Looking for the best quiet garage door opener isn’t an easy task because 90% of manufacturers don’t include decibel ratings in their products’ specifications. So, how to determine it?
In this article, we will share a top-rated list of 6 best quiet garage door openers that have been tested and compiled beforehand. Read on!
- Chamberlain Group B503 – Best overall
- SOMMER 1052V000 – Best for heavy garage doors
- Genie ChainDrive 550 Model 2035-TKV – Long-lasting operation
- Liftmaster 8500 – Best for limited headroom garages
- Chamberlain MYQ-G0201 – Most versatile
- NEXX Garage NXG-100b – Best for multi-users
Chamberlain Group B503 – Best overall
- Can avoid hacking and thieves perfectly thanks to the Unmatched Security
- The 1500-foot remote range for quicker exit or entrance
- Have the MED Lift Power System for superior lifting power
- Use plastic sliders – a bit cheap and not durable
- The rail pieces don’t match nicely
Moreover, Chamberlain is renowned for its robust Lift Power System that the ordinary ½ power class can’t beat. It can lift any two-door garages like a champ as long as their doors are properly balanced and maintained.
There are a keyless entry and 2 or 3 button remotes. They are all preprogrammed so everything is really easy to install and use.
In terms of safety features, the B503 is equipped with Posi lock and Unmatched Security+2.0 100 Billion code encryption to keep thieves at bays.
Product Specs
| Drive | Belt Drive |
| Horsepower | 1/2 HP |
| Coverage | 7 ft. garage doors |
| Compatibility | two 100 watt max non-halogen or 26 watt CFL light bulbs |
| Backup power | No |
| Wifi Capable | No |
| Timer close | No |
| Highlight Features | steel-reinforced belt drive and constructed with high-grade materials, Chamberlain’s MED Lift Power System, unmatched Security+2.0 100 Billion code encryption |
Highlight a perfect combination of price, quiet operation, easy installation, and security, the Chamberlain B503 will be an ideal replacement for your old chain drive.
SOMMER 1052V000 – Best for heavy garage doors
- 1HP to handle bigger, heftier garage doors
- Nearly silent when operating, no vibration
- Home Link Compatible for multiple cars to access
- Slower than the ¾ HP
This unit is equipped with many convenient features, such as 310 Hz wireless keypad as a remote control, a home link compatibility, and Secure Rolling Code Technology. SOMMER does sell separate controls to expand your home link network.
Some research also lets us know that this 1HP version is designed to be several seconds slower than the 3/4HP. In turn, it gives more torque to able to lift a heavier, larger garage door.
Normally, an 8-foot door will take around 18 to 19 seconds to operate (both up and down) while the ¾ HP is a mere 15 to 16 seconds.
Product Specs
| Drive | Direct Drive |
| Horsepower | 1 HP motor |
| Coverage | 7 ft. – 8 ft. door height |
| Compatibility | Home Link Compatible |
| Backup power | No |
| Wifi Capable | No |
| Timer close | No |
| Highlight Features | includes two x 2-button transmitters and one interior wall station, Secure Rolling Code Technology, 310 MHz, lifetime warranty |
If you’re looking for a heavy-duty door opener to lift an overweight garage door, SOMMER 1052V000 is the best candidate.
Genie ChainDrive 550 Model 2035-TKV – Long-lasting operation
- Equipped with a heavy-duty chain drive system to last longer
- Well-written instructions to follow and easy to install
- No hardware needed during the setup progress
- Multiple car remote compatibility to be user-friendlier
- Require extra time to re-program the unit
Another quiet garage door opener is Genie ChainDrive 550 even though it’s chain-drive operated.
Easy to install. The manual is well-written that you finish the setup progress within 1 or 2 hours if following carefully its guidelines. Remember to take a few minutes to read the programming instruction for the correct installation.
From our experience, the door opener works rather quickly – 11 to 12.5 seconds to open or close a 7-foot door.
The unit, on the other hand, is maintenance-free, durable (thanks to the heavy-duty chain drive system), and versatile. It implies the multiple car remote compatibility, either CAR2U or HOMELINK with no needs of extra hardware.
