With new smart technologies coming available every year, it should be a no-brainer for your garage door to have these advanced capabilities. That is why every major manufacturer of garage door openers now has smart products available. But how do you as a homeowner know which smart garage door opener is best? Below, we are going to walk through our favorite brands to install from the LiftMaster, Genie, and SOMMER opener lines. With this information, you can make a more informed decision about which new opener will best upgrade your home.
What Is a Smart Garage Door Opener?
Smart garage door openers function in the same way as standard openers, but have WiFi capabilities which allow for convenient opening. Instead of a wall-mounted key pad or remote control, smart openers allow you to operate your garage door from an app on your phone. The app also monitors garage activity, keeping an operation log for security. Beyond even these great skills, smart openers can also be programmed for more functions. These include opening at certain times of the day or alerting you if your door is accidentally left open. All in all, a new smart opener will upgrade the security, convenience, and safety of both your garage and home.
A broad range of accessories can also upgrade the standard smart capabilities. These garage smart tools will allow your garage door system to do even more to protect your family and ensure your home’s easy accessibility.
- Video Cameras – Choose a model with a built-in camera for access to a live video feed of your garage interior and exterior.
- Two-Way Audio – This is a speaker system which allows you to communicate with a family member in the garage or warn away potential home invaders.
- Car Sensors – Install a GPS device so that your garage door will automatically open when you enter your driveway.
- Door Sensors – Advanced door sensors connected to your app will monitor all garage door activity. Even alerting you if the door has been accidentally left open.
- LED Lights – Most smart opener models come standard with high-powered LED lights to illuminate your entire garage.
- Smart Home Assistant Integration – Connect your smart opener to a home assistant like Siri, Alexa, or Google Assistant.
LiftMaster Smart Garage Door Openers
LiftMaster is a highly respected manufacturer of garage door openers so it is no surprise that some of the top smart openers available are from their line. Their smart technology uses the myQ garage door sensor to operate the app and track garage door activity. They also offer great home safety functions including LiftMaster Security+ and Battery Backup to ensure your home remains secure at all times. If you want a LiftMaster garage door monitor, explore their WLED, 8500W, and 85503 models which we will outline below.
LiftMaster WLED
The LiftMaster WLED stands out as a smart opener because of its built-in LED lights. Its high lumen bulbs provide lighting for every inch of your garage. This provides you with both a feeling of safety and lets you navigate your garage with ease. All its features include:
- Brightest LED opener with 3100 lumens of lighting
- Quiet operation with DC motor and belt drive
- Built-in WiFi for smartphone control through myQ app
- Battery Backup to allow opening and closing of your garage during power outages
This opener can also be upgraded with the LiftMaster Smart Garage Camera and Automatic Garage Door Lock. These two accessories will upgrade the security of your home along with the convenience of your garage system.
LiftMaster 85503
The LiftMaster 85503 is one of the most remarkable smart openers from the LiftMaster line. This is because it comes with a built-in video camera. This camera allows you to view a live feed and record your garage activity. Beyond even this, the camera also automatically begins to record if movement is detected in your garage. These are great features for both ensuring the security of your garage and monitoring a pet that stays in the garage during the day. This opener includes:
- Integrated HD quality video camera
- Two-way audio for communication between your garage and smartphone
- DC motor and belt drive for quiet operation
- Battery Backup to operate your garage during power outages
- Built-in WiFi for smartphone control with myQ app
LiftMaster 8500W
The LiftMaster 8500W is a wall mounted opener that is installed on the wall next to your garage door. This design frees up your ceiling space allowing for a car lift or ceiling storage. Beyond just this advanced convenience, the model also comes standard with an Automatic Garage Door Lock. This will guarantee the security of your garage. In total, this smart opener includes:
- Wall mount design
- Built-in WiFi for smartphone control with myQ app
- Backup Battery for for operation during power outages
- Remote control LED light with 1500 lumens
- Automatic Garage Door Lock
- DC motor and jackshaft drive for quiet operation
This model can also be upgraded with a LiftMaster Smart Garage Camera for even better home security.
Genie Smart Garage Door Openers
Genie is also a highly respected manufacturer of chain, belt, and side mount garage door openers. Their smart openers use Aladdin Connect technology for easy smart operation. Using Aladdin technology, door sensors are attached directly to the garage door, keeping you updated on all door movements. The app also allows for mobile garage door opening so you can operate your door from anywhere. The best smart openers from their product line are the 6170 Wall Mount and 4164.
Genie 6170 Wall Mount
The Genie 6170 Wall Mount opener features a clean, compact design, installed on the wall beside your garage door. This design allows high headroom for car lifts or ceiling storage. This smart opener is remarkable because it comes standard with several security and safety mechanisms. These include:
- Aladdin Connect for remote access through a smartphone app
- Bright LED light fixture to illuminate your entire garage
- Internal Door Lock to prevent anyone from entering your garage from the outside
- HomeLink and Car2U compatibility
- Backup Battery for operation during a power outage
Genie 4164
The Genie 4164 is a premium smart garage door opener with a screw drive design. This smart opener is a great option because of its speedy operation. If you are looking for an opener that maximizes convenience, the Genie 4164 is for you. In addition, this opener also comes standard with:
- Aladdin Connect smartphone system
- Incredible lifting speed
- Genie LED lighting with motion detection
- HomeLink and Car2U Compatibility
- IntelliCode Security Access System
SOMMER Smart Garage Door Accessory
SOMMER-USA manufacturers the best direct drive garage door opener on the market. Their 2060 evo+ is known for its maximum lifting force and quiet operation. Although this opener doesn’t come with built-in WiFi, its options for smart accessories can upgrade this already excellent opener. In particular, SOMMER has partnered with ismartgate technology to bring the best security and convenience technology.
SOMMER 2060 evo+ with Smart Accessories
The SOMMER evo+ is an excellent quality opener because of its direct drive technology. This design allows for quiet operation and the lack of moving parts makes for a long lasting product. It also comes standard with high end safety and security features like automatic reversal and locks. For the smart technology accessories, ismartgate includes:
- Mobile garage door opener access through smartphone app
- LED light
- Live and recorded video monitoring
- Time to Close programmable automatic opening and closing
- Voice control compatibility for Google Assistant, Alexa, and Siri
Contact Us
LiftMaster, Genie, and SOMMER all manufacture great options for smart garage door monitoring systems. The choice of which opener will best suit your home is up to you. For more information on any of these products and how Aaron Overhead Doors can install one of these great openers in your garage, contact us today!