Garage doors can be pretty heavy. Some may even strain your back if you try to lift them manually. The good thing is there are garage door openers to do the heavy lifting for you. You don’t have to injure yourself just to get the door open.
But which is the best garage door opener for heavy doors? My team and I reviewed some of the best garage door openers for heavy garage doors. Keep reading to find out which opener works best with heavy doors.
The Best garage door openers for heavy doors are:
- Chamberlain B970 – The best overall
- Genie StealthDrive Connect Model 7155-TKV – best quiet operation
- LiftMaster Elite Series 8500W Jackshaft Opener – best wall-mounted opener
- Genie B6172H Smart Wall Mount Opener – best for saving space
- Chamberlain B1381 – best with smart lights
How heavy can garage doors get?
Garage doors can be pretty heavy. While your residential garage door might not seem very heavy, there are some garage doors that weigh in excess of 700 pounds.
The weight of your garage door is dependent on a few factors including the size of the garage door, the type of material used to make the garage door and whether the door is insulated or not.
Bigger garage doors typically weigh more. The weight of the door highly depends on the material used to make the door. Aluminum and steel doors are relatively lighter as compared to wooden doors. And finally, the insulation of the door adds to the weight of the door.
A 16 ft. wooden door weighs in excess of 350 pounds or even more while a 16 ft. steel or aluminum door weighs about 200 pounds. Insulation normally adds about 30 pounds to 80 pounds.
Having a good garage door opener to do all your heavy lifting is very convenient. You shouldn’t have to lift these heavy garage doors for yourself. So here are some of the best garage door openers for your heavy garage doors!
Review of the 5 best garage door openers for heavy doors
Some garage doors, especially made of vintage wood, can be pretty heavy. For this kind of door, you will need a high-power opener capable of operating the garage door without breaking a sweat. Here is a detailed rundown of the top picks you can choose from.
Chamberlain B970T Smart Garage Door Opener: Best with battery backup
- Smart garage door opener comes with built-in myQ technology to keep you connected and protected: Open, close, your garage door even when the power is out with Battery Backup and know the status of your garage door from anywhere with a smartphone with the myQ app
- Battery backup: Ensures safe replacement ins-and-outs even during power failures. Radio Frequencies: 310, 315, 390. Soft Start / Stop : Yes
- Ultra-quiet and strong belt drive: Steel-reinforced belt drive and constructed with high-grade materials for years of reliability and quiet, smooth performance - perfect for attached garages
- Powered by Chamberlain’s Max Lift Power System, the B970 delivers lifting force equivalent to 1 1 by 4 HP, the highest lifting capacity in the category for superior performance in extreme conditions
- Superior range: Includes 2 3-button remote controls that let you control up to 3 openers. Exclusive Triband technology boosts remote range up to 1,500 feet for a quicker entrance and exit
The Chamberlain B970T is our top garage door opener for heavy doors. This belt-driven garage door opener packs a lot of exciting features to look out for.
The Chamberlain B970T is an ultra-quiet belt-driven garage door opener powered by a 1¼ horsepower motor. The belt is steel-reinforced offering you strength and reliability.
The Chamberlain B970T is a smart garage door opener with built-in MyQ technology to keep you connected and protected. You can easily connect this garage door opener to your smart devices for remote operations. It also comes with a battery backup for continuous operations amidst a power outage.
Product Specs
- Belt driven – the Chamberlain B970T is a belt driven garage door opener with a steel-reinforced belt.
- 1¼ horsepower motor suitable for extremely heavy doors.
- Smart garage door opener with built-in MyQ for smart operations.
- Battery backup for continuous operations during a power outage.
What we like
- Ultra-quiet –The Chamberlain B970T is an extremely quiet garage door opener. It is belt driven with very minimal operational noise.
- Strong – the Chamberlain B970T is a very strong garage door opener with a steel-reinforced belt connected to a 1¼ horsepower motor.
