Retrofit compatibility
If you’re choosing a retrofit, take a close look at the product page, which should list the brands that the retrofit works with. It should also detail important caveats, like if the retrofit won’t work on garage doors of a certain age (late 90s/early 2000s doors may have compatibility trouble). Some retrofits won’t work on certain garage door sensor designs, either. Pay attention to all these details before making a choice.
Height
Garage door motor kits are typically rated for height, usually the standard 7 feet. If your garage door is higher, you may be able to spend extra on an extension kit, a.k.a. extra tracks to fit higher garage doors.
Horsepower
Horsepower requirements vary based on the side of the garage door and its overall weight. If you’re getting a new motor, match the HP of your old motor. The smallest, lightest doors can get by on 0.3HP, but larger and sturdier doors need at least 0.75HP. Our top picks are rated at 1.5HP so you don’t need to worry about the size of your garage door at all.
Lighting
If you don’t have many sources of light in your garage, we suggest choosing a motor that includes lighting options, letting you install your own bulbs or offering LED lights.
App controls
One of the biggest benefits of a smart garage door opener is the ability to use app controls right from your phone, whenever you want. So pay attention to the app and the settings offered. See if you like the style of the app and if it offers settings you want like geofencing, long-distance control with Wi-Fi, automatic closing and so on.
Smart home support
Not all smart garage doors work with other smart home platforms. If you have a preferred voice assistant like Google Assistant or Alexa, look for a system that works with them. If you use a car dashboard like CarPlay, see if it’s supported as well.
