A battery backup will keep the system going even in case of a power outage so you can get in and out of your garage under any circumstances.
The instructions manual could be a tad bit better.
Although it's somewhat pricey, the Chamberlain B970 is worth the cost as it will always work, regardless of whether the power is on in your neighborhood. The powerful drive supports extra-heavy doors, a must if you're worried about your vehicle's safety. If you're willing to spare the cost, this system will guarantee security and stable operation.
Sectional
Belt
Ceiling
~ 550 lbs
7 feet high
MyQ (with built-in Wi-Fi)
1.25 HP
2 remotes, Full function wall control, Wireless keypad, Smartphone control
Safety sensors, Forced openings, Secure code
Lifetime for belt and motor, 5 years for parts
Thanks to an Auto-Seek Dual Frequency System, the device independently searches for nearby wireless devices and selects a frequency in the range from 315 or 390 MHz to avoid frequency interference.
It is recommended that you install a powerful Wi-Fi router to achieve a stable connection.
This model boasts a motor with a power of as much as 1.25 HP, making it able to cope with the opening of large and massive garage doors as well as possible. Ideal for people who often enter and leave the garage.
Sectional single- and double-wide
Belt
Ceiling
~ 500 lbs
7 feet high
Aladdin Connect, HomeLink
1.25 HP
Smartphones, Tablets (compatible with iOS and Android devices), Remote control
GenieSense™ Monitoring and Diagnostic Technology, Auto-Seek dual-frequency, Built-in light (2 bulbs required), Intellicode™ security
5 years for parts, 1 year for accessories (limited lifetime for motor and belt)
Built-in 100-lumen LED lights are capable enough to effectively light up the entrance to your garage in low-light conditions or in case of emergency. Lasting up to 30,000 hours, LEDs won't need replacement too often.
The MyQ app setup manual is not detailed enough.
The Chamberlain B1381 is a simple door opener that is designed specifically for sectional garage doors. Thanks to a steel-reinforced belt, wireless locking, and a set of motion sensors, it boasts advanced security capabilities. To top all that, the device will ensure smooth and flawless door operation even under extreme weather conditions.
Sectional
Belt
Ceiling
~ 500 lbs
7 feet high
MyQ (with a built-in Wi-Fi)
1.25 HP
Two 3-button remotes, Wireless keypad, Wall control panel
Safety sensors, Security+ 2.0 system
Belt (limited lifetime), Motor (limited lifetime), Parts (5 years)
The brackets included in the package are somewhat flimsy.
Genie SilentMax is a modern garage door opener, which is safe and durable, thanks to a GenieSense Monitoring and Diagnostic Technology. Compatible with single and double-wide doors it is an excellent pick for a garage that stores two vehicles.
Sectional single- and double-wide
0.75 HP
Floating Code, Motion sensor, Reverse, Dual light
Limited lifetime for motor and gearbox
The drive syncs with smartphones and tablets so you can control the door remotely and even check when it was opened during the day.
The setup can take up to 6 hours and is pretty difficult.
Coming with a long warranty, this system is not only durable but also quite affordable. The system's motor runs almost silently so you can get home in the middle of the night without waking anybody. And the smartphone/tablet sync lets you schedule door openings and check if the garage has been accessed in your absence. If you're working on a budget and still want quality, this is a real bargain.
Sectional
Belt
Ceiling
~ 300 lbs
7 feet high
MyQ (with built-in Wi-Fi)
0.5 HP
Dual-function wall control, 2 Remotes transmitters, Keyless entry keypad, Smartphone control
Safety sensors, Forced openings, Secure code
15 years for belt, 10 years for motor, 1 year for parts
A Failsafe for Security
A garage is supposed to be the safest place for your vehicle but you still wouldn’t want to get trapped there, especially if you’re trying to get to work in the morning. So, a power outage can be disastrous since not every garage door opener system has a backup plan. Thankfully, the Chamberlain B970 does account for such cases.
This model uses a battery backup to provide the necessary power in case the traditional means are unavailable. Thanks to that, you can be sure that you’ll be able to get in and out of your garage even if your whole neighborhood has been left with no lights on.
But that’s not the only advantage of the B970, of course. It’s also made to support pretty heavy doors with a 550 lbs max limit. Since higher weight means more protection, when talking about garage doors, we’d call this a good choice for your vehicle’s security.
In terms of the general specs, we have to admit that the B970 is pretty much standard fare. It’s a belt drive intended for sectional doors and, like most other models from Chamberlain and its competitors, it’s a ceiling mount, so make sure your garage is high enough that the device won’t be scratching the roof of your car.
Reliable and Convenient
Garage-opening systems are also all about convenience and the B970 accounts for that as well. The door can be controlled via one of the two remotes that come with the purchase and the whole system uses MyQ for faster response times. It does need WiFi to work but, surprise, it comes with a built-in router so you don’t even have to worry about that.