- Battery backup – you never have to worry about a power outage. Continue operating your garage door even when the power goes off.
- Smart integrations – operate this garage door in using your smart devices and from virtually anywhere.
- Superior security features – The Chamberlain B970T features the highest level of encryption and monitoring, paired with your home’s ISP and Wi-Fi router firewalls guard against hacking.
- Superior remote control range of up to 1500 ft.
What could be improved?
- The installation process might be lengthy and a little bit complicated
- It lacks LED lights to provide lighting in the garage
Genie StealthDrive Connect Model 7155-TKV – Best with quiet operation
- The Genie Stealth Drive Connect smart garage door opener works with Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery so you can have packages delivered directly inside the garage
- With the Genie Stealth Drive Connect model 7155 garage door opener, you can monitor and close your garage door from anywhere with the integrated Aladdin Connect technology
- STRONG AND QUIET: The 1 1/4 HPc DC Motor on the Stealth Drive Connect smart garage door opener is paired with a steel-reinforced belt drive making this garage door opener perfect for garages that are attached to bedrooms and/or nurseries.
- BATTERY BACKUP INCLUDED: The Stealth Drive Connect smart garage door opener, has an integrated battery backup that allows for this Genie garage door opener to be used when the power is out.
- EASY TO INSTALL: This smart garage door opener features a strong 5-piece rail system that snaps together for easy installation. It’s lightweight with no added hardware needed. Plus, this smart garage door opener works with BILT intelligent 3D interactive instructions, for extra easy assembly
Genie manages to incorporate a lot of amazing features into this reasonably priced opener. This garage door opener comes with in Wi-Fi connectivity, making it one of the best all-around options for garage door openers.
This opener checks all the boxes when it comes to features. It is quiet and very durable thanks to its steel-reinforced belt connected to a 1¼ horsepower motor.
It comes with two wireless remotes, a keypad, and a wall-mount console. It also features a backup battery for continuous uninterrupted operations.
When it comes to security, this garage door opener really secures your garage and home by extension. The Genie Safe-T-Beam garage door safety sensors ensure your family’s safety with an infrared beam of light across the door opening.
Genie’s Aladdin app allows you to monitor your door as well as operate it or program the door to auto-close after it’s been left open for a certain amount of time. It will also pair with a digital assistant for voice control.
Product Specs
- Belt drive with a steel-reinforced belt
- Powerful 1¼ horsepower motor
- Smart integrations for smart operations
- Battery backup
Pros
- Smart features – The Genie 7155-TKV has built-in Wi-Fi and integrates with most home automation. It Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings and many more.
- Quiet – this garage door opener is extremely quiet while in operation.
- Easy installation – the Genie 7155-TKV is pretty easy to assemble and install. You require no expert assistance to put it together.
- Powerful motor – the Genie 7155-TKV is powered by a 1¼ horsepower motor offering you strength and reliability.
- Battery back – the Genie 7155-TKV comes with a battery backup for continuous operations.
- Keypad and remotes included
- Comes with built-in LED bulbs
Cons
- Extension rails required for 8-foot-high garage door
LiftMaster Elite Series 8500W Jackshaft Opener
- This sleek, space-saving design mounts on the wall beside your garage door, freeing up ceiling space
- This elite series model comes fully equipped with security 2.0, myq
- Get reliable, durable and powerful performance with our p3 motors
- Runs ultra-quiet by eliminating sound and vibrations through the ceiling
- Not compatible with roll up doors, low headroom track, wayne dalton torquemaster Must have a front mount torsion bar system
Looking for high-performance and space conservation? The LiftMaster Elite Series 8500W is your go-to opener. This model is amazingly small in size and features a sleek, compact design that helps free up lots of ceiling space.
Unlike most powerful garage door openers for heavy doors, Instead of the ceiling, it mounts on the wall right next to the garage door where it operates.
Despite the size, the 8500W jackshaft opener packs ¾ horsepower in its 24V-DC motor. This motor is strong enough to lift any heavy garage door without trouble.
