Choosing your next garage door is a big decision. Picking the wrong one could result in getting a door that doesn’t open properly or that costs more money than you needed to spend. When searching for your next garage door opener, two popular brands you’ll come across are LiftMaster and Genie. Below, we’ll highlight the key differences between the two to help you decide which one is best for your situation.
LiftMaster Garage Door Openers
Image by John Paulsen is licensed with Unsplash License
The first option to consider is a LiftMaster garage door opener. Generally speaking, LiftMaster garage door openers are more suitable in professional settings or when you have a very heavy garage door. They also make sense when you’re working with a multidoor system. LiftMaster garage door openers typically come with a lot of features, such as their own smartphone app. The price for a LiftMaster opener will generally fall anywhere between $200 and $700.
Genie Garage Door Openers
Genie garage door openers, on the other hand, are often more suitable for personal use. One reason for this is their lower price tag, with products ranging between $35 and $200. Genie is able to offer lower prices because their garage door openers typically can’t handle the same amount of weight as LiftMaster garage door openers. However, despite this lower price range, you can still find Genie garage door openers with modern features, such as a remote control or rolling security code.
What To Look For in a Garage Door Opener
When shopping for a garage door opener, there are a few things you’ll want to consider. Below are some key aspects to think about when trying to choose between a LiftMaster and a Genie garage door opener.
Drive Type
The drive type is essentially the mechanism that the garage door uses to open. There are different kinds available, including belt drive, screw drive, chain drive, and wall mounted. Some are more suitable for certain situations, so you may need to base your decision on which mechanism is best for your property. For example, LiftMaster stopped making screw-drive openers, while Genie continues to offer options with all drive types. To learn more about which drive type is best for your property, we recommend speaking with a garage door installation service.
Noise
Another important consideration is the amount of noise generated by the garage door opener. For instance, if your garage is directly below a bedroom and you plan on using it late at night, you’ll want to select a system that operates as silently as possible. To get a quieter garage door opener, we recommend looking for a belt-drive system, as these are the quietest option. If you can’t get a belt-drive system, the next best option is a wall-mounted opener.
Horsepower
Horsepower determines how quickly a garage door opens and how heavy a door it can lift. For example, if you have a heavier garage door, you’ll want to find an opener that has a motor with a higher horsepower. Garage door opener motors typically have a horsepower range of 0.5 to 1.5. The lower end of this scale can lift around 300 pounds, while a 0.75 horsepower motor can lift closer to 600 pounds. This should be enough for most residential garage door openers, but if you have a heftier door, look for a motor with more horsepower.
Security and Safety
Two important considerations when searching for a new garage door opener are security and safety. You want to ensure that only the right people can open your garage door while also making sure that it’s safe to be around. For example, you’ll likely want to get a garage door opener with an infrared sensor that automatically stops the door from closing if it senses something in the way, especially if you’re a homeowner with children or pets.
As for security features, a common one is a passcode. With this, you have to input a specific number to open the garage door or use the supplied remote. A great feature of Genie garage door openers is their rolling security code. This continuously generates a new code each time you use the remote or provided app, helping to protect your property.
Battery Backup
Because your new garage door opener will operate using electricity, this makes it susceptible to power outages. You don’t want to find yourself stuck outside your home or unable to enter your property because your garage door opener no longer has power to operate. To that end, you may want to explore systems that have battery backup systems. This will provide enough power to your garage door opener in the event of a blackout, allowing you to still use the system until your electricity comes back on.
Warranty
Finally, every LiftMaster and Genie garage door opener comes with a warranty. However, comparing the two against each other, LiftMaster has the edge. LiftMaster offers a lifetime warranty on the motor, a five-year warranty on the parts, a one-year warranty on the battery, and a lifetime warranty on the belt.
This is a little better than Genie, which only offers a 15-year warranty on the motor and no warranties for the parts or accessories. These are general warranties, and the specific details may differ for each brand’s models. However, considering the higher price for LiftMaster garage door openers, it’s a good thing that they typically come with a better warranty.
Find Your Next Garage Door Opener at Overhead Garage Door
Both LiftMaster and Genie are excellent options when you’re searching for your next garage door opener. However, one of them may work better for you than the other. If you’re having trouble deciding, this is where Overhead Garage Door (serving all of Chicagoland and southeast Wisconsin) can help. We have a wide selection of garage door openers available from both brands. We also have a guide available if you’re deciding between LiftMaster and Chamberlain garage door openers.
Our knowledgeable team can discuss your setup with you, then give you a recommendation. With our help, you can easily find a garage door opener that fits your needs and your budget. To get started, please feel free to contact us at any time. We look forward to hearing from you and helping you select your next garage door opener.