What did disappoint us, though, is the instruction manual. Even the best garage door opener, which this may very well be, needs to have some instructions to go with it and the ones here aren’t a good match. The manual is not very clear on the system’s capabilities and the process of fitting it onto the ceiling. You’ll have to figure things out yourself but, thankfully, it’s not like the B970 is that complicated of a product.
Last but not least, we should mention that this model can also be controlled via your smartphone so you can open up the door while you’re pulling into the driveway, no need to fumble for the remote, which might be out of reach.
So if you’re not averse to paying more for quality, the Chamberlain B970 is a fine choice. It’s one of the fastest models out there, supports a pretty large weight, and the backup battery-operated belt drive means that the system will always be “online” and available for use. This is the best WiFi garage door opener for those who want some guarantee that the garage doors will obey their every command.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $245.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B075CQ86ZV |
What customers say about this product
Key Specs(4.6)
Features(4.6)
Security And Safety(4.6)
Wireless Operation Without Interference
Many people who have owned garage door openers in the past have probably experienced the phenomenon of having the garage door suddenly open or close on its own. This was a common problem many years ago with much older garage door openers that used a radio frequency remote.
Many garage door openers used similar frequencies, so it wasn't uncommon for a garage door opener to pick up the signal from a remote meant for another home. With the Genie 7155-TKV Smartphone-Controlled Ultra-Quiet garage door opener, though, this problem is strictly relegated to the past. An Auto-Seek Dual Frequency System is implemented in this device. Thanks to it, the device independently searches for nearby wireless devices and selects a frequency in the range from 315 or 390 MHz to avoid frequency interference, thus preventing the problem of your door opening or closing on its own.
In addition, this model boasts a motor with a power of as much as 1.25 HP, making it able to cope with the opening of large and massive garage doors as well as possible, making it ideal for people who often enter and leave the garage. Plenty of other features are included as well, such as the ability to control it through Wi-Fi with your smartphone, and even voice assistant support for Alexa and Google Assistant. All in all, this high-quality garage door opener leverages the latest wireless technologies in combination with a powerful motor to give you the best model on the market.
Safe and Secure
For added security, the belt of this model is reinforced with steel elements that won’t let it snap even if the weight capacity is exceeded. Likewise, the two T-Beam sensors ensure that the door won’t accidentally close in case there is something in the way between the door and the floor. Be mindful, though, that you will have to install those properly so space in-between the sensors won’t get obstructed. And to top all that, the package includes a conveniently integrated battery backup, so the appliance won’t run out of juice even in case of a blackout.
In addition, this model boasts a motor with a power of as much as 1.25 HP, making it able to cope with the opening of large and massive garage doors with an overall weight of up to 500 lbs, making it ideal for people who often enter and leave the garage. Plenty of other features are included as well, such as the ability to control it through Wi-Fi with your smartphone, and even voice assistant support for Alexa and Google Assistant. Moreover, the additional mobile app allows linking more than one door for one account, ultimately allowing you to control multiple doors from a single mobile device.
All in all, this high-quality garage door opener leverages the latest wireless technologies in combination with a powerful motor to give you the best model on the market. Fairly compact, compared to similar products, fairly smart and adjustable, it makes managing your garage entrance door as easy as it can possibly get.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $249.98 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07SKCGMY7 |
A Weather-resistant Design
Those who live in damp and rainy regions with fast-changing weather conditions know firsthand that many garage door openers might fail in excessive heat, cold, or humidity. Yet, it won't be the case with the Chamberlain B1381 garage door opener. Unlike many of the rivals from the same class, this model stands out for a stronger belt assembly reinforced with steel fibers. Not only does it allow handling 7-foot height doors up to 500 lbs in weight but also it makes the unit perfectly weather-resistant. The opener won’t budge even under extreme weather outside and rapid changes in temperature which standard rubber belts are sensitive to. A mighty 1.25 HP electric motor that powers the belt has enough power and punch to move the door even when it gets frozen or covered with ice in winter. Likewise, an enhanced design is a neat bonus to the overall security of the garage opener, making your garage a tad bit more secure, compared to regular door locks.
To proceed with the B1381 garage door opener benefits, you can't but like nearly silent operation of this unit, which is a great feature if you don’t want to bother other residents and especially if you live in a densely populated neighborhood. This is achieved thanks to a special anti-vibration technology of the electric motor implemented in this model and keeping it working flawlessly and quietly.
Seamless Operation
When it comes to convenience features, the Chamberlain B1381 is no slouch as well. The package includes a wall control unit with a handy LCD screen that shows the current appliance status (battery charge, wireless signal strength, power connection) and some other helpful information like the ambient temperature inside the garage and the temperature outside.
