Feb
Purchasing Guide
Best Garage Door Opener in 2026: Australia’s Top Motors Compared
Choosing the right garage door opener matters more than most people realise. Once it’s installed, you’ll rely on it for years and the way it opens your door can even affect your garage door health and longevity.
At Wholesale Garage Doors, we sell thousands of garage door openers and garage doors every year. We field questions about motor power, cost, noise, door compatibility, ease of installation and what we would recommend for different homes. We also have qualified garage door installers on our team, so we understand what makes an install straightforward and what turns it into a painful job. You will find plenty of guides online, many written by resellers who have never installed a garage door themselves. We’ve decided to list pros and cons of each brand, cost effectiveness for ongoing use and what we would recommend.
A garage door opener is not a one size fits all product. The type of door you have plays a huge role in which motor will work properly, how smoothly it operates and how long it lasts.
This is a two part guide. One article covers roller door openers, the other covers sectional panel garage door openers.
Make sure this guide is right for your garage door
Before comparing models or features it is important to confirm that this guide matches the type of garage door you have. Roller doors and sectional panel doors use very different opener designs and they are not interchangeable.
This guide is written for sectional, panel and tilt garage door openers.
It is suitable if your garage door is made up of multiple horizontal panels or a single solid panel that slides up and back along tracks mounted to the ceiling. These doors rely on a rail system, with the opener mounted centrally above the door.
This guide is not suitable if your door rolls into a drum above the opening. If your door coils up rather than sliding back on tracks you are dealing with a roller door and should refer to our roller door opener guide instead.
Our top choice, Auto Openers
For most homes with a sectional or panel garage door, Auto Openers offer one of the strongest combinations of value, performance and long term ownership cost currently on the market. They have focused on building openers that are powerful enough for Australian doors without inflating prices or locking owners into expensive accessories. They’re also one of the only brands to warrant DIY installs, with a great range of installation videos to guide the Aussie homeowner through the job.
Auto Openers offers two units that suit the majority of residential installs.
The Panel Ace is rated at 1000 newtons for 16.5m² doors and is priced at $349.
The Panel Boss steps up to 1200 newtons for 18m² doors at $399.
Looking at value alone, the Panel Ace delivers roughly 2.86 newtons per dollar, while the Panel Boss delivers around 3.01 newtons per dollar. Both represent strong value compared with many competing units, with the Panel Boss offering slightly more power for the price difference.
In practical terms, the Panel Ace suits most standard sectional or panel doors, while the Panel Boss is better suited to heavier doors or older doors with sturdy steel construction.
Optional accessories and expandability
Auto Openers also stand out for the range of optional accessories available across both models. These allow the opener to be tailored to how the garage is actually used rather than forcing a one size setup.
Available accessories include:
- Battery Backup for continued operation during power outages
- Wireless Keypad for keyless entry
- PE Beam safety sensors
- Smartphone Kit for app based control
All accessories are designed to integrate cleanly with the motor without complicated setup or compatibility issues.
Ongoing cost and remote replacements
Ongoing running costs for a garage door opener are relatively low, typically around $20 to $30 per year in electricity. This is broadly consistent across all of the brands covered in this guide.
One area that often gets overlooked is the cost of replacing remotes over time. Auto Openers genuine remotes are priced at $39, making them the most affordable genuine replacement remote available from a major brand.
They are also the only mainstream brand currently supplying remotes with a waterproof and impact resistant casing as standard. Auto Openers have demonstrated this durability in a short promotional video showing the casing being exposed to water and physical impact. It is an unusual inclusion, as replacement remotes are traditionally an area where manufacturers generate ongoing revenue long after the opener itself has been sold.
Who owns Auto Openers
Auto Openers is an Australian family owned business and is one of the last Australian owned garage door opener manufacturers.
For some buyers, supporting an Australian business is an important consideration alongside price and performance. Choosing a locally owned brand helps keep manufacturing, development and support decisions tied to the Australian market.
