Skip to Content

8 Best Garage Door Openers of 2024

This is the upgrade your garage has been waiting for.

By and
VerifiedReviewed by Home Improvement & Outdoor Director
best garage door openers
Getty Images

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

If you’re worried that your garage door opener may give out on you or it just isn’t working like it used to, it may be time to consider a replacement. Not only do garage door openers make things easy by efficiently and smoothly operating your garage door with the press of a button, but many of the latest models on the market today run quietly and may even have smart features so you can open or close your garage while you’re away from home.

In the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, our tech experts and engineers test everything from smart garage openers to smart locks, smart thermostats and all types of tools and home essentials to make life easier. In recent years, we’ve spent over 75 hours assessing and evaluating top-rated garage door openers for factors like ease of use, test claims and extra features. Below, you’ll find our top picks for the best garage door openers according to our most recent testing data as well as positive consumer reviews.

1
Best Overall

Chamberlain B6753T Smart Garage Door Opener

On Sale
B6753T Smart Garage Door Opener

Pros

  • Exceptional quality
  • Built-in camera
  • App is intuitive

Cons

  • Video keypad must be purchased seperately

A GH Home Reno Award winner, this smart garage door opener impressed our pros with its exceptional quality and performance, since it allows you to open or close your garage door from just about anywhere (talk about peace of mind).

Our pros also love that it features an integrated camera so you can keep tabs on the inside of your garage, and it's conveniently compatible with Amazon Key — a feature that enables Amazon packages to be dropped off inside the garage as opposed to the front door.

Testers found the MyQ app easy to navigate and loved being able to set schedules and share garage access with up to five users. Our home experts also recommend purchasing a MyQ Smart Garage Video Keypad, also a Home Reno Award winner, to use alongside your smart garage opener so you can see who is coming in and out.

Opener typeBelt drive
HorsepowerN/A
Smart homeCompatible
2
Best Value

Genie Chain Drive 500 Garage Door Opener

Chain Drive 500 Garage Door Opener

Pros

  • Comes with pre-programmed remote
  • Quiet for a chain drive opener
  • Compatible with multiple universal garage door openers

Cons

  • Not recommend for doors over 350 lbs

For under $200, you get a chain drive door opener, pre-programmed remote and lighted push button. This garage door opener also has Genie's Safe-T Beam system, which uses an invisible infrared beam across the opening of the door to detect any object passing through the beam and automatically reverses closing the garage door. Plus, it's compatible with Homelink and Car2U, both universal garage door openers.

Despite this being a chain drive type opener, multiple reviewers on Amazon say it surprisingly makes little noise. “It’s a very quiet unit, easy to assemble and install, and it's well priced,” one online reviewer said. Just make sure to check the weight of your door; according to the manufacturer, it's not recommended for doors over 350 pounds.

Opener typeChain drive
Horsepower½
Smart homeNot compatible
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
3
Best With Remote

Genie ChainDrive 550 Garage Door Opener

On Sale
ChainDrive 550 Garage Door Opener

Pros

  • Comes with 2 pre-programed remotes
  • Homelink and Car2U compatible
  • Wireless keypad and wall-mount console included

Cons

  • May need to buy an extension kit for an 8-ft door

Genie is a favorite brand among our tech experts and we like this pick for anyone who doesn't want to deal with setting up apps and using a smartphone to control the garage door. Featuring nearly 3,000 reviews on Amazon and an average 4.5-star rating, this pick comes with everything you need to update your garage door, including two pre-programmed remotes, a wireless keypad and a wall-mount console.

Like other Genie garage door openers, it's Homelink and Car2U compatible, so you won’t need any additional hardware like a hub. Our pros do warn, however, that while it's compatible with 7-foot doors, 8-foot doors will need to buy an extension kit that's sold separately.

Opener typeChain drive
Horsepower½
Smart homeNot compatible
4
Best Quiet

Chamberlain B2405 Smart Garage Door Opener

B2405 Smart Garage Door Opener

Pros

  • Comes with 2 remote controls, exterior keypad and wall control
  • Extremely quiet
  • Reinforced with steel

Cons

  • Some smart functionality requires subscription

This garage door opener from Chamberlain uses a belt drive so it’s ultra-quiet compared to a chain drive. Our pros love that not only is it reinforced with durable steel, but it also comes with two remote controls, a wireless exterior keypad and dual-function wall control.