Similarly to all modern garage door openers, the B1381 has a backup battery that won’t let you down even in case of power outages, electric surges, and sudden electricity blackouts. On top of that, the kit includes 2 motion sensors, fobs that function as remote controls, and a special wireless module that allows connecting the door opener directly to your home Wi-Fi and enabling you to control your garage door via your phone or tablet.
To add more, this garage opener comes fitted with three 100-lumen LED lights for true, corner-to-corner lighting inside your garage and better visibility for no-hassle parking even if your garage doesn’t have automatic lights.
Wrapping things up, if you are searching for a garage door opener you can rely on regardless of weather conditions and the temperature outside, this unit from Chamberlain will be right up your alley. Thanks to the added security features, you can rest assured your door opener won't fail, whatever the situation.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $0.00 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B07H4BGWXX |
Smooth Start and Silent Operation
The Genie SilentMax is a rather powerful garage door opener that has a motor yielding 3/4 HP. As a result, this opener can move a door measuring up to 8 x 14 feet. The model has a belt drive with a smooth start (the delay is about 1-2 seconds before the door starts opening). The belt makes the operation of Genie SilentMax extremely quiet and nearly all owners of this unit will confirm this.
This quiet garage door opener is controlled by 2 remotes that are rather compact and, therefore, will take little space in your pocket or wallet. If you happen to forget a remote, the garage door can be also controlled from an outdoor wireless panel. You just need to input a password to open the door. No need to say, the unit has a fully functional control panel inside a garage. Due to the HomeLink compatibility, it’s possible to remotely control the garage door right from the vehicle while approaching the garage. Hence, make sure that you have a special wireless transmitter integrated into your car’s electronics.
This garage door opener is also compatible with a new, smart connection option - Aladdin Connect. So, if you ever decide to control the door remotely from your smartphone, get the Aladdin Connect transmitter and download the app on your phone. Once installed and configured, you will be able to take the door under control as long as you have Internet access.
Security and Safety
This model boasts the Genie's proper Intellicode 2 technology, which embodies a new generation of encryption. Every time you use the garage door, Intellicode 2 changes the code and, thus, prevents any unauthorized access. Thanks to Intellicode 2, piracy of the radio signal won't be possible and, therefore, your car will be safe even if you leave for a 2-week beach holiday in Hawaii.
The Genie SilentMax garage opener includes a handy Safe-T-Beam system, which means there are invisible beams in the doorway and if an obstacle is detected, the door stops moving and goes back. In addition, this garage door opener boasts GenieSense Monitoring and Diagnostic technology to control the force required to open and close the door with little noise and vibrations.
The Genie SilentMax has a couple of lights (100W each) that turn on when the door is activated. Besides, a built-in motion sensor turns on the light in case it detects some motion in your garage.
In the end, the Genie SilentMax will be a perfect option for users searching for a versatile garage door opener that can be controlled both from within and outside the house.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $229.99 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B00715DTJ6 |
A Watchful Eye
Worry about your vehicle’s safety since there’s no way to know what’s happening in your garage while you’re away from home? It’s a reasonable concern but there actually is a way to make sure your garage door isn’t being accessed by anyone else. All you have to do is get the Chamberlain B550 and take advantage of its security capabilities.
The drive of this model can be synced with your smartphone or tablet, which not only opens up the ability to control the door but also get all kinds of information about its operations. For example, you can check the daily schedule and either set times when the door has to open or check the actual list of times when it opened. That way you’ll know if someone accessed your garage (or tried to). And, of course, you can open and close the door while you’re pulling into the driveway by simply tapping your gadget’s screen.
All of that makes the Chamberlain B550 system sound easy and it is indeed quite simple in use. However, the installation is a difficult process and can take up to 4-6 hours. We advise entrusting this to professionals to save time and make sure everything’s done correctly. But once the system is mounted and ready to go, you’re in for smooth sailing as it works without any bugs or hitches, a reliable door opener for your garage.
Quiet as a Mouse
Despite being one of the more affordable systems in the Chamberlain line-up, the B550 is still quite powerful, capable of raising doors up to 300 lbs. While it does have just 1/2 HP, this is more than enough for fast operation. What’s more valuable, though, and pretty much exclusive for less powerful systems, is the silent motor running. There won’t be any annoying whirring or clicking as the B550 is as quiet as they get.
Plus, the belt drive moves the door smoothly without any sudden jerks or stops so your door doesn’t get damaged and the system itself isn’t worn out as fast. Even if you do end up needing replacements for the belt or the motor, the warranty is a whopping 15 and 10 years respectively. That’s a surefire sign of a good product that the manufacturer is confident in.
