Replace It With A Chamberlain Opener
Modern-day Genie garage door openers are not built like they were in the past. If you intend to replace your garage door opener with something quieter, look into a Chamberlain Belt Drive garage door opener. These units are full-featured with modern-day amenities like smartphone control and DC motors. DC motors are quiet and feature a soft start and stop, which reduces even more noise in operation.
There are also many other brands on the market that will achieve similar results as well. The most important factor when choosing a brand is to make sure there are servicing dealers in your area that can handle issues when they arise.
The Most Advanced Openers Available
Strong. Quiet. Versatile. Choose from the best in smart home and security features
to simplify your life, stay connected to home and protect what matters most.
Next Gen Openers
The next generation of LiftMaster openers are transforming the garage space with new features that meet the needs of todays busy homeowners. These are not your fathers garage door openers. Their sleek, contemporary designincluding a modern lighting experienceelevates the garage into a notable and more functional extension of the smart home.
Battery Backup Garage Door Openers
During a power outage, access to or from your garage may be critical. Keep your family safe with a garage door opener with Battery Backup.
The 8 Best Garage Door Openers Of 2022
Our top pick is the Genie StealthDrive Connect Garage Door Opener
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproductslearn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
The Spruce / Jay Wilde
A top-quality garage door opener provides the safety and convenience of arriving home to an open, well-lit garage. When selecting the right option for your home, Michelle Nichols, a Merchant at The Home Depot, recommends understanding the various types of garage door openers. “Consider what rooms are next to your garage and the times youll be using your garage the most. When selecting a garage door opener, look for one with the right combination of power and noise level. Think about whether a smart or Wi-Fi-enabled system works for your home.”
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.
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Are Screw Drives More Reliable Than Other Garage Door Openers
Fewer moving parts means its less likely for something to break. Youll spend less on maintaining and repairing pulleys, gears, belts, or chains, and the system runs much more smoothly on the tracks. It is less likely to jerk and stop along the track, and theres little risk of damage to the door when the opener is running. The mechanism moves in response to the turning of the metal rod, which is where all the energy used is focused, rather than for powering various other moving components.
Screw drive garage door openers therefore use less energy while generating more power. Another advantage is speed. Screw type openers can run at seven to ten inches per second, while most other garage door openers move at as little as five inches per second.
Screw Drive Garage Door Openers Explained By An A1 Garage Door Service Professional
Dating all the way back to their inception in 1926, remote-controlled garage door openers were considered to be the first major home automation device. Even though controlled garage door openers were introduced during the Great Depression in the United States, it wasnt until the 1970s that they truly became commonly used for residential purposes. However, they almost immediately were deemed a safety hazard and gained a reputation for being unsafe as there were multiple cases where young children were struck and injured. Finally, in 1993, the United States decided to start mandating the use of controlled garage door openers, including screw drive garage door openers, until 1993 by requiring advanced sensors to avoid and deter accidents.
Initially, there was only one type of garage door opener available for automatic garage doors. There are three types of garage door openers available today: chain driver, belt drive, and screw drive. With modern-day advances in technology, each of these three types of automatic garage door openers has an equal amount of pros and cons. Therefore, finding the best garage door opener is dependent upon each homeowners needs, wants, and preferences. However, screw drive garage door openers are different from belt and chain garage door openers.
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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.
Beamup Everlift Bu250 Garage Door Opener With Battery Backup
Amazon
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Compatible with single or double doors
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Long-lasting backup battery
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Only includes one remote
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Light operation can be faulty
Some garage door openers, including the BeamUp Everlift, have a built-in battery backup that keeps your garage operational in case of a power outage. The Everlift operates via a high-grade reinforced steel chain drive, and it has a powerful lithium polymer battery that kicks in during power outages, offering three times as many operating cycles as traditional lead-acid batteries.
