There are lots of garage door openers on the market, and it can be hard to determine which is best. Belt vs. chain drive? AC motor vs. DC motor? What does it all mean?! The best garage door opener for you will depend on your priorities and preferences. However, here are our top two choices for both features and technology.
87504
Secure View Smart Garage Opener with Built-In Camera, LED Corner to Corner Lighting System, Battery Backup, Ultra-Quiet Belt Drive
LiftMaster’s 87504 is the only opener to have a built-in camera and 2-way microphone. Once motion is detected in the garage, the HD camera starts filming, and you can instantly communicate with anyone in the garage.
All LiftMaster openers come equipped with built-in Wi-Fi and myQ technology, allowing you to control your garage door opener from your phone. You can receive real time alerts, determine preset schedules for your door to close, and connect to other smart home devices to create the ultimate smart home.
2000 lumens of integrated LED lighting (more than any other opener) increases the functionality and visibility in the garage, making it safer to get around and easier to find what you’re looking for. The 360° ring of light allows you to make the most of your space with no additional lights.
The steel-reinforced rubber belt allows quiet operation, and the DC motor with soft open/close creates a whisper-quiet system that makes no disturbances to adjacent living spaces.
If you’ve ever lost power before, you know the value of having a generator or battery backup to keep your home functioning. The 87504 has a built-in battery backup to keep your garage door system powered up when the power is out.
Runner Up: 8500W
DC Battery Backup Wi-Fi Wall Mount Garage Door Opener
Although the LiftMaster 8500W doesn’t have a camera, we love this opener because of its space saving location and sleek look.
This opener is wall-mounted, which means it is installed to the left or right of the garage door opening rather than being installed overhead like standard openers. The elimination of a motor rail makes it the quietest opener on the market, getting rid of any disturbances or vibration in any space in the home.
A wall mount opener is an excellent option for homeowners with low headroom in their garage or those who want to make the most of their overhead space.
Like the 87504, this opener has battery backup to ensure you can use your garage door, even when there are storms or unexpected outages. Additionally, the built-in Wi-Fi and myQ technology are designed to make your life simpler and conveniently connect you to your home and garage.
The only possible con to this opener is that it has to be used with a torsion spring system, so if you don’t want to convert to extension or don’t have the necessary space for a torsion spring system and/or a jackshaft opener, you will have to opt for an overhead opener.