MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener Review

Have you ever arrived at work, only to wonder if you closed the garage door or not? Well, the MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener might just be the answer to your dilemma.

It allows you to control your garage door from anywhere with a Wi-Fi connection, it’s easy to set up, and works with a number of different smart devices or software.

However, no device is perfect, and not everyone is a fan. Some users found the subscription fee to be too high, that it loses Wi-Fi connection often, and that the warning signal on the device is very loud.

But before you make a decision about whether this is the ideal pick for you, let’s take a closer look at the MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener. You might be surprised!

MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener: The Details

Specs

• Product Dimensions: 5 x 1.5 x 4.5 inches.
• Product Weight: 15 lbs.
• Product Type: Smart garage door opener.
• Compatible with Amazon Alexa?: No, but it is compatible with Google and IFTTT.

How Does It Work

Second-guessing yourself about home (and garage) security is now a thing of the past.

The MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener will allow you to control your garage door from wherever you are, as long as there is a Wi-Fi connection.

Before buying the MyQ, be sure to verify if your garage door is compatible with this product.

All that’s necessary is to go on Chamberlain’s website (the company that makes the MyQ) and answer a few questions. Afterward, they’ll confirm if your door will fit with the product, or if it’s wise to look elsewhere.

Next, make sure you have a Wi-Fi connection in your garage. Most likely, you have Wi-Fi in your house and your garage is connected or close to your house, allowing it to reach.

You could also get a Wi-Fi extender to ensure the MyQ works properly for garages located farther away.

Once you’ve guaranteed everything is compatible, go ahead and order the opener!

When your MyQ arrives, start by downloading the MyQ app on your phone. It works on iPhones and iPod Touches, as well as on Android phones and tablets.

After the app is downloaded, watch the install/set-up video. You may want to jump right in, but it’s better to be informed before attempting this feat.

Now it’s time to mount the brackets for the MyQ Wi-Fi hub somewhere near your opener and a power outlet. It’s wise to mount this within two feet of your opener, and it must be visible from the front of the garage so that everything works properly.

Then, attach the hub and plug it in. Finally, attach the MyQ door sensor on your garage door with the Velcro strips or screws (which will detect whether the door is open or closed).

Now you can use your phone to sync the router with the MyQ app. Ta-da! You can now open or close your garage door from anywhere!

Chamberlain: The Brand

Founded in 1906, Chamberlain works to create the most innovative garage door openers on the market.

They claim to be “committed to quality products, innovative designs, and comprehensive services that continually exceed customers’ expectations.”

Besides garage door openers, they make garage door accessories, wireless intercoms, and alert systems.

MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener Review

The Positives

Easy to Install

Most who have tried the MyQ have noted its easy installation process, lasting no more than 15-30 minutes in total.

All that’s necessary is to screw a small bracket near a power outlet, slide the Wi-Fi hub into the bracket, and plug it in.

Afterward, just download the app and sync with your Wi-Fi connection. Finally, install the sensor with Velcro tape near your garage door – and you’re all set!

The app is also super easy to use, as it’s pretty intuitive and straight-forward. This makes it not only easy to have in your home, but easy to give as gifts as well!

Remote Access

No more driving home last-second to close the garage door, for fear of items being stolen or damaged by the elements.

The MyQ lets you easily close your garage door from anywhere you are that has a Wi-Fi connection.

You can also set alerts letting you know when the garage is open or closed, so there’s no delay in solving the issue.

Some users have even used it as a way for delivery drivers to leave packages safely, or to let a neighbor drop off some tools. This may come in handy more than you think!

Custom Settings

The MyQ Garage Door Opener is a little more complex than just pressing a button. It allows you to set personalized commands that coincide with your daily schedule – great for busybodies!

If you’re the type of family to keep your garage door open so kids and teenagers can have easy access to outdoor activities, you can make a setting to automatically close the garage at a certain time (say 11 p.m. when everyone is getting to bed), leaving one less thing to worry about.

Or, if you know you’re forgetful, you can set a reminder on the app to tell you when the door has been open longer than twenty minutes.

