iSmartGate Lite Garage Door Opener Review with Apple HomeKit

[@ShaneCreates]

Great video Eric! Thanks for sharing. I have not tried the iSmartGate garage door, but I do love having my garage door automated! It's so cool to have the garage door automatically opening up as I pull up to the driveway each day!

[@NHMerino]

I have for a while. Its great in my opinion. I had some trouble with the sensors but all good now.

[@EricWelander]

Thanks Shane! Yeah I've heard the CarPlay integration is nice too.

[@ShaneCreates]

@@EricWelander I don’t even have CarPlay still (sadly). I’m just using an automation with a dummy switch to open the garage automatically when I get home. Works great.

[@EricWelander]

@@ShaneCreates Oh cool! Yeah I don’t have CarPlay either

[@LeonvanderPoel]

I’ve got the same set up as Shane, and love that when I come home on my motorcycle that I can just ride in. The car I drive is outside, so I’ve got it set up that the garage door doesn’t open when I come home in my car.

[@BlakeFealy]

I wish Eric posted more videos, he is by far, my favorite homekit youtuber

[@howardyermish]

I switched to the iSmartGate Lite from the Best Buy Insignia HomeKit garage door opener after so much frustration. Everything has been practically perfect with the iSmartGate and well worth the price premium. I think that my favorite way I use it is with an NFC tag hidden outside my house to run a Siri Shortcut that opens/closes the door. It is simple, but it does the job.

[@johnmbell4642]

Hey Howard, i’ve been having a little trouble with my Best Buy unit lately unfortunately my garage is on the far end of my Wi-Fi range and I was contributing my issues with that but more and more I was thinking it is the unit itself what has been happening it just wouldn’t open or close the door but it was there in HomeKit and now it’s saying it’s not responding this is just recent What was yours doing before you switched it out? Luckily it was relatively inexpensive I could definitely throw it away and get something else just curious thanks have a good one john

[@howardyermish]

@@johnmbell4642 Mine was just consistently falling off of HomeKit, which meant that whenever I wanted or expected to use it, it didn't work. I had already extended my WiFi into the garage to also content with a car charger that REALLY wanted to be close to an access point. Just adding another Eero beacon in the garage helped with that and the original Best Buy garage door opener, but the opener persisted in falling off of HomeKit. I went through a ton of troubleshooting with the nice folks at Insignia/BestBuy including getting upgraded firmware and even some conversations with higher level support engineers. When one of the senior engineers said, "I think that this is the best that this is going to do," and suggested I try to take it back to Best Buy for a refund even after 9 months, I took that as a sign that it isn't that great of a product. I installed the iSmartGate Lite in about 15 minutes, from box to Siri command, and it has worked ever since. Sometimes Siri will say, "I wasn't able to open the garage door," but then the door opens right up. It is also nice that it works with Google and Alexa too, just in case you want to do something with the other eco system.

[@johnmbell4642]

@@howardyermish thanks for your reply i’m going to get it back working again if I can and if it fails after that it’s gone I am strictly HomeKit and have been. I guess I have 5 different manufacturers Phillips, Lurton, level lock and hunter and of course the forementioned insignia all of them rocksolid never a problem some of the stuff being up and running for years but the insignia has been very disappointing in comparison thanks for the help Howard have a great day

[@johnmbell4642]

Hey Eric, absolutely love having a HomeKit garage door opener The way that it works with CarPlay is awesome The icon pops up on your screen when you get about 2/10 of a mile from your home and then disappears when you drive away really cool and of course the actions you can set for when the garage door opens and or closes if you have HomeKit and you have a garage door in my opinion it’s a must have enjoyed the channel have a good one🇺🇸👍

[@EricWelander]

Hey John! Thanks for sharing about the CarPlay integration. I haven't tried that (yet?). I'm glad to hear you enjoy the channel.

[@NicholasTesluk]

As you mention this one is quite expensive and requires a dreaded hub! I have the Meross opener and it’s great! A small device is wired to the terminals on the opener unit’s wall button terminals. This is affixed to the unit. The only downside is that the sensor is wired, so I had to run the wire along the opener’s rail attaching it to the garage door. A hall device sensor is then affixed to the wall. But the opener works with automation so when I’m within a certain radius of my house, I’m asked if I want to run the automation to open the garage door. Using my watch will open the door, but saying Hey SIRI on my phone requires the phone to be unlocked which is a safety feature to make sure it truly is me. The kit ran about $48 on Amazon.