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
Dimensions: 27 x 14 x 8 inches | Weight: 31.9 pounds | Opener Type: Chain drive | Lifting Capacity: 0.75 horsepower | Drive Type: High-grade steel-reinforced | Horsepower: 0.75 | PowerDC motor with lithium battery backup
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Genie Stealthdrive Connect Smart Garage Door Opener
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Smartphone and home assistant compatibility
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Built-in backup battery
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Lifetime warranty on motor and belt
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Extension kit for 8-foot doors sold separately
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App controls could be better
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Strong Wi-Fi connection needed for app control
Who else recommends it? Popular Science and Bob Vila also picked the Genie StealthDrive Garage Door Opener.
What do buyers say? 92% of 3,200 Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
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.
Price at time of publish: $286
Dimensions: 8.5 x 12 x 28 inches | Weight: Not listed | Opener Type: Belt drive | Lifting Capacity: 1.25 horsepower | Drive Type: Ultra-quiet | Horsepower: 1.25 | PowerCorded-Electric, Battery Backup for Battery Power
Which Is The Better Option Chain Or Screw Drive Garage Door Openers
Our garage door experts at A1 Garage Door Service recommend choosing a chain drive garage door opener rather than a screw drive garage door opener. Chain drive garage door openers are considered to be in the middle in terms of technological advancement. However, the cost is lower and the quality is significantly higher than screw drive garage door openers. Chain drive garage door openers also do not require grease to operate, therefore homeowners do not have to worry about a mess in their garage or on their vehicle.
In addition to the above-mentioned benefits, chain drive garage door openers operate on a DC current. Screw drive garage door openers operate on an alternating current which causes the machine to be harsh and rough when opening the garage door. Over time this can cause damage and degrade the quality of the garage door. Chain drive garage door openers, however, have soft start and stop options that preserve the quality of the garage door.
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Screw Drive Garage Door Openers
Screw drive garage door openers work a little bit differently than belt drive or chain drive garage door openers. A trolley is used along with a threaded-steel rod to rotate the motor to move the door. The pushing and pulling forces are much different compared to chain drive and belt drive openers.
Advantages: Screw drive garage door openers tend to be easier to maintain because there are less moving pieces. There is no need for adjustment as there is with chain drive garage door openers. Additionally, they tend to be quieter than chain drive garage door openers, especially after prolonged usage. Because there is few moving parts and little play, the door also rises and falls very smoothly. Its recommended that screw drive openers not be used in regions that experience major fluctuations in temperature as the units are sensitive to temperature. Apples to apples, screw drive garage door openers tend to cost slightly more than belt or chain drive openers.
Liftmaster Elite Series 8500 Jackshaft Operator
Amazon
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Compatible with doors up to 14 feet
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Doesn’t work with roll-up doors
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Bar system not included
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Smart features are add-on only
The LiftMaster 8500 is a unique direct-drive garage door opener, thanks to its wall-mounted design. Instead of hanging from the ceiling and taking up room in your garage, this unit mounts beside your door, freeing up ceiling space for other storage. It can handle doors up to 14 feet tall and 650 pounds, but you must have a front-mount torsion bar system for operation. Note that this model is not compatible with roll-up doors.
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 brands 828LM Internet Gateway.
Price at time of publish: $450
Dimensions: 16.5 x 7 x 6.75 inches | Weight: 30.5 pounds | Opener Type: Direct drive | Lifting Capacity: Not listed | Drive Type: Jackshaft | Horsepower: 0.75 | Power24V DC
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How Does A Screw Drive Garage Door Opener Work
They use a threaded rod attached to a track running from the opener to the door. The threaded rod is also attached to a trolley. The trolley extends an âarmâ that is fastened to the garage door. When the door opens or closes, the motor turns the threaded rod. The trolley then moves around the rod. The arm then raises the door to open it or lowers it, closing it.
What Is A Screw Drive Garage Door Opener
A screw drive garage door opener is one of the options available if you are replacing your old system. It is not the most common type used in homes. Nonetheless, it is quite powerful and suited for larger, heavier garage doors.
Other garage door openers use chains or belts. This type features a threaded stall rod, which is shaped like a screw that is rotated by a motor. The mechanism moves the trolley that opens and closes your garage door. A screw drive opener differs from chain- or belt-driven models in that there is no pulley. Its therefore much quieter during operation, so you avoid disturbing occupants of your home who may be sleeping. If the system gets noisy, the screw mechanism can be lubricated with machine oil.
