Genie H6000A-2K

If you want a reasonably quiet garage door opener, but don't want to spend the extra money for an even quieter belt-drive model, experts suggest a screw-drive type like the Genie H6000A-2K. It's significantly quieter than the traditional chain drive, but less expensive than a top belt-drive like the Chamberlain Whisper Drive WD822KD (*est. $250) , the best garage door opener overall in reviews. The ten-year warranty on the motor is better than you'll find on cheaper products, but not as good as the lifetime coverage on the aforementioned Chamberlain. There are two three-button remote controls that change the code for each use so criminals can't steal your code, a wall console, and an infrared safety feature that will stop the door from crushing anything in its path.

There are few professional reviews for garage door openers. Consumer Reports last covered them in 2002, and most models have been discontinued. The report is no longer on the publisher's website. James Dulley sells a $3 report buyers' guide that stops short of ranking openers, but he does mention that he has screw-drive Genie opener for his home. We found about 20 owner reviews at HomeDepot.com. Most say they like the Genie, but some say it's still noisier than they'd like.