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Are you always worried that you or someone in your family has forgotten to close your garage door? If so, you may want to consider getting a smart garage door opener to keep tabs on your door from anywhere using a simple smartphone app. How do they work? And which ones are the most reliable? We’ll give you the lowdown on these affordable and easy-to-install devices.
Article Overview
How Do They Work?
The smart, WiFi-enabled gadgets we review below allow you to transform your existing garage door drive, whether it’s a belt or chain, into a smart garage door opener. In most cases, all you have to do is attach a sensor to your drive (some require minimal wiring, while others are wireless). Then you set up the configuration on the mobile app.
These devices allow you to open, close, and monitor your garage door through your smartphone, and they also integrate with voice assistants (this varies by product). These devices don’t interfere with your existing remotes, so you can still use those if you choose.
If you’re considering upgrading your entire drive, you have lots of smart options. We recommend the Chamberlain B4613T Belt Drive. It’s smartphone-controlled, ultra-quiet, and has a battery backup. The Genie StealthDrive Connect 7155-TKV is also another great option, especially if you want Alexa integration.
Best Smart Garage Door Opener
We’ve chosen our winners based on compatibility with existing door opener drives, device and app performance, features, customer reviews, and more.
Winner: Chamberlain MyQ-G0301 Review
The Chamberlain MyQ smart device is one of the easiest to install and configure. It’s compatible with the Chamberlain, Craftsman, LiftMaster, and Stanley openers and most other brands that have standard safety sensors (as long as they’re made after 1993). It includes a wireless sensor you attach to your existing unit and a hub that connects to your WiFi network.
Once installed, you can open or close the door remotely and check your garage door’s status from the smartphone app. It works with Google Assistant, Xfinity Home, Alarm.com, IFTTT, Vivint, Residio, Clare, and Apple HomeKit (HomeKit compatibility requires a bridge device). It’s also the only garage door opener that’s compatible with Amazon Key, so you can have your packages delivered and safely secured in your garage.
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Installation (Video)
This video gives you a quick overview of how to set up the Chamberlain MyQ system.
Runner-Up: Nexx Garage NXG-200 Review
If you don’t like the lack of Alexa compatibility or the monthly fees you incur with our number one pick, this Nexx device could be a better alternative. It’s compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, and SmartThings with no fees. You can remotely open and close your door and monitor your door’s activity using the smartphone app via either WiFi or Bluetooth.
It also has a cool Just Drive geofencing feature that detects when you’re arriving home and automatically opens the garage door. But this Nexx device isn’t as widely compatible with openers as the MyQ. And according to some users, installation and syncing can be a bit tricky depending on the type of opener you currently have.
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3rd Place: Genie ALKT1-R Aladdin Connect Review
The Genie Aladdin Connect is compatible with most garage door openers, and most say installation is easy. It has some features that our top two picks don’t — you can schedule when your door opens and closes, and you can assign temporary virtual keys for others to access your garage. The main complaint with this device is that it’s slow to respond when opening and closing the garage door.
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What About Alcidae, Garadget, And Meross?
These smart garage door openers, while not ranking in our top 3 this year, may contain unique features better suited to your specific needs, so we recommend you check them out before making your final decision.
Alcidae Garager 2 | Garadget | Meross MSG100
Alcidae Garager 2 Review
Alcidae Garager 2 is a two-in-one camera and WiFi garage door opener that lets you remotely open, close, and monitor your garage door and view live or recorded video through your smartphone. The 1080p HD camera has two-way audio, night vision, and motion detection.
Motion and sound detection alerts and live video streaming are free, but if you want video recording, you’ll have to sign up for their cloud subscription. They offer a free 30-day trial; then it’s $5 per month. The camera wires to your existing door drive and has a magnetic mount.
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The cloud subscription is $5 per month for 24-hour daily recording and seven-day continuous playback.
Garadget Review
Unlike the other devices we review here that use sensors to detect movement, Garadget uses a laser that shines on a reflective tab that you mount to the top panel of your garage door. It’s compatible with a lot of garage door opener brands, and device installation is easy. The main issue with this device is the many reports we’ve seen about false alerts telling you your door is open when it’s actually not.
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Meross MSG100 Review
Meross has a solid reputation for manufacturing high-quality smart gadgets, and the MSG100 WiFi garage door opener remote meets these standards. With no hub, all this device requires is a simple wired connection from the sensor to your drive unit. Most users say it’s easy to install and set up.
This device is compatible right out of the box with a large number of makes and models of garage door openers. Meross also has accessories to work around compatibility issues — all you have to do is contact the company with your make and model, and they’ll send you the necessary accessory.
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Garage Security 101: Keep Intruders At Bay
If you’re concerned about intruders getting into your garage (and being able to access your home through the garage), our experts have written a guide devoted to garage security. We give you tips and reviews of the best equipment to help you protect your garage from thieves.
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