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CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma named Chamberlain’s $379 Premier Smart Garage Door Opener with Camera the most advanced home device he tested this year. The all-in-one system combines an AI-equipped security camera, MyQ smart controls and bright LED lighting, but requires professional installation and a subscription for advanced features.
CNET reviewer Tyler Lacoma has named the Chamberlain Premier Smart Garage Door Opener with Camera ($379) the most advanced home device he tested this year, after months of evaluating home AI products, security cameras and next-generation sensors. The device combines a smart garage door opener, an AI-equipped security camera and 2,000-lumen LED lighting in a single unit — though its advanced camera features require a subscription and Lacoma recommends professional installation rather than a DIY approach.
The Premier opener is built around Chamberlain’s MyQ technology and runs on a 1.4 HP motor paired with a new rail design. Lacoma reported that the new motor and rail combination made his garage door quieter and more fluid than it had been through years of prior repairs, which he described as an unexpected bonus of the upgrade. Chamberlain offers several similar models in the line, including versions with one or two LED lights.
Control options span both conventional and smart methods. The system ships with a wall-mounted controller, an outdoor keypad and remote controls, while the MyQ app adds remote operation from anywhere, open/close alerts, automatic closing timers ranging from minutes to a couple of hours, and scheduled openings and closings. The system is also compatible with HomeLink, allowing connection to compatible car dashboards, and supports Amazon Key-In garage deliveries, which let delivery drivers place packages inside the garage. Lacoma said he did not receive Amazon deliveries during his testing window and plans to evaluate that feature later.
The included camera offers AI detection and adjustable motion zones to monitor a car, the garage door or a side door, and its features can be turned off or adjusted for users who find the surveillance excessive. The lighting, rated at 2,000 lumens, proved bright enough in Lacoma’s two-light test model to illuminate the entire garage on its own and potentially replace existing overhead lighting. Brightness itself cannot be adjusted, though motion-activation and auto-off timing can be configured.
Why One Garage Device Matters
The review points to a broader shift in smart home hardware: single-purpose devices are being replaced by all-in-one systems that fold security, lighting and access control into one installation. For homeowners, that consolidation means one professional installation can address a garage door replacement, home security monitoring and lighting at once — but it also raises the stakes of the purchase, since buyers commit to an entire ecosystem rather than an add-on gadget.
The subscription requirement for advanced camera features is a meaningful caveat for cost-conscious buyers, as the $379 purchase price would not cover the full set of capabilities over time. Lacoma also noted the device is not suitable for side-mounted garage motors, limiting compatibility for some households.
From Door Opener to Security Hub
Chamberlain’s MyQ platform has existed for years as a way to remotely monitor and control garage doors, and the company has progressively added features such as delivery integration and camera options. Lacoma’s review follows a year of testing what he describes as home AI, new security cameras and next-era sensors, positioning this garage product as the culmination of those technology trends in a single household device.
Because installation replaces the motor, at least some railing, the aligned sensor and the wired-in controller — while the garage door itself stays unchanged — the review frames this as a major upgrade rather than a simple retrofit. During Lacoma’s installation, a professional installer identified that the included rail was too short for his garage and substituted compatible railing; installation then proceeded quickly.
“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
Unverified Features and Limits
Several claims remain untested or dependent on individual circumstances. Lacoma did not test the Amazon Key-In delivery feature during his review period and said he would report back on how it performs. HomeLink compatibility is described as conditional — the system “may be able to connect” to compatible car dashboards, without confirmation for every vehicle. The review does not specify the cost or terms of the subscription required for advanced camera features, so the total long-term expense is unclear. Chamberlain offers several similar models in the line, and the review does not detail how their features or prices differ beyond the one-LED and two-LED lighting configurations.
Testing Still to Come
Lacoma said he plans to test the Amazon Key-In garage delivery feature and will report on how it works once he receives a qualifying delivery. Buyers considering the system should arrange professional installation — which in Lacoma’s case also involved verifying rail length compatibility — and review the subscription terms for AI camera features before purchasing. Households with side-mounted garage motors should confirm the system is compatible with their setup at all, since the review states it is not suitable for that configuration.
Key Questions
How much does the Chamberlain Premier Smart Garage Door Opener with Camera cost?
The reviewed model is priced at $379, according to CNET. Chamberlain also offers several similar models in the line, and advanced camera features require an additional subscription whose cost was not specified in the review.
Can I install this smart garage door opener myself?
It is technically possible, but Lacoma explicitly recommended against DIY installation. The motor, at least some railing, the aligned sensor and the wired-in controller all need replacing, so a licensed or professional garage installer is the safer choice. In his own installation, a professional also identified and fixed a rail-length mismatch.
Does the garage door itself need to be replaced?
No. According to the review, the existing garage door remains unchanged — only the opener hardware (motor, rail, sensors and controller) is replaced, so homeowners can keep their current door and look.
Can the built-in camera be turned off?
Yes. Lacoma noted that users who find the surveillance excessive can turn off or adjust the camera features, including AI detection and motion zone settings, through the app.
Can the LED lights replace existing garage lighting?
In Lacoma’s two-LED test model, the 2,000-lumen lights were bright enough to illuminate the entire garage on their own, suggesting they can replace overhead lighting. However, brightness cannot be adjusted, though motion activation and auto-off timing can be configured.
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