While chains and belts eventually need to be replaced, screw drive systems experience less wear over time. They can last longer, meaning you can put off spending on major repairs and replacements. The latest safety features are included as well, such as photo-electric sensors and security encryption that creates a new access code every time the garage door is used.
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What Are Screw Drive Garage Door Openers
A garage door opener with screw drives has a steel threaded rod on which the trolley is mounted. A motor turns the rod in order to move the trolley and the door attached to it. Having a simple design is what makes this type of opener appealing. Homeowners who love to do projects themselves love screw-drive garage door openers since they are easy to maintain and have fewer moving parts.
In applications where seasonal temperature changes are dramatic, screw drive openers are somewhat temperature sensitive and may require more frequent maintenance. This type of automatic garage door opener is noisier than other garage opener alternatives and is also the most expensive type of garage door opener.
The Genie Powerlift 900 Screw Drive Garage Door Opener
What we liked most
- Can lift heavy doors â up to 500 lbs.
Cons
- They are a bit noisy
- The small remotes can be easy to misplace
- If you have owned older Genies, you may find this one a little âweaker.â A plastic coupler links the motor and the screw drive. This could easily get damaged.
- During power outages, you might have to reset your up/down limit settings.
- It may be affected by changes in the weather
Verdict
The Powerlift 900 is a bit noisy and has some design flaws. For example, the C-Channel is made from galvanized sheet metal, which makes it vulnerable. It could also be affected by the weather, especially during winter.
Power outages may reset the up or down limits. If your door gets stuck for any reason, the Powerlift 900 cannot read its position correctly. If you try to reverse, you might damage the C-Channel.
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What Kinds Of Features Come With Screw Drive Garage Door Openers
The latest features available with other systems can be found in screw drive openers. You can therefore install one with a Wi-Fi connection, which allows control over your garage door with a smartphone app. Monitor your garage door and control it from anywhere, grant access to other users, or shut it if you forgot to on your way out. Some systems come with LED garage lighting, keyless entry systems, battery-backup, and extra-powerful motors for more demanding applications.
Are There Any Disadvantages Of Screw Drive Openers
The only main disadvantage is the expense. Screw drive garage door openers are a little more expensive because theyre less popular and other types are cheaper to make. But if you have the budget and the need for power and speed, this is a worthwhile investment. Screw drive openers are made by some of the top brands, including Genie and LiftMaster.
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Liftmaster Model 2110 2220 3110 3220 Screw Drive
USING THE INTERACTIVE EXPLODED PARTS VIEW
OR, IF YOU KNOW YOUR PART NUMBER
Sears Chamberlain Liftmaster Screw Drive Openers
Chamberlain, Craftsman, and LiftMaster screw drive garage door openers are a little different. They use a small inner slide with teeth that the carriage engages with. This unit is plastic and will strip out during normal use. You can replace the part the same way you would do the Genie carriage.
The screw drive coupler featured above is what connects the screw drive rail to the motor. This can be seen from the top of the unit, and its not uncommon to find one cracked. If you go to run your garage door opener one day and the door doesnt move, you most likely have a cracked coupler on top. The motor will make an audible noise, but the screw drive rail will not spin.
When replacing a coupler like this on a Sears, Chamberlain, or LiftMaster screw drive garage door opener, you need to be aware of where your up and down limits are set in relation to the inner slide rack. When this coupler breaks, the limits inside the motor housing will still run and ground out, but your inner slide will not move, therefore causing them to be out of sync. This is not a hard repair to complete, you just need the know how to do it correctly.
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What Is The Best Garage Door Opener For You
To find the best garage door opener, you have to consider your personal needs and situation. There are many different types of garage door openers on the market today, each with pros and cons. Generally speaking, there are three main types of garage door openers to choose from Screw Drive, Chain Drive and Belt Drive. For each type of opener, there have been many advances in technology that has evened the score between the three. Below, we will share the unique benefits and disadvantages of the different garage door openers.