Best Garage Door Openers in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update January 23, 2024
Where is the safest place to keep a car? No doubt, in a garage with a reliable door. Today, you don't need to open a garage door ...Read more
PROS

The device features MyQ compatibility that will enable you to access the doors of your garage using your smartphone at any time you want and from virtually any distance and to program your garage door to close or your MyQ LED lighting to go on/off at designated times with customised schedules.

CONS

Installing the device may seem complicated to some despite all the tools and the guide.

OUR VERDICT

The Chamberlain ML1000EVGB is being marketed as a premium electric garage door opener for a good reason: the device has the kind of power and speed you would expect from the model of this calibre and the kind of safety and convenience you receive with the MyQ app is virtually unparalleled.

detailed parameters
Door Type

Sectional single- and double-wide

Drive Type

Belt

Mount Type

Ceiling

Peak Force

1000 N

Opening Speed

Up to 20 cm / sec

Maximum Door Dimensions

Width: up to 5.5 m

Surface: up to 12.375 m²

Controls

2 remote controls, wireless wall control, myQ™ control available

Security & Safety

Auto-force adjustment, soft start and stop technology, LED light, evolution Radio technology, reverse, motion sensor

Warranty

7 years

PROS

You can press the soft-touch buttons even while wearing gloves. The stable detection feature will automatically prevent injuries/accidents. The forced entry protection feature will make sure that burglars cannot physically lift closed doors. Hiding the display from sight, the unit limits unauthorised access. 

CONS

Some might find the unit a little loud. 

OUR VERDICT

While most mid-range openers are usually compromising something important, the Schartec Move 1200 seems to be an exception to the rule. From what we can tell, this device delivers across the entire board, with its elegant profile, multiple safety mechanisms, and durable construction.

detailed parameters
Door Type

Sectional single- and double-wide

Drive Type

Belt

Mount Type

Ceiling

Peak Force

1200 N

Opening Speed

Up to 16 cm / sec

Maximum Door Dimensions

Width: up to 6.5 m

Surface: up to 16 m²

Controls

2 remote controls

Security & Safety

Soft start and stop technology, LED light, floating code, reverse, motion sensor

Warranty

3 years

PROS

The instructions that arrive with the package will help even inexperienced homeowners install this device with relative ease. Capping the noise levels at ~55 decibels, the unit keeps its operation not just smooth but also quiet.

CONS

The actual opening speed is slower than advertised. 

OUR VERDICT

Medium-sized garage doors (including sectional single- and double-wide doors) and the Schartec Move 600 is the most iconic duo we can name. The unit can handle doors as heavy as 100 kilogrammes and the remote that comes with it has an effective range of a whopping 50 metres.

detailed parameters
Door Type

Sectional single- and double-wide

Drive Type

Belt

Mount Type

Ceiling

Peak Force

600 N

Opening Speed

Up to 16 cm / sec

Maximum Door Dimensions

Width: up to 4 m

Surface: up to 10 m²

Controls

2 remote controls

Security & Safety

Soft start and stop technology, LED light, floating code, reverse, motion sensor 

Warranty

3 years

PROS

The powerful motor is delivering 1,000 newtons. With this kind of motor under its proverbial hood, this model will be able to handle some of the largest garage doors with up to 15 m² door surface.

CONS

The remote's range is limited. 

OUR VERDICT

The Schartec ST104016 is an impressive model that will suit a variety of customers thanks to the fact that it is easy to install and it works perfectly fine in the temperature range from -40C° to +50°C but it will be an absolute find for anyone with an unusually large garage door.

detailed parameters
Door Type

Sectional single- and double-wide

Drive Type

Belt

Mount Type

Ceiling

Peak Force

1000 N

Opening Speed

Up to 16 cm / sec

Maximum Door Dimensions

Width: up to 6 m

Surface: up to 15 m²

Controls

2 remote controls

Security & Safety

Soft start and stop technology, LED light, floating code, reverse, motion sensor

Warranty

3 years

PROS

The LED light, when you go with the standby mode, consumes less than 1 watt. Using the reverse function, you'll be able to prevent accidents. Despite its modest 700-newton-metre peak force, the device can easily lift garage doors up to 90 kilogrammes. 

