How Smart should your Garage be?

It can be tough to know when to buy, when to hold off, and when to save your money altogether. So, what is worth the investment right now—and what’s worth waiting on?

The Jetsons-style homecoming starts before you even hit the welcome mat. Whether you’re coming in the front door or through the garage, a few smart gadgets can make your life easier—as long as your Wi-Fi signal is strong enough.

Pros: Back in the 1970s and ’80s, the remote control garage door opener was the gateway to smart home tech. Now you can open the garage from your phone, whether you’re in the kitchen or miles away. LiftMaster even has an agreement with Amazon allowing delivery drivers to put packages in your garage. Most importantly, these openers alert you when the door has been opened by someone else.

Cons: If you’ve never done work on your garage door opener before, it might be intimidating to pick a product and set it up. You may need to hire a pro if you’re replacing the opener entirely.

Bottom line: If you are the forgetful type—or just get peace of mind knowing the garage door is closed—this is a great piece of tech to have.

One to try: LiftMaster’s MyQ series includes door openers as well as add-on kits for existing garage doors. Pro installation is required.  If you want to buy a LiftMaster WLED Garage Door Opener with MyQ Smart Technology (from $449 with installation), go to liftmaster.com to find dealers.

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Photo Credit:  Julia Tim / Shutterstock.com