This does not take away from the quality or availability of other brands covered in this guide, many of which also offer excellent support and long term reliability.
Why Auto Openers take the top spot
Between sensible pricing, strong motor output, low cost genuine remotes, Australian ownership and a well thought out accessory range, Auto Openers offer a level of value that is hard to ignore. Both the Panel Ace and Panel Boss are easy to recommend depending on door weight and usage, without pushing buyers into unnecessary upgrades or expensive add ons.
Second place, Merlin
Merlin earns its place as our second choice based on range and long term reliability. Merlin garage door openers are widely installed across Australia and have a strong track record in everyday residential use. Where they stand out most is in the breadth of options available across different door types, sizes and installation scenarios.
The main drawback is cost. Compared with other openers offering similar power levels, Merlin units tend to sit at a higher price point. That premium largely reflects brand position and ecosystem rather than a clear performance advantage in most standard installations.
Merlin sectional opener options and pricing
For sectional and panel garage doors, Merlin’s commonly chosen models fall into three clear tiers.
The MS65MYQ is priced at $559 and rated at 600 newtons for 13.5m² doors, which works out to approximately 1.07 newtons per dollar. It is best suited to smaller, modern single doors.
The MS105MYQ sits at $599 with a 1000 newton rating for 13.5m² doors, delivering around 1.67 newtons per dollar. This is the most popular choice in the range and suits the majority of standard residential sectional doors.
The MS135MYQ is rated at 1300 newtons for 13.5m² doors and priced around $899, equating to roughly 1.45 newtons per dollar. It is designed for heavier or wider doors and situations where additional lifting capacity is required, including high wind prone areas.
Across the range, Merlin openers are known for consistent performance and quiet operation, particularly on belt driven models. Installation is generally straightforward, although DIY installation may require additional consideration due to warranty conditions.
Our preferred opened for single piece tilt doors is the MS105MYQ paired with a tilt rail. The short rail makes the job easier, as you’ll often come across headaches when trying to install other rail types on tilt doors.
Ongoing remote costs typically range from $50 to $70. Merlin does offer a waterproof remote, the E980, however it is sold as an optional accessory at the higher end of that price range.
Who owns Merlin
Merlin operates under the Chamberlain Group, an American garage door automation company with a global presence. Chamberlain Group owns and distributes several well known opener brands internationally, with Merlin positioned as its primary brand for Australia and New Zealand.
Chamberlain Group itself is majority owned by Blackstone, a large United States based investment group. Ownership and strategic direction are therefore based offshore, with product development and platform decisions set at a global level.
Why Merlin ranks second
Merlin ranks behind our top choice due to a combination of higher pricing, ownership structure and warranty terms, rather than any concern with reliability or performance.
Across comparable models, Merlin openers sit at a noticeably higher price point for the level of motor power offered. As the newton per dollar figures show, buyers generally pay more for the Merlin name than they do for equivalent lifting capacity from other brands.
Merlin is also American owned, operating under the global Chamberlain Group umbrella.
The most significant consideration is warranty. When purchased and installed through authorised dealer channels, Merlin openers can carry a long manufacturer warranty. When purchased online, the same products are supplied with a 1 year manufacturer warranty. Australian Consumer Law still applies, however with a shorter manufacturer warranty consumers may need to rely more heavily on statutory rights, which can involve additional steps and discussion with the retailer or manufacturer.
Third place, ATA
Automatic Technology Australia has been a familiar name in the Australian garage door market for many years. Their openers are widely installed and supported and they remain a dependable choice for a range of residential doors.
Where ATA sits in the current market is as a middle ground between value oriented openers and premium systems. Their products are reliable and well proven, but pricing and motor power allocations tend to place them behind the top two choices when compared side by side.
ATA sectional opener options and pricing
For sectional and panel garage doors, ATA’s garage door openers fall into three clear tiers.