Much like our best overall pick and other Chamberlain smart garage openers, MyQ technology is built in so you can operate your door from afar. When tested against other models, the app was highly intuitive and testers noted that it was easy to perform tasks like sharing access with other users. While this model may not have all the bells and whistles of more premium picks (like a built-in camera), it's an excellent choice if you want to stick to the basics.

Note that in order to access some features, you may need a subscription.

Opener typeBelt drive
Horsepower½
Smart homeCompatible
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
5
Best Wall-Mounted

LiftMaster 8500 Elite Series

8500 Elite Series

Pros

  • Saves ceiling space
  • Quiet
  • Can be wall mounted
  • Can be smart home compatible with additional purchase

Cons

  • Not compatible with roll doors

Liftmaster is a favorite brand among our tech and home renovation experts, and the 8500 Elite Series will save space on your ceiling, thanks to its wall-mounting capabilities. It has over 800 five-star reviews on Amazon, with several shoppers who said it’s “whisper quiet” and “a quality item all-around.”

If you want to make this garage door smart, a separate purchase of the Internet Gateway will get you MyQ smartphone control that allows you to control and check the status of your garage door from your smartphone, create schedules and get alerts in real-time.

One thing to note: This garage door opener is not compatible with roll doors or those with little room above the track. According to LiftMaster, it's only compatible with a front-mount torsion bar, so be sure to check the instruction manual or manufacturer's website for more compatibility details.

Opener typeDirect drive
Horsepower¾
Smart homeNot compatible
6
Best Smart Opener Upgrade

Chamberlain MyQ Smart Garage Hub Bundle

On Sale
MyQ Smart Garage Hub Bundle
Now 26% Off
Credit: Chamberlain

Pros

  • Can control door through smartphone
  • In-garage delivery for Amazon Prime members
  • Intuitive app

Cons

  • Not compatible with all garage door openers

Chamberlain is one of the biggest names in automatic garage door openers and it's consistently a top-performing brand in Lab tests, so it’s no surprise that the MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener is on our list.

While it's not a garage door opener per se, this accessory endows your current garage door opener with smart capabilities. Featuring Wi-Fi connectivity, it allows deliveries inside your garage for Amazon Prime members, alerts you if your garage is left open and lets you open and close the garage door straight from your phone.

If you have a Chamberlain-made garage door opener, adding MyQ is easy and the app is intuitive to use. However, be sure to confirm that this system is compatible with your current set-up.

Opener typeController
HorsepowerN/A
Smart homeCompatible
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below
7
Best Smart Opener Kit

ismartgate Pro Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener

Pro Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener
Credit: Ismartgate

Pros

  • Compatible with other smart devices
  • Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit and IFTTT
  • Can share access with up to 10 users

Cons

  • App is not as intuitive as others

You can smarten up your existing garage door opener with this simple-to-install kit that impressed our experts with features such as voice control and the ability to share access with up to 10 users. It works with other smart devices including locks, lights and in particular security cameras so you can keep an eye on your garage and access recordings from any device.

Compatible with many smart home systems like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit and IFTTT, it makes integrating your garage door (and routine) with your smart home seamless. Just check ismart's website to make sure your existing garage door opener is compatible. Although the app is not as intuitive as our tech experts would like, we love that it's one of the most feature-rich smart garage door openers on the market.

Opener typeController
HorsepowerN/A
Smart homeCompatible
8
Best for Multi-Car Garages

Genie Aladdin Connect Smart Garage Door Opener

Aladdin Connect Smart Garage Door Opener

Pros

  • Control up to 3 garages
  • Up to 19 virtual keys can be shared
  • Compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant

Cons

  • Smart home set-up can be tricky

With the Aladdin Connect kit, you can control up to three garage doors from your smartphone. It's the perfect choice for big, busy households because the device allows you to share up to 19 virtual keys, which means you can also give access to friends, babysitters, dog walkers and more.

