Choosing the best LiftMaster garage door opener ensures you do not compromise on quality. However, this is not a simple choice. There are many factors to consider, and it can easily leave you dizzy. For example, when considering the features to go for, should you consider their utility or flashiness? Where do your preferences come into play? Where really is the tradeoff? If you are on a budget, you really have to choose carefully, and this only makes it harder to make an excellent decision.
We understand that choosing the best LiftMaster garage door opener can be daunting. On that account, we have put together this guide.
Also read:
- 5 Best Wall Mount Garage Door Opener [ New List 2024]
- 5 Best Screw Drive Garage Door Opener [New Updated List 2024]
- 5 Best Linear Garage Door Openers [ Updated 2024 List]
- Top 10 Best Chain Drive Garage Door Openers
- 5 Alexa-Enabled Garage Door Openers [A Starters’ Buying Guide 2024]
- 10 Best Belt Drive Garage Door Openers
- 5 Best Chamberlain Garage Door Openers- 2024 Update
Heads Up: Best LiftMaster Garage Door Openers Summary List
- LiftMaster 8500- Best overall
- LiftMaster 1355- Security+ 2.0
- LiftMaster 3255- Durable & Robust
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best LiftMaster Garage Door Opener
As already mentioned, while preference is definitely something that should come into play when choosing your garage door opener, some factors should be non-negotiable. These include:
Safety and Security
According to the Safewise 2020 report titled “State of Safety in the Nation,” Americans seem to have more experience with crime, despite decreased daily concerns about safety and security (a 21% decrease). Besides, 26% of the respondents reported having experienced property crime themselves or knew someone who had over 12 months.
At least 9% of break-ins are through the garage. What makes garages a more accessible option is because it is typically not secure.
You can only entrust the safety of your garage to a reputable brand like LiftMaster. Their garage door openers are punctiliously tested to the highest possible security standards. Besides, they have advanced features to guarantee the security of your garage door.
LiftMaster Garage Door Opener Safety and Security Features
Let’s briefly look at these features.
The Automatic Garage Door Lock
This feature uses the deadbolt locking mechanism (which requires that a key be rotated to open the lock). However, the LiftMaster garage door lock feature automates the deadbolt, achieving the critical rotation effect automatically.
This means that it’s impossible to push back the garage door after the deadlock has been extended.
Timer-to-Close
With LiftMaster garage door openers, you not only get to close your garage door automatically but choose how fast you want it closed. You can set a timer that ‘tells’ your garage door when to close.
Security+ 2.0
LiftMaster’s Security Plus technology takes the security of your garage a notch above the rest of the brands’. The LiftMaster Security Plus works by sending a unique code to your garage door opener with every remote click. This makes it harder to hack.
Posi-Lock
This is a system built to protect your garage door against forced entry. You will receive a notification every time there is a forced entry attempt.
Motion Detection
This feature detects motion and automatically turns the lights on. This means that as soon as someone walks into the garage, the lights go on.
Access Options
There are several options here: remote controls, wireless keypads, and advanced tech (via smartphones, voice-activated software)
Remote Controls
LiftMaster offers a variety of remote controls to open your garage door. They work with garage door openers from other brands too. Better still, you get to verify access. Depending on the type of remote control you choose, you access the above-discussed security and safety features, for example, LiftMaster’s Security Plus.
Wireless Keypads
With wireless keypads, you don’t need a remote control to access your garage. The keypads are appropriate for business or commercial environments.
Advanced Tech
Smart garage door openers allow you to use your smartphone to operate your garage door, for example, via the Q app. You can even integrate your smart garage door with smart home systems or existing security systems. Garage door openers work with intelligent personal assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT, and Apple HomeKit.
Noise levels
The best LiftMaster garage door opener needs to be quiet, especially if your garage is attached to, extremely close to your home, or you share walls with neighbors. The LiftMaster wall mount and belt drive DC motor garage door openers are great options.
Motor Power
The size of your motor power is directly proportional to the size of your garage door. Thus, for a garage door to operate effectively, the extension spring system must be perfectly balanced with the garage door’s weight. If the two are not correctly balanced, the springs could fail. The door can shoot open and crush anything underneath it. This could be your vehicle or even a person.
Residential garage doors have motors ranging from ⅓, ½ to ¾ HP, accompanied by 500 or 700 Newtons. The ½ HP is the most common.
You need to confirm whether your garage door’s brand is compatible with the LiftMaster garage door opener (if it is not a LiftMaster or Chamberlain).
Types of LiftMaster Garage Door Openers
Let’s explore the various LiftMaster garage door opener types available:
Wall Mount Garage Door Openers
The wall mount garage door opener is perfect for garages with ample space. It is one of the safer garage door opener types available. It also frees up some space in your garage’s ceiling and helps in noise and vibration, and reduction.
The LiftMaster Wall Mount Garage Door Opener comes with functional features like safety sensors, which prevent the garage door from closing if there is an obstruction.