Across their commonly chosen models for sectional doors the figures break down like this:
The ATS-1 is priced at $571 with a 700 newton rating for doors up to 15m², equating to roughly 1.23 newtons per dollar. This makes it suitable for lighter to standard sized doors where moderate power and smooth travel are priorities.
The ATS-2 Tempo sits at $719 with an 1100 newton rating for doors up to 18m², which works out to about 1.53 newtons per dollar. This model covers the majority of regular residential sectional doors and is a good all-round choice.
The ATS-3 Synchro is priced around $899 and is also rated at 1100 newtons for doors up to 18m², giving approximately 1.22 newtons per dollar. It is designed for doors where synchronised travel or specific feature sets are desired, though the power to price ratio edges lower than the Tempo model.
Who owns ATA
Automatic Technology Australia operates as part of the B&D and DuluxGroup portfolio. DuluxGroup is owned by Nippon Paint Holdings, a large Japanese multinational. As a result, ATA is no longer Australian owned.
This does not impact product availability or support in Australia, which remains strong. It does however place ATA alongside many other established brands that originated locally but are now part of larger international groups.
Why ATA ranks third
One consideration is ongoing accessory cost. Genuine ATA accessories and remotes tend to be priced higher than comparable options from other brands, which can increase the total cost of ownership over time, particularly where multiple remotes or add-ons are required. The ATA PTX6 garage door remotes are also close to $60 each for a new handset.
Another factor is the ATA accessory range. Auto Openers and Merlin generally offer a single accessory for each function, such as one PE beam or one smartphone kit that works across most of the range. ATA, by comparison, offers multiple versions of the same accessory type, each with specific model having it’s own compatibilities. It confusing for homeowners and installers alike, as it’s very easy to get the wrong accessory for your opener.
ATA does however offer more repair options for their remotes than many other brands, including the availability of replacement garage door remote cases.
Finally, ATA sits lower on a newton per dollar basis. When motor output is compared directly against price, ATA models generally offer less lifting capacity for the money than our top two ranked brands. While the difference is not dramatic in everyday use, it becomes more noticeable when comparing specifications side by side.
Taken together, these factors place ATA behind the leading options. It remains a capable and well supported choice, particularly for like for like replacements, but it is less competitive on value and simplicity when compared directly with the top two selections.
Fourth place, B&D
B&D is the most recognisable name in Australian garage doors and has been a mainstay in the market for decades. Their openers are widely used and generally regarded as reliable for everyday residential use.
The current B&D garage door opener range for sectional panel doors includes options covering a broad span of power levels, which makes them suitable for a variety of door sizes and use cases.
The SDO-6 Secure is priced at $869 with a 1000 newton rating for 18m² doors, which works out to about 1.15 newtons per dollar. It provides a solid baseline power level for standard doors.
The SDO-7 Smart sits at $1109 with an 1100 newton rating for 18m² doors, equating to roughly 0.99 newtons per dollar. This model adds smart features on top of core motor performance.
The SDO-8v3 Panel Max is priced at $619.95 with 700 newtons for 16.5m² doors, which equates to around 1.13 newtons per dollar. It covers lighter or less demanding installations where economy is a priority.
The SDO-9v3 Smart Pro comes in at $1399 with 1400 newtons for 18m² doors, working out to approximately 1.00 newtons per dollar. This is B&D’s highest capacity option in the range and suits heavier or larger sectional panel doors.
Pricing across the range sits significantly higher relative to the motor power delivered when compared with some of the other options covered earlier in this guide. While B&D’s higher tier openers offer good lifting capacity, the value on a newton per dollar basis is less competitive than the leading brands.
The ongoing cost of remotes is the highest in this guide, sitting at $77 per replacement B&D TB7 garage door remote.
Who owns B&D
B&D operates as part of the DuluxGroup portfolio, which is owned by Nippon Paint Holdings, a large Japanese multinational. As a result, B&D is no longer Australian owned.