CONS

The remote has tiny buttons. 

OUR VERDICT

People with small garages cannot go wrong with the Chamberlain Comfort. The model's featuring auto-force adjustment, quiet operation (<54 decibels), motion sensors, and opens most doors within seconds, with the opening speed capping at respectable 16 cm/sec.

detailed parameters
Door Type

Sectional single- and double-wide

Drive Type

Belt

Mount Type

Ceiling 

Peak Force

700 N

Opening Speed

Up to 16 cm / sec

Maximum Door Dimensions

Width: up to 3.2 m

Surface: up to 8 m²

Controls

2 remote controls, wireless wall control, MyQ™ control available

Security & Safety

Auto-force adjustment, soft start and stop technology, LED light, reverse, motion sensor

Warranty

5 years

A Premium Class Model

When it comes to garage door openers, there are very few companies that made a better name for themselves than Chamberlain. Chamberlain Group is a global leader in access solutions and products, which is renowned for designing and engineering residential garage door openers, commercial door operators, and gate entry systems. But even among a plethora of their devices, some manage to stand out from other products of this company. The aforementioned company markets the Chamberlain ML1000EVGB as a premium garage door opener and, upon further inspection, we'd have a hard time arguing against this title.

First of all, even though the device is far from the one you could honestly describe as basic and primitive, it weighs no more than 13 kilograms and features a metre in length, 23 centimetres in width and only 18 cm in depth. While this weight and these dimensions don't necessarily make it the most compact and lightweight option on the market, there are very few premium class garage door openers that could boast similar numbers in this regard. Even though this isn't the kind of device that necessarily lives and dies thanks to its size, it's always nice to have some additional free space.

OPERATE IT THROUGH AN APP

And, since the device in question is a premium garage door opener from Chamberlain, those familiar with the company wouldn't be surprised by the fact that it features MyQ compatibility. If you're not familiar with it, MyQ is a smartphone application that allows the owners of Chamberlain products to easily control not just their garage doors but also outdoor lamps and house lights from the comforts of their smartphone. To start with, the app is incredibly convenient thanks to the fact that it allows you to access the doors of your garage using your smartphone at any time you want and from virtually any kind of distance and to program your garage door to close or your MyQ LED lighting to go on/off at designated times with customized schedules.

But convenience is not the only thing this application provides since you're also getting additional security capabilities thanks to the option to receive real-time alerts on your smartphone every time the garage door opens or closes. And, thanks to the fact that the lighting comes from Light-Emitting Diodes, the model actually features quite an energy-efficient standby consumption of only 0.8 W. And if you're unfamiliar with remote garage door openers, there's no need to worry since the device includes two transmitters (with a 2 button design), a wireless wall control, and a new operator line that allow for an easy and quick installation.

But, if you're still not convinced, we would also like to mention that the model features a maintenance-free belt drive that operates at the speed of 200 mm/sec making it one of the faster and stronger options on the market. The Chamberlain ML1000EVGB is being marketed as a premium garage door opener for a good reason: the device features the kind of power and speed you would expect from the model of this calibre and the kind of safety and convenience you receive with the MyQ app is virtually unparalleled.

Last updated price £241.21
Stock In stock
ASIN B01C34UNRA

Elegance Throughout

The Schartec Move 1200 looks like the most stylish unit, even by the company's high standards in the appearance department. We're not saying that looks are necessarily that important where garage door openers are concerned but there's nothing wrong with them looking attractive when that comes without sacrificing the more important aspects, right?

Because, talking about the more important aspects, this good-looking device does not disappoint, not one bit. Right off the bat, while most companies use 4-5 steel chords, the toothed belt on this one adopts 6 steel chords, making the belt more resilient. But, though we appreciate the durable maintenance-free belt, we might like the hidden display even more, with the elegant design preventing the drive from being adjusted by unauthorised individuals.

