Best Screw Drive Garage Door Opener 2022

As more people turn to internet-connected security cameras and automated door locks to smarten up their homes, a surprising number leave their home’s widest door vulnerable—the one to the garage. Many new garage door openers, like other Internet of Things devices, have become smarter, with impressive security and convenience features baked in. They enable you to control your garage door and see if it is open or closed from anywhere in the world, monitor activity, share guest access, and sync it with your preferred smart assistant.

Even if you bought a garage door opener within the last five years, you might want to look at some of these machines. Every year, both feature sets and construction improve dramatically. Before settling on a particular setup, you should research the various types of systems available to ensure the best balance of convenience, affordability, and ease of installation for your garage.

Advantages of Screw Drive Garage Door Openers

Because there are fewer moving parts, screw-drive garage door openers are generally easier to install and maintain. Another advantage of screw drive garage door openers is that they operate very smoothly.

Disadvantages of Screw Drive Garage Door Openers

Despite the benefits, screw-drive garage door openers are slightly more expensive than chain or belt-drive openers. Screw-drive garage door openers are also not recommended in areas where temperatures fluctuate frequently because they are normally temperature sensitive.

How Does A Screw Drive Overhead Garage Door Opener Work?

The screw drive garage door lifting mechanism, also known as a “direct drive” system, moves along a threaded steel rod rather than a chain or belt. Screw drive openers have few moving parts and no chains, belts, or gears to wear out, making them extremely reliable and low-maintenance openers.

Screw-drive garage door openers are less noisy than chain-drive openers, but they are not as quiet as belt-drive openers. Genie®, the industry leader in screw drives, sells not only their traditional Screw Drive but also a newer dealer-installed model called the Excelerator®, which has a fully lined rail to help reduce noise and vibration.

Another benefit of the Excelerator® is its speed. Garage door openers typically lift garage doors at a rate of about 7 inches per second. According to Genie®, the Excelerator® opens twice as fast as any garage door opener on the market today, with opening speeds of up to 14 inches per second.

Genie MachForce 2 HPc 4062 Screw Drive Garage Door Opener

If you want a powerful, fast, and quiet garage door opener, the Genie MachForce 4062 is the best option. The remotes are dual-frequency, which means they operate at 390 MHz and 315 mHz. This improves the performance of your opener while reducing interference.

The Machforce 4062 protects your garage with a T-Beam sensor that detects obstructions in the path of your garage door. This screw drive is designed for heavy doors up to 7ft in length. For larger doors, you’ll need an extension kit. While it does not come with a backup system, you can purchase one separately (the Genie 37228R).

Chamberlain PD432D 1/2HP Screw Drive Garage Door Opener

The garage door opener comes with two single-button remotes, a multi-function wall control panel, and a motor vibration isolation system, making it virtually noiseless.

Another feature we liked about the Chamberlain PD432D 1/2HP screw drive garage door opener is that it includes a quick install rail, which allows for quick, easy, and efficient installation, which most DIYers will appreciate.

Skylink Atoms ATR-1611C 1/2 HPF Garage Door Opener

If you’re willing to forego premium features, the Skylink Atoms 1611C Garage Door Opener is a low-cost option. It opens a 7-foot garage door with a strong chain drive, but the company also sells extension kits for 8- and 10-foot garage doors.

This garage door opener does not support smartphones, but it does have a wall-mounted push button and a one-button remote. If something is in the way, its infrared safety sensor prevents it from closing. The unit includes a built-in LED light to help you see at night, and it is simple to install yourself, saving you money.

LiftMaster Elite Series 8500 Jackshaft Operator

The LiftMaster 8500 is a one-of-a-kind direct-drive garage door opener due to its wall-mounted design. Instead of hanging from the ceiling and taking up space in your garage, this unit mounts beside your door, freeing up ceiling space for other storage. It can handle doors up to 14 feet tall and 650 pounds, but it requires a front-mount torsion bar system (not included) to operate. 

The LiftMaster 8500 is extremely quiet when in use due to its direct drive system. It also has an integrated light that turns on when you enter the garage. The unit comes with a wall-mount control panel and one visor remote control, and smart functionality can be added by purchasing the brand’s 828LM Internet Gateway.

Marantec Wireless Keyless Entry System for Garage

This Marantec keypad garage door opener eliminates the need for keys and remotes. If fumbling with tiny remotes or apps becomes tedious, this is a fantastic alternative that only requires a PIN code to open and a single button to close. Even better, for maximum efficiency, a single garage door opener can be connected to four different doors.

“Very easy to install, looks great, and is a huge improvement over the old system,” one customer said. “A magnet holds the cover in place as it slides up and down.” Another user commented that it is the “easiest keypad to program.”