Most of us use garage door options regularly, but we rarely think about them. As long as they serve their essential function, we usually walk right past them. But when your garage door opener gives out, how can you find the right replacement? Even if you know what type of opener you need, it’s difficult to find an opener that meets your needs and works effectively with your home.
We’ve hand-picked the best garage door openers in Canada of 2023. When you need a device as essential as a garage door opener, you need the best. Our list is based on features that Canadians commonly look for in a garage door opener, as well as evaluation and review of each option on our list.
Best Garage Door Openers for Canadians in 2023
- Best Overall: Genie StealthDrive Garage Door Opener
- Best for Security: Chamberlain C2405 Garage Door Opener
- Best Budget: Skylink Garage Door Opener
- Best Keypad Model: Genie Wireless Keypad Garage Door Opener
- Best Splurge: Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Opener
- Best for Heavy Doors: beamUp Workhorse Garage Door Opener
Why Did We Choose These Garage Door Openers in Canada?
Some garage door openers are better than others, earning themselves a place among the highest-rated models available. But why did we choose each model on this list? Every opener on this list met or exceeded our expectations, excelling in various places and securing a superlative as the best for unique situations.
Here’s a quick overview of why each model made the cut.
The Genie StealthDrive Garage Door Opener is a clear winner for our best overall spot. This model delivers on multiple fronts, offering noteworthy features, including a powerful motor, battery backup, and smart control. If you want a well-rounded option, this model is a worthwhile consideration.
The Chamberlain C2405 Garage Door Opener is next on this list, securing its place as the best model for security. It features various security-conscious features, including unparalleled encryption, remote control, and compatibility with the Amazon Key program.
The Skylink Garage Door Opener is a strong contender for Canadians on a budget. It features an approachable price yet offers a staggering array of features, including a quiet belt-driven setup, a diagnostic LCD display, and intelligent home automation compatibility.
The Genie Wireless Keypad Garage Door Opener features a convenient keypad, making it a good option for those who don’t need smart features but want the convenience of an exterior keypad. It doesn’t have high-tech features but does its job well.
The Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Opener comes at a steep cost, but the features make it worthwhile. It’s highly secure, using unique codes, deadbolt locks, and automatic updates to your smartphone. It’s compatible with smart home automation for convenient control and features a direct drive setup for quiet operation.
The beamUp Workhorse Garage Door Opener is ideal for heavy garage doors. It has a powerful motor that can handle heftier doors, like those made of wood. It can even work with taller doors of up to 10 feet, although it requires an extension kit to accommodate the extra height.
Best Overall
Genie StealthDrive Garage Door Opener
- Smart Features: Yes
- Motor: 1 ¼ HPC DC
- Drive Type: Belt
- Battery Backup: Yes
It's Great For:
- Canadians who want a well-rounded pick
- Power outages
- Large garage doors
- Smart features
The Genie StealthDrive Garage Door Opener is ideal for Canadians who want a well-rounded opener. This model is packed with handy features and is compatible with various devices, allowing you to add your garage door opener to your smart home system.
It features Genie’s StealthDrive technology with a steel-reinforced belt drive and a 1 ¼ HPC DC motor that allows it to quietly lift almost any garage door, even heftier, wider models. It comes with a battery backup, allowing you to effortlessly open and close your garage door even when the power is out.
The opener is compatible with various smart home automation devices, including SmartThings, Alexa, Google Assistant, Walmart InHome, Control4, Brilliant, and more. It features built-in Aladdin technology that allows you to monitor and operate your garage door remotely as long as you have a strong Internet connection.
The setup is easy to install and has a snap-together rail system to ensure things go smoothly. It’s surprisingly lightweight, requiring no extra hardware for installation. It comes with two pre-programmed three-button garage door opener remotes that are perfect for storing in your vehicles. An exterior keypad provides entry with a designated code, ensuring you can always access your garage, even if you don’t have your phone or remote handy.
Key Features
- Smart home compatible. Add your garage door to your smart home system with this model’s smart home automation compatibility.
- Remote control. Two included pre-programmed remote controls give you more power over your garage door.
- Full package. The setup comes with everything you need to get started, from the rail system to the remote controls.
- Powerful motor. This model features a powerful motor capable of handling more oversized, heavier garage doors.
