Garage door motors go by many names, like electric garage doors, automatic door openers, remote-controlled garage doors, or garage door automation. Whatever you call them though it remains a fact that they not only provide easy and convenient access to your garage. They also help keep you safe, as you can open and close your garage from the safety of your car. Modern garage door motors also come with an array of features to ensure they run smoothly while providing the best security possible.

There are many different garage door motors for sale today, and with all the different names to refer to them, it can become a bit much. This is why we have put together this list of the best residential garage door motors in 2022, so you can find the best one for your convenience and safety.

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How to determine what size garage door motor you need

Before we get to the best garage door motors, it is important to know how to determine what size and type of motor would best suit your needs. The type of motor will be determined by the type of door you have installed, roller types make use of a different mechanism than sectional or tip-up type doors. And the size of the motor you need is based on the size and weight of your garage door. 

While it is true that most of the weight is counterbalanced by a torsion or extension spring system, using a smaller motor on large doors will cause more wear on the motor and definitely shorten the life of the battery backup. Therefore the motor won’t last its usual expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years. While it is possible to buy just the motor and replace the opener motor, you want the motor to last as long as possible. Especially as garage door motors prices vary from R2000 – R5000.

It is worth noting that garage door motors are either DC (direct current) or AC (Alternating current). While DC motors are quieter and so often preferred, their lifting force is measured in Newtons (N). Whereas AC motors power is measured in horsepower (hp). For comparisons between the two, a motor of ½ hp is the same as a motor of 500N.

Generally speaking for single-car garage doors made of light material, it is recommended to use a motor with ⅓ horsepower. Heavier single doors, or a double door of light material, like steel, may need a ½ horsepower motor. While heavier double doors, like those made of wood, may require the full 1 horsepower motor to open. This is a rough guideline but to make sure you get the right solution for your specific requirements speak to one of our Lockfront engineers because they are trained in the technical specification and applications of all major door motors available in the South African market. 

The Best Residential Garage Door Motors

Now that you have a general idea of how to determine what motor you need. We can look at the best garage door motors available in 2022.

Centurion SD04 Smart-T10/T12

Of all the Garage door motors Centurion has made the Centurion SD04 Smart T10 and T12 are their most innovative models yet. These garage door motors are ideal for tip-up and sectional-type garage doors. Both of these models use a 24V geared DC motor, making them whisper quiet and reliable.

These garage door motors have top-of-the-line safety features, like built-in anti-crushing circuitry. This means that if the door detects any obstructions when opening or closing, it will immediately stop and reverse. This ensures the door won’t damage a car or hurt anyone caught in its path. There is also a courtesy light mounted on the motor, that will light your garage when the door opens when you get home late at night. The DC motor also has an integrated battery backup, therefore load shedding won’t stop you from getting into your garage.

Features

These garage door motors also include amazing security features including an onboard code hopping remote receiver. Additionally, they have a built-in auto-close system, so if you forget to close the door after you are in, it will close itself after a short time. This feature can also easily be switched off if you are loading things out of your garage, or working in the garage and want some fresh air.

They also have electronic lockout and holiday lockout features for additional security. These features allow the doors to be locked, so only the remote that locked them can open them again. This is perfect for when you go away, and you don’t want anyone to open your garage while you are away. Giving you the peace of mind you need to enjoy your holiday. All of these great features can be configured through an easy-to-use app on your smartphone. Making these garage door motors the most convenient yet.

Capabilities

The T10 is the smaller model, it has a maximum lifting capacity of 1000N. Capable of handling doors with a maximum width of 6.5m, and a maximum area of 12m². The T12 is larger with a maximum lifting capacity of 1200N. Therefore it is capable of handling doors with a maximum width of 6.5m, and a maximum area of 15m². So these garage door motors from centurion can handle most domestic garage doors while giving you the best safety and security available.

DC Blue Advanced/Pico

If you are looking for a more compact garage door motor DC Blue range may be for you. These garage door motors from ET Nice come in two models, the DC Blue Advanced Pico and the DC Blue Advanced. Both of these models have metal chassis and gears for reliability while having a compact modern design. They are suited for one-piece trackless tip-up or multiple panel sectional overhead double-width doors. Both of these garage door motors have a 24V DC motor so they run quietly.

The DC Blue Advanced range of garage door motors comes with a range of modern quality features, for safety and security. These include intelligent load profiling and adjustable force control and electronic limits. There is a courtesy LED light on the motor that can keep your garage lit when in use. A 7-segment LED display panel makes for simple fault finding and programming, that anyone can handle.

These garage door motors also include a range of security features to keep your vehicle safe. These features include selectable automatic closing times, so you can adjust them to your needs. Additionally, they have a holiday lockout function, and an optional electronic lock control for added security, keeping you in control of who can access your garage. They utilise a built-in ET-Blu Mix enhanced rolling code receiver, which boasts the most secure range of transmitters in Africa.

Capabilities

The DC Blue Advanced Pico is the smaller model in this range. It has a maximum pulling force of 600N. It is capable of handling garage doors with a maximum area of 10m². The DC Blue Advanced is the larger model with a maximum pulling force of 1000N. Therefore it can handle larger doors with a maximum area of 15m². These DC Blue garage door motors are among the best garage door motors for sale today, providing first-class security for your vehicle.

Centurion RDO II

If you have a roll-up garage door, then the roll-up garage door motor centurion has to offer may be right for you. Centurion’s Roller Door Operator (RDO) II is suitable for a wide variety of domestic and light industrial roll-up garage doors. With a 24V DC high torque motor that runs quietly, the RDO II is reliable and efficient.

The RDO II has many modern quality features like all garage door motors Centurion manufactures. These include anti-crushing technology, to protect property, and prevent any harm to persons from the garage door. It also has an integrated battery backup system that ensures it is always operational. This system can even be connected to solar panels if you want to go eco-friendly. Or if just save some money on your electricity bills. Additionally, it has a wall-mounted controller with a courtesy light so you can always find it.

This garage door motor also has an array of security features. These include an ultra-secure onboard multichannel code-hopping receiver, ensuring the security of your transmitter. It also has an electronic lock which enables you to prevent any access to your garage. This is especially useful when you are not at home. All of these features help to ensure that your vehicle is safe and secure.

Capabilities

Centurions RDO II has a lifting force of 30kgf, which is quite impressive for this small motor. This garage door motor can handle a maximum door size of 6m², with a maximum door width of 2.8m. When it comes to garage door motors Centurion is one of the best manufacturers. And this is their best model for domestic roll-up garage doors.

Conclusion

These are our picks for the best residential garage door motors for sale in 2023. These motors have some amazing features and capabilities, that ensure their safety while providing the best security possible. With one of these garage door motors, you can have peace of mind with the assurance that your garage is as safe as possible.

Still unsure which of these amazing garage door motors is right for you? Reach out to Lockfront Automation who will provide you with expert advice, to help you find the right motor for your specific needs.