The Best Smart Garage Door Openers for Easier and More Secure Access

Best Overall

Tailwind iQ3 Smart Automatic Garage Controller Pro

4.8

View On Gotailwind.com

The Tailwind iQ3 Smart Automatic Garage Controller Pro has an unparalleled feature set, works with most garage door openers right out of the box, and works with a free adapter if yours isn’t covered. It also has excellent compatibility with Google Home, Amazon Alexa, Homekit, SmartThings, and If This Then That (IFTTT) and has a night mode for extra security, which is why it’s the best overall smart garage door opener by a pretty wide margin.

The Tailwind iQ3’s standout feature is that it can automatically open your garage door when you arrive home and close it when you leave. This feature, also known as geofencing, requires a Bluetooth-equipped vehicle and an Android phone, or you can buy an accessory that allows it to work with iPhones and older vehicles that don’t have Bluetooth.

The iQ3 has many other useful features, including a night mode to automatically shut the door if it’s left open for more than five minutes and a sharing trait that lets others control the door at specific times of the day. This opener also works well with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri, so you can control it with voice commands.

The Tailwind iQ3 is a little more complicated to set up than many competitors because it uses a wired sensor, but that’s a tradeoff for reliability. Wireless sensors are significantly easier to install, but they’re also more prone to failure. 

Price at time of publish: $80

_{Key Specs | Power Source: AC | Compatibility: Free adapter for some openers, adapter required for automatic opening with iPhone | Control Methods: Bluetooth proximity, Automatic, Tailwind app, Siri, Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, SmartThings, IFTTT | Hub Required: No}

Best Budget

Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener MSG100

View On Amazon

The Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener is the perfect way to make your garage door opener smart on a budget. It has an unbeatable price tag and is easy to set up by wiring into your existing opener and using adhesive tape to mount it. While this device lacks many of the features you’ll find in more expensive smart garage door openers, such as automatic opening and closing and various modes, it has all the most essential core functions. You can monitor and operate your garage door remotely through an app and notifications if your garage door is open for a while.

As for smart compatibility, it works well with Google Home, Alexa, Apple HomeKit (with the HomeKit-enabled model), SmartThings, and IFTTT for voice control and automations. It’s also highly compatible with a range of garage door openers (over 200 brands). Plus, you can get an adapter from Meross or make some modifications yourself if you know how to solder if it isn’t compatible with yours right out of the box.

Price at time of publish: $36

_{Power Source: AC | Compatibility: More than 200 brands and 1600 models, Adapter for some models | Control Methods: Meross app, Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit, SmartThings, IFTTT | Hub Required: No}

Best with Camera

Alcidae Garager 2

View On Amazon View On Walmart

You can add a camera to some smart garage door openers or use a camera that doesn’t connect to the opener. The Alcidae Garager 2 is an integrated solution that’s both easy to install and use. It has a magnetic base that allows you to mount it directly on the bottom side of many garage door openers, and you physically wire it to the garage door opener for both power and control. It also comes with an adhesive mounting option for wood and plastic.

The Alcidae Garager 2 includes a built-in 1080p camera with a motion sensor (and night vision), which allows it to turn on and start recording whenever it senses movement. You can also view a live video feed through the app and control the garage door's operation wherever you have an internet connection. However, there is a monthly fee if you want to use the cloud video storage service.

Price at time of publish: $77

_{Power Source: AC | Compatibility: Over 1300 motors | Control Methods: Alcidae-Simpler Life app, Alexa, Google Assistant | Hub Required: No}

Best for Alexa

Nexx Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Controller NXG-300

View On Amazon View On Getnexx.com

The Nexx Smart Wi-Fi Controller GXG-300 works seamlessly with Alexa without asking an Alexa skill to operate the garage door. It’s also exceptionally easy to install, with a wireless sensor that doesn’t require you to wire anything together physically. It’s one of the easier smart garage door openers to get set up. However, wireless sensors can have issues with interference and disconnection. If you encounter this problem, you can get an optional wired sensor from Nexx.

In addition to robust Alexa support, you can use Google Assistant and Siri voice commands, and the companion Nexx Home app lets you operate and monitor your garage door remotely. The Nexx GXG 300 also has Bluetooth connectivity, which means you can operate your garage door even when the internet is out.

Price at time of publish: $80

_{Power Source: AC, Battery | Compatibility: Some openers require a free adapter | Control Methods: Nexx Home app, Alexa, Google Assistant, Siri, SmartThings, IFTTT | Hub Required: No}

Best for HomeKit

Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener MSG200

View On Amazon

The Meross Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener is the best option if you’re looking for native HomeKit integration and control of up to three doors, though support for the third door requires more hardware. It works with Apple’s HomeKit right out of the box without the need for any expensive adapters or a separate hub. It also works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung’s SmartThings, and it has an app you can use to monitor and control the garage door when you aren’t home.

This unit is also a great option if your Wi-Fi is a little weak. It has an external Wi-Fi antenna, which allows it to connect in areas where other smart garage door openers can’t. It comes with some additional useful features, like an alarm that sounds when it closes and an option to have it close automatically every night if you accidentally leave it open. 

Price at time of publish: $70

_{Power Source: AC | Compatibility: More than 200 brands and 1600 models, Adapter need for yellow and purple learning mode models | Control Methods: Meross app, HomeKit, Alexa, Google Assistant | Hub Required: No}

Best Features

iSmartGate Pro Smart Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener

View On Amazon View On Walmart View On Ismartgate.com

The iSmartGate Pro is a bit of a splurge compared to the other options, but this model packs features you won’t get elsewhere. This kit is compatible with HomeKit, Google Assistant, SmartThings, Alexa, and IFTTT, and it doesn’t need a bridge or any other additional hardware. It also works with all garage door openers. Alternatively, if the Wi-Fi is spotty in your garage, you can use a USB-to-Ethernet adapter for a wired network connection.

Unlike most smart garage door openers, the iSmartGate Pro doesn’t rely on the cloud. It just uses its built-in processing power and your internet connection, which means more privacy. You can integrate it with any IP (or network) camera to add video surveillance for viewing on your phone through the connected app. The app also provides status alerts and lets you operate the door remotely, and you have the option to grant time-limited access to additional users.

Price at time of publish: $179

_{Power Source: AC, Batteries (included) | Compatibility: Works with all garage door openers | Control Methods: iSmartGate Access app, Alexa, Siri, Google Assistant, IFTTT, SmartThings | Hub Required: No}

Best for Simple Installation

Chamberlain myQ Smart Garage Control

View On Amazon

The Chamberlain myQ Smart Garage Control doesn’t require any wiring (just mounting) and works almost instantly with most garage door openers, which is why it’s the best smart garage door opener for simple installation. This kit can turn a compatible garage door opener into a smart garage door opener with just a handful of taps in the myQ smartphone app, which walks you through the entire setup process.

In addition to being easy to set up, the Chamberlain myQ also packs a ton of useful features. It works with Amazon Key In-Garage Delivery (for receiving packages when you're not home), provides real-time operation notifications to your phone, lets you operate your garage door from anywhere you have internet access, and even lets you give guest access to up to five people. The only downside to the Chamberlain myQ is that it doesn’t work with every brand of garage door opener. Before you buy, you can use the manufacturer’s compatibility tool to know for sure. 

Price at time of publish: $30

_{Power Source: AC, Batteries (included) | Compatibility: Limited compatibility with Chamberlain, Craftsman, LiftMaster, Genie, Raynor, Linear, Stanley, and Wayne Dalton | Control Methods: myQ app, Alexa, Amazon Key | Hub Required: Yes (hub included)}