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A CNET hands-on review names Chamberlain’s Premier Smart Garage Door Opener with Camera ($379) the most advanced home device the reviewer tested this year. It combines MyQ smart controls, an adjustable AI security camera and 2,000-lumen LED lighting, but requires professional installation and a subscription for its most advanced features.
Chamberlain’s Premier Smart Garage Door Opener with Camera, priced at $379, has been called “the most advanced home device” tested this year by CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma, after months of evaluating home AI products, security cameras and smart sensors. The device combines a garage door opener, an AI-equipped security camera and bright LED lighting in a single unit that mounts in the garage.
The opener, which runs on Chamberlain’s MyQ technology, is more than a motorized door system, according to the review. It includes an adjustable camera with AI detection and motion zone control that can monitor the car and garage entry points, plus 2,000-lumen LED lights — Lacoma’s two-light test model was bright enough to replace all existing overhead garage lighting on its own. Brightness cannot be adjusted, but motion detection and auto-off timers can be configured.
Control options include a wired wall controller, remotes, an outdoor keypad and the MyQ app, which allows remote operation from anywhere, open/close alerts, timers ranging from minutes to hours, and scheduled opening and closing. Most features also work with Google and Alexa smart home platforms, and MyQ supports one-time access for Amazon Key-In garage deliveries — a feature Lacoma did not test during his review period.
Installation is a significant consideration. Lacoma wrote that while DIY installation is technically possible, he would not recommend it because the motor, railing, aligned sensor and wired controller all need replacing (the garage door itself stays unchanged). A professional installer he worked with found the included railing too short for his garage and swapped in compatible railing. The review also notes that the most advanced features require a subscription, and the unit is not suitable for side-mounted garage motors.
Why an All-in-One Garage Device Matters
The review points to a broader shift in smart home hardware: single-purpose devices are being consolidated into multifunction hubs. For homeowners, one installation can now cover garage automation, vehicle and entry-point security, and full garage lighting — three upgrades that would normally be purchased and wired separately.
The garage is also a common weak point in home security, and the built-in camera with AI detection targets exactly those concerns, including package theft, since Amazon deliveries can be placed inside the garage rather than on a porch. At $379 plus professional installation and a subscription, the total cost of ownership is higher than a basic opener, which the review acknowledges may be overkill for users who don’t want a garage security camera — though camera features can be turned off or adjusted.
Chamberlain’s MyQ Ecosystem So Far
Chamberlain has sold MyQ-enabled garage openers for several years, with app-based remote control and integrations across major smart home platforms. The Premier Smart Garage Door Opener with Camera represents the company’s move toward bundling surveillance and lighting into the opener itself, rather than selling those as add-on devices.
According to the review, the tested unit’s 1.4 HP motor and redesigned railing also produced quieter, smoother door movement than Lacoma’s previous setup despite years of repairs on the old hardware — an unplanned benefit of the full-system replacement. Chamberlain offers several similar models in the line, including versions with one or two LED lights.
“The most high-tech product of all ended up transforming my garage – and it could do the same for yours, if you’re willing to commit to an overhaul of your garage door and home security at the same time.”
— Tyler Lacoma, CNET
Untested Features and Subscription Costs
The review leaves several questions open. Lacoma did not receive an Amazon Key-In delivery during his testing window, so the in-garage delivery feature remains unverified in practice; he said he will report back when he can test it.
The review does not specify the price or terms of the subscription required for the most advanced camera and smart features, so the ongoing cost beyond the $379 purchase price is unclear. Long-term reliability, video storage details and how the AI detection performs over extended use were also not covered.
Follow-Up Testing and Buyer Considerations
Lacoma indicated he plans to test the Amazon Key-In garage delivery feature and update readers on how it performs. Buyers considering the device should budget for professional installation — ideally with a pre-check of railing length, as Lacoma’s kit needed a swap — and factor in the subscription cost before committing.
Homeowners with side-mounted garage motors should verify compatibility, since the review states the unit is not suitable for that configuration. Anyone uncomfortable with a garage security camera can disable or adjust those features in the app.
Key Questions
How much does the Chamberlain Premier Smart Garage Door Opener with Camera cost?
The reviewed model is priced at $379, and Chamberlain offers several similar models, including versions with one or two LED lights. Professional installation and a subscription for advanced features add to the total cost.
Can I install it myself?
DIY installation is technically possible, but the CNET reviewer recommends a professional because the motor, some railing, the aligned sensor and the wired controller all need to be replaced. Any work on a garage door’s motor and springs also carries safety risks best handled by an experienced installer.
Do the camera features require a subscription?
Yes, according to the review, the device’s most advanced features require a subscription. The camera can also be turned off or adjusted for users who don’t want garage surveillance.
Can the built-in lights replace existing garage lighting?
In the reviewer’s testing, the two-light model’s 2,000-lumen LEDs were bright enough to light the entire garage on their own. Brightness is not adjustable, though motion detection and auto-off timing can be configured.
Does it work with smart home platforms like Alexa and Google?
Yes, the review states that most features extend to Google and Alexa platforms, alongside the MyQ app’s remote control, alerts, timers and scheduling options.
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