Belt Drive Garage Door Openers
This type uses a belt to open your garage door. They are quiet (they have a DC motor), consequently ideal for garages attached to your home. LiftMaster Belt Drive Garage Door Openers can be controlled via the MyQ app, as they come with built-in Wi-Fi. They also have a battery backup, which ensures that you can still close or open your garage door even when there are power outages.
Chain Drive Garage Door Openers
This is the most common garage door type. It uses a chain that pushes or pulls a trolley that moves the garage door up or down. These are noisier when compared to their belt and wall mount counterparts. They are suitable for detached garages.
External Emergency Release or Power backup
In the recent past, cases of homeowners being trapped inside garages because of a power outage have widely been reported. This prompted States like California to make it a requirement for residential garage door openers to have a power backup plan. If you live in an area where power backup is not mandatory, you should think of one. The external emergency release is an additional feature that allows the door to be operated manually in case of power loss. Alternatively, you can have an extra source of power that will enable the door to operate effectively despite challenges from the primary power supply.
Now that you know the must-have features to look out for when choosing the best LiftMaster garage door opener, are there particular garage door openers that we can look at to help you further narrow down your search?
The Top 3 Best Liftmaster Garage Door Openers Review
LiftMaster is a wonderful garage door manufacturer and arriving at the best Liftmaster garage door opener is a careful consideration of the key features which are considered based on security, usability, safety, technology, practicality, adaptability to space or living area and much more. Below is a list to start you off.
The LiftMaster 8500 Wall Mount Garage Door Opener
This easy-to-install garage door opener is small, neat, and quiet. With features like time-to-close, the garage door closes itself after a set amount of time. With the My-Q Internet gateway, you receive a notification for any attempts to open your garage door. Better still, you get to choose specific times to open the door.
Features
- Safety sensors
- A protector system
- A 6-foot power cord
- Cable tension monitor
- Deadbolt lock mechanism
- Mountable remote light kit
- Powered by a 24-volt DC motor
- Enclosed gear case for lubrication
- 3 button remote control (893MAX)
- The auto-force feature to monitor the garage door system continuously
Pros
- Quiet
- Affordable
- Easy to install
- The Q app is free
- Automatic door closure
- The motor comes with a lifetime warranty.
- Notifications at garage door opening attempts.
- The mountable light kit allows you to have some lighting in your garage.
- The motor comes with a lifetime warranty, and the other parts have a five-year one.
- You can free up some space in your garage ceiling that you can use for storage.
- Secure – with the deadlock locking mechanism, it is impossible to use something to disengage the handle from the outside.
- Control – with the Q app, you can customize things like how soon the door should close, create security codes, and choose to close the door if you forget to close it.
- The auto-force feature helps to monitor and adjust the garage door system when there are temperature fluctuations or when the floor height changes.
- Durability – the gear case ensures that the garage door opener is properly lubricated and that it works smoothly.
- Safe – the garage door system has an invisible light beam to help it detect obstructions. If there is an interruption to the beam, the door is reversed.
Cons
- Incompatibility with roll-up doors.
- You need a power outlet near the front wall.
- You need to purchase the MyQ internet gateway.
- You may need to purchase some springs to reduce cable slack when the door fully opens. This is because the wall mount garage door opener is designed to rotate the jackshaft. The door moves down as a result of its weight. This means that if the door’s position is set extremely high, the cable slacks and the opener stops. This is because the device that monitors the device detects the slack.
- You need to have adequate space (a minimum of 8 inches to the shaft’s side and 3 inches above the shaft).
The LiftMaster 1355 Garage Door Opener
The LiftMaster 1355 is among the best LiftMaster garage door openers in the market because of its unique features. It is controlled through a mobile app known as MyQ that allows users to receive notifications or control their garage door from whichever place they are using their smartphones. The app also allows users to set schedules and also use the voice option.
Features
- Security+ 2.0
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Remote safety
- Easy installation.
- Posi-lock technology.
- Auto-force adjustment.
- It can be used with the MyQ app.
- A standard lifting power equivalent to 1/2 HP motor and chain drive.
Pros
- With the MyQ, you get to link to other apps to enjoy more benefits, such as voice control and geophone closing.
- Secure – thanks to Security+ 2.0, the LiftMaster 1355 will send a new code to your mobile device anytime the remote button is pressed. The Posi-lock technology stops any forceful entrance into the garage.
- The auto-force adjustment feature helps monitor and adjust the garage door system when temperature fluctuations or floor height changes.
Cons
- Loud working.
- No backup battery.
- Incompatible with older versions.
- You need to get a professional to help you install it.
- It might be challenging to get the upper and lower limits right.
Verdict
LiftMaster 1355 has a 4.5 rating on Amazon customer reviews. This indicates that the majority of those using the device are impressed by its functionalities. This can be attributed to security features and easy installation. LiftMaster is a little bit noisy, but still, it will give you the value of your money.
The LiftMaster 3255 Contractor Garage Door Opener
The Liftmaster 3255 is one of the highly ranked LiftMaster garage doors with a rating of 4.5. It is considered a durable and robust garage door system due to its unique features. The 3255 is convenient as it can be operated using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. It has an additional feature that allows its users to operate their house lights.
