We spent hours researching the best garage door openers available online, evaluating ease of installation and use, functionality, and value. Our top pick, the Genie StealthDrive Connect Garage Door Opener, has a quiet belt mechanism and an automatic battery backup and can be operated using voice commands via Alexa or Google Assistant.  Here are the best garage door openers. The Genie StealthDrive Connect Garage Door Opener is powerful yet quiet. It packs a 1.25-horsepower motor with intuitive features and convenient controls into an easy-to-install design, making it our top pick for the best garage door opener. This model relies on a five-piece rail system that’s lightweight and sturdy. The rails snap together for easy installation and can support doors up to 7 feet tall. Unfortunately, if your garage door is taller than 7 feet, you’ll have to purchase the extension kit for 8-foot doors separately. This garage door opener also relies on a steel-reinforced belt built to last and for quiet operation. If the noise level is one of your primary concerns, this is the model for you.   Its controls are just as user-friendly as its installation. It’s app-compatible with Genie’s Aladdin technology, so you can monitor and control your door via your smartphone. The StealthDrive is also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, integrating well into any smart home and working via voice controls. Plus, it comes with two remotes, a wireless keypad that allows you to open the door via a pin, and a wall console, giving you even more control options. You also won’t need to fret during power outages because this model has a built-in backup battery that allows you to use it up to 50 times without any central power. Price at time of publish: $286 This garage door opener lacks smartphone compatibility, but it has a wall-mounted push button and a one-button remote. Its infrared safety sensor stops it from closing if something is in the way. The unit has a built-in LED light to help you see at night, and it offers straightforward DIY installation, saving you some money. Price at time of publish: $150

This unit is compatible with 7-foot garage doors (extensions for 8- and 10-foot doors are available), and it even features a built-in backup battery that allows you to operate the door when the power is out. This model also includes safety sensors, though they can be fussy. It comes with two pre-programmed remote controls that have an impressive 1,500-foot range, and thanks to the device’s smart functionality, you can grant up to three people access to your garage door—ideal for kids and visitors. Price at time of publish: $269 Other standard features include one remote, a push-button door control, and safety sensors to prevent closing if they sense people or objects in the way. The installation instructions for this model could be more straightforward, but once it’s up and running, the controls are quite user-friendly. This model also includes a battery backup, so you can still use the opener in a power outage. Price at time of publish: $239 Because it uses a direct drive system, the LiftMaster 8500 is extremely quiet during operation. It also has a built-in light that automatically turns on when you enter the garage. The unit comes with a wall-mount control panel and one visor remote control, and it can be upgraded to smart functionality if you purchase the brand’s 828LM Internet Gateway. Price at time of publish: $450 You can install this garage door opener on doors up to 7 feet tall, and the high-grade belt drive operates smoothly and quietly. The B4643T has two remote controls with a range of up to 1,500 feet, as well as a multi-functional wall control and safety sensors. You can also control it through your smartphone, customizing alerts, setting personalized schedules, and more. Price at time of publish: $290 You can use this garage door opener with 7-foot single or double doors, and it has integrated LED light bulbs to illuminate your garage at night. However, sometimes the lights’ operation can be flawed and won’t properly turn off. It comes with one remote control and a wall-mounted controller, and the system is quick and easy to install without any special tools. Price at time of publish: $216 This Genie Garage Door Opener has the brand’s Aladdin Connect Wi-Fi smartphone technology, allowing you to control it from your phone, but it also includes two pre-programmed remotes and a multi-function wall console that has a vacation lock and light control buttons. If you intend to use the app controls or Alexa and Google Home compatibility, make sure you have a consistently strong Wi-Fi connection. While this opener has a built-in light and works with doors over 7 feet tall, you must purchase the bulbs and extension kit separately. Price at time of publish: $278

Horsepower

A garage door opener’s horsepower is another important consideration to weigh. Typically, 0.5 horsepower will work for most doors in newer homes. If you have a heavier solid wood door, you may want to opt for 0.75 horsepower so it can lift it with ease. You can also get 1 and 1.5-horsepower models, but those are a better fit for commercial or special situations.

Security

Since 1993, all garage door openers have been required to have a special reversing mechanism to prevent closure if a child, pet, or car is in the way. In terms of additional security features, you get what you pay for. If safety is a top concern, you may want to opt for a model that changes the access code after each use to prevent a break-in or one that comes with a built-in camera and access to recorded footage.

Why Trust The Spruce?

This article was written and researched by Camryn Rabideau, who is a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. She considered a wide range of garage door openers, including models from top-name brands and smaller manufacturers, and evaluated each pick for power, convenience, and versatility. All of the garage door openers included have at least 0.5-horsepower motors and can be used on standard 7-foot garage doors. Emma Phelps, an updates writer for The Spruce, also assisted with this article by reaching out to Michelle Nichols, a Merchant at The Home Depot, who provided purchasing insight and helpful resources for garage door opener installation.

  1. Read over the instructions and make sure you have all the parts and necessary tools.
  2. Assemble the carriage tube per the manufacturer’s instructions.
  3. Attach the carriage tube to the front of the main power unit.
  4. Mount the header bracket to secure the carriage tube to the wall over the door.
  5. Hang the main power unit from the ceiling
  6. Wire the opener control box, then mount it to the wall.
  7. Attach the connector bracket to the door, then fasten it to the carriage arm.
  8. Plug in the safety sensor device to prevent it from closing on anything in the way. “The Home Depot offers expert advice with their Type of Garage Door Openers project guide, along with their Garage Door & Opener Installation services and offerings,” says Nichols. Pull down hard on the cord to release the door. Then lift it with your hands, pushing it all the way up to make sure it stays in place and doesn’t fall back down.