This smart garage door opener really takes a lot of the worry out of your day.

Works with a Number of Other Software

The MyQ works with a bunch of different software and smart systems. It’s compatible with Wink, Nest, SmartThinks, Xfinity Home, Apple HomeKit (you will need an adapter), Google Assistant, and Siri.

You can have your thermostat adjust up or down when the garage opens or closes, or have a security camera move, power up, or power down based on the state of your garage door.

As a plus, your lights or air conditioning turn on when the garage door opens – to welcome you home. Pretty cool!

Works on a Variety of Garage Doors

While we do recommend that you confirm if your garage door is compatible, chances are, it will be! Chamberlain has worked to make this product accessible to a wide variety of users and doors.

Some users have been able to install this smart device on decades-old doors, while others found that this was the only device that they could find to be compatible with their door.

Again, while it may not work for absolutely everyone, it’s great to know the company has gone out of its way to make this device a little more user-friendly.

Inexpensive

It’s also worth noting the MyQ’s affordability. At under $100 on Amazon, the MyQ is inexpensive enough for most people to buy and try out without having to save or dig too deep into their bank accounts to afford it.

Since many smart-type items can cost way over $100, it’s nice to see a cheaper option on the market.

This is great for those on a budget, or those looking for a safety feature for their cottages or summer homes too!

The Negatives

Subscription Fee

This product gives you a great service for an affordable price – but there are more fees after check-out, unfortunately.

You’ll be required to sign up for a $1/month or a $10/year plan with MyQ. If you want to link your MyQ to your Google Home or IFTTT, this subscription is unavoidable.

While it’s not an expensive investment, it’s still irritating to be forced into a subscription after your initial purchase.

Loses Connection

Wi-Fi can be spotty – there’s no way around that. However, it’s even more annoying when your smart devices grind to a halt because of it.

The MyQ is known for losing the connection between the Wi-Fi hub and the app. Since one of the best features of the MyQ is that you can open and close your garage from wherever you are – as long as you have a Wi-Fi connection – this is a real problem.

To avoid this, we recommend investing in stronger Wi-Fi, or perhaps waiting for this bug in the system to be repaired before buying.

But if you have a weak signal, this may cause some issues.

Loud Alerts

When you do close the garage door via MyQ, a noise is made to notify you of this action being carried out. However, a number of testers also noted how loud the alert noise is – too loud, in fact.

While this may not be an issue for some, if you leave early in the morning or late at night, it will certainly not make your neighbors happy.

In some cases, the sound even continues after the garage has shut and requires you to make adjustments in the app to stop it.

Customer Service

The MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener comes with a 1-year warranty which is always reassuring, unfortunately, a number of customers have had a bad experience with Chamberlain’s customer service.

Some customers weren’t able to get the answers they were looking for when calling, while others reported that their service department just wasn’t helpful overall.

This isn’t always the case though, but it’s something to consider when purchasing from any company.

That being said, the Chamberlain website has installation guides and support videos should you need some extra assistance before getting in contact.

Here’s a video showing what the Chamberlain MyQ looks like out of the box and installed.

Overall Verdict

After going over the positives and the negatives, we would recommend the MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener.

While it’s definitely a great idea, there are a few worrying issues about its longevity. The connection issues need to be fixed, certainly, and the powerful sounds could be tailored.

However, it does offer added security for your garage when you’re away from home and is compatible across many different smart devices. If you’re looking to upgrade your smart home, it’s a great asset!

Where to Buy the MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener

Smart devices like the MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener are much more popular now than they’ve been in prior years causing more companies to jump into the market, and those already in the market to show what they’ve got.

Chamberlain has already satisfied a number of customers with this product,  making it a sought-after device available both in-store and online.

While it’s always best to check your department or tech stores, you can kick-start your search by checking out the following online retailers.

• Best Buy (from $79)
• The Home Depot (from $79)
• Chamberlain (from $79)

And of course, you can also find this device on Amazon.

That’s a wrap on our MyQ Smart Garage Door Opener review. Tempted to give it a try?