[@EricWelander]

I agree I like the "Hey Siri" limitation in HomeKit for things like garage doors.

[@EricWelander]

I'm glad to hear the Meross opener is working well for you.

[@NicholasTesluk]

@@EricWelander Thanks Eric! I enjoy your HomeKit posts and always look forward to new ones!!

[@timothymaxwell8912]

I also purchased the Meross opener. However, it worked in the beginning and then for no known reason it just stopped working. I tried resetting the unit with no success. I am now thinking about trying the iSmartGate Pro or Lite opener.

[@NicholasTesluk]

I’ve found the Meross customer service to be very good! If yours stopped working, I’d contact them!

[@SirNycho]

I bought the meross garage door opener earlier this year and very happy with it. It’s a lot cheapier but it comes with a wired open/closed sensor rather than a wireless one, which for me worked just fine and it’s also a lot cheapier. No issues here when it comes to the range of my normal remotes. A nice feature I especially like (regardless of the solution/brand) is that apple carplay automatically offers me the possibility to open my garage door when I approach my house.

[@EricWelander]

I'm glad to hear the Meross opener is working well for you. Yes that car play integration sounds nice and would remove the need for an old-school remote.

[@kortfreedrish6710]

I have Chamberlain openers and the automations that make it a big win for me is the auto closing at sundown (my kids sometimes forget the close the door), I also have a 1000CFM garage vent that I made smart so every time the door shuts it runs the vent for 10mins to clear out the exhaust and it doubles as a vent while I’m working in the garage. I have it in my security scene where if we open the door it turns off the security. Lots of uses in my house.

[@EricWelander]

Yeah that's an excellent integration with the security system!

[@MacFan2410]

My meross garage door opener has been the best. It is super responsive, and doesn’t need another app! Works right in HomeKit. I really enjoy it.

[@EricWelander]

I'm glad to hear you enjoy the Meross opener.

[@dannybroddy]

Another option if you have a legacy liftmaster or chamberlain is to buy a MyQ wall button and the MyQ internet gateway, this brings HomeKit support without having to switch out the opener. This is what my original setup was before I purchased my new opener with my q built in.

[@EricWelander]

Yeah this looks like a very cool product

[@jaapbums]

I recently bought the gate version (other sensors). My gate is 75ft from the house. The router is indoor, de iSmartgate hub is place in a plastic box for wheather protection. Still the signal is outstanding and from siri and homekit the gate opens and closes instantly. Amazing piece of technology. I am planning on buying 1 for my garage door too, although I am not sure the hub will connect as the garage detached from the house with solid stone walls and iron port.

[@myHomeKithome]

So glad to see more and more alternatives to garage door opener’s. I’ve been wondering about this product for quite a while. Great review, Eric!

[@EricWelander]

Thanks!

[@dannybroddy]

Great video, I have been using the my q for a couple years, this year we did a Covid Reno and upgraded from two single doors to one 18 foot door with a side jack mount. Love asking Siri to open the docking port. Fun to make custom names and to have automations tied into the garage door opening!

[@EricWelander]

Thanks Danny!

[@cheapme1850]

The main thing of importance to me is the automatic closing at a preset time or after a preset period. I like the ability to close it from afar but I’m so forgetful that the automatic function is more important. I’m currently using MyQ but it ticked me off that I had to use HOOBS to integrate it with HomeKit or buy the Chaimberlain proprietary hub. HOOBS was the way to go since I was able to use it to bridge other devices with it.

[@EricWelander]

That's what I love about home automations. They are consistent even when my brain is spacing out 😄. Yeah I've heard good things about the HomeBridge integration for MyQ. And yes the great thing about HOOBS is then you can use it for other products too. Thanks for sharing.