Like most high-end garage door openers, the LiftMaster 8500W comes with battery backup for continuous operation during a power outage. The 8500W is smart and comes with MyQ technology for smart operations.
Product Specs
- Smart integrations for smart and remote operations
- Battery backup for uninterrupted operations
- Integrates easily with MyQ
Pros
- Easy installation – this opener is extremely easy to install for DIY enthusiasts.
- Smart integrations – The 8500W jackshaft opener is smartphone-compatible
- Backup battery for continuous operations
- Extremely quiet operation
Cons
- Not compatible with roll up doors
- The unit does not support Homelink control on cars 2012 or older.
- It is quite expensive.
The Genie B6172H Smart Wall Mount Opener
- The built-in Aladdin Connect technology allows you to monitor, open and close your garage door from anywhere with your smartphone. Works with Smart Home Automation platforms Amazon In-Garage Delivery, Alexa, Google Assistant, SmartThings, URC, Control4 and many more
- The Genie Wall Mount Smart Garage Door Opener with battery backup is equipped with a strong 24v DC motor that provides quiet and powerful operation to lift up to 850LB residential garage doors. Works on standard, high lift and vertical lift doors up to 14ft in height and max 180 sq feet
- The Safe-T-Pulse Internal slack cable monitor ensures safe door travel by taking measurements and checking for slack in the cables electronically, pulsing the garage door prior to closing
- The Genie Wall Mount Garage Door Opener with battery backup is Compact design measuring 6.8 in. wide x 12 in. tall x 9 in. deep making the Genie wall mount garage door opener the smallest available, Proper installation requires a standard outlet within 6 ft. of the wall mount garage door opener
- The Genie Wall Mount Garage Door Opener is compact and space saving, directly mounts to the side of the garage doors tube spring saving space on the ceiling. Will not work on reverse wound springs, or low headroom outside hook-up, doesn't work with extension springs or one piece doors
The Genie B6172H is built with space optimization in mind. This wall-mounted garage door opener is designed to save you garage space.
Let this unit’s compact size not deceive you, this opener comes with a powerful 1¼ horsepower motor that easily lifts up to 850 pounds of garage door weight without any hassle.
For do-it-yourself enthusiasts, this garage door opener is pretty easy to install. You do not need to seek expert assistance to install it. You can easily install it all by yourself.
The Genie B6172H is a smart garage door opener. It has built-in Wi-Fi that allows you to connect to smart devices. The Aladdin Connect app allows you to monitor your garage door and operate it through your smart device.
As your home gets smart, so should your garage. This opener works with smart home devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. You can easily use voice commands to operate the garage opener.
When it comes to security, Genie’s automatic door lock is there to provide you with that extra layer of security and convenience.
What’s more, the unit has a Safe-T-Pulse safety feature that takes measurements while operating the door to help detect any slack issues.
Your purchase includes a 3-button remote that comes preprogrammed for convenience and easy use. Additionally, the battery backup that comes with this opener will afford you up to 50 cycles of the garage door opening and closing when the power is out.
Product Specs
- Battery backup
- Smart integrations with built-in Wi-Fi
- Powerful 24v DC motor
- Wall mount
Pros
- Quiet – This garage door opener is extremely quiet with minimal operational noise
- Easy installation – The installation process is very simple and outright. The unit also comes with a detailed guide.
- Battery backup – this garage door opener comes with a battery backup option for uninterrupted operation during a power outage.
- Wall mount for space consumption
- Powerful – This is the smallest but powerful garage door opener capable of lifting up to 850 pounds.