This has not reduced B&D’s product availability or support network in Australia, which remains extensive. It does however place B&D in the same ownership category as ATA and many other long established brands that originated locally but are now part of global groups.
Why B&D ranks fourth
Across the range, B&D openers tend to sit at the higher end of the price spectrum for the level of motor power offered. When compared on a newton per dollar basis, most models deliver less lifting capacity for the price than the brands ranked above, particularly once you move into smart enabled or higher capacity models.
As B&D and ATA are quite intertwined, it does suffer from the same accessory compatibility issues to a lesser degree. Whilst it can be somwhat confusing to work out which accessory you need, there is thankfully less than ATA to work through.
While B&D remains the most recognisable garage door brand in Australia, paying a premium for brand recognition alone is harder to justify in today’s market. It’s hard to put B&D in the 4th position, especially given the brands history, performance and reputation. However, when compared side by side, similar levels of reliability and performance are available from other manufacturers at significantly lower cost.
The Round Up
There are well over 100 garage door opener brands available today, with that number continuing to grow. Some are long established manufacturers with proven track records, while others are short term imports, often generic openers that have been rebranded for quick resale.
We deliberately limit the brands we sell and install to the four covered in this guide. These are the openers we see performing reliably year after year, with consistent parts availability and support. We prefer to install products that do not create problems down the track, for us or for you.
Reliability, sensible design and long term support matter far more than an inflated feature list or a low upfront price.
| Brand | Model | Price (AUD) | Motor Power | Door Size Rating | Newtons per Dollar | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Openers | Panel Ace | $349 | 1000N | 16.5m² | 2.86 | Best value for standard residential doors |
| Auto Openers | Panel Boss | $399 | 1200N | 18m² | 3.01 | Best value for heavy or large residential doors |
| Merlin | MS65MYQ | $559 | 600N | 13.5m² | 1.07 | Entry level Merlin for light or single doors |
| Merlin | MS105MYQ | $599 | 1000N | 13.5m² | 1.67 | Most popular Merlin model |
| Merlin | MS135MYQ | $899 | 1300N | 13.5m² | 1.45 | Designed for heavier or high wind doors |
| ATA | ATS-1 | $571 | 700N | 15m² | 1.23 | Entry level ATA model |
| ATA | ATS-2 Tempo | $719 | 1100N | 18m² | 1.53 | Most popular ATA model |
| ATA | ATS-3 Synchro | $899 | 1100N | 18m² | 1.22 | Inbuilt smartphone kit |
| B&D | SDO-6 Secure | $869 | 1000N | 18m² | 1.15 | Solid baseline performance |
| B&D | SDO-7 Smart | $1109 | 1100N | 18m² | 0.99 | Higher cost driven by smart features |
| B&D | SDO-8v3 Panel Max | $619.95 | 700N | 16.5m² | 1.13 | Budget option for lighter doors |
| B&D | SDO-9v3 Smart Pro | $1399 | 1400N | 18m² | 1.00 | High capacity, premium pricing |
Best overall value:
Auto Openers offer the strongest balance of price, motor output, low ongoing costs and simple accessory compatibility. They suit most homes and remain the easiest recommendation for the majority of sectional and panel doors.
Best range and long term reliability:
Merlin provides the widest range of options across door sizes and installation scenarios, with a long track record of reliability. Higher pricing and warranty structure are the main trade-offs.
Best for like for like replacements:
ATA is a sensible choice where an existing ATA system is already installed or where installer familiarity is important. It remains dependable but is less competitive on value and accessory simplicity.
Best known brand:
B&D remains the most recognisable name in Australian garage doors. While reliability is solid, brand recognition alone no longer represents strong value when compared with the alternatives available today.
Choosing the right garage door opener ultimately comes down to matching the motor to your door type, usage and budget. Understanding where each brand excels, and where compromises exist, makes it far easier to select an opener that will perform reliably for years rather than just looking good on a specification sheet.