Our Expert’s Take
“If you’re looking for a well-rounded model, this opener is an excellent choice. It’s compatible with many different garages and hosts an extensive list of features.”
Best for Security
Chamberlain C2405 Garage Door Opener
- Smart Features: Yes
- Motor: ½ hp
- Drive Type: Chain
- Battery Backup: No
It's Great For:
- Canadians who want an extra layer of security
- Small to standard garage doors
- Those who appreciate smart features
- Frequent Amazon shoppers
The Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Opener is a great choice for security-conscious Canadians. This model is outfitted with various features designed to keep you and your family safe.
For example, it employs Chamberlain’s Security+ 2.0 technology to offer unparalleled encryption, using over 100 billion codes to ensure your home and garage remain safe. It features remote control via the myQ app on smartphones, allowing you to monitor, control, and secure your garage door at anytime as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection. The myQ app utilizes Bluetooth technology, so setup time is short, and the process is straightforward.
Its Bluetooth compatibility allows this model to pair with other smart home technology devices, giving you an elevated level of control over your system. It even comes with an Amazon-shopper-friendly feature, as you can integrate the setup with the Amazon Key program. This allows your Amazon delivery driver to access your garage to securely drop packages, ensuring they don’t get stolen from your doorstep.
The package comes with everything you need to get started, including the opener, chain, security keypad, interior opener, safety sensors, and remote controls.
Key Features
- Security features. Complete with rolling code technology using over 100 billion code combinations, this model is great for security-conscious individuals.
- Remote control. Control your garage door from wherever you are using the app on your smartphone.
- Amazon friendly. The Amazon Key integration opportunity is a handy feature if you’re a frequent Amazon shopper.
- Complete package. This garage door opener comes with everything you need to get started and use this model.
Our Expert’s Take
“The Amazon Key integration and rolling code technology are great for elevated security of you, your family, and anything you order from Amazon.”
Best Budget
Skylink Garage Door Opener
- Smart Features: Yes
- Motor: ¾ hp
- Drive Type: Belt
- Battery Backup: No
It's Great For:
- Canadians who want a quiet garage door
- Limited budgets
- Smart control
- Homes with single or double garages
The Skylink Garage Door Opener earned its place on this list as our best budget pick. However, despite its affordable price, it still packs a punch and is teeming with handy features for ultimate convenience and safety.
It features a belt-drive setup that ensures it opens and closes quietly, making it a suitable pick for homes with garages near bedrooms. The ¾ horsepower motor is powerful enough for single or double garage doors with standard heights.
A snap-in infrared safety sensor prevents the door from closing when objects are in the way, and an LEd light illuminates your garage when the door is opening or closing. Soft stop-and-start technology adjusts the speed of the door at each end to ensure it opens and closes quietly.
It works with smart home devices, including Orbit Smart Home control, Alexa, and Google Assistant. You can even program it to do different things based on what is happening. For example, if your garage door is open, you can program the system to turn on your front door light. Or, if your smartphone senses you leaving your home, it can automatically close your garage door.
It even comes with a diagnostic LCD display to help you troubleshoot problems and get your system up and running again.
Key Features
- Diagnostic system. The system features a diagnostic display to help you troubleshoot various issues.
- Smart home compatible. This model is compatible with smart home devices, so you can program it to your liking.
- Affordable. Despite its impressive features, this model is priced affordably, making it a budget-friendly option.
- Belt driven. This belt-driven model allows it to operate quietly without disrupting your day or night.
Our Expert’s Take
“This model packs a punch yet comes at an affordable price. It features a diagnostic system if anything goes wrong, as well as extremely quiet operation.”
Best Keypad Model
Genie Wireless Keypad Garage Door Opener
- Smart Features: No
- Motor: ½ HPC
- Drive Type: Chain
- Battery Backup: No
It's Great For:
- Canadians who want keypad entry
- Added security
- Easy installation
- Standard-sized garage doors
The Genie Wireless Keypad Garage Door Opener is a strong contender for those who want a keypad model. This model doesn’t feature an abundant array of bells and whistles, but it has everything it needs to get the job done.
