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Garage Door Opener Reviews
Filed in:
Appliance,
Autos,
Cars,
Cheap Appliances,
Cheap Cars,
Gadgets,
Garage Door Openers,
Home and Garden,
Home Improvement
Cheapism
Mid-range
High end
$130
$175
$200...+In this review:
- Cheap Garage Door Openers, Best Cheap Garage Door Opener Review
- Garage Door Opener Reviews
Garage Door Openers Performance
Cheap Garage Door Openers Commonalities.
With less than a handful of garage door manufacturers to contend with, the variations from model to model are so negligible that the average consumer is left wondering, "Will this make any difference to me?" Take, for example, the Craftsman 53920 and the Chamberlain PD210D, both made by Chamberlain. While the body shape of the two openers varies slightly, and the Craftsman has three safety wire terminals to the Chamberlain's four, even the Chamberlain customer service department couldn't suggest why consumers should choose one over the other.Just remember that similarity in features translates to similarity in function. All the models on our list earn consistently good reviews across the board for durability and performance from experts and users alike. ConsumerSearch.com a site that aggregates expert garage door openers reviews, notes that the Chamberlain PD210D is simple to install and impressively well-made, given its reasonable price. In garage door openers reviews by consumers, one owner of the Craftsman 53920 posting on Sears, an owner of the Chamberlain G248730 posting on Lowe’s, and an owner of the Chamberlain HD400D posting on Home Depot, all express similar satisfaction with their purchases. Each of these users bought their garage door opener to replace earlier models that had lasted years before reaching the end of their lifespan.
Cheap Garage Door Openers Functionality.
An advantage to basic chain-drive garage door openers is that they are simple to operate. Users who try their hand at garage door opener installation typically discover that the remotes and keyless entry pad are easy to program and work without a hitch. That was the experience of Chamberlain HD400D owners, according to garage door openers review on Home Depot, ditto with the Chamberlain HD200D, say reviewers posting garage door openers review on the same site.In the quieter screw-drive category of garage door openers, the Genie Powerlift H4000-07 is by far the star when it comes to performance for the buck. Consumers commenting in garage door openers reviews on Home Depot describe a straightforward installation and a product that needed no adjustments to work properly.
On the flip side, the Craftsman 53985 is plagued by a problem that also poses a potential security risk. Unhappy users posting garage door openers reviews on Sears report incidents of the door randomly opening and closing by itself.
Cheap Garage Door Openers Ease of Installation.
How do you plan to install your low-price garage door opener? Professional installation can easily double your cost, so picking up a DIY model from the local big-box or hardware store can help you pinch your home improvement pennies. Even inexperienced do-it-yourselfers usually discover they're up to the challenge of installing cheap screw- or chain-drive systems, as one purchaser of the Craftsman 53920 notes in his garage door openers review on the Sears website. If you follow the instructions closely and are willing to invest four to six hours of your time, you'll have a fully-functioning cheap garage door opener to show off to friends and family. Top-dollar torsion-drive garage door openers, on the other hand, are typically another story. A garage door openers review on Amazon reports that mounting a Wayne-Dalton iDrive Torquemaster Garage Door Opener (starting at $299) was best left to a professional.But heads up: If you're shopping for a cheap garage door opener at a local store, read the instructions carefully before walking out. As one consumer notes in a garage door openers review on Home Depot, you may discover that parts needed for mounting the new garage door opener were not included in the package. And remember to measure the height of your garage door(s) before shopping. Seven-foot doors are the industry standard, and a garage door higher than that means you'll have to shell out for an extension kit; one buyer of the Craftsman 53990 found this out the hard way, according to a garage door openers review on Buzzillions. Depending on the brand you've chosen and the height of your garage doors, plan on spending anywhere from $20 to $60 per extension kit (one for each garage door).
Cheap Garage Door Openers Maintenance.
The average life span of a garage door opener is 10 years, according to experts on the how-to website, Oldhouseweb.com. Many cheap garage door openers, especially chain-drive units, hang in two to three times longer than that. Keeping your inexpensive garage door opener running a decade or more is usually just a matter of proper maintenance.Maintaining a garage door opener is fairly straightforward. Both chain-drive and screw-drive models entail easy upkeep. As experts at the Natural Handyman blog point out, the chains on chain-drive openers may loosen over time due to wear and tear on the rollers, pins, and gears. You'll need to tighten the chains on a new installation once they've had time to settle. This is a simple process and probably won't need repeating for several years. Screw-drive units demand more attention and should be lubricated once or twice a year, depending on usage, to prevent screws from "catching" on the track. Professional installers advise that you use low temperature grease, not spray lubrication like WD-40.
Belt-drive garage door openers, while outside the Cheapism price range, also boast no-fuss maintenance. The rubber belt never needs to be lubricated but may wear out over time and need to be replaced; one handy article about garage door openers assures consumers this is a relatively simple procedure. Torsion-drives require much more tweaking than cheap garage door openers, according to garage door openers reviews on Ace Hardware.
Experts at this site stress the importantance of one critical task: performing occasional safety reversing tests. This can be done by placing a 2'x4' under your open garage door, then activating the opener. Your garage door should reverse once it makes contact with the obstacle. If it doesn't, you must either repair the malfunction yourself or call a professional for servicing. Not doing so puts pets and children at serious risk.
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Read user comments below
Best Budget Garage Door Opener
Craftsman 53920
This chain-drive garage door opener features a ˝ hp motor, doorbell-style garage-mounted controller, one single- button remote, and rolling anti-burglary coding for security purposes. Users find it simple to install and quieter than older models, but wish it came with an additional remote. Sold exclusively through Sears, this cheap garage opener is manufactured by Chamberlain. Read more »Garage Door Openers Deals
Chamberlain PD210D
A ˝ hp motor, solid steel chassis and rail, and rolling security coding round out this well-rated chain-drive garage door opener.It meets safety standards and performs according to buyer expectations overall, but some users note that it doesn't come with all the parts required for a new installation and only includes one remote. With only slight modifications, this model is available at Home Depot as the HD200D and at Lowe's as the G248730. Read more »Garage Door Openers Deals
Good Budget Garage Door Opener
Genie Powerlift H4000-07
One of the most affordable screw-drive models available, the H4000-07 boasts a ˝ hp DC motor,rolling security coding, two one-button remotes, and a two-bulb lighting system. Reviewers appreciate the color-coded parts and easy DIY install. While some extol the quiet operation, others don't hear a noise difference between this unit and a traditional chain-drive. Read more »Garage Door Openers Deals
Chamberlain HD400D
A chain-drive garage door opener with a ˝ hp motor, this "premium" package includes the two garage door remotes and outdoor keypad that consumers long for in similar models.It comes with the same rolling security coding and motion safety sensors other openers are legally required to have. Users like the dual 200-watt total capacity lighting and have few complaints overall. Read more »Garage Door Openers Deals
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Think Twice Garage Door Openers
Craftsman 53985
This ˝ hp chain drive garage door opener features rolling security code technology, two 100W bulb adjustable lights, two three-button remotes, and a keyless entry pad. Consumers say it's relatively quiet and easy to install, but several claim it has a habit of opening on its own, posing a safety risk. Read more »
Products Mentioned in This Review
Chamberlain 248735 Power DriveCraftsman 53990
Craftsman 53985
Genie Powerlift H4000-07
Chamberlain HD400D
Craftsman 53920
Chamberlain PD210D
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