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Nothing beats pulling up to your garage and driving straight in thanks to a garage door opener. No more getting out in the rain and juggling to find the right key or struggling with a ton of groceries. Today’s modern garage door openers combine style with the latest technology and safety features. So, installing one is not only about convenience, but also safety.
In this article, we are going to take a close look at the Chamberlain B980 vs B970. We will look at everything from their power to installation. All of the specifics will be put in a side-by-side chart and we will follow up with some pros and cons of each.
Our research showed that there were quite a few similarities, so this is where we will begin.
Chamberlain B980 vs B970 – Similarities
Quick Glance
Max Strength Lifting Power
Most residential garage door openers will have a lifting power the equivalent of between ½ and ¼ horsepower. The Chamberlain B970 and the Chamberlain B980 both have the lifting power of a 1 ¼ horsepower motor, which is the highest lifting capacity in this category. They both work in extreme heat, cold, and humidity. With “ice break strength”, the door will even open when frozen to the ground.
Drive Belt
The drive belt is made of high-quality, steel-reinforced. If anyone has ever used a chain belt, they are going to be amazed by how quiet these garage doors work, even when the garage is attached to the house. On top of this, the Chamberlain B970 and the Chamberlain B980 have anti-vibration technology, for a smoother and even quieter experience.
Door Size
The Chamberlain B970 and the Chamberlain B980 are entre kits ready for 7-foot garage doors. There are extension kits available to purchase for 8ft and 10ft doors.
Battery Backup
It’s beyond frustrating when there is a power cut in your area, and you can’t use the garage door opener. This is no issue for the Chamberlain B970 or the Chamberlain B980 as both come with battery backup. What’s more, is that the two automatic lights will also still work when there is a power cut, so you can still enter your garage and see what you are doing.
Remote Range
With the Chamberlain B970 and the Chamberlain B980, you will receive 2 remote controls, each with three buttons. These remote controls contain the exclusive Triband technology for a superior range. You will be able to use them up to 1,500ft away.
Built-in Wi-Fi
You will never have to look for another garage door remote again! The Chamberlain B970 and the Chamberlain B980 have built-in Wi-Fi that allows you to use the MyQ app. Rom the app you can open and close the garage door, receive real-time notifications about when your door has been left open, and invite up to three people access to control your door. Another benefit is that you can use Key By Amazon, so all of your Amazon deliveries can be left inside your garage, safe and dry.
Safety and Security
You will receive a wireless keypad with unbeatable Security +2.0. Each click requires one of 100 billion secure codes, so hackers won’t be able to gain access. Neither will intruders, thanks to the Posi-lock anti-theft protection. For your safety, the Chamberlain B970 and the Chamberlain B980 come with safety sensors to detect obstructions and motion detectors that will automatically turn lights on.
There are actually only two key differences between the Chamberlain B970 and the B980.
Differences BetweenChamberlain B970 and Chamberlain B980
Appearance
Some may not even consider this a difference as their design is identical. The only slight difference is in their dimensions.
Chamberlain B970
It is smaller than the Chamberlain B980 at 18 x 10 x 6.5 inches. It weighs 35 pounds.
Chamberlain B980
The overall dimensions are 26.8 x 8.1 x 13.4 inches. As one would expect, it weighs a little more at 39.4 pounds.
The Winner Is- The Chamberlain B970
Read next – Chamberlain B730 vs B750: Which Garage Door Opener is Better?
Additional Security
Your garage will often contain expensive equipment, or even have access to your home. Your garage door must have the highest levels of security possible.
Chamberlain B970
Apart from the security features we mentioned before, there are no others.
Chamberlain B980
This has the Chamberlain Security bundle, so as well as what we have discussed, it comes with an automatic lock.
The Winner Is- The Chamberlain B980
Read next – Chamberlain B550 vs B750: Which Garage Door Opener is Better?
Pros and Cons
Prior to offering our final verdict on the two Chamberlain garage door openers, here are some pros and cons.
Chamberlain B970
Pros:
- Excellently built with quality materials
- It’s incredibly quiet
- Good value for money considering all of the features
Cons:
- The installation can be tricky, especially if you are coming from a chain drive
Chamberlain B980
Pros:
- It has an amazing range of safety features
- It is not that much more expensive than the Chamberlain B970
- Great distance on the remote controls
Cons:
- The Wi-Fi isn’t always the most reliable
The Final Verdict
Because there are so many features that are similar, it is difficult to choose the perfect garage door opener. Both are excellent quality and you will hardly notice them opening and closing. The movements are smooth, and you notice the incredible power behind them. There is not a great deal of difference in the value for money, although the B980 is slightly cheaper.
Finally, we decided that the B970 was worth the extra few dollars. The Wi-Fi was a little more reliable which was definitely a benefit for the tech-savvy. The most important for us was the additional security with the automatic lock. It was impossible to imagine anyone gaining access through our garage door, either physically or digitally.
Last update on 2024-04-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
