LiftMaster 8500 vs 8550: Which Garage Door Opener is Better? (2023)

FAQs

How many hp is LiftMaster 8550? ›

ListMaster 8550W 3/4 HP Belt Drive With MyQ New Garage Door Opener. The first Wi-Fi Garage Door Opener makes control from your smartphone reassuring and simple. The 8550W comes fully equipped with Security+ 2.0®, MyQ® Technology, Battery Backup and the Timer-to-Close feature.

THE 8550 HAS BEEN DISCONTINUED AND REPLACED WITH THE LIFTMASTER 8500.

The 8500 is compatible with sectional garage doors that have a front mount torsion spring with 1” shaft. The 8500 will handle a door up to 180 square feet in size 14' tall and up to 650LB maximum weight.

The Lifespan of Garage Door Openers

We see LiftMasters last between 15 – 20 years. However, that's in excellent conditions. Anything less than excellent conditions can reduce the lifespan to 8 – 12 years. However, beyond just brand, you also have to consider which type of opener will give you the best life expectancy.

THE DIRECT REPLACEMENT IS THE LIFTMASTER 8500. Complete garage door opener kit includes: Deluxe Smart Wall Console with motion sensor and timer to close feature.

Features belt drive system and DC motor for quiet operation. Built-in Wi-Fi® allows for smartphone control with the myQ® app.

The 8500 is the base model for residential Jackshaft/Wall-Mount garage doors made by LiftMaster. The 8500 uses a quiet DC motor that is rated to lift a door up to 650 pounds with sizes up to 14 feet tall by 18 feet wide.

Lifetime Warranty 3/4 HP DC Motor.

While LiftMaster door openers tend to be aimed at the professional market or people with large garages, Chamberlin openers are better suited to you if you're interested in DIY or have a small garage.

Does the LiftMaster 8500w come with a light? ›

Includes myQ Remote LED Light featuring 1,500 lumens. Automatic Garage Door Lock deadbolts your door after closing. Works with Amazon Key: Enables convenient and secure In-Garage Delivery.

The LiftMaster 8500 opener comes with a lifetime motor warranty, 5-year parts warranty, 1-year battery backup warranty (sold separately).

These batteries meet or exceed the original manufacturer's specifications. The Lift Master Model 8500 replacement battery pack is covered by our industry leading 1 year replacement warranty.

Ratings ranging from 1/2 horsepower to 1-1/2 horsepower are typical for residential models. If you have a sectional double-car garage door, a 1/2-horsepower motor should be sufficient, but a higher-power model will operate with less effort and less wear and tear on the motor.

A chain drive garage door opener​ uses a chain to move the door open and closed. It's suitable for most garage doors. Chain drive has been around for many years and will last a long time with routine maintenance. Chain drive openers are typically available at an opening price point.

Most experts consider belt drive systems to be superior, and there are many quality products in this line. A belt drive garage door opener uses a rubber belt instead of a metal chain to open the garage door. Because of this, the system is much quieter than a chain drive system.

Lowe's charges between $199 and $599 (CAD 270 and CAD 800) to fit both a new garage door and the opener. This figure is for labor fees only; the door would cost extra. Fitting an opener to an existing door is less expensive than having a new door installed.

It typically takes about four to six hours to install a garage door opener. However, the time can vary whether you're installing a garage door opener in a garage that doesn't have one or if you're replacing an existing unit.

About Chamberlain Group (CGI)

CGI is a global leader in access solutions and products. As the corporate parent company to LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Merlin and Grifco, we design and engineer residential garage door openers, commercial door operators and gate entry systems.

Why is my LiftMaster so loud? ›

Noisy garage doors are usually caused by worn rollers, loose hardware, parts that need lubrication or an opener in need of anti-vibration pads—all simple fixes.

Chamberlain Group (CGI), the corporate parent company to LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Merlin, and Grifco, designs and engineers residential garage door openers, commercial door operators, and gate entry systems.

The Liftmaster Professional Series Model 8550 comes with a digitial wireless keypad. Simply type your 4 digit code to open this quiet garage door opener, and only have to press the Enter button to close it!. The Liftmaster Professional Series Model 8550 comes with a built in battery backup incase of power failure.

Warranty*: Lifetime on motor and belt. * Other parts of the opener are guaranteed for five years (accessories are not covered by this warranty). * Integrated battery backup, remote and control panel are guaranteed for one year.

The LiftMaster 8550 MyQ Internet Gateway and iPhone App. myQ Internet Gateway will let you rule the world, or at least your door, from almost anywhere!

