Key Points
- Smart garage door openers allow for remote control and automation of garage doors through smartphone apps and smart networks.
- Reasons to avoid a new smart garage door opener include complex installation and maintenance requirements, susceptibility to hacking, high cost, unnecessary features, and the inability to prevent break-ins.
- Alternative options to smart garage door openers include the Genie Chain Drive 750 3/4 HPc Garage Door Opener, Atoms ATR-1622CK 1/2HPF Garage Door Opener, and beamUP Workhorse BU100 Overhead Garage Door Opener.
- Smart garage door openers offer convenience, security, and integration with other smart home devices, but traditional options may be preferred by those who prefer a simpler lifestyle.
Smart technology now offers control over every aspect of your home for better security and convenience. We now rely on Bluetooth, Z-Wave, or Wi-Fi to brew our coffee, make a grocery list after evaluating what is in the refrigerator, and start and monitor the laundry — but we offer five reasons to avoid a new smart garage door opener today.
Smart garage door openers are touted as the ultimate in convenience and security because you have total control of your garage door no matter where you are at any given time. Users can set the door to open and close on a timer or control it remotely via smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch.
If you’re wondering about installing a new garage door and if you should invest in smart technology for this area of your home, review our reasons to avoid a new smart garage door opener. Use our information and reasoning to provide a balanced view before buying.
How Do Smart Garage Door Openers Work?
Smart technology allows us to control “dumb” appliances and other home features at will or on a timer and from a distance. Smart garage door openers have a digitally-controlled device attached to your garage door’s opening mechanism. This device receives signals through your home’s Wi-Fi network, Z-Wave network (which is used by many smart home systems), or via Bluetooth.
Users simply activate the smart garage door app on their smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch to control the door’s opening and closing functions. Anyone with access to the app and your home’s smart network can remotely open or close the door or even set a timer to open and close it automatically.
Smart garage door openers operate similarly to your standard remote garage opener in that they allow you to operate the door at some distance. However, your home’s smart network is accessible over the Internet, effectively extending the range of control you enjoy. For example, you can open the garage door for a guest if you are on vacation across the world.
Reasons to Avoid a New Smart Garage Door Opener
Proponents of smart home technology are quick to point out the benefits, but wise buyers also need to consider the reasons to avoid a new smart garage door opener. Balancing the pros and cons is always time well spent before making any buying decisions. Consider our five reasons to avoid a new smart garage door opener today before making any major investments.
Complex Installation and Maintenance Requirements
Traditional garage door opening systems have a motor and track controlling the garage door. This motor is hard-wired to a control button inside the garage, usually mounted on the wall. IR remotes also activate the door motor to open and close the door. Modern vehicles also often have a programmable garage door opener built into the car’s system.
Smart garage door openers take this further by attaching a smart control device to the garage door motor. This device is wired into your garage’s electrical system for power and connects to your smart network via whatever technology you use, whether Wi-Fi, Z-Wave, or Bluetooth. This requires some rather complex wiring and calibration during the setup process. Typically, you need an electrician to make the appropriate connections. Plus, any future maintenance or replacements will require a garage door professional or an electrician.
Susceptibility to Hacking
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Smart home companies and garage door manufacturers often downplay this particular reason to avoid a new smart garage door opener. Proponents quickly point out how secure modern smart home systems are now. They claim to have addressed every possible vulnerability. They fail to admit that a determined foe can hack any network. Most homeowners become lax with their privacy settings and passwords over time, as a false sense of security breeds complacency.
Perhaps a greater danger than simply hacking your smart network and opening the garage door is accessing sensitive information from your device. How secure does the installation company hold your sensitive information? Passing out your network’s access information to too many people or untrustworthy individuals can result in a system compromise. Even downloading the app can pose problems if you get it from an unreputable provider. Apps can be modified to provide nefarious characters access to your system.
Smart Garage Door Openers Are Expensive
Smart technology may be popular and common in many homes, but it is still expensive for the average homeowner. Many newer smart garage door openers also feature motion detectors and extended Wi-Fi capabilities that raise the price considerably. Add to this the installation cost for a professional garage door technician and/or an electrician, and your smart garage door opener could end up costing in the thousands.
You should also beware of lucrative deals on cheaper systems in many local retail stores. The old adage “you get what you pay for” still rings true. Cheaper, unknown-brand systems may not be as reliable or secure as the more expensive ones. You could spend more over time with repairs or maintenance than if you had invested in a brand-name system up front.
Unnecessary or Unwanted Features
More is commonly considered better, and modern smart garage door openers now offer multiple extras. Motion detectors, built-in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and other added security features are touted to make your home smarter, safer, and more convenient. These extras also add to the cost. Plus, do you need the extras, or are you just making the smart garage door opener companies richer?
Wise buyers research extensively before they buy. Smart garage door openers may offer features you don’t need or want, making it an unnecessary expense. Why spend the money on things you won’t use? Your garage may already have smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Your home may already employ security cameras or motion sensors outside. Why pay for redundant systems that may even act against each other?
