Chamberlain Opener Review
The garage door opener market is surprisingly complex and has changed dramatically in the last few years. Once-rare features are now quite common. However, bells and whistles don’t always make a good lifter. We scrutinized build quality, long-term performance, power/drive, controls, and security to come up with this winning list of top contenders:
Chamberlain PD210D Power Drive 1/2-Horsepower Security-Plus Chain-Drive Garage Door Opener, Blue and White
The Chamberlain PD210D Power Drive Garage Door Opener comes from arguably the best-known manufacturer in the market. The Chamberlain PD210D could be considered their entry-level model, but that doesn’t mean it under-performs. This is a chain drive – cheaper to produce, but noisier than belt or direct drive – but it’s a common and very popular type of mechanism. The motor is a 1/2 horsepower unit, which can adequately handle standard, seven-foot double doors. If you have heavier doors – hardwood, for example – a 3/4-HP motor might be advisable.
Genie 1022-TH 1/2-Horsepower DC ChainLift Garage Door Opener with Two-Transmitters
The Genie 1022-2TX Garage Door Opener is another 1/2-HP, chain drive model. At first glance, it is very similar to the Chamberlain PD210D. Genie claims that their patented, in-line chain is quieter and requires no maintenance, which is a plus, but it’s still likely to generate more noise than belt or direct versions. Whether that’s important to you may very well depend on whether the room nearest the garage is a bedroom, where the sound could disturb someone.
Chamberlain WD1000WF 1-1/4 HPS Smartphone Controlled Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener with Battery Backup and Ultra-Quiet Operation
As you might guess from the name, the Chamberlain Whisper Drive Garage Door Opener sports a belt drive, which is quieter than both chain and direct drive. Belt drive garage door openers are maintenance-free and reputed to be as durable as chain drive openers. While some might argue that belt drive openers don’t last as long as direct drive openers, Chamberlain shows confidence in this product by offering a lifetime warranty. The Chamberlain Whisper Drive, with its 1-1/4 HP-motor, is capable of lifting oversized and heavy doors, although an additional extension kit may be required.