considered

We identified the majority of the garage door openers available to purchase.
9

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

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23

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Auto Guide, Garage Door Opener Review, Automatic Garage Door Opener Guru, Sympathink, New York Times Wirecutter.

26,692

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 9 Garage Door Openers and also dug through the reviews from 23 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Garage Door Openers.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

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The Best Bang For Your Buck

Key Takeawy

This garage door opener uses a DC motor instead of an AC motor, which allows it to operate without all the noise. It can be installed on both single and double garage doors. You will also appreciate the built-in LED light, especially when opening the garage at night.

What other experts liked

ATOMS AT-1611 is the most quiet garage door opener with a powerful ½ HP motor. The opener contains a built-in 12 W LED bulb for long-lasting illumination. Also, it works on rolling code technology with a single buttoned remote.
- Garage Door Opener Review

What other experts didn't like

Needs loads of improvement in door opener system.
- Garage Door Opener Review

What to Look For

  • Although you’ll certainly hear about other features, one thing matters most when it comes to a garage door opener: the motor. Your opener’s motor powers everything, so you’ll want one that is built to last. The Chamberlain B970 Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener and the Genie Chain Drive Heavy Duty Garage Door Opener have ¾-horsepower motors that provide reliable, smooth performance. The Chamberlain B970 Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener uses a steel-reinforced belt drive, adding to that advanced capacity.
  • Some garage door openers slam the door into its final position. The Genie Chain Drive Heavy Duty Garage Door Opener uses a soft-start and soft-stop to ensure your door lands smoothly.
  • If you’re looking for a less noisy garage door opener, the Chamberlain B970 Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener specializes in keeping noise to a minimum. It also has anti-vibration technology.
  • If your home’s power goes out, you’ll have to use a manual bypass to open your garage. The Chamberlain B970 Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener’s integrated backup battery lets you open your garage door up to 20 times during the 24 hours after your power goes out.
  • If you’re installing the garage door opener yourself, go with a model that has non-polarized wiring, which makes it easier to install than many other openers.
  • It’s important to measure your garage door size before you buy. Many garage door openers are built for 7-foot garage doors, which are standard. However, some newer garages have doors that are either 8 or 10 feet. Some openers come with an 8-foot extension. If you buy the Chamberlain B970 Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener, you can separately purchase an extension kit that will make it work.
  • Smartphone compatibility is a hot feature in today’s garage door openers. Using this type of garage door opener allows you to open and close your garage door from anywhere, as well as set alerts that let you know when your door is left open or opened unexpectedly.
  • You likely won’t need your remote if you have a newer car with HomeLink built in. The Chamberlain B970 Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener and the Genie Chain Drive Heavy Duty Garage Door Opener are both HomeLink compatible.
  • Most garage door openers use sensors to stop the door from closing if an object gets in the way. If you have children or pets, this is especially important. The Genie Chain Drive Heavy Duty Garage Door Opener has one of the most dependable safety systems available on garage door openers today. There are also models that have an auto-reversal sensor that also stops the garage door when an object is detected.
  • Many garage door openers have a limited range, which means you’ll practically have to be parked directly in front of your door to get it to open using your remote. The Chamberlain B970 Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener has a range of at least 1,500 feet to let you get the door started as you’re nearing it.
  • One benefit of the Genie Chain Drive Heavy Duty Garage Door Opener is its wireless entry keypad. Instead of needing to have your remote with you to enter through the garage, you can input a series of numbers and enter that way.
  • Price may be a consideration, but the Chamberlain B970 Ultra-Quiet Garage Door Opener and the Liftmaster 8500 Wall Mount Garage Door Opener retail in the $200-$300 range. If you want a more budget-friendly garage door opener, you’ll want to go with the Genie Chain Drive Heavy Duty Garage Door Opener or the Skylink ATOMS Quiet DC Motor Garage Door Opener.

More to Explore

Garages are for parking vehicles, right? Despite the fact that garages are often associated with automobiles, some people don’t use it for a car at all. In fact, one in four people admit to having a garage so cluttered, not even one car will fit inside. Many still do use it at least partly for one or more vehicles, but storage is another top use of garage space. Other consumers say they use the garage for hobbies, working on cars and exercise or sports. As yards grow smaller, some people find that they have no room for the storage sheds that could be used to store items like yard tools, making the garage the only option.

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