- The kit comes with preprogrammed LED wireless light
Cons
- Relatively slow in operation when overwhelmed
- Slightly expensive
The Chamberlain B1381- has additional smart lights
- Smart garage door opener comes with built-in myQ technology to keep you connected and protected: Open, close, your garage door even when the power is out with Battery Backup and know the status of your garage door from anywhere with a smartphone with the myQ app
- Battery backup: Ensures safe replacement ins-and-outs even during power failures. Radio Frequencies: 310, 315, 390. Soft Start / Stop : Yes
- Ultra-quiet and strong belt drive: Steel-reinforced belt drive and constructed with high-grade materials for years of reliability and quiet, smooth performance - perfect for attached garages
- Powered by Chamberlain’s Max Lift Power System, the B970 delivers lifting force equivalent to 1 1 by 4 HP, the highest lifting capacity in the category for superior performance in extreme conditions
- Superior range: Includes 2 3-button remote controls that let you control up to 3 openers. Exclusive Triband technology boosts remote range up to 1,500 feet for a quicker entrance and exit
Chamberlain has been among the top brands for reliable and best-value garage door openers. They manufacture garage door openers that suit your needs and offer you value for money.
The Chamberlain B1381 is no different. This model packs a lot of exciting features.
For starters, it runs on a 1¼ horsepower motor that easily lifts your heavy garage door. It has anti-vibration technology for a smooth and quiet operation. It also works very well in extreme temperatures.
The Chamberlain B1381 also comes with the Chamberlain corner-to-corner lighting. You don’t have to worry about garage lighting with the unit installed.
You have the option to connect these smart floodlights to other smart lights in your home via the Wink app. They will give your home an elegant shine each time the garage door opens.
The Chamberlain B1381 is a smart garage door. It is Wi-Fi enabled and works well with MyQ. You can easily connect the opener to your smart devices and operate it remotely. You can open and lock your door using your phone as well as receive real time door action notifications.
When you connect this garage door opener to Amazon Key, you can safely receive Amazon packages delivered inside your garage. This ensures you do not have to be home to receive your dispatches from authorized Amazon delivery personnel.
Product Specs
- Belt drive garage door opener
- Powerful 1¼ horsepower motor
- Battery backup
- Smart garage control
- LED lighting
What to like
- Easy installation – The Chamberlain B1381 is a pretty easy opener to install. You do not need expert assistance. Just follow the detailed installation manual.
- Quiet – The Chamberlain B1381 is a belt drive garage door opener. It is extremely quiet with anti-vibration technology.
- Powerful – The Chamberlain B1381 runs on a 1¼ horsepower motor that easily lifts the heaviest garage doors around.
- Battery backup – this garage door opener comes with a battery backup option that gives you uninterrupted operation during a power outage.
- Smart garage operation – has built-in Wi-Fi connectivity and efficiently works with MyQ.
- LED lighting – this unit comes with 3100 lumens of LED lighting for corner to corner garage lighting.
Cons
- 8 ft. and 10 ft. doors require an extension kit
How to choose a garage door opener for a heavy door buyer’s guide
The market is flooded with garage door openers. There are many brands manufacturing openers and rolling out models day by day. These garage door openers come with more and more features and technicalities.
You can easily get confused when shopping for garage door openers. However, worry no more. My team and I compiled a buyer’s guide to help you get the best garage door opener that suits you.
Here is what to look for when shopping for a garage door opener for heavy doors.
Drive Type
Garage door openers come with different drive types. Each drive type has its own advantage and disadvantages. Let us look at the different drive types a garage door opener might have.
Chain-drive models
These are some of the most robust models. They consist of a metal chain attached to the motor. The garage door is pulled up and down by the chain.
Chain drive systems are very strong and reliable. Given enough motor power, these systems can easily lift the heaviest garage doors available. These systems are very durable and can easily last up to 15 years with proper maintenance.
The systems are however noisy and normally vibrate a lot while in operation. They also require frequent maintenance which might be pretty costly.
Belt-drive models
Unlike chain drive systems, these systems use a belt to open and shut the garage door. For this reason, such systems are very quiet and produce very minimal operational noise.
Belt drive systems also require very minimal maintenance. They are also quite powerful provided you match them with the right motor power.
