A simple—perhaps too simple—smart garage door opener
Specifications
Works With: Siri, Google
Wireless: Bluetooth 4.0
Reasons to buy
+Simple setup+Can manage multiple openers and users
Reasons to avoid
–Doesn’t provide open or closed status–Doesn’t work with other smart-home systems
GarageMate’s smart garage door opener is very simple; almost too much so. Unlike the other smart garage door openers we’ve reviewed, which connect to your Wi-Fi, GarageMate connects to your phone via Bluetooth. This means that you can’t check on its status, nor operate it, when you’re away from home. That’s a bit of a bummer, which is why it’s further down our list of the best smart garage door openers.
The GarageMate smart garage door opener also doesn’t work with any other smart home systems. However, using your smartphone, you can use Siri or Google Assistant to voice launch the app and automatically open the door. GarageMat’s Activity Log lets you monitor who opened your garage for added security, and it works with up to eight users. If you’re looking for something simple, cheap, and secure, this is one to consider, but it’s not our first choice.
+Works with Alexa and Google Assistant +Works with SmartThings
Reasons to avoid
–Pricier than MyQ
The Genie Aladdin Connect attaches via two wires to your garage door opener, and then connects wirelessly to your home Wi-Fi network, letting you control your garage door via an app.
The Aladdin Connect works with a variety of garage door openers made after 1993, and not just those from Genie. It’s compatible with some Chamberlain, Liftmaster, and Craftsman garage door openers, too. The Aladdin Connect can be controlled via Alexa and Google Assistant. It also works with Samsung’s SmartThings platform, so you can program your doors to open automatically if smoke is detected on a smart smoke detector, or if CO2 levels get too high. You can also set up geofencing, so that it’ll open your doors when you get home.
While the Aladdin Connect only comes with one door sensor, it can control up to three garage doors. In addition, you can add up to 19 virtual keys to give others access, and control the garage door from your smartwatch.
How to choose the best smart garage door opener for you
If you’re don’t have one already, you can purchase a garage door opener that already has smart home compatibility built in. However, if you have an older garage door opener, you can make it”smart”by purchasing a kit that will let you connect it to the Internet, thereby allowing you to control it remotely using your smartphone.
Before you buy a smart garage door opener, you should make sure it will work with your existing garage door. Usually, you can find out which doors an opener is compatible with on the manufacturer’s site.
The best smart garage door openers have Wi-Fi, while others use Bluetooth to connect to your phone. We recommend sticking with Wi-Fi models, as they’ll allow you to remotely monitor your garage door; Bluetooth models will work only when you’re within about 20 feet of the garage.
You also want to find out how many smart home systems each garage door opener is compatible with — the more, the better, because you’ll have more options when building out your smart home.
If you’re buying a completely new garage door opener, there are many models from Chamberlain and Genie with this technology built in. For example, the Chamberlain B550 ($193) comes with MyQ baked in, so you don’t need to purchase a third-party accessory.
How we test smart garage door openers
To determine what’s the best smart garage door opener, we install them in a garage on an existing non-smart garage door opener. We look to see how easy it is to physically install and how easily it connects to our home Wi-Fi network.
As with any smart home product, the best smart garage door opener should have an intuitive app that makes it easy to operate, receive notifications, and troubleshoot issues. A good smart garage door opener should also be compatible with the leading virtual assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant, and HomeKit), and be easy to link to them.