It features a heavy-duty chain drive system that efficiently opens and closes most standard garage doors. The chain system is noisier, so it’s best suited to garage doors that aren’t nearby bedrooms.
It comes with an easy-to-install 5-piece rail system that snaps together with little effort. A ½ hp DC motor delivers plenty of power to get the job done, and two pre-programmed three-button garage door opener remotes provide convenient access. The remotes generate a new access code every time you activate the door to give an extra layer of security.
A wireless keypad lets you access your garage without a need for remotes and a multi-functional wall console is equipped with a vacation lock and light control button. You can also program this system with HomeLink and Car2U systems without the need for additional hardware, such as bridges or repeaters.
Key Features
- Remote control. Two pre-programmed remote controls provide convenient control over your garage door.
- Easy installation. Installation is straightforward, with a snap-together system and easy-to-follow instructions.
- Exterior keypad. An external keypad lets you access your garage without a remote.
- Solid warranty. The gearbox is protected by a 10-year limited warranty, ensuring you’ll get the most out of your purchase.
Our Expert’s Take
“While this model doesn’t feature fancy connectivity, it does its job well. It’s extremely easy to operate and uses pre-programmed remotes to reduce set-up time.”
Best Splurge
Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Opener
- Smart Features: Yes
- Motor: ¾ hp
- Drive Type: Direct
- Battery Backup: No
It's Great For:
- Canadians who want a high-tech option
- Those who don’t mind spending more
- Superior security
- Smart home system compatibility
The Chamberlain Smart Garage Door Opener is perfect for Canadians who don’t mind spending more to get more. This model is teeming with handy features designed for a more secure, high-tech experience.
For example, it comes with a Wi-Fi smart gateway that allows you to connect your garage door opener to your smart home devices directly through the myQ app. Safety sensors detect objects in the way of the garage door opener and trigger the door to go in the opposite direction to avoid causing damage.
An auto-lock deadbolt automatically slides into place each time your garage door closes, ensuring it cannot be opened from the outside with a simple lift. Chamberlain’s Security+ 2.0 technology utilizes 100 billion unique codes for a more secure and safe experience.
Real-time notifications keep you posted, ensuring you never are in the dark on the status o your garage door. Access sharing allows you to share control over your garage door with up to three people, but you can also control the device remotely from your smartphone for even better convenience and control.
It’s compatible with various smart home devices, including Wink, IFTTT, and Google Assistant. It also works with Key by Amazon, allowing you to receive secure deliveries straight into your garage.
Key Features
- Highly secure. Between billions of unique codes, automatic deadbolt locks, and status updates straight to your smartphone, this opener is designed to secure your garage.
- Convenient. Smartphone and smart home automation compatibility allow you to control your garage door opener from virtually anywhere.
- Quiet operation. The wall-mounted design helps limit vibrations and keep operation noise to a minimum.
- Safety sensors. Two sensors monitor for obstructions and automatically reverse the door to avoid damage.
Our Expert’s Take
“Although the high-tech features in this garage door opener come at a cost, it can be a worthwhile consideration for Canadians who want a more secure, high-tech model.”
Best for Heavy Garage Doors
beamUp Workhorse Garage Door Opener
- Smart Features: No
- Motor: ¾ hp
- Drive Type: Chain
- Battery Backup: No
It's Great For:
- Larger, heavier garage doors
- Simple operation
- Canadians who want a more budget-friendly option
- Garage doors further away from sleeping quarters
The beamUp Workhorse Garage Door Opener is a solid option for larger, heavier garage doors. This model can work on garage doors as tall as 10 feet tall, although a separate extension kit is necessary for doors about 7 feet high.
It has a powerful ¾ horsepower motor designed to efficiently lift and lower larger, more cumbersome garage doors, making it an excellent choice for Canadian homes with sturdy wooden doors. The heavy-duty steel chain offers reliable lift and performance, ensuring you get the most out of your setup.
While this model doesn’t come with any fancy bells and whistles, like Wi-Fi compatibility, it has everything it needs to get the job done. The box comes with everything you need, including the motor, rails, trolley, cable, chain, hardware, remote control, door control, safety system, and an emergency release handle. The handle is designed to allow you to control the door when the power is out, ensuring you can lift and lower it without help from the system.
