Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

Chamberlain MyQ Garage review

Chamberlin MyQ
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Chamberlain MyQ Garage
MSRP $12,995.00
“Chamberlain's MyQ Garage turns your phone into a remote control for your garage door, a simple feature you’ll quickly come to appreciate.”
Pros
  • Alerts owner whenever door is opened or closed
  • Simple operation and physical installation
  • Works with a variety of garage door openers
Cons
  • Overly complex software setup
  • Does not work with other security and automated home systems

“Why you can trust Digital Trends – We have a 20-year history of testing, reviewing, and rating products, services and apps to help you make a sound buying decision. Find out more about how we test and score products.“

In the futuristic world dubbed the Internet of things, some will doubtless ask, “Do I really need to be able to open my garage door from 200 miles away?” The answer is, you may not need to, but it sure can make life easier. 

Recommended Videos

Chamberlain’s MyQ Garage is a remote control for your garage door, allowing you to open and close the door using an Apple or Android smartphone. The $130 package includes a controller that communicates with the door opener and a home Wi-Fi network. Owners download a separate app to their smartphone, which can also alert users whenever the door is opened or closed.

Installation and Setup

Physically installing MyQ’s two pieces of hardware is straightforward. A door position sensor attaches to the inside of the top panel of the garage door using either a pair of stick-on Velcro strips or a back plate that can be screwed on. The second hardware component is a waffle-sized wireless controller box that plugs into a wall outlet and can be positioned anywhere near the garage door lifter. For this review, the MyQ was paired to a Chamberlain ½ HP Chain Drive Garage Door Opener and easily made the wireless connection to the door-lift mechanism, as well as picking up a distant Wi-Fi signal that other devices have struggled to detect in my garage.

Chamberlin MyQ
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Getting the hardware’s remote functions working was a more arduous process. First you have to register the hub (meaning the MyQ controller box) online, and then register the garage door opener. Next, you have to tell the site you have a sensor and then test it by pushing the sensor’s test button (so that it recognizes open from closed positions).

But wait, you’re not done. The Chamberlain cloud service still needs to know what kind of garage door opener you have and the color of the program button on the device (run back out to the garage and get on a step stool to find the programming button). Yellow? Okay, then go back and push the programming button.

Once all these steps were completed, the site recognized my garage door, informing me of how long it had been open. Closing the garage door completes the registration process.

The MyQ Home Control app (for both iOS and Android) allows you to remotely operate the door.  It works well enough and tries to make its features conspicuous by providing a splash screen that points out various functions. However, it still could use some streamlining. To set up alerts, for example, you have to go to the events tab, then the menu button and select “view alerts.” Then you’ll encounter the option for setting up alerts (text or e-mail?). The process should be compressed to a single step.

Living With MyQ

In turns out there are several scenarios that make the MyQ Garage a welcome convenience. At home, it can save you from those senior moments following a day of chores around the house. Several times I could not remember if I closed the door after returning ladders and tools to the garage. Instead of trudging all the way around the house, I simply checked the app; if the door was open, I closed it without getting up off the couch.

MyQ offers a level of reassurance. Have the kids been in and out of the garage?

Whenever it is remotely triggered, a series of warning beeps sounds to alert anyone in the garage that the door is about to come down. Furthermore, according to the company, the system should work only with door openers that have electric eyes sensors that prevent doors from crushing objects (or people).

On at least one other occasion, I forgot the remote door opener for the car. Fortunately, I just used the app in my phone to open the garage door without having to get out in the rain.

When you’re not at home, MyQ offers a level of reassurance. Have the kids been in and out of the garage? Did I close the door when I left? When I was away, I also appreciated the e-mail alerts telling me that someone was playing with the door (again).

When you’re at the office, it also allows you to open your garage should the need arise for, say, a service call, allowing an HVAC person to service systems in the garage or basement without giving them access to the rest of your house.

Conclusion

The MyQ works well within its limited scope. Over several weeks of use, I didn’t encounter any glitches. The accessory works with a variety of Chamberlain and LiftMaster garage door openers, and the company claims it should work with “a majority” of openers from other companies made after 1993, including models from Craftsman, Genie, and Stanley.

