Features to Look for When Buying a Garage Door Opener
Ever wanted to upgrade your home with a smart garage? Garage door automation gives you advanced capabilities such as opening and closing the door remotely. Most garage controllers today will have the following or similar features to the ones listed below:
- Access through mobile app: Many garage door openers come with mobile app access. This allows you to control your garage door from virtually anywhere–whether you’re home or away at work. If you need to let a family member in the house or receive a package, control of your garage door is at your fingertips.
- Additional sensors: Some garage door openers will come with an additional sensors for monitoring whenever your door is opened or closed. You can also receive alerts to your smartphone if you leave the door open. Some garage door openers come with vehicle sensors that recognize a specific vehicle and trigger the garage door to open as you approach.
- Automatic closing & opening capabilities: You won’t have to turn around to go home and close your garage door or search for your remote when returning home when you have automatic opening and closing capabilities. Some brands have these features for greater convenience beyond remote and smartphone control.
- Voice command functionality: Tell Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant to open the garage door for you with voice command functionality. This feature offers another way of simplifying the process of opening and closing your garage door. Some brands also include IFTTT (If This Then That) functionality so you can create rules for your garage door controller.
Top 10 Garage Openers
Our take
The ADT Garage Door Controller keeps your family and home safe with mobile alerts whenever your garage door is opened or closed. You can also open or close it yourself through the ADT mobile app. Get your ADT Garage Door Controller through a professionally monitored ADT security system.
Stand-out features include
- Compatible with most popular brands of garage door openers
- Monitor your garage door through your smartphone or other mobile devices
- Set your garage to automatically close whenever your alarm system is set to “Away”
Our take
Have your garage door open and close upon your arrival or departure with the Tailwind iQ3 Smart Garage Door Opener. This smart device can detect your vehicle with a sensor and also work with digital assistants like Amazon Alexa and more. Turn on “Night Mode” to ensure your garage door stays shut and secure at night.
Stand-out features include
- Can detect your vehicle (with a vehicle sensor) and will automatically open or close your garage door
- Works with digital assistants like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri Shortcuts and more
- Designed to work with up to 3 garage doors
Our take
The MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener is easy to install and will alert you through the MyQ app whenever your garage door opens or closes. With this device you can also create daily schedules and set times for closing your garage door, as well as turning on/off your lights.
Stand-out features include
- Open and close your garage door from anywhere with the MyQ app
- Easy to install in just four steps
- Works with Nest, Google Assistant, IFTTT and Wink for additional functionality
Our take
With the Vivint Garage Door Controller, you won’t have to be concerned about forgetting to close the garage door after leaving home. Have remote access to your home from anywhere with the Vivint Smart Home app. Connect your Vivint garage door opener with other intrusion protection products and a fully monitored Vivint security system.
Stand-out features include
- Easily accept deliveries by opening your garage door while you’re away
- Remotely access and close your garage door with the Vivint Smart Home app
- Get alerts on your smartphone if your garage door is left open
Our take
The NEXX Garage Remote Compatible Door Opener allows you to easily open and close your garage while you’re away with the NEXX mobile app. You can monitor activity with real-time activity tracking and allow package deliveries by opening and closing the door.
Stand-out features include
- Open and close your garage door from anywhere with the Nexx mobile app
- Control your garage door by voice with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant
- Compatible with most garage door openers
Garage door openers bring convenience, safety, and peace of mind to your fingertips. Start here, and build out your very own smart home with other devices like smart lights and smart thermostats.
Garage Door Opener FAQs
A garage door opener allows you to manage access to your garage. Traditional openers operate through a button that you can push on your wall, while more modern openers can be used with an app on your smartphone, tablet or PC. Some controllers allow you to open and close your garage by voice, automation and/or proximity.
Some brands of garage door openers will allow you to receive notifications to your phone if your garage door is opened or closed. Some devices will even track activity and keep a log of when the door was opened or closed.
These devices can definitely enhance your safety. With automation features, you can set a schedule for when you want your garage door to open and close. This comes in handy when you’re heading out for work in the mornings and coming home in the evenings. Sensing capabilities also enhance your security through notifications for whenever your garage is left open.
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