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CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma tested Chamberlain’s $379 Premier Smart Garage Door Opener with MyQ, a system that combines remote door controls, a security camera and bright LED lighting. Lacoma reported quieter door movement and extensive app settings, while noting the camera’s advanced features require a subscription and the system needs professional installation.
CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma tested Chamberlain’s $379 Premier Smart Garage Door Opener with MyQ, a system that combines remote garage-door controls, an AI-equipped security camera and bright LED lights. The review describes a substantial hardware upgrade for people seeking garage monitoring and automation, with professional installation recommended and some advanced camera features requiring a subscription.
The system includes a new motor, rail, sensors and wired wall controller; the existing garage door itself can stay in place. Lacoma said the test installation required a different rail because the one in the kit was too short for the garage. After the installer fitted compatible railing, Lacoma found that the new motor and rail made the door move more quietly and smoothly than the previous setup. The review describes the test motor as 1¼ horsepower, while Chamberlain’s listed product advantages in the source also refer to 1.4 HP; the supplied material does not explain the discrepancy.
Controls include an interior wall unit, handheld remotes and an outdoor keypad. Through the MyQ app, Lacoma could operate the door remotely, receive opening and closing alerts, set automatic closing timers and create schedules. The system also works with HomeLink and can offer one-time Amazon Key-In access for deliveries, though Lacoma said that feature was not tested during the review.
The tested model had two LED lights rated at 2,000 lumens, which Lacoma found bright enough to light the entire garage. The app offers settings for motion-triggered lighting and how long lights stay on. The review lists motion-zone control among the camera’s features, along with AI detection. Lacoma said camera functions can be turned off or adjusted, and that advanced features require a subscription.
One Unit Adds Garage Monitoring
For homeowners who want to check whether the garage door is closed, receive activity alerts or monitor garage entry points, the system puts those functions alongside lighting and door controls in one device. That combination could reduce the need for separate equipment, while the automatic timer and scheduling options address routine tasks such as closing the door after it has been left open.
The review also describes a practical trade-off: buyers are taking on a hardware replacement and camera system, not simply adding a remote control. The $379 price is only one part of the commitment; installation needs to account for the garage’s dimensions and compatible rail. People who do not want a camera or recurring subscription features may find less value in the package.
A Motor And Rail Replacement
Chamberlain’s Premier is one of several similar smart garage opener models the company offers, according to the source. The review presents it as an upgrade that leaves the visible garage door unchanged but replaces key operating parts, including the motor and at least some of the railing, along with sensors and a wired controller.
Lacoma’s installation experience illustrates why fit mattered in the test: the supplied rail did not suit the garage, and an installer replaced it with a compatible piece. Lacoma said it was best to contact a professional and did not recommend DIY installation.
““The new motor and rail combination made my garage door movement far quieter and more fluid than it had ever been through years of repairs.””
— Tyler Lacoma, CNET reviewer
Subscription And Fit Questions
The supplied review does not state the subscription price, which specific camera features require payment or how those features work after a subscription ends. It also does not report test results for Amazon Key-In deliveries, despite describing that option in the app. The source lists both a 1¼-horsepower test motor and a 1.4 HP product advantage, without clarifying whether these refer to different configurations or reflect an inconsistency.
Compatibility with side-mounted garage motors is another limitation: the source says the opener is not suitable for that setup. The review does not provide a full compatibility list or explain which of Chamberlain’s similar models share the same restrictions.
Check Compatibility Before Buying
The review says the opener is not suitable for garages with side-mounted motors and describes an installation in which the supplied rail did not fit the test garage. It also notes that Chamberlain offers several similar models. The source does not specify the subscription price or identify which advanced features require payment. Lacoma said he planned to try Amazon Key-In with a future delivery, but the supplied report gives no later result.
Key Questions
How much does the Chamberlain Premier Smart Garage Door Opener cost?
The review lists a price of $379 for the Premier Smart Garage Door Opener with MyQ. It says Chamberlain offers several similar models, but does not list their prices.
Does the system include a security camera?
Yes. The review describes an adjustable camera with AI detection and motion-zone controls. It says users can turn off or adjust camera features, and that advanced features require a subscription.
Can it replace existing garage lighting?
The two-light model tested by Lacoma has lights rated at 2,000 lumens. The reviewer said they were bright enough to illuminate the whole garage. The source also notes that other model versions have one LED light.
Does installation require replacing the garage door?
No. The review says the garage door itself can remain, while the motor, at least some of the rail, sensors and wired controller are replaced. Lacoma recommends professional installation because the rail may need to be matched to the garage.
Was Amazon Key-In tested in the review?
No. Lacoma described one-time access for Amazon Key-In deliveries but said no Amazon deliveries arrived during the test, so the review did not establish how that feature performed.
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