Moreover, some people just do not prefer layers of technology in their homes. They prefer tried-and-true methods and more secure, hands-on control. Consumers should have options; not every aspect of our lives has to be digitalized and connected to the cloud.
Smart Technology Cannot Ultimately Prevent Break-Ins
Our last reason to avoid a new smart garage door opener relies on another wise adage: locks and bars only keep honest people honest. A determined thief or nefarious actor will find a way to enter your home. Smart technology cannot prevent break-ins. While smart garage door openers may offer convenience and control, they cannot ultimately prevent break-ins.
Garage doors can be cut through or even broken down regardless of their opening and closing system. In fact, garage doors are considered an extremely weak point in your home’s overall security. While a smart garage door opening system may provide motion sensors and alert you to a break-in, if you’re away from home, thieves have plenty of time to rob you and damage your property.
Alternatives to a New Smart Garage Door Opener
If our reasons to avoid a new smart garage door opener today have caused you to consider other options, review these alternative recommendations for garage door control.
Genie Chain Drive 750 3/4 HPc Garage Door Opener w/Battery Backup
The Genie Chain Drive 750 3/4 HPc Garage Door Opener w/Battery Backup is one of the most popular and reliable systems available today. It operates a strong chain drive to raise and lower your garage door and has a battery backup for operation when the electricity is off. The five-piece rail system easily snaps together and is perfect for DIYers. Control your garage door with two remotes and a PIN-protected wireless keypad, plus a multifunction wall control panel with built-in vacation lock and light controls. The entire system is just over $200, making it one of the most affordable garage door openers available.
- Battery backup in case of power loss
- 3/4 HPC DC motor with heavy-duty chain drive
- 5-piece rail system snaps together for easy installation
- Includes wireless keypad
- Comes with pre-programmed remotes
Atoms ATR-1622CK 1/2HPF Garage Door Opener
The Atoms ATR-1622CK 1/2HPF Garage Door Opener is an affordable and quiet chain-drive opener with a great reliability record. Operate your garage door with two remotes or a wireless programmable keypad. It features integrated LED lighting and a diagnostic display to guide you through programming the system remotes. This system is compatible with add-on backup battery systems to guarantee access during power outages. The Atoms ATR-1622CK does not come with a door track or mounting kit.
- Quiet DC Motor with chain drive
- Wireless keypad
- Compatible with battery backup (sold separately)
- Auto-close timer
- Integrated LED lighting
beamUP Workhorse BU100 Overhead Garage Door Opener
The beamUP Workhorse BU100 Overhead Garage Door Opener is a quiet, chain-drive system with a ¾ horsepower motor that can lift single or double doors with ease. Built-in LED lighting never needs replacing. Simple installation and easy control, even from a distance, make this garage door opener a great choice for homeowners. It comes with a remote control and wall-mount control for easy access.
- Heavy-duty chain drive for single or double doors
- 1500-lumen LED security lighting
- Wall-mounted control button
- Remote included
- Easy installation and no special tools needed
Reasons You May Still Want to Purchase a New Smart Garage Door Opener
Smart garage door openers can benefit those willing to embrace technology. Control your garage door from anywhere from a tablet, smartphone, or smartwatch, granting access to friends or family in a jiffy. Some systems even notify you of an attempted intrusion or unauthorized access attempt. Advanced systems can offer interconnectivity features that can help you identify a fire’s precise location. Most smart garage door openers easily integrate with other smart home devices to increase safety and convenience.
Always perform your due diligence to research the available systems and products to find the one with benefits best fitting your family’s needs. Be sure to consider connectivity options and how they fit with your existing smart home technology. Many traditional garage door openers now offer Wi-Fi connectivity and are easily adapted to your home’s smart network.
Wrapping Up
No one can deny that smart technology is beneficial and convenient. Smart garage door openers can offer easy and secure access to your home and garage for family and guests. Still, some choose to live a simple, technology-free life (or at least one with less complicated technology) and may prefer more traditional options. Our reasons to avoid a new smart garage door opener today offer balance to the positive arguments for such systems for discerning buyers.
Best Alternatives to Smart Garage Door Openers
| 1. Genie Chain Drive 750 3/4 HPc Garage Door Opener w/Battery Backup |
| 2. Atoms ATR-1622CK 1/2HPF Garage Door Opener |
| 3. beamUP Workhorse BU100 Overhead Garage Door Opener |
- $219.99Buy Now
- Battery backup in case of power loss
- 3/4 HPC DC motor with heavy-duty chain drive
- 5-piece rail system snaps together for easy installation
- Includes wireless keypad
- Comes with pre-programmed remotes
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/30/2023 02:52 am GMT - $169.99Buy Now
- Quiet DC Motor with chain drive
- Wireless keypad
- Compatible with battery backup (sold separately)
- Auto-close timer
- Integrated LED lighting
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/30/2023 02:52 am GMT - $179.99Buy Now
- Heavy-duty chain drive for single or double doors
- 1500-lumen LED security lighting
- Wall-mounted control button
- Remote included
- Easy installation and no special tools needed
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
11/30/2023 02:53 am GMT
The image featured at the top of this post is ©FOTOGRIN/Shutterstock.com.