An LED security light bathes your garage in a bright glow every time you open or close your garage, and an included remote control lets you open and close your garage without exiting your car. You can also pair the system with any generation of HomeLink for better control over the garage door opener.
Key Features
- Simple operation. This model is free of fancy bells and whistles, which simplifies operation for more effortless control.
- Emergency handle. An integrated emergency handle provides manual control over the door when the power is out.
- Security light. A 1,500-lumen LED light keeps your garage well-lit when you’re coming and going for added security.
- Compatible with large garage doors. This model works well on larger garage doors, including models up to 10 feet tall with an extension kit.
Our Expert’s Take
“This model delivers plenty of power to handle large, heavy garage doors, making it a suitable pick for more cumbersome materials, like wood.”
Why Trust Us?
Shopping for a garage door opener is no easy feat. There are all sorts of factors to consider, from size and power to tech and reliability. Because of this, finding the perfect fit for your home can be a daunting task.
But have no fear – our team understands the frustration that often accompanies the hunt for a new garage door opener. So, to help you select a good fit for your home, we did the hard part for you.
We’re well-versed in all things home-related, using our expansive knowledge and expert research skills to wade through various home product categories and hand-select the best options. Today, we turned our focus to garage door openers.
We started the process with an initial analysis to round up a handful of highly-rated models. Once we gathered a few top options, our team of experts performed hours of further research, weeding out unimpressive models as we went. In the final stage, we compiled our findings and, through extensive deliberation, curated a comprehensive list of the best garage door openers in Canada.
This guide represents those findings. As we searched for these models, we kept a few factors in mind, including the following:
- Drive type: If your garage door is next to your bedroom, certain garage door openers aren’t ideal due to the noise they produce. We selected a few quieter models for Canadians in these situations.
- Size: The size of your garage door plays a vital role in the correct size garage door opener for your home. The models on this list span the standard sizes to ensure there’s something for everyone.
- Technology: Wi-Fi connectivity and rolling code tech can be handy features, a must-have for some Canadians. Several models on this list have fancier features to accommodate these preferences.
- Budget: The budgets of each homeowner can vary drastically, so we included models that span budget-friendly to splurges.
Factors to Consider When Shopping For a Garage Door Opener in Canada
Garage door openers aren’t made equally, and some are better suited to specific scenarios. To ensure you end up with a model that accurately meets your needs, it doesn’t hurt to consider the following factors.
Drive Options
The basic design of most garage doors is the same: there’s a motor and carriage or trolley riding along a rail. The motor powers the carriage or trolley, moving it along the rail to raise or lower the garage door.
However, the specifics surrounding how the motor moves the trolley vary. The first type is a chain-drive opener, which employs a metal chain to lift and lower the garage door. These models are usually noisy but are decently durable and affordable.
Screw-drive garage door openers are the next option, employing threaded steel rods to move the trolley. The rod rotates, pushing the lifting mechanism over the track, causing the garage door to lift or lower. These are quieter than the previous option but tend to be more expensive.
The last of the trio is the belt-drive garage door opener, which mimics the function of a chain-drive system. However, a belt replaces the chain in the assembly, allowing the opener to work quietly and efficiently. These models are the priciest of the bunch, as they’re the quietest of the three and offer solid durability.
Horsepower Options
Garage door openers usually feature various horsepower options. The best fit for your home will hinge on the size and weight of your garage door. You’ll need to use these pieces of information to ensure you select a model that can efficiently handle the weight and size of your garage door.
Most garage door openers come in a few sizes: ⅓ horsepower, ½ horsepower, and ¾ horsepower. Some homeowners choose to purchase a smaller ⅓ hp model, as they’re cheaper than other models. However, these models often tap out sooner than their larger comrades, so you may not save much in the long run.
A ½ hp garage door opener is the most common choice for residential settings. These models perform well with single and double doors with average weights. They’re an excellent mid-range option, as they’re more affordable than the largest option but not as cheap as the smallest.
The ¾ hp garage door openers are usually the largest option in residential settings, although some homeowners opt for a 1 hp or 1 ¼ hp model. These garage door openers deliver ample power to handle hefty garage doors, including those made of wood. They can handle wide doors and usually last longer than their smaller counterparts, but they come at a steeper cost.