Continuing with this somewhat meandering approach, one would argue that everything starts with the start button, both literally and figuratively. In this case, both the starting point and the stop are soft and easy on the gearbox, keeping the operation smooth. Sweetening the pot, the unit does not even necessarily require an especially smooth operation since the massive steel base plate can take quite a beating, while the folded rail hangers give you improved rail stability. What these sturdy components are not improving though is the noise levels, raising them a little bit so that some might find the unit a little loud at times.

Forced Entry Protection

Something that we're working with here and seldom see elsewhere is the adjustable ventilation position, a nice little touch that fits insulated sectional doors unlike no openers. What fits them all though is the automatic obstacle detection preventing injuries and accidents. What also fits them all is the forced entry protection mechanism that physically prevents burglars from lifting the doors when they're closed.

Besides these advantages, the model also contributes more sophisticated controls than what most mid-range openers are offering, including an electronic end position setting and the soft-touch keypad with an improved pressure point, which means you cannot accidentally open the doors with the keypad sitting in a pocket or something like that.

Bottom line, from its durable and robust construction, elegant design, and sophisticated controls, the Schartec Move 1200 runs circles around garage door openers within its price range, and this is without us even mentioning its floating code and reverse features.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01EL75WQ4

Extra-Strength Toothed Belt

The Schartec Move 600 is a little more humble than its Move 1000 series relatives but, truth be told, most people will not be able to notice the slight quality dip between these models. The price difference, on the other hand, is more than noticeable. What's also more than noticeable is the sizable steel base plate, keeping the device stable. Likewise, the reinforced ceiling hangers make the rail more stable, even when you're dealing with uneven ceilings. In the same vein, the rail hangers come folded, also increasing rail stability.

Of course, when we're talking about Shartec garage door openers, we're also talking about the extra-strength toothed belt that incorporates 6 steel chords, supporting the entire system without hiccups. To some extent, we're also talking about the forced-entry protection mechanism, making sure that the garage doors cannot be lifted when closed without 'authorisation', so to speak.

The 'opening the doors' part is where things get a little dicey. Sure, the movement is smooth, this is not the dicey part. The dicey part is that, despite claiming 16 centimetres per second, the model does not quite reach the advertised speed, usually capping at ~14. Again, most users will not even notice the difference, but we're not crazy about this flaw regardless.

Improved Pressure Point

What we are a little crazy about is the handheld transmitter that comes with the package. Employing a soft-touch keypad and, improving the pressure point, the remote prevents accidental activation, so you can drop it into the pocket without worrying that unintentionally opening the doors.

Back to the main unit though, we're working with the company's staple hidden display, a pretty nifty design solution that prevents unauthorised individuals from adjusting the drive. Shartec's staples also include the soft start and stop points that keep the entire operation smooth without punishing the gearbox. Sometimes, the above-mentioned steel plate and reinforced ceiling hangers can make the same operation a little loud but this is not the case here. No, keeping the noise levels below 55 decibels, this is a pretty quiet unit that will not be disturbing the people around you whilst opening the garage doors.

We can highlight the electronic end position setting. We can also touch upon the automatic obstacle detection switch. But, at this point, they're pretty much synonymous with Shartec garage door openers, so we'll just go ahead and recommend the Schartec Move 600 to most people with garage doors that are <4 metres wide and with a surface measuring below 10 m².

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01EL6KC06

Open Any Door

The thing about garages and garage doors, in general, is that even though the majority of houses tend to be at least somewhat unique, most cars feature similar characteristic in terms of the size, so the majority of garages will obviously offer the kind of dimensions that would suit these cars. And, in turn, that obviously means that the majority of garage door openers' manufacturers will try to adhere to these sizes and pack their products with the kind of specifications that could support the required dimensions.

But, naturally, some people tend to have garages that considerably differ in terms of the size from the majority of options on the real estate market. That is where the Schartec ST104016 comes in. If you are a proud owner of a garage with a considerably larger than average door, you will need a garage door opener that will be able to deliver the kind of power it takes to efficiently open and close that door. And with a motor capable of providing the power of 1000 newtons, this device features said power in abundance.

