Smart Garage Door Openers (Benefits & Smart Home Systems) -

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What Is a Smart Garage Door Opener?

The smart garage door opener is a Wi-Fi-enabled controller or smart garage door opener unit. They allow you to control the garage door with devices like smartphones and tablets with an application. Giving you much more control over the way your garage door operates and other options.

Smart opener features and applications are different from brand to brand. One may offer remote cameras, voice control, geofencing, while another device may have more basic features. You need to decide what control features you need the most and do you want the device to be integrated into your smart home system(such as Alexa or Google Assistant). Rest assured, there is a system out there to suit all your requirements.

Can I Make My Garage Door Opener Smart?

There are two different types of smart garage door openers.

You can buy a new opener that has built-in smart features. OR You can make older openers “smart” by purchasing a retrofit kit that connects the opener to the Internet and lets you control it remotely with your smartphone. Both systems can also be linked to other smart home features like lights, locks, and cameras.

Add-on accessory/hub/retrofit is a smart garage door controller which works with your existing garage door opener. There are a variety of products and brands with differences between the products. They are usually attached to the opener and have their own sensors.

The smart garage door opener is a new unit with built-in smart capabilities that replaces the old garage door opener.

For both of these to work correctly, you’ll need to have a robust 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection that reaches into your garage. If the internet connection isn’t strong enough, you’ll need to purchase a Wi-Fi extender(paid link) or a new router.

Both systems are easy to use with the application.

Which Smart Garage Door Opener System Should I Get?

If your garage door opener is old and needs to be replaced soon. It’s wiser to buy an entirely new smart opener. That way, you get a brand new, probably quieter system with lots of features. New openers support several different smart home systems.

However, if your current system is relatively new and doesn’t need to be replaced or you don’t want to spend money on a new opener. Then getting an add-on retrofit device is better.

Before you buy a smart garage door add-on controller. Make sure it works with your existing opener.

Check the manufacturer and model from the opener label. Then check info from this article and from the manufacturer’s website.

Most add-on devices work with almost any opener. The difference comes with which smart home systems they work with together.

There are wireless systems that don’t work with every opener or smart home system.
There are wired systems that work with almost any opener and system.

Benefits of a Smart Garage Door Opener

Peace of Mind

You might be driving and are a long way home already and start to wonder wherever you shut the garage door or not. With a smart opener, you can check the application and instantly see the status of the door. And close it if needed. No more driving back or wondering the whole day.

Added Security

The application alerts you when the door opens or closes when you are away. You can monitor easily also when the door is open. Cameras can also be added to the smart openers so you can see who comes and goes. Lights can be set to go on when the door opens. Automatic locks can be added too to lock the door securely.

Guest Access

You can easily let neighbors or service personnel, and repairmen into the garage and house with a smart opener. No more leaving keys in secret stashes.

Integration to Other Smart Home Systems

Smart openers can be integrated into numerous smart home systems to further enhance the opener capabilities. You can add voice control and AC or heating to turn on when you arrive home. You can set a garage security camera to take a picture or start recording when the garage door opens.

When you are looking for a smart garage door opener or controller. Make sure it works seamlessly with your choice of a smart home system. Most smart home systems are customizable and personalized to suit every need.

Smart Garage Door Opener Features

Alert & Info

The application can alert you when the door opens or closes.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi connects your opener or controller to the Internet and smartphone.

Bluetooth

Bluetooth models only work when you are within about 20 feet of the garage.

Geofencing

Automatic garage door opening and closing when you come and go.

Garage Door Remote

The application simply replicates your garage door remote to the application.

Smart Lights Connection

Can turn the lights on in the whole house.

Smart Locks

Automatic locking and unlocking of the garage door.

Cameras

Security cameras to record and live streaming the garage. Some models also have night vision.

Battery Backup

If the power goes out, you can still operate your garage door normally.

Motion Detecting Lights

Automatic lights on when you approach the garage.

Quest Features

Temporary quest access for delivery or neighbors etc.

Two-Way Audio

You can tell your kids to come inside or talk with the repair personnel.

Voice Control

Control the opener with systems like Alexa or Google Assistant.

Integration

Integration with smart home devices and assistants.

Scheduling

You can set the garage door open and close automatically at certain times if you wish. Like before leaving to work or returning.

Car Sensors

Some car manufacturers offer compatibility to smart openers.

Temperature Alert

Smart systems can alert you if the temperature in the garage is too high or low.

App for smartphone(Android & iOS)

Apps to control the opener with notification, installation, and troubleshoot features.

Retrofit Kits for Garage Door Openers

Myq smart garage control / Hub

Chamberlain Retrofit kit is compatible with most garage door openers made after 1993 that have standard safety sensors.

Compatible with:

Google assistant
Alarm.com
Apple homekit
Clare Controls
IFTTT
Residio
Ring
Vivint
Xfinity

The Genie Aladdin Connect

Retrofit kit compatible with various garage door openers made after 1993 that have standard safety sensors. Compatible also with some Chamberlain, Liftmaster, and Craftsman openers too.

Compatible With:

Google Assistant
Alexa
SmartThings
Brilliant
Control4
Yonomi

Beamup smart controller