Garage Door Opener Brand Comparison

Reputation matters

Genie

Genie makes quality garage door openers that won't put too big a dent in your wallet. They have a few different models which vary in price (you can probably expect to pay between $200 and $300) and in features. Most of the Genie openers have an enclosed chain, which cuts down on noise and on mess during installation. Soft stops reduce wear. The Genie Excellerator is perhaps their top model; it opens and closes quickly, which can reduce security risks.

Craftsman

Craftsman offers a few of the least expensive garage door openers, if money is an issue. These are not quite as quick and quiet as some of the more expensive units, but for the price these are reliable and sturdy. They come with infrared safety sensors and a code keypad for keyless entry.

Chamberlain Liftmaster

The Chamberlain company offers the Liftmaster belt driven door openers, which are far quieter than traditional chain driven ones. Most Liftmaster models have all the accessories you need, such as keyless entry keypad and 20-hour battery backup (handy when there is a power outage). These units cost around $300.

Wayne-Dalton

The newest innovations in garage door openers come from the Wayne-Dalton company. In addition to their traditional openers, this company manufactures a wall-mounted unit. This opener, called the iDrive, is affixed to the wall just above the garage door. It is a small unit that does not use chains or belts and, therefore, is amazingly quiet. It also frees up a good 6 to 8 inches of overhead room.

More information on garage door openers