[@regularnerd]

Thanks for the info! I have the insignia opener and have the same range issue with other remotes

[@sunshineprogamer]

I installed MyQ hub to make my Overhead Garage smart and it has worked for the most part ok, I had some not responding messages here and there but I'm happy with it, you can ask Siri to open it or close, status, I created a scene where every night at 10 to close it, so in case my wife or myself left it open, I know it'll get closed at 10, same in the mornings, I leave home at 6:30 so my scene opens the garage 6:20 and check again at 7 to close it in case I didn't close it, one tip, whenever you get the low battery message, follow the instructions right away because if you don't and let the battery die, you'll have to do the whole setting up process again, and it takes a couple tries to get it working, at least that was my experience, but I'll definitely recommend it.

[@EricWelander]

Nice automations! That's a good point on the battery.

[@AGH0804]

Thanks for the video. This one works great.

[@Durianpieenthusiast]

Was just about to buy one of these. Great video!

[@EricWelander]

Thanks Bach!

[@neatroxhd]

I have one and it‘s great😁

[@NewHomeTech]

ISmartgate is awesome you can use a usb to Ethernet converter to hardwire it in your network. And you can use physical contact sensor instead of the wireless sensor.

[@EricWelander]

Yeah and the more things wired to Ethernet the better!

[@anarfox]

I would strongly discourage getting an opener with it's own connection. Given how Chamberlain recently just turned off api access to myq to force people into their ecosystem. Sure, add on products can stop working to, but they're much cheaper and easier to replace.

[@georgiospyrgiotakisphd4563]

I have the Meross garage door opener that has a wire sensor that makes it working without the need of batteries.

[@EricWelander]

If you are able to run the wires that is nice to not have to replace the batteries!

[@uniqueflh2941]

Very cool. I'm still using my Insignia Opener. It's fine, except for the battery life in the door position sensor. Looks like the iSmartGate has four (4) screws for sensor battery replacement? I would be super annoyed by that if the battery didn't last at least a year... :)

[@bennylen]

I've been using the iSmartgate Lite for several years now. It works great but I find the batteries in the sensor only last me about 5-6 months.

[@uniqueflh2941]

@@bennylen - my Insignia battery lasts 3-4 months. I get annoyed every time I have to swap it. Not that it’s difficult, by any means, just an aggravation. It only requires one (1) screw to be removed for the swap…I’d be all manner of bothered if I had to remove four (4). Who has that sort of time? :)

[@TheGabriel116]

Get a Meross smart garage door opener. It’s awesome

[@keving189]

Ismartgate failed 2 times for me. The first time they sent me a replacement and was great. Second time they responded to my first email then stopped responding. Switched to Meross and have not had any problems and is way faster response time.

[@EricWelander]

Thanks for sharing. I'm glad you eventually found an opener that worked for you with HomeKit.

[@jasonstar9825]

Nice vid

[@emmgeevideo]

My. son. uses it to. open the garage. door. from his bedroom (Eric Welander impersonator). He likes to go from his room through the front door to the garage rather than down through the family room into the garage. I would like a HomeKit garage door opener if it could participate in automations related to what's happening in the garage. I have a motion sensor in the garage and would like certain things to happen if the garage door is open vs. closed. I have the Chamberlain MyQ version of what you have reviewed here.

[@pzlrsd]

The Insignia is the cheapest and simplest smart garage opener for HomeKit in my opinion.

[@kaplan192011]

How does this compare to the remoss? Also I was curious about what products are 2.4GHz vs 5GHz products.

[@shadow.banned]

Needs AC power, right? Garages usually only have 1-2 plug sockets in the ceiling. Edit: Ah, I see, they offer a solution.

[@rjthomasindyusa]

I’ve been watching a bunch of your videos... Great work! Keep it up. I am looking for a security system for my camper van builds. Since most people are in and out of WiFi and phone range.... I need a system that works with and without WiFi. I like the idea of being able to use an online eco system like RING when I’m in town... but still be able to monitor my cameras when I’m in the mountains. Any systems come to mind? The vans have robust electrical systems to support 110v... but 12 volts would be nice... Thanks!

[@EricWelander]

This is a situation I haven't thought about a lot, but I would consider reaching out to Abode support. They are the security system I use, they are HomeKit compatible, and they might have a solution for you. Outside of HomeKit I've heard of SimpliSafe being used in a van.

[@Waterbottle365]

Good review! How does this compare to the Meross or similar?

