When you're in front of the market to look for the most reliable garage door opener, chances are that you will be overwhelmed due to the countless options — each one emphasizing more “necessary” features than the next. And, the chances of picking the wrong model are quite high, especially if you're a novice shopper.
Here are the most reliable garage door openers you can buy in 2024:
- Best For Attached Garages (Belt Drive Opener): Chamberlain B550
- Easy To Install (Belt Drive Opener): Craftsman CMXEOCG572
- Powerful (Belt Drive Opener): LiftMaster 8550W
- Quiet (Chain Drive Opener): Genie Chain Drive 750
- Best For 2-Car Garage Doors (Chain Drive Opener): SKYLINK Atoms ATR-1611C
- Best For Long-Lasting Performance (Chain Drive Opener): beamUP Workhorse-BU100
| 6 Most Reliable Garage Door Openers | ||
|---|---|---|
Best For Attached Garages | Chamberlain B550
| |
Easy To Install | Craftsman CMXEOCG572
| |
Powerful | LiftMaster 8550W
| |
Quiet | Genie Chain Drive 750
| |
Best For 2-Car Garage Doors | SKYLINK Atoms ATR-1611C
| |
Best For Long-Lasting Performance | beamUP Workhorse-BU100
| |
Best For Attached Garages: Chamberlain B550
- Ideal for attached garage – very quiet and smooth belt drive system
- Smart & extremely convenient - the Wi-FI connection and the built-in myQ technology
- Very safe - Posi-lock anti-theft protection and security +2.0
- Hard to program to all the devices
- No Alexa support
The Chamberlain B550 is considered the quietest performer in the market thanks to the quality steel-reinforced belt drive, making it the best pick for attached garages.
Unlike basic units that only come with a physical keypad, the Wi-FI connection and the built-in myQ technology of this door opener allows you to open, close, and double check the garage door status remotely from any smartphone.
Using Posi-lock anti-theft protection and security +2.0, it will immediately send you a notification via email or phone app when someone else tries to open the door.
Another plus is it comes with two remote controllers, instead of one, with range up to 1,500 feet. And the keypad has room for two spiral CFL light bulbs on either side for ease of use at night.
| Chamberlain B550 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 35 pounds |
Dimension | 18 x 10 x 6.5 inches |
Material | Alloy Steel |
Horsepower | ½ HP |
Highlight Features | very quiet and smooth belt drive system the Wi-FI connection and the built-in myQ technology Posi-lock anti-theft protection and security +2.0 |
The quietness during operation of the Chamberlain B550 is exceptional and unmatched in the belt-drive opener market.
Easy To Install: Craftsman CMXEOCG572
- Easy to install – clear instructions, simple structure, & pre-programmed keypad and remote controllers
- As smart as the Chamberlain B550 but at a more affordable price
- Big and bulky
- No motion sensor in the wall controller
The Craftsman CMXEOCG572 is like a dupe of the Chamberlain B550. It has many similar features to the original, such as Security+2.0 safeguards, Wi-Fi connection, 1/2 HP DC motor lift system, 2 three-button remote controllers up to 1,500 feet in range, and myQ App.
When compared side-by-side, this model is bigger, bulkier and the wall controller does not have a motion sensor. But for the price, it is a no-brainer.
We were glad that its size didn't make the installation difficult. Aside from the pretty good instructions, our favorite of this unit is pre-programed keypad and remote. We believe that one can easily install this door opener within 2 hours.
| Craftsman CMXEOCG572 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 32 pounds |
Dimension | 26.75 x 13.38 x 8.06 inches |
Material | Steel |
Horsepower | 1/2 HP |
Highlight Features | clear instructions simple structure pre-programmed keypad and remote controllers |
Are you a novice user? Do you want to install a door opener on your own? Then, try the easy-to-install Genie Chain Drive 750.
