Best Reviewed
Garage Door Openers
- Best garage-door opener overall Chamberlain Whisper Drive WD822KD *Est. $250
- Budget garage-door opener Chamberlain Power Drive Security-Plus PD210D *Est. $135
- Best for extra-large or heavy doors Chamberlain PD752D *Est. $170
- Screw-drive garage-door opener Genie H6000A-2K *Est. $190
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Best garage-door opener overall
- Quiet
- Lifetime warranty on motor
- Designed for do-it-yourselfers
- Security features
- Expensive
- May need extension kit
- Not for very heavy doors
The Chamberlain Whisper Drive WD822KD is a belt-driven garage door opener, and reviews say that assembly makes it quieter than chain- or screw-drive models. The ½-horsepower engine is fine for standard single or double garage doors, but you'll need a $50 extension kit for doors taller than seven feet. If you have a very heavy door, you may need a ¾-horsepower model like the Chamberlain PD752D (*est. $170), which is chain-driven and noisier. The Chamberlain Whisper Drive WD822KD, like most residential garage door openers, is designed for do-it-yourself installation. The warranty is lifetime on the motor, ten years on the belt, and one year on other parts. Included are two remote controls, a keyless entry pad and rolling-code security to thwart "code-grabbing" criminals.
Professional reviews are scarce for garage door openers. Consumer Reports' 2002 coverage is outdated, unavailable on its website and includes one Chamberlain Whisper Drive, but not the WD822KD. The best coverage overall is in James Dulley's $3 report, but he doesn't rate the brands, just describes them. The best ratings are in owner reviews at Amazon.com – about five dozen at this writing and mostly extremely positive. We found some more owner reviews at the website of retailer Builder's Square.
| Chamberlain WD822KD Whisper Drive 1/2-HP Belt Drive Garage Door Opener | |
(225 reviews) In Stock. Eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping |
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Our Sources
1. Amazon.com
Owner reviews here are overwhelmingly positive; about 70 percent of the more than 60 ratings giving the Chamberlain Whisper Drive WD822KD the maximum five stars. Some warn, however, that you'll need to buy a $50 extension kit for doors taller than seven feet.
Review: Chamberlain Whisper Drive 1/2 HP Garage Door Opener Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com
About ten user reviews on this retailer website give a good average score to the Chamberlain Whisper Drive WD822KD, with just a few negative ratings. The most detailed of those concerns the belt drive being cheaply made with some plastic parts.
Review: Premium Whisper Drive Garage Door Opener - WD822KD Product Reviews, Contributors to BuildersSquare.com
3. Dulley.com
Syndicated columnist James Dulley sells these reports for about $3. It's important to know beforehand that he doesn't rank products, but there's good information on what's available and how they work. Chamberlain garage door openers are among those discussed.
Review: Update Bulletin #827 -- Garage Door Openers, James Dulley
Garage expert Adam Taiz installs and uses the Chamberlain WD822KD for this review, saying installation and programming are easy and operation is quiet, but the door is not exactly fast-moving, nor is it inexpensive.
Review: Review - Chamberlain Garage Door Opener - WD822KD - Whisper Drive, Adam Taiz, Oct. 15, 2007
This article doesn't rate garage-door openers and doesn't get specific enough to discuss model numbers, but does give an idea of what brands are out there and the distinguishing characteristics of each make within the brand.
Review: A Review of the Most Popular Garage Door Openers, Richard Romando
