Upgrading Your Garage Door Opener to a Smart, Connected Version

How Australians are upgrading their garage door opener

If you have an old or basic garage door opener and are looking to upgrade to a smart, connected version, you have quite a few options.

The core benefits of upgrading include:

• Convenience – Open and close your garage door from anywhere with your phone. Never wonder if you left it open again.
• Security – Get notifications if your garage door is opened at certain times. See live video of your garage.
• Smart home integration – Connect your garage door to other smart devices and voice assistants.

Wi-Fi vs Bluetooth Controllers

One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enabled garage door controller. Here’s an overview of how they compare:

Wi-Fi Controllers

• Connect to your home Wi-Fi network
• Allow control from anywhere with your smartphone
• Offer compatibility with voice assistants like Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant
• Examples include:
  • Tailwind iQ3 Smart Automatic Garage Controller
  • NEXX Garage NXG-100b Smart Wi-Fi Garage Controller

Bluetooth Controllers

• Use Bluetooth to connect directly to your smartphone
• Allow control even without Wi-Fi
• Usually more affordable option
• Examples include:
  • Remootio S1 Smart Garage Opener
  • BlueTop Smart Garage Controller

Ultimately, Wi-Fi controllers offer the most flexibility and smart home integration, while Bluetooth controllers are simpler to set up and more affordable.

Compatibility Considerations In Australia

When selecting a smart garage door controller, you’ll want to make sure it’s compatible with your existing garage door opener.

Here are some tips for checking compatibility:

• Look for controllers that are designed to work with major brands like Chamberlain, Craftsman, Genie, Overhead Door, LiftMaster, and more
• Check if the controller can connect to garage door openers made after 1993 that have safety photo eyes
• Avoid systems that require replacing the garage door motor

The beamUP Smart Garage Controller is designed to be compatible with most sectional garage door openers made after 1993 with safety photo eyes. This makes it easy to add smart controls to an older system.

You’ll also want to check that any additional sensors or hubs needed are compatible with your setup.

Ease of Installation

Once you select a smart controller, you’ll need to install it. Look for systems designed to make installation as simple as possible.

Here are some things that can simplify installation:

• Wireless design – Controllers like the NEXX Garage that don’t require wiring make installation much easier.
• Included door sensor – Having a wireless door sensor included avoids the hassle of hardwiring one separately.
• Compatibility with multiple garage door openers – No adapter modules needed.
• Step-by-step app – A straightforward app that walks you through the whole setup is invaluable.

Ideally, you want to find a smart controller that won’t require any special technical skills or modifications to your existing garage door setup.

Desired Features

Today’s smart garage door controllers come with a variety of features. Consider which features are most useful for your needs:

• Smartphone app control – Open, close, check status of your garage from anywhere
• Activity notifications – Get alerted anytime your garage is opened or closed
• Custom schedules and rules – Automatically close garage door if left open after certain time or at a certain time daily
• Voice control – Use Alexa, Google Assistant, HomeKit to open and close the garage door
• Video monitoring – See live video feed from your garage to check on things
• Vehicle detection – Ultrasonic sensor can tell when car is entering or exiting garage and change status
• Smart home integration – Connect with other devices like smart lights, locks, etc.

Think about your daily routine and what would add convenience vs just being a novelty. Video monitoring and vehicle detection tend to be nice extras.

Controller Hardware

The quality of the controller hardware itself can have a big impact on performance. Be sure to look for controllers with:

• Durable construction that can withstand heat, cold, and vibration
• Tamper-proof design – secured screws, hidden ports, etc.
• Strong wireless range for reliable connectivity
• Battery backup so it works even power is out
• Encrypted data transmission for security

Units like the Nexx NXG-100b boast metal housing and military-grade encryption. Paying attention to hardware quality ensures your smart controls will function smoothly for years to come.

Quality of Smartphone App

The accompanying smartphone app is how you’ll interact with your smart garage door opener. Be sure to look at app reviews and consider the quality of the app closely when making your selection.

Look for apps that offer:

• Intuitive and modern interface – Easy to find and use all features
• Universal compatibility – Available for both iOS and Android
• Real-time status checking – See if door is open/closed at any time
• Garage door management – Control and customize operation
• Alert history – Review recent events and activity
• Easy account management – Add users, adjust settings
• Solid ratings and reviews – Look for mostly positive user experiences

Having an app that is unreliable or confusing to use will ruin the experience of your smart upgrade.

Responsive Smart Garage Door Brands In Aussie

In addition to considering specific controller features and quality, you also want to look at the responsiveness and customer service reputation of the smart garage door brands you are considering.

Technology issues can occur sporadically. You want to choose a brand that promptly issues app updates, replacement parts, and provides strong customer service through channels like phone, email, and live chat support.

Brands known for responsive support include:

• Chamberlain – MyQ smart garage door openers
• Garadget – Unique smart controllers
• NEXX – Broad smart garage door lineup
• Tailwind – Intuitive controllers made for convenience

Checking reviews and forums for evidence of solid technical support is advised. Avoid brands with a poor service reputation.

Smart Garage Door Opener Recommendations For Australians

Taking all the above factors into account, here are some top recommended options to consider for upgrading to a smart, connected garage door opener controller:

Overall Best Smart Garage Door Opener

• Chamberlain myQ Smart Garage Door Opener – Convert to smartphone control. Alexa, Google Assistant, IFTTT compatibility. Excellent app and customer service reputation.

Best Smart Garage Door Opener for Apple HomeKit

• VOCOlinc Smart Garage Door Opener – Native HomeKit compatibility. No hub required. App for status/notifications.

Most Feature-Packed Smart Garage Door Opener

• NEXX Garage NXG-100b – Monitor video feed. Vehicle detection alerts. Military-grade encryption. Wide smart home and voice assistant compatibility.

Most Straightforward Installation

• Tailwind iQ3 Automatic Garage Door Controller – 30-second installation. No wiring. Intuitive app. Works with most modern openers.

Best Budget-Friendly Smart Garage Door Opener

• Skylink Atoms Smart Garage Door Opener – Simple operation. Geofencing. Alerts. Affordable price point.

The initial investment is well worth it when you consider how much use your garage door opener gets each day. Simplifying access and keeping tabs on your garage from anywhere brings real value.