Belt-drive garage door openers may be relatively more expensive than the chain drive options, but they are worth the price if you are looking for a combination of power and noise-free operation.
Screw-drive models
These are the best systems for extremely heavy garage doors. They consist of a threaded steel rod that rotates to create movement and drive the trolley carrying the garage door along the track.
Like belt-drive models, these openers are typically quieter than their chain-drive cousins. They also have fewer moving parts making them low-maintenance.
Direct-drive models
These are different from the other three models in design. They operate as a unit, with the entire gadget moving to open or close the garage door. The motor works as the trolley, traveling along the track to raise or lower the garage door in these openers.
The system is pretty quiet and powerful for very heavy garage doors. Due to the minimized number of moving parts, these openers are very low maintenance and very durable.
Horsepower
Lift power is primal in garage door openers. Heavy garage doors in particular require a lot of lifting power. You however need to get the right lifting power for your garage door.
While more lifting power is desired, a lot of it can be pretty powerful for your door leading to breakage and system damage. Low lifting power on the other hand strains your opener leading to wear and tear.
For heavier garage doors, a lifting power ranging from ¾ horsepower to 1½ horsepower is sufficient. Check out this article to find out how much horsepower you need for garage doors.
Safety and Security
Garage door openers are very powerful mechanical systems. For this reason, you ought to check for safety while purchasing one for yourself.
Most garage door openers come with safety measures that protect you and your family while in operation. Automatic reversal is one feature you should look for while shopping for a garage door opener. This feature automatically reverses your door should the garage door sensors find an object on the door’s pathway.
Security features are also crucial in garage door openers. Ensure you get a garage door opener with superior security features.
Backup battery
Imagine being shut out of your garage door simply because there is a power outage in your area. Well… you don’t have to! Garage door openers now come with a battery backup that allows you to continuously operate your garage door amidst a power outage.
Batteries in a garage door opener can last about 24 hours which is enough time to have power restored in your area. Here is a review of some of the best garage door openers with a battery backup.
Smart features
Your home is getting smarter. And so should your garage. Most modern garage door openers come with smart features, including integrations with other smart home appliances like Amazon Alexa and Google Home.
If you wish to control or monitor your garage door system remotely from anywhere, you may want to go for a smart home-enabled opener.
Wondering which is the best smart garage door opener? Check out this review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are commonly asked questions about garage door openers for heavy garage doors
Q: How much weight can a garage door opener handle?
A ½ horsepower opener can handle about 300 pounds of weight, the equivalent of a two-car steel door average weight. Above that, a ¾ horsepower garage door opener will easily lift about 400 pounds, and the weight goes up as the horsepower increases. A greater horsepower can also mean a faster operation for some garage door opener models.
Q: Which is better a chain and belt garage door opener?
Belt drive systems are quiet in operation and require relatively less maintenance. However, these systems are quite expensive as compared to chain drive systems.
Chain-drive systems are less expensive than belt-drive systems. They are also strong and very durable. However, chain drive openers are quite noisy while in operation.
Q: Can a garage door opener be too powerful?
Yes. A garage door opener can be too powerful for your garage door. While more lifting power is desired, a lot of it can be pretty powerful for your door leading to breakage and system damage. Low lifting power on the other hand strains your opener leading to wear and tear.
Q: How long do garage door openers last?
Most garage door openers last an average of approximately 10 to 15 years. However, depending on factors like frequency of usage and maintenance routine, the lifespan of the garage door might be extended up to 18 years.
So, which is the best garage door openers for a heavy garage door?
The best garage door opener for a heavy door is the Chamberlain B970T smart garage door opener. It has sufficient lifting power ranging from ¾ horsepower to 1½. Along with horsepower, other features such availability of a battery backup option, smart integrations as well as safety and security are crucial in a garage door opener.
We hope that you find this guide was useful and that it helps you get the right garage door opener for your needs. We will be delighted to hear any comments or observations in the comments section if you have comments or observations.