Handle Any Kind of Weather

Like we have previously mentioned, one of the most outstanding things about the Schartec ST104016 is easily its powerful motor. Capable of delivering 1000 Newtons, this is without a doubt one of the most powerful options on the garage door openers market. With this kind of motor under its proverbial hood, this model will be able to handle some of the largest garage doors with up to 15 m² door surface. The aforementioned door can feature up to 100 kg of maximum door weight and up to 2400 mm of acceptable door height, and this garage door opener will be able to handle it with ease. Of course, with this kind of power, it comes as no surprise that the manufacturer equipped this garage door opener with a power supply of 230 Volts. And, although the model comes with an already impressive 3150 mm belt drive boom rail, you can request longer boom rails for door heights greater than 2400 mm. Naturally, the speed with which the device is capable of opening and closing matters too, and with a 433.92 MHz Rolling-Code frequency, this model will be able to do that at an acceptable speed of 160 mm/sec.

Another impressive aspect of this device would definitely have to be the working temperatures that it is capable of supporting. The model works perfectly fine in the temperature range from -40C° to +50°C meaning that you won't have to worry about your garage door freezing on you in the winter or malfunctioning due to severe heat in the summer. The garage door opener includes a designer 4-Channel remote control, a remote control holder and all the mounting materials you'll need, so installing and operating it shouldn't present any major challenges. To sum it up, the Schartec ST104016 is an impressive model that will suit a variety of customers but will be an absolute find for anyone with an unusually large garage door.

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01EABKPUO

Prioritising Comfort

Chamberlain is the biggest name in the business, dominating both the premium segment and the mid-range market segment too. What we have here is not the company's flagship product because those cost twice as much as this one. That said, the differences between flagship openers and Chamberlain Comfort are limited. In fact, where most users are concerned, the issues with this product begin and conclude not even with the opening device but with the remote that you'll use to operate the device. Fitted with tiny buttons, the remote is not easy to use whilst wearing gloves. Besides that, as long as you are not crazy about unnecessary bells and whistles, the Chamberlain Comfort does not disappoint.

First things first, everything starts with the giant push-button, illuminated so that you can identify and press the button even without turning on the lights. From that button, we're moving towards the decent peak tensile force, capping at 700 newton-metres to open doors as heavy as 90 kilogrammes. There are more impressive garage door openers from this perspective but, generally speaking, more force is not necessary because most garage doors do not weigh enough to justify that force. Plus, on the whole, these openers are seldom as quiet as the Chamberlain Comfort and even more seldom are these openers as gentle on the floors. Even so, despite the model's quiet operation, the belt is pretty tenacious, so you will not be replacing it anytime soon.

Not Quite Like Most

Sure, from most angles, the Chamberlain Comfort is not that different from its competition. But you're not paying for the brand name alone here. Most openers are equipped with LED lights but those lights are normally drawing more than the model's 0.8-watt consumption (standby mode). Most openers (within the model's price bracket) do not reach 16 centimetres per second opening speed. Most openers that cost about as much as this one do not have the reverse function, allowing you to reverse the door's motion when there's an obstacle between the closing doors and the floors.

From the dimensions perspective, this device will accommodate doors <3.2 metres high and with the surface not going above 8 square metres, so we're talking about something that was designed to fit small garages, not anything huge. When you take that into account, along with the integrated Wi-Fi module and the model's compatibility with the MyQ app, the Chamberlain Comfort becomes the only sensible choice within its price point.

Additional Info

User Manual     Manufacturer

Last updated price £200.97
Stock In stock
ASIN B00HR24FSM

What Is a Garage Door Opener?

Nowadays, there are scores of different devices, gadgets, and tools designed to make our lives easier and safer. In this review, we'd like to focus on one of the tools specifically designed for owners of vehicles - a garage door opener, a small but extremely handy tool which can help manage the door of a garage easily and quickly from afar. After reading this review, you'll learn the main technical specs that are important to look out for when selecting a garage opener and have a chance to compare different opening systems which are widely popular among car drivers worldwide. Garage door openers aren't only a convenient key to open/close the door, they are also used as part of a garage security system giving car owners a peace of mind regarding security of their vehicles as well as other belongings they store in a garage. With a garage door opener, none but a car owner can get into the garage, and the risks of auto theft are maximally reduced.