Powerful: LiftMaster 8550W
- Effortless to use - the Timer-to-Close feature
- Superior security - Alert-2-Close Warning System & Motion Detector
- Very powerful - the ¾ HP P3™ Motors
- Very expensive
The LiftMaster 8550W is probably the most expensive belt-drive door opener in this review list, but we feel its value is completely worth every extra penny.
It provides all the popular features like MyQ® Technology, Battery Backup, Wi-Fi connection, and Security+ 2.0®. It is also added with the Timer-to-Close feature, Motion Detector for quick detection of garage, and illumination and audible warnings when it's about to close the door.
But the best part is the P3™ Motors, which are not only more durable but also more powerful - giving up to 3/4 horsepower instead of 1/2 as many other belt-drive door openers would do.
Last up, no belt/rail assembly required.
| LiftMaster 8550W Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 22 pounds |
Dimension | 15 x 15 x 10 inches |
Material | Metal |
Horsepower | 3/4 HP |
Highlight Features | the Timer-to-Close feature Alert-2-Close Warning System & Motion Detector the ¾ HP P3™ Motors |
If your top priority is powerful performance – aside from reliability - when looking for a belt-drive door opener, then the Genie Chain Drive 750 is for you
Quiet: Genie Chain Drive 750
- Quiet for a ¾ chain-drive door opener – the smooth and quality chain drive system & DC motors
- Ready to use – 2 CR2 batteries are included
- A bit pricey
We all know that chain-drive door openers tend to be noisier than the belt-drive, and the more powerful the motor, the noisier. But the 3/4 HP Genie Chain Drive 750 really blew our team away by how quiet it was during the test.
Aside from the smooth chain drive system and DC motors, we find that it opens a bit more slowly than standard chain-drive door openers to minimize the noise. But the speeds overall are still reasonable to not let you wait for too long.
In terms of functionality, we have no complaints. It is easy to install, straightforward to use, and durable. A small plus is that batteries are included in the package and they provide up to 50 cycles from the initial power outage.
| Genie Chain Drive 750 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 34.8 pounds |
Dimension | 27.5 x 12 x 8 inches |
Material | Metal and plastic |
Horsepower | 3/4 HP |
Highlight Features | the smooth and quality chain drive system DC motors 2 CR2 batteries are included |
The Genie Chain Drive 750 is not much noisier than a standard belt-drive opener although it features ¾ HP motors. It’s the best overall chain-drive option in the market for quietness and power.
Best For 2-Car Garage Doors: SKYLINK Atoms ATR-1611C
- Ideal for 7'-tall two-car garage doors – the 7’ rail
- Superior prevention against external access - patented trolley design with emergency cord and safety shield
- Safety - infrared safety sensor and LED lights
- Poor instructions
- The shuttle and emergency release are plastic
The SKYLINK Atoms ATR-1611C fits best to a 7'-tall two-car garage door and is considered the most secure to protect your safety.
It's one of rare chain-drive door openers built with emergency cord, safety shield, and patented trolley for superior prevention against external access. Besides, it comes with an infrared safety sensor and LED lights to automatically light on when you stand close to it.
The unit can be flexibly opened through a wall controller, a remote controller, or in-car remote.
| SKYLINK Atoms ATR-1611C Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 28.4 pounds |
Dimension | 27.5 x 8 x 4.5 inches |
Material | Steel & plastic |
Horsepower | ½ HP |
Highlight Features | the 7’ rail patented trolley design with emergency cord and safety shield infrared safety sensor and LED lights |
The SKYLINK Atoms ATR-1611C fits nicely any 7’-tall two-car garage door at nearly half the price.
Best For Long-Lasting Performance: beamUP Workhorse-BU100
- Long-lasting - the heavy-duty steel chain drive, the LED lights, and the 3/4 HP DC motors
- Smart - Wireless Door Entry, beamUP Smart Garage Door Controller, & Alexa control
- No annual subscriptions required
- The sensor seems a bit weak
If you want a chain-drive door opener that lasts long, the beamUP Workhorse - BU100 is exactly what you're after.