MyQ’s hub design is clearly intended to work with other future devices, but right now the only other MyQ accessories are a couple of lighting controllers (a compatible lamp controller is $40). Integration with lighting is a smart idea (the door goes up, the lights go on), but having it work in conjunction with a Web cam would be even better so that any time the door opened or closed you received a video of whoever (or whatever) was coming or going. Better still, opening it up to work with home automation and security systems from other companies would improve MyQ’s appeal.

That issue may be partially addressed this fall when Apple’s iOS 8 with Homekit is released. Apple listed the MyQ Garage as one of the devices that would work with the new software, although Chamberlain declined to comment on the timing of the release.

Besides, remote garage door opens from others, such as AT&T’s Digital Life model, have to be professionally installed and are more expensive. The AT&T controller costs $50, plus installation, as well as a $4.99 month fee on top of AT&T’s $39.99 security subscription fee.

For do-it-yourselfers, Chamberlain’s MyQ is a handy, inexpensive option.

Highs

  • Alerts owner whenever door is opened or closed
  • Simple operation and physical installation
  • Works with a variety of garage door openers

Lows

  • Overly complex software setup
  • Does not work with other security and automated home systems
John R. Quain
Former Digital Trends Contributor
John R. Quain writes for The New York Times, Men's Journal, and several other publications. He is also the personal…
If you have pets, but hate vacuuming, this Shark robot vacuum is 49% off
The Shark AV2501S vacuum bot.

Nobody really likes vacuuming. Even with manually washing dishes you get to hear the pleasant sounds of water running, but vacuuming is overall just loud and time consuming. That's why we love robot vacuums so much. What we don't like about robot vacuums, however, is the price, which is why scouring through robot vacuum deals is so critical. Take this one, an early Prime Day deal, that saves you $270 on the Shark AV2501S, dropping its price to $280 from $550. Putting this all into perspective, when we covered the Shark AV2501S's 2024 Prime Day deal, it was still $412—things are looking a lot better for you this time around. To lock in this great price, simply tap the button below and make your purchase. Otherwise, keep reading to see why we like this vacuum, and what made it special enough for us to recommend it in the past.

Buy Now

Read more
xTool’s F2 Ultra: A smarter take on creative production
xtool f2 ultra on display on a table

This July, xTool isn’t just opening a new office in Mountain View, California, it’s setting up shop with purpose. Their U.S. Brand Launch Experience, timed with the debut of xTool’s first American headquarters, is more than a launch party. It’s a look at how the company is thinking long-term about tools, creators, and community.

At the center of the event is the F2 Ultra, xTool’s new flagship dual-laser system designed for small businesses and serious makers. Why does this machine matter? It helps to zoom out first. xTool’s U.S. expansion is borne of the necessity to show up for the people who use their products every day.
A Local Anchor for a Growing Brand
Mountain View now hosts xTool’s first U.S. demo center and office. That means faster customer support, more hands-on service, and a clearer bridge to the U.S. creative scene. One standout piece of the rollout is the xTool Squad, a national support team offering real human help with setup, training, and troubleshooting.

Read more
Samsung’s AI-powered refrigerator is down $1,870 for July 4th sale
Here, you can see the screen of the Samsung Bespoke 4-Flex with AI Family Hub refrigerator.

It's that time of the year where we see the most strain on our refrigeration and freezing elements, and when waiting extra minutes for a fresh batch of ice just doesn't seem worth it anymore. Luckily, a great Samsung deal has emerged as part of the company's ongoing July 4th sale. Their Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerators (the smart refrigerators with AI vision into the fridge's interior and an AI family board on the front) are down to $3,299. That's a savings of $1,870 for the counter depth version (originally $5,099) and a savings of $1,200 for the full depth version (originally $4,999). Tap the button below to see the refrigerators for yourself or keep on reading to see why these are the best smart home pickups for the summer.

BUY NOW

Read more