Frequency: - Remote Control: 315 MHZ / 390 MHZ Dual Band.

A: According to the manual on page 4, it operates at 1.0 amp, 120 volts.

If you have a single door, commonly 9 x 7 ft. (2.7 x 2.1 m), then a ½ HP or 500 N motor will be sufficient. If you have a double garage door, 16 x 7 ft. (4.9 x 2.1 m), or a solid wood garage door, then a ¾ HP or 700 N motor is recommended.

No matter what type of garage door opener or remote control you have, there is the potential for it to be hacked. You can, however, reduce your chances of a break-in by: Keeping your remote with you at all times, such as on your keychain, instead of inside your car.

How much can a 1/2 horsepower garage door opener lift? ›

A half of horsepower can lift roughly around 300 pounds. This is the average load of a two-vehicle steel door, and a one horsepower door opener can, without much of a stretch, lift roughly 400 pounds.

The roll-up style of garage door may be most common and the most popular. In this style of garage door, a series of panels roll up and down along a track. Roll up garage doors can mimic historic styles yet offer the convenience of a modern garage door.

Steel garage doors are excellent for homeowners who need a durable installation. These garage doors are low-maintenance and economical, and you can often select from various colors. Most installations let you incorporate insulation to enhance R-value. Properly maintained steel doors won't dent or rust.

The 1/2-horsepower motor lifts doors of all sizes, even tall doors that other openers can't lift, as long as they have torsion springs. The LiftMaster 8500W is extremely expensive, costing around $500, which is almost twice as much as our pick for the best garage door opener, the Chamberlain B970.

Beeping is a good sign that you need a LiftMaster battery replacement. To confirm your need for a LiftMaster backup battery replacement, check the battery status LED light on the opener — the 8550's battery indicator is located on the wall button, while the 8500 has an external battery.

Opener remotes typically last 10 to 15 years, so you should replace yours if it's getting old or worn out. Also, consider technological advancements in safety — upgrading your remote could improve your home's security. Your remote might need replacing if it's any of the following: Broken.

The average garage door opener's lifespan is between 10-15 years. An opener can last for more or less time, depending on how you take care of it. Most people use their garage doors thousands of times per year.

Typically, electric garage door openers have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. This is, of course, provided that there isn't some change in the regulations or major technological upgrade that comes along.

The 8500 will handle a door up to 180 square feet in size 14' tall and up to 650LB maximum weight. Includes a 6 foot grounded power cord.

Which is better 1/2 hp or 3/4 hp garage door opener? ›

Different Levels of Garage Door Opener Horsepower

If you have a double-car garage door, 1/2 HP will work. Models with more power, like 3/4 HP, are perfect for larger doors. The general rule of thumb for large doors is that the higher the HP, the lower the strain on the door when opening and closing over time.

A garage door opener for an oversized garage door or a heavier garage door will need a higher-horsepower garage door opener. You may be able to use an opener with a lower horsepower for these kinds of doors, but it will put a greater strain on the system and your opener will not last as long.

If you want to install a typical 2-post or 4-post lift in your garage, you need a ceiling that's higher than 11 feet. While you can get a 2- or 4-post lift that works with a lower ceiling, almost all these lifts are not ANSI certified.

The 8500 is a good quality opener with upgrades available, requiring additional parts at additional costs. The 8500W is rated for heavier doors and has all of the modern features built in with no additional out of pocket expenses.

Chamberlain's openers are high quality, but with a simpler design aimed at do-it-yourselfers. Liftmaster's openers are professional grade, meant for operations that need more power (such as a garage door taller than 7 foot).

Most experts consider belt drive systems to be superior, and there are many quality products in this line. A belt drive garage door opener uses a rubber belt instead of a metal chain to open the garage door. Because of this, the system is much quieter than a chain drive system.

Garage Door Opener Costs

If you have a pro install a garage door opener, expect to pay between $220 and $550. The opener itself will typically run between $150 and $500 with another $65 to $85 an hour for labor, which can run between two to six hours.

About Chamberlain Group (CGI)

As the corporate parent company to LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Merlin and Grifco, we design and engineer residential garage door openers, commercial door operators and gate entry systems.

Built-in Wi-Fi® allows for smartphone control with the myQ® app. Battery Backup allows you to open/close your door even when the power is out. Includes myQ Remote LED Light featuring 1,500 lumens. Automatic Garage Door Lock deadbolts your door after closing.