One of the other accessories we'd recommend any driver to acquire is a car cover which will allow you to leave your car outdoors in safety regardless of the weather conditions. And if you haven't got a jump starter yet, or you'd like to replace your old one, make sure to take a look at this comparison of 5 most powerful jump starters and get yourself one to keep in a truck.

What Features to Compare

Door Drive Specifications

Basically, there are several types of garage doors: swinging (also called hinged), sliding, and rollover. We would like to mention that most people prefer using sectional rollover garage doors; they are reliable, simple in installation, and rather affordable. Sectional doors are different in size and weight, so when choosing the door opener, start with analyzing the door drive specifications. First of all, check the maximum door weight each appliance can lift - if your sectional door is too heavy, the drive might be useless. Next, find out the power of an electric motor each door opener has: it's measured in horsepower (HP). If your garage door has the size of 7 x 8 feet, the necessary power of the door drive should be around 1/2 HP. If your garage door is bigger - 12 x 14 feet - the electric motor of the drive has to yield the power of at least 3/4 HP. Moreover, pay attention to a drive type (belt, chain, or jackshaft) and mount type (wall or ceiling). There are several types of garage door openers used with sectional doors. Note that wall-mounted jackshaft door openers are the most popular. Attached to the door, their moving force relies on a jackshaft rotation applied by the drive. Such a system is used with big and heavy doors and, therefore, has a rather powerful motor. Another widespread mount type is the one attached to a ceiling. This one is used for smaller garage doors; the drive moves a belt or a chain, moving the door up or down. Some garage door openers have a drive that moves along a chain, making very little noise. This type of drives is mounted on a ceiling too. Of course, no matter what garage door opener you choose, you will need special rails so that a garage door can move along. Individual installation mightn't be easy, so if you are unsure of your own skills, we recommend you to invite a team of professional workers who will cope with the task within a day.

Controls

The next step you should make is check the controls. All modern garage openers are remote-controlled, so you can simply push a button and the door will lift up or go down. The best garage openers are programmable: you can set a schedule and the door will be open at the time you need to drive out in the morning. Also, most of these appliances have a timer, which you can set to automatically close the door every time you leave the garage (usually, from 1.5 to 10 minutes). You might be wondering what will happen if you forget a remote, but most garage door openers come with a special wall console (it's installed outside the garage), so you can just enter a password and open (or close) the door. But that's not all - even if a long-term power outage occurs, you can still open or close a sectional garage door manually (though, it happens really once in a blue moon). If your vehicle is HomeLink compatible, you'll have the option to control the door remotely via a special transmitter from your car. The newest and most sophisticated garage door openers support WiFi connectivity by means of MyQ function, hence, you can control them right from your smartphone (via a special app).

Security and Safety

Never forget about security and safety when it comes to your property and car is no exception here. A sectional garage door opener must provide the highest possible level of security. The best appliances use a floating code that changes after each use. This way, burglars can't grab (and then use) the code. Of course, any decent garage opener has a reliable lock that doesn't allow anyone to open it manually from outside. Also, the door opener you choose must be safe for you and members of your family. For example, most door opening systems come with a light that turns on automatically when the door is opened and shuts off when it's closed. Some door opening systems even have light sensors that turn the garage lights on/off when they detect some movements. Imagine the situation when your car engine stalls while the door is already moving down... In this case, a garage door opener with the special safety sensors is what you need. These sensors will detect the hurdle and reverse the door to its initial position.

Interesting Facts

A garage is one of those things that a lot of people tend to take for granted. But even though most families living in a house (and even some that live in a flat) use it on a daily basis, there's a good chance that the majority of people don't necessarily know the proverbial ins and outs of everything that has to do with garages and garage door openers. Here are some interesting facts that you might not know about them.

Garage Can Serve as an Alternative Entry Point.