[@EricWelander]

Thanks! Meross has a number of different openers, but I find one of the advantages of the iSmartGate is that it is just two pieces which makes for simpler setup then running wires around your garage.

[@michaelpeirce5762]

Is the alarm annoying? This is th wonky reason I haven’t bought one yet.

[@EricWelander]

So I didn't mention this in the review, but my iSmartGate Lite doesn't make a sound when closing the garage door. Other openers I've tried do. It's a safety vs convenience trade off, but I appreciate the lack of noise.

[@michaelpeirce5762]

@@EricWelander thanks

[@kennethschwartz9492]

Hi Eric Great video 👍🏼 I hate my remote control for my garage door, so I’m thinking about using the GPS, so it opens automatically when I come near. Have you tried to use the GPS functionality? If yes, how far does it work from the garage door and is it completely automatic or do have to open my phone?

[@EricWelander]

I have not tried this. It seems riddled with edge cases that wouldn't work as intended. But if you can nail the exact perimeter you want to be considered "home" than maybe. I often get false events of coming home when I'm out running on nearby streets in my neighborhood.

[@PeterLufrano]

Hi Eric, Thank you for your very informative reviews! Based on your review here I purchased an iSmartGate Lite for my home, and am, for the most part quitye happy. However there is one thing that I am not happy with. I can not seem to get the garage door to open with voice command via my homepod. When I try to, Siri tells me that "I must continue from my mobile device". however I am able to close the garage door using voice command via my homepod. Why would this be? have you experienced this? is there a "fix"? the company's tech support has been unhelpful unfortunately. I hate having to carry my iphone everywhere I go, which is why I have a homepod in the garage. Any help would be most appreciated!

[@EricWelander]

I will hopefully make a video on this sometime soon, but you need to make a Siri Shortcut in the shortcuts app called something like "Open my garage door". Then you can ask Siri to run this with personal requests on the HomePod. The downside is each family member needs this setup to use it on the HomePod. The reason for all this is so a criminal can't shout at your glass window to ask Siri to open the garage door and break in.

[@PeterLufrano]

Ah ha! Thank you Eric! I will give this a try!

[@PeterLufrano]

@@EricWelander Sorry to bother you again Eric. How do I go about making a Siri Shortcut to enable me to open my garage door via voice command through my garage homepod and not through my iPhone?

[@PeterLufrano]

Ah ha! I got it to work! Thank you Eric!

[@craigs.4302]

The Best Buy Insignia opener is crap...avoid at all costs. I use both iSmartGate Lite and Chameberlain MyQ for Homekit, which replicates remote codes, so no wiring. My MyQ hub is linked into my Pi Homebridge config and unless Chamberlain breaks something in the plugin API? It works perfectly. To my knowledge? A whole new garage door opener head from Chamberlain (or Aladdin) wouldn't have native Homekit. You'd have to buy their Homekit Hub which didn't work for me, hence my Homebridge config. Also? MyQ doesn't allow for opening via IFTTT or Google Assistant...only closing. No native Alexa or Smart-Things support.

[@EricWelander]

Thanks for the added info on MyQ. I'm glad you are able to get it working well with HomeBridge!

[@craigs.4302]

@@EricWelander Haha! Sorry for my rambling above...but you're welcome, Eric. Hugs, bub. If my iSmartGate Lite ever craps out? I'll probably try the Meross opener from Amazon for $50. But yeah, I keep both iSmartGate and MyQ connected to the same door. So if ones not working? I have a backup system to open with. Here's hoping for native Robot Vacuum Homekit support this year!

[@TheSwartz]

web only instructions are ok, except... (1) when you're also using your phone to set up the device that you're trying to read the instructions on (2) you're setting something up on the periphery of your house, like this garage door, where internet sucks (3) you have bad eyesight and literally have problems reading text on a phone (4) the company stops supporting this device, which has already happened to me with a 'smart' lock (5) you need to talk to someone on the phone you're trying to read the instructions on (6) you need both hands to set something up and your phone keeps going to sleep... (7) I bet I could think of a couple more... So... all that inconvenience to save like 2 sheets of paper...

[@EricWelander]

Yeah I mean you have some good points here, although I feel like this is a trend that is becoming too common to stop.