Product Specs
| Drive | Chain Drive |
| Horsepower | 1/2 HP |
| Coverage | 8 ft. |
| Compatibility | Homelink & Car2U compatibility |
| Backup power | Yes |
| Wifi Capable | No |
| Timer close | No |
| Highlight Features | heavy-duty chain drive system, maintenance-free precision machined motor and gearbox, works with Home Link and Car2U |
Investing in a door opener featuring longer-lasting operation will be the most economical way in the long term.
Liftmaster 8500 – Best for limited headroom garages
- Wall-mounted to save for free space
- Can check the door opening/closing process through your smartphone
- The lift cables are usually little slack
- Run slowly
One of the majorities is their quiet operation. When activated, you might only hear a locking solonoid click and a soft humming sound. No rattling chain noise at all.
The MYQ compatibility is the last big bonus that we’ve found.
It’s designed not only as a simple cold contact on the door opener but also allows you to check through your smartphone. This prevents the unlikely scenario where somebody integrates into the garage and steal something.
Product Specs
| Drive | Direct |
| Horsepower | 3/4+ HP |
| Coverage | 180 sq. feet. |
| Compatibility | myq compatible |
| Backup power | No |
| Wifi Capable | No |
| Timer close | Yes |
| Highlight Features | sleek, space-saving design mounts on the wall, fully equipped with security 2.0, myq |
Constructed as a wall-mounted door opener, Liftmaster 8500 is my high recommendation for limited headroom garages.
Chamberlain MYQ-G0201 – Most versatile
- Provide a smartphone app to control the door situations from distances
- Use a light sensor that will pause when there’s someone walking through the door
- The most affordable price
- Not Apple Homelink compatible
- Annoying flashing light when using it
It allows users to close or open their garage door via Wi-Fi, a smartphone, and the Chamberlain’s MyQ Garage app, making you worry less about your home security. The best thing is, there’s also no need to drive back home to check if you’ve closed the door yet.
We’ve also recognized that MYQ-G0201 uses a light sensor. It will come into a halt if rejecting somebody is walking through the door.
Product Specs
| Drive | Direct |
| Horsepower | ½ HP |
| Coverage | 8 ft. |
| Compatibility | MyQ smartphone App |
| Backup power | Yes |
| Wifi Capable | Yes |
| Timer close | No |
| Highlight Features | receive alerts/notifications on your smartphone, Universal Compatibility, easy installation |
For a versatile door opener, the Chamberlain MYQ-G0201 with an emphasis on its Universal Smartphone Garage Door Control will be the best bet.
NEXX Garage NXG-100b – Best for multi-users
- The mobile app gives multi-access that many people can use it
- Voice control compatibility for extra convenience
- Send a notification to remind you of the closing door
- A bit hard to install the device
It is also compatible with different voice controls, such as Siri, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant devices to transmit your command without lifting your fingers.
If your door has a manual off switch button, don’t fret, it’s not overridden on the NEXX app after locking the door. The most helpful feature that we really like in this smart device is the 20-minute alert notification sent to your smartphone if you forget closing the door.
Product Specs
| Drive | Screw Drive |
| Horsepower | – |
| Coverage | 8 ft. |
| Compatibility | Most existing garage door openers |
| Backup power | No |
| Wifi Capable | Yes |
| Timer close | No |
| Highlight Features | Next mobile app, or by giving voice commands to your Alexa or Google Assistant devices, automate with SmartThings |
To share the access right of your home doors to several members, the NEXX Garage NXG-100b is a great option.
How to choose the best quiet garage door opener (buying guide)
Type of garage door opener
As there are different needs when it comes to garage door openers, there are totally 5 types at the current:
| Highlight Features | Pros | Cons | |
| Direct Garage Door Opener | Use a motor that will move along the chain with the door | Work quietly No need for maintenance jobs | Less common than other opener types |
| Jackshaft Drive Garage Door Opener | Usually, be set up on the door’s side Instead of using a rail, it utilized a torsion spring rod | Nothing needed to be installed on the ceiling Compact construction Extra secure | A bit louder than the belt drive and the screw drive Expensive |
| Screw Drive Garage Door Opener | Use a long screw-like metal rod to drive the trolley Feature fewer moving parts | Reliable Fewer maintenance needs Fast and robust | Can’t stand drastic temperature change |
| Belt Drive Garage Door Opener | Use a rubber belt to drive the trolley No metal parts | The quietest, at least better than the screw drive and the chain drive Smoother operation than the chain drive Easy to install Less vibration Lower maintenance needs | Costlier than the chain drive |
| Chain Drive Garage Door Opener | Use the metal chain to drive the trolley | Most affordable type Longest-lasting | The noisiest Hard to set up Can’t tension perfectly the chain -> maybe bound while operating Require much maintenance |
To determine which opener type is suitable for your garage door, consider your budgets and the door types.