Even though it might seem counterintuitive to those people that live in a flat or occupy a household that doesn't have a garage attached next to it, this may not exactly come as a surprise to anyone that has lived in a house with a garage for years. In fact, calling it an alternative entry point may be quite an understatement, to say the least, since more than 70% of homeowners use the garage door as the primary access point for their home as opposed to using the front door – which one might naturally assume is the main access point. While it may seem counterintuitive and even downright ridiculous to some people, the reason behind that is actually quite simple. Since most people generally travel between their work or any other place of visit and their house using a car, it only makes sense that you would enter your home through a garage since you will have to park your car there first anyway.

The First Overhead Garage Door and The First Garage Door Opener.

Although most people probably take the overhead kind of garage door for granted since there's a good chance they grew up in a household with a similar type of door, it is actually a relatively recent invention. Less than a hundred years ago, people had to use regular doors for their garages until G. Johnson invented the very first overhead garage door in 1921 in Hartford City, Indiana. And if that doesn't seem impressive enough to you, the very same guy also invented the first automatic door opener in 1926, albeit it wasn’t until 40 years later that it became a widespread common thing among the majority of households.

The Garages are Getting Bigger.

Back in the early part of the 20th century, given that the majority of households own no more than a single car, the average garage comprised only about 8% of the square footage of a house. However, since automobiles became more and more accessible, with families beginning to own multiple cars, the garages started to grow in size. After 1960, garages started to take up an average 45% of the square footage of a typical house, with nearly 20% of all garages nowadays being built large enough to cover at least 3 cars. And it doesn't seem like this trend is going to decline or even stagnant anytime soon, not that anyone is complaining.

FAQ:

Q: What is the difference between the screw, belt, and chain drive garage door openers?
A: There are quite a few difference between this major types of garage door openers but if we had to sum it up without going into too many details, it would have to be mostly the difference in reliability and performance. Screw drive types tend to be more powerful than their competitors, all while being faster and relatively quiet. If you have a heavy door, you're going to need a device with a maximum amount of power in order to deal with it and that is generally a screw drive garage door opener. Belt drives are more known for being quiet and delivering smooth performance. Thanks mostly to the fact that they don't make too much noise, these models are perfectly suitable for garages adjacent to living areas. Last but not least, there are the chain drive kinds. Given the fact that they tend to be rugged, durable, and reliable, these garage door openers will fit virtually any customer.

Q: I can't seem to open the garage door using neither the remote control nor the wall switch mechanism. What do I do?
A: When the garage door doesn't seem to budge at all even though you keep pressing all the necessary buttons on your remote control or if you keep trying the wall switch mechanism, the most probable cause of it is almost always the fact that the power source has been disrupted in one way or the other. Given that this is one of the most popular issues that owners of automatic garage door openers tend to deal with, the reason for it tends to be quite simple as well - the motor unit has probably been unplugged. In order to figure out if that is indeed the case, you will have to check the outlet where the door opening is plugged in and make sure the cord is plugged in all the way. Although nine times out of 10 that is going to be the cause of this issue and fixing it will present no challenges at all, sometimes that won't do. If that's the case, there's a good chance that the garage door opener's motor has burned out and isn't operating at all. Unfortunately, this kind of situation will require you (or a service person) to replace the aforementioned motor.

Q: The garage door won't close all the way. What should I do to fix it?
A: If the garage door opens correctly but doesn't seem to be able to close completely, there are 3 probable causes of that. First, you should take a look at the close-limit switch. Your garage door has set-limit switches that instruct the motor when to stop running. All you will have to do is change those limits. Second, the safety sensors may need adjustment or realignment. If there's anything blocking the sightline, or if the brackets holding the electronic eyes are out of alignment, the door could simply fail to descend all the way. The last and the least frequent cause of this could be rusted or damaged rollers binding the tracks. The solution to this issue is fairly simple since all you'll have to do is replace the broken rollers or lubricate them with a silicon lubricant.

Sources:

1. How to Choose a Garage Door Opener, wikiHow.

2. How to Install a Garage Door Opener, The Family Handyman.

3. Diane Watkins How to Know Which Type of Garage Door Opener Remote to Buy, SFGate.

4. Alyssa Baker The Top 10 Garage Door Openers, Safewise. March 11, 2016.

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