Chamberlain’s Premier myQ Garage Opener: a motor, camera and bright LED lights in one unit

The useful part

Chamberlain's latest Premier Smart Garage Door Opener with MyQ technology ($379, with Chamberlain offering several similar models) isn't just a smart garage door opener, although I came away impressed with those features. It's also a security camera equipped with the latest AI recognition and camera technology to watch both your car and the garage door or side door, plus a super-bright LED light that can replace any other overhead garage lighting. While so much surveillance may be overkill for some (you can, fortunately, turn off or adjust camera features as needed), the total capabilities add up to a particularly potent home upgrade.

How it works

• Maybe that could save users a little time in the morning when getting ready for work, or otherwise match unique schedules and daily needs.
• I could also set how long the light stayed on after, up to several minutes, before it automatically shut off again.
• Tyler Lacoma/CNET However, garages get used very frequently, and I'm a little uneasy about having a camera constantly watching and updating on every little thing.
• You can angle the camera so it focuses on the garage door and leaves the front portion of the garage unwatched, which is helpful if people are always coming and going.
• Access alerts are hard to give up, but otherwise I don't think users need a subscription.

What to take from it

A professional installation for a major upgrade A smart garage may be just the unexpected smart device you need. Tyler Lacoma/CNET I wouldn't recommend a DIY installation of a smart garage, although technically it's possible. The garage door itself remains unchanged, so you can keep your current look.

Example or evidence

• If you're worried about garage security – and it's one of the places that burglars check first for easy entry – a cam like this can bring peace of mind.
• Tyler Lacoma/CNET MyQ connectivity also lets users set one-time access options for Amazon Key-In deliveries so delivery people can store shipments in the garage for safekeeping, a helpful option to prevent...
• The motor, at least some of the railing, the aligned sensor, and the wired-in controller all need to be replaced, so it's best to contact a professional.
• The smart garage does require a new motor, rail and sensors, but the garage door remains the same.

Details worth keeping

If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Here's my time with Chamberlain's most powerful myQ model. Installation after that was quick and smooth.

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