Chamberlain Power Drive Security-Plus PD210D

If you want a cheap but well-made garage door opener, reviews recommend the Chamberlain Power Drive Security-Plus PD210D. There are a couple reasons why it's inexpensive, however. It has the traditional chain drive, which is louder than screw drive or belt drive. The warranty covers the ½-horsepower motor for six years, while the best mid-priced door opener in reviews, the belt-drive Chamberlain Whisper Drive WD822KD (*est. $250), has a lifetime warranty on the motor. You'll need a $35 extension kit if your door is taller than seven feet. Owner reviews indicate high satisfaction with the Chamberlain Security-Plus PC210D door opener and with the ease of installation. There is one remote control, and it has rolling-code security to prevent criminals from stealing your code.

Credible professional reviews are hard to find for garage door openers. Consumer Reports performed thorough testing in 2002, but most of those models are off the market now and the report is no longer posted on their website. Columnist James Dulley sells a buyer's guide for $3 report, and while there's helpful information, he doesn't rate the models. So your best stop is owner reviews at Amazon.com, but don't just look at the overall score. All but one of the negative reviews refer to vendors rather than the actual product, which skews the score.