Couple all this with the ability to use a keypad for entry, special safety sensors that prevent the door from closing if something’s in the way, and security measures, and you get a truly excellent garage door opener system that’s both budget-friendly and convenient to use. Although you’ll likely have to spend some money on a professional to install the system, it’ll be worth it and cheaper in the long run, especially since the device is under warranty for more than a decade. A durable choice for a thrifty shopper.
Additional Info
| Last updated price | $202.79 |
| Stock | In stock |
| ASIN | B0758L67KP |
What Is a Garage Door Opener?
Nowadays, there are scores of different devices, gadgets, and tools that make our lives easier and safer. In this review, we'd like to draw the attention of car owners to a super-convenient tool - a garage door opener, a small and durable appliance that quickly and easily opens and closes a garage door with no effort from your side. Having read our informative review, you will be able to make a reasonable choice of a garage door opening system, which will be convenient, reliable, and long-lasting. Automatic garage door openers are not only useful but they also provide the maximum level of security for your vehicle. A sectional garage door is opened and closed by a special drive that moves it along the rails inside a garage. It's only the owner who can activate the whole system and no carjackers can get into your garage.
However, if you don't have a garage and park your car on a small parking lot in the vicinity of your house, you should definitely get a car cover that will protect your vehicle paint job and interior in pristine condition. Additionally, getting a jump starter will save you in case of engine failure in cold weather conditions.
What Features to Compare
Door Drive Specifications
Basically, there are several types of garage doors: swinging (also called hinged), sliding, and rollover. We would like to mention that most people prefer using sectional rollover garage doors; they are reliable, simple in installation, and rather affordable. Sectional doors are different in size and weight, so when choosing the door opener, start with analyzing the door drive specifications. First of all, check the maximum door weight each appliance can lift - if your sectional door is too heavy, the drive might be useless.
Next, find out the power of an electric motor each door opener has: it's measured in horsepower (HP). If your garage door has the size of 7 x 8 feet, the necessary power of the door drive should be around 1/2 HP. If your garage door is bigger - 12 x 14 feet - the electric motor of the drive has to yield the power of at least 3/4 HP. Moreover, pay attention to a drive type (belt, chain, or jackshaft) and mount type (wall or ceiling). There are several types of garage door openers used with sectional doors. Note that wall-mounted jackshaft door openers are the most popular. Attached to the door, their moving force relies on a jackshaft rotation applied by the drive. Such a system is used with big and heavy doors and, therefore, has a rather powerful motor. Another widespread mount type is the one attached to a ceiling. This one is used for smaller garage doors; the drive moves a belt or a chain, moving the door up or down. Some garage door openers have a drive that moves along a chain, making very little noise. This type of drives is mounted on a ceiling too.
Of course, no matter what garage door opener you choose, you will need special rails so that a garage door can move along. Individual installation might not be easy, so if you are unsure of your own skills, we recommend you to invite a team of professional workers who will cope with the task within a day.
Controls
The next step you should make is to check the controls. All modern garage openers are remote-controlled, so you can simply push a button and the door will lift up or go down. The best garage openers are programmable: you can set a schedule and the door will be open at the time you need to drive out in the morning. Also, most of these appliances have a timer, which you can set to automatically close the door every time you leave the garage (usually, from 1.5 to 10 minutes). You might be wondering what will happen if you forget a remote, but most garage door openers come with a special wall console (it's installed outside the garage), so you can just enter a password and open (or close) the door. But that's not all - even if a long-term power outage occurs, you can still open or close a sectional garage door manually (though, it happens really once in a blue moon). If your vehicle is HomeLink compatible, you'll have the option to control the door remotely via a special transmitter from your car. The newest and most sophisticated garage door openers support WiFi connectivity by means of MyQ function, hence, you can control them right from your smartphone (via a special app).
Security and Safety
Never forget about security and safety when it comes to your property and car is no exception here. A sectional garage door opener must provide the highest possible level of security. The best appliances use a floating code that changes after each use. This way, burglars can't grab (and then use) the code. Of course, any decent garage opener has a reliable lock that doesn't allow anyone to open it manually from outside. Also, the door opener you choose must be safe for you and members of your family. For example, most door opening systems come with a light that turns on automatically when the door is opened and shuts off when it's closed. Some door opening systems even have light sensors that turn the garage lights on/off when they detect some movements. Imagine the situation when your car engine stalls while the door is already moving down... In this case, a garage door opener with the special safety sensors is what you need. These sensors will detect the hurdle and reverse the door to its initial position.
Sources:
1. How to Choose a Garage Door Opener, wikiHow.
2. How to Install a Garage Door Opener, The Family Handyman.
3. Diane Watkins How to Know Which Type of Garage Door Opener Remote to Buy, SFGate.