Best of all, it’s Wi-Fi enabled and compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Online reviewers do note that set-up can be a bit tricky, but we love that it features a sensor that will alert you if your garage is opened electronically or manually. Before purchasing, our pros suggest double-checking which brands and models are compatible with Aladdin Connect.

Opener typeController
HorsepowerN/A
Smart homeCompatible
Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

How we test garage door openers

a man standing on a ladder installing a garage door opener

When evaluating garage door openers at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab, our engineers assess ease of use by installing the garage door opener or factoring in what it would take to set it up. We also note if the instruction manual is thorough and easy to understand.

Additionally, we test any claims the brand makes about the garage door opener and any additional features they may have, such as a remote or camera. If it’s a smart garage door opener, we set up each app and test how intuitive the app is to use. We also evaluate if it has any integration capabilities with smart home devices.

What to look for when shopping for the best garage door opener

line break

✔️ Size and weight of garage door: If you’re fully replacing your garage door opener, consider the size and weight of the door. Most garage door openers are compatible with common sizes and configurations. However, for larger doors (typically those over 7 feet tall), you may need an extension kit for it to fit. For most doors, ½ horsepower will work well, but for heavier doors (like a solid wood door), you may want to upgrade to ¾ horsepower.

✔️ Drive type: If you’re fully replacing your garage door opener, there are three main drive types to choose from:

  • Chain-drive openers are the most common and tend to be less expensive. "They deliver lots of power, which is good if you have a heavy garage door, but they’re a bit noisy," said Dan DiClerico, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab.
  • "Belt-drive openers cost more, but have quieter operation, which is nice if there’s a bedroom next to the garage." Over time, they may need readjustment due to the belt stretching out.
  • Jackshaft garage door openers are a wall-mounted design that frees up ceiling space. DiClerico explained that these types of garage door openers tend to be a higher-end option in luxury three-car garages, or garages that have been converted into some kind of living space.

    ✔️ Compatibility: Whether you’re upgrading to a smart garage door opener or replacing the entire system, make sure the garage door opener meets the requirements of the existing door. For smart garage door openers, you’ll want to check that it's compatible with your smart home system so that the smart features can communicate with each other. If using a smart garage door opener with Wi-Fi, make sure you get a good signal in your garage. Otherwise, the smart features may not work as well or you may have issues with the garage door opener.

    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

    Why trust Good Housekeeping?

    line break

    This story was originally written by Jamie Ueda, a freelance writer and consumer product expert with almost two decades of experience, including a full-time stint across multiple GH Institute Labs including Media & Tech. She also has experience in product development and quality assurance. She holds two degrees in mechanical engineering and apparel and textile design.

    GH Institute product analyst and writer Olivia Lipski most recently updated this guide with the latest product recommendations. She frequently collaborates with the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab to review products like humidifiers, under-sink water filters, smart toilets and more.

    Headshot of Jamie Ueda
    Jamie Ueda
    Contributing Writer and Analyst

    Jamie Ueda is a consumer products expert with over 17 years of experience in areas of product development and manufacturing. She has held leading roles at both mid-size consumer goods companies and one of the most notable and largest apparel brands in the world. Jamie has contributed to several of the GH Institute Labs, including Kitchen Appliances, Media and Tech, Textiles and Home Appliances. In her free time she enjoys cooking, traveling, and working out.

    Headshot of Olivia Lipski
    Olivia Lipski
    Senior Reviews Writer & Analyst

    Olivia (she/her) is a senior reviews writer and analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests and writes about tech, home, travel, fitness, parenting and health products. Since joining GH in 2021, she has continued to leverage her extensive product reviews experience by staying on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helping readers make better buying decisions. Olivia is a graduate of the George Washington University, with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.


    Headshot of Dan DiClerico
    Reviewed byDan DiClerico
    Home Improvement & Outdoor Director

    Having written thousands of product reviews and how-to articles on all aspects of home ownership, from routine maintenance to major renovations, Dan (he/him) brings more than 20 years of industry experience to his role as the director of the Home Improvement & Outdoor Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. A one-time roofer and a serial remodeler, Dan can often be found keeping house at his restored Brooklyn brownstone, where he lives with his wife and kids.


    Watch Next 
    best garage door openers
    Advertisement - Continue Reading Below