It distinguishes itself from the rest for the heavy-duty steel chain drive, the 1500-lumen LED lights with Photo Eye System, and the 3/4 HP DC motors. The included remote controller, besides, is upgraded with the dual-burst technology for extra-wide control range.
We also like the Wireless Door Entry features and the beamUP Smart Garage Door Controller with Alexa commands and real-time security. The best part is no annual subscriptions required.
| beamUP Workhorse-BU100 Specifications | |
|---|---|
Weight | 0.01 Pounds |
Dimension | 12.4 x 10 x 6.7 inches |
Material | White High-impact Styrene Copper Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Alloy Steel Aluminum |
Horsepower | 3/4 Horsepower |
Highlight Features | the heavy-duty steel chain drive, the LED lights, and the 3/4 HP DC motors Wireless Door Entry, beamUP Smart Garage Door Controller, & Alexa control No annual subscriptions required |
For long-lasting performance, the beamUP Workhorse - BU100 takes the crown.
How To Choose The Most Reliable Garage Door Opener?
Type
There are two primary types of garage door openers:
- Belt-drive openers – which utilize a rubber belt to open and close a garage door
- Chain-drive openers – which utilize a metal chain to open and close a garage door
To figure out the right type for your needs and budget, please a look at this comparison table:
Advantages | Disadvantages | |
Belt-drive openers | More durable Quieter and smoother operation Potential to last longer Low-maintenance | Expensive Less lifting power |
Chain-drive openers | Great lifting power, which is ideal for heavier doors Affordable | Require more maintenance Noisier |
Backup Power
It’s essential to consider choosing a garage door opener that still functions during power outages. Therefore, make sure that your pick is equipped with at least one of these features:
Battery Backup
This alternative way usually provides 50-100 cycles depending on the type of batteries, so it is more for short-term power failure.
When considering the battery backup, check this out:
- Are batteries included in the package?
- If not, how much are they? Are they easy to find in the market?
- How long do they last per full charge?
Manual Release
This alternative way allows you to disconnect the door opener from your garage door to manually open it, which means it’s perfect for long-term power outages like after storms or hurricanes.
This add-on also lets you know if the door is properly balanced.
Dual-Frequency Signals
A door opener built with this feature will allow you to get the access needed with no interruption from your neighbor’s garage door openers.
Which Brands Make The Most Reliable Garage Door Opener?
Chamberlain Group
This world's leading smart access solution company owns many prominent brands like Merlin® and Grifco®, Chamberlain®, and LiftMaster® found in a lot of commercial and residential access applications around the world. They stand out for innovation like the myQ® smart ecosystem.
Craftsman
They have been the authentic American icon for almost 100 years and is the favorite brand of countless master mechanics, auto enthusiasts, home builders, and homeowners.
Genie Chain Drive
One of the most renowned and trusted consumer brand names throughout North America. Founded in 1923, they distinguish themselves from the rest for exceptional customer service, quality, and dependability.
FAQs
Which is better: chain or belt drive garage door opener?
We would say that each of them has specific advantages and disadvantages. Chain drive door openers are better in strength, which is ideal for two-car garage doors or heavy doors.
Belt-drive models are perfect for lighter doors and those who want to open the door faster and quieter.
How long does a belt last on a garage door opener?
A belt lasts upwards of 20 years on a garage door opener.
Can a garage door opener be too powerful?
It’s not recommended choosing a too powerful garage door opener because if the power is set too high, it could lead to some unwanted damage on the opener and the door.
How much should a new garage door opener cost?
A new, high-quality garage door opener often costs from $150 to $500.
Can I replace a garage door opener unit without changing the rails?
No, you can’t. The design of the rails of each garage door opener is not the same in dimensions, so you should change the rail if you want to replace a garage door opener unit.
Conclusion
We hope that our thorough comparative analysis is helpful to you to find the most reliable garage door opener that meets your budget and suits your needs. If you like our blog and want to support us, please share and keep following for the latest posts. Thanks for reading!