Weight and size of the garage door
This is essential as it helps you know how much HP of the opener that your garage door needs.
HP rating (stands for horsepower) is usually within 1/3 (in small door openers) to 1 ½ (in higher-end models). The connection between HP ratings and door types are shown in the table below
| HP ratings | Door Type |
| 1/3 | ~ 8’(H) x 10’(W) -> Best for single-car doors |
| ½ | Standard garage doors |
| ¾ | Double-car garage doors up to 16’(W) |
| 1 | Commercial garage doors |
How to determine the amount of noiselessness
Through vibration counts!
The less the vibration made by a door opener, the quieter. As mentioned, the chain-drive and the screw-drive are two noisiest types of garage doors, which is why nowadays many manufacturers choose to add vibration and insulation chamber to overcome that weakness.
Two best garage door opener in terms of silent operation currently on the market are:
- Wi-Fi-based
- Jackshaft Drive
As they’re installed on the door’s side, not the ceiling while featuring less moving parts and metal components.
Who makes the best quiet garage door opener?
Chamberlain
This is one of the branch companies of Chamberlain Group. They produce door openers and gate entry systems with an emphasis on the exclusive innovative myQ technology, letting users customize and control the system better.
SOMMER
This Europe-based company is considered the market leader in terms of wireless garage door openers. Up to now, it’s been serving in over 90 nations and all products of theirs are produced in Germany, which is indeed reliable.
Genie
Genie is one of the most trustworthy American companies these days. It was founded in 1923 – nearly 100 years’ experience in designing and producing remote-controlled garage door opening systems.
NEXX
Last but not least, is NEXX. Their products highlight a wide range of practical features, the worthiest-mentioning of which is the built-in app function, allowing customers to custom and monitor their garage door from distances.
FAQs
Is chain or belt drive garage door opener better?
As mentioned in the “How to choose the best quiet garage door opener” Section above, each of 5 common door opener types features specific strengths and weaknesses.
Belt drive openers emphasize their superb silence when operating. This makes them a good option for homeowners who hate noise or have a living space next to or above the garage.
On the contrary, the chain drive openers are suitable for people who have living space far from their garage or are in a tight budget.
How long should a garage door opener last?
The lifetime of a garage door opener depends on different elements:
- How much you use it?
- Is it proper maintained annually?
- The weather in your living area
- How well-made it is
But averagely, it will last around 10 to 15 years.
Can garage door openers be reprogrammed?
This frequently depends on the model and the brand you choose to purchase from. But 80% of the cases will allow you to reprogram the door opener.
As this task is different from model to model, you should make a reference on their official websites, on the product instructions, or directly ask the manufacturers.
Do garage door openers need maintenance?
Except for the direct-drive door opener, other types will need proper maintenance, more or less.
Again, this task is different among types of door openers, how much you use it, and the brand kindly takes a look at its product maintenance instructions.
How much room does a garage door opener need?
Generally, a standard door operated by an electric opener, it will require at least 15 inches of ceiling space to work with. Some exceptional cases are the frame-down door opener which asks for 3 inches and the low headroom system is 9 inches.
Notice of the Jackshaft garage door openers, they don’t require ceiling space but the door’s side area – around 5 to 9 inches depending on specific models.
Conclusion
This buying guide has just shown you the differences in door opener types as well as how they work. Hopefully, the enclosed list of 6 best quiet garage door openers is also helpful to you. Thanks for reading!
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I’m James J. Decker, a hobbyist and DIYs and also a big of home improvement and gardening tools. I immensely enjoy how these amazing products improve productivity and efficiency, and allow me to do jobs for which I would’ve otherwise needed professional help.
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