Smart garage door controllers

A garage controller retrofits the opener you already have, which is almost always cheaper than a new opener. Compatibility comes down to your opener's brand and age, and some newer openers deliberately lock out third-party controllers.

In the catalog: 9
Work without a hub: 8 of 9
Hub required: 1
Most common radios: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, Zigbee
Price range: $40 to $80

What decides compatibility

Check your opener model against the controller's list. Security+ 2.0 openers need a specific adapter, and some brands block third-party control outright.
Safety rules require an audible and visible warning before a remote close. Controllers that skip it are not compliant.
A separate tilt or contact sensor is what reports whether the door is actually open. Without it you are trusting the last command.
Wi-Fi has to reach the garage, which is often the worst-covered part of the house.

How these connect to your system

A works-with badge does not say how the device gets there, and the path changes what you get. Direct means the maker built the integration and the device's own features tend to come with it. Via Matter means the standard controls work and anything unusual about the device may not carry over. Via a hub means you need a second box, usually the maker's own, before it works at all.