Features
- Security+ 2.0
- Built-in Wi-Fi
- Remote safety
- Easy installation.
- Posi-lock technology.
- Manual release option.
- Auto-force adjustment.
- It can be used with the MyQ app.
- A standard lifting power equivalent to 1/2 HP motor and chain drive.
Pros
- Low maintenance.
- Strong and durable.
- The remote has a good range.
- With the MyQ, you get to link to other apps to enjoy more benefits, such as voice control and geophone closing.
- Safe – the manual release option as a backup plan in case of power loss. There is a minimal chance of being locked in the garage in case of power outages.
- The auto-force adjustment feature helps monitor and adjust the garage door system when temperature fluctuations or floor height changes.
- Secure – thanks to Security+ 2.0, the LiftMaster 1355 will send a new code to your mobile device anytime the remote button is pressed. The Posi-lock technology stops any forceful entrance into the garage.
Cons
- No keypad.
- It doesn’t come with a rail.
- Installation can be a hassle.
Verdict
A rating of 4.5 is evidence enough that users appreciate the LiftMaster 3255. If you are thinking of installing a garage door opener for the first time, select LiftMaster 3255. It has proven to be reliable despite having fewer features.
FAQs About the Best LiftMaster Garage Door Opener
In this section, we explore some questions that you may still have about the best LiftMaster garage door opener, just the way you would ask them.
What is the Best LiftMaster Garage Door Opener?
After feeding you with information about the LiftMaster garage door openers that we consider the best and affordable, you might still be stuck. No reason to worry. All the devices discussed above come with unique features that will serve you perfectly.
After analyzing the three garage door openers, the LiftMaster 8500 Wall Mount Garage Door Opener stands out as the editor’s choice. This device comes with a sensor and security encryption guaranteeing your safety. You can control your door using your phone or the remote and still get notifications on your phone whenever the remote button is pressed. Moreover, you can control your gate using the voice option and schedule the opening and closing of your gate.
Which Is Better Between Belt and Chain Drive Garage Door Openers?
Choosing between belt and chain drive garage door openers can be arduous, as both have unique and handy features. We can encourage customers to go for belt drive garage door openers over chain drive ones.
Garage doors that operate on belt-drive systems are faster compared to those that operate on chain-drive systems. The best belt-Drive openers are equipped with a rubber belt instead of a chain.
The rubber belt makes it operate smoothly hence moving faster, unlike the chain one that operates on a rail, making it bounce. Chain-drive systems are also noisier than the belt-drive systems, where the former involves gearing and metal-to-metal contact, a process that is absent in the latter.
Which Is Better Between a Chamberlain and Liftmaster?
Most people prefer the Chamberlain over the Liftmaster. The inbuilt Wi-Fi and MyQ feature that allows home users to operate and monitor their garage on their smartphones has been perceived as Chamberlain’s strong point. However, with deep analysis, we will elaborate more on why we think the former is the best.
Homeowners are guaranteed their security if they either select Chamberlain or Liftmaster kits. They both come with keypads, safety sensors, and wall control. They both come with smart cameras in their latest devices with a five years warranty. The only thing that differentiates the two is the installation process. Chamberlain comes with an installation guide making it easier for homeowners to install on their own compared to a LiftMaster that will require the services of an expert. Liftmaster are known as the best jackshaft garage door openers where the device is mounted on the side of the door freeing the space overhead or on the ceiling.
Can a Garage Door Opener Be too Powerful?
Domestic garage door openers come with a 1/2 horsepower motor, while commercial doors come with a 3/4 up to 1 1/2 horsepower. Garage doors can be powerful, depending on the size of your gate. If a homeowner wants to determine how powerful his garage door opener is, he should consider how big the door is, both up and down.
How much HP Do I Need for a Garage Door Opener?
The ultimate guide to the correct horsepower for your garage door opener is the size of your gate. Horsepower ranges from ½ for small gates to 1 1/2 horsepower for bigger gates. Manufacturers are considerate when producing these devices, and with the help of technicians, you will find a device with horsepower that best fits your garage.
How Do I Reset My LiftMaster Garage Door Opener?
If, for any reason, you need to reset your LiftMaster garage door opener, you need to find the ‘learn’ button on your opener. It is yellow. (see image below).
Press the yellow button for about 6 to 8 seconds. Wait until the LED goes out. Do it at least three times. Note that this erases the specific garage door opener data (codes, built-in gateway settings, and myQ accessories.)
Note that a Wi-Fi reset is different from the kind of reset that we are talking about here. The Wi-Fi reset will clear Wi-Fi connection data, and the previously mentioned garage door opener data will not be affected.
In Conclusion
We believe you’ve learned something awesome about LiftMaster garage door openers and can pick out the best LiftMaster garage door opener that best best suits your needs. We were able to mention how various LiftMaster garage door openers are rated in the market to give you an overview of how other users feel about the item they purchased.
Everything you need to consider before buying a garage door opener is covered in this article- from security and convenience to how horsepower relates to your gate size. However, if you are still confused, you can contact the services of a LiftMaster garage door expert for further advice.