Backup Power
Power outages aren’t unheard of in Canada, and since garage doors operate using power, it’s essential to consider a backup power source. You have a couple of options: manual release and battery backups.
Models with a manual release allow you to disconnect the opener from the door, which then allows you to open it manually. While garage doors are hefty and might not be the easiest thing to open, most feature a spring system that provides a helping hand, allowing most adults to open the door by hand without trouble.
The second option is battery backup. This option is an alternative way to use your garage door during temporary power outages, as the battery steps in when your home’s power is down for the count. These battery backups usually only contain enough power to open the garage door a few times, so you’ll need to be conscious of this.
However, once your power comes back on, the battery will begin charging again to ensure it’s ready for the next power outage.
Size
Most garage door openers are designed around standard garage doors. Manufacturers use standard weights and measurements when designing these garage door openers to ensure they can efficiently raise and lower the door.
If you have a non-standard garage door, ensure you choose a garage door opener that can handle the size and weight of the door. Otherwise, you might end up with a garage door opener that cannot efficiently handle your garage door.
In some cases, you may need to choose a custom garage door opener to ensure it accurately matches your unique needs. These models are usually pricier, as they’re custom designed to fit your needs.
Reliability
Choosing a reliable garage door opener is crucial, as the door is what bars you from accessing or leaving your home. Select a model known for its reliability, as garage door openers that refuse to cooperate can quickly become a problem.
If you live in a neighbourhood, consider buying a model with dual-frequency signals, as this can help minimize interference from other garage door openers. Canadians residing in rural areas or with more distance between their neighbours may not need a model with dual-frequency signalling.
Technology
Some garage door openers feature fancy technology, such as rolling code tech or Wi-Fi connectivity.
The former is an essential factor to consider for homeowners concerned about safety and security, as garage door openers of the past often featured identical garage door codes to neighbours. This could pose a problem, as neighbours may be able to access your home via your garage door if the code is identical.
Modern garage door openers often feature rolling code technology. This tech ensures the opener creates a new and secure code every time you use it to promote safety and security.
The latter, Wi-Fi connectivity, is an excellent option for those who want an elevated level of convenience. These models often provide a superior level of control over your garage door, allowing you to monitor and control it remotely. For example, perhaps you leave on a trip, but once you arrive at the airport, you realize you’re unsure if you left the garage door open.
If you have a Wi-Fi-enabled garage door opener, you can check to see if it’s open using your phone, then easily close it from wherever you are, as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection.
This connectivity also provides seamless integration, eliminating the need to program a handheld garage door opener. Some models are even compatible with intelligent home security systems, including Wink, Nest, Apple HomeKit, and Xfinity Home.
Power Type
The power type of your garage door opener is another consideration when shopping for a new model. There are two primary types: AC power and DC power. Both perform the same function but achieve the result in a different way.
The first of the duo, AC power, uses magnetic fields for energy, generating it through coils enrobed around the output shaft. They often feature a chain drive, although there are other models available. These models are durable, efficient, and often more affordable than DC-powered models.
The second option is a garage door opener that uses DC power. These motors pull their power from a battery or an alternative power source that supplies constant voltage. These models feature an array of parts, including shafts, bearings, gears, and gearboxes.
They often feature a belt drive and can use variable speeds while opening, which is gentler on the door. They’re usually quieter and operate more smoothly but tend to be pricier than AC-powered models.
The best option for you will hinge on the specifics of your situation and the budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
The answer to this question hinges on where your garage door is and your budget. If your garage door is close to your bedroom, a belt-driven garage door might be best, as it’s quieter. However, these models are pricier, so if you’re on a tight budget, the chain-driven model might be best.
The power you need for your garage door opener hinges on the size of your garage door, your budget, and how often you use the door. Generally, ½ hp garage door openers are large enough to sufficiently handle standard garage doors.
In general, choosing a higher HP garage door opener isn’t a bad idea. These models can operate more efficiently with less effort and less wear and tear on the system, making them an excellent choice for many homeowners. Ultimately, it hinges on your budget and unique needs.
Most homeowners pay between $300 and $1,000 for a garage door opener in Canada. However, it’s important to note that the cost of a garage door opener is highly dependent on the size, brand, and features.
