Anybody with kids, school bags, shopping, or even just a hot coffee knows how convenient it is to have an electronic garage door opener. They also provide added security knowing you don’t have to get out of the car to enter your home. LiftMaster has a range of electronic door openers with different systems, appearances, and technology. Today, we will look at the LiftMaster 3900 vs 8500. We will consider their uses, functions, and compatibility in order for you to make the right choice.
While there are certain similarities, there is one main difference that should be mentioned. Both work on a front mount torsion bar system. You will need to check the exact size of your garage do to determine if the LiftMaster 3900 or the LiftMaster 8500 is compatible. However, generally speaking, LiftMaster has developed the LiftMaster 3900 for commercial use and the LiftMaster 8500 is more for residential use.
Video Comparison
Let’s take a look at other ways in which the LiftMaster 3900 and the LiftMaster 8500 garage door openers are similar.
LiftMaster 3900 vs 8500 – Similarities
The Jackshaft System
Older systems may run using a chain and teeth connected to a motor, The Jackshaft system in both the LiftMaster 3900 and the LiftMaster 8500 works with two cranks, and gear or pulley. This makes the movement of the door much smoother and it reduces the amount of noise. They are both ultra-quiet in use.
Mounting the LiftMaster 3900 and the LiftMaster 8500
These are wall-mounted garage door openers rather than ceiling mounted. This allows for saving space, particularly overhead space. In terms of installation, it is also easier installing them alongside the door instead of trying to work on the ceiling.
There are a couple of other aspects that appear to be similar but in fact are not, so we will cover these in the following section.
Below, you will find a comparison chart so that you can see all of the specifications we will mention side-by-side.
Differents Between LiftMaster 3900 and LiftMaster 8500
LiftMaster 3900 vs 8500 – Appearance
When you look at the LiftMaster 3900 and the LiftMaster 8500 they are almost identical. They are both black with burgundy sides and they both have the LiftMaster logo on the front. They are slightly different in size.
LiftMaster 3900
The LiftMaster 3900 is 17 x 8 x 8 inches. It weighs 25.9lbs. Overall, it’s a very compact electric garage door opener.
LiftMaster 8500
You will probably notice the size difference more than the weight. It’s 2 x 10 x 12 inches and weighs 28lbs.
The Winner Is- The LiftMaster 3900
Read next: Liftmaster 8355 vs 8550: Which Garage Door Opener is Better?
LiftMaster 3900 vs 8500 – Power
There is the option to attach a battery so that they will function if there is a power cut. The battery backup is not included. While both are 240v there are some differences with the actual motor itself.
LiftMaster 3900
This runs on a heavy-duty 240v. It’s powerful enough to lift doors up to 650lbs.
LiftMaster 8500
This uses P3 motors. While still using 240v, they are designed especially for electronic garage door openers. The 8500 is also capable of lifting doors of up to 650lbs.
The Winner Is- The 8500
Read next: LiftMaster 8500 vs 8550: Which Garage Door Opener is Better?
LiftMaster 3900 vs 8500 – Controls
The controls that come with a garage door greatly improve the ease of use. In this aspect, the two are quite different.
LiftMaster 3900
The control panel is a touch button pad. There is nothing modern about it but t does the job. Unfortunately, it only comes with one remote control. You can buy additional remotes.
LiftMaster 8500
The controls are far more modern. The control panel has been upgraded to an LCD display. It also comes with integrated MyQ technology. This means you can set up the control panel to work with your smartphone via a wireless connection. You will need to buy an Internet Gateway for the wireless connection to work. It also only comes with one remote control.
The Winner Is- A Tie
Read next: LiftMaster 3800 vs 8500: Which Garage Door Opener is Better?
LiftMaster 3900 vs 8500 – Security
As these electronic garage door openers are operating heavy equipment, it’s essential that they have certain security features. You also want to make sure your home is still safe.
LiftMaster 3900
This comes with Security +. A new code will be generated each time you open the door, ensuring that nobody else can enter. There is a light beam that goes across the door. If the beam is broken, the door will stop opening or closing.
LiftMaster 8500
This comes with Security 2.0, which we believe is the same as Security +. A new code is generated each time. As well as the light beam, it comes with audio and visual warnings. Another incredibly useful feature is the motion detector light. This will light up your garage when you enter, making things visible and safer. Finally, the LiftMaster 8500 comes with a locking system.
The Winner Is- The 8500
Value For Money
There is no price for your security, that being said, both the LiftMaster 3900 and the LiftMaster 8500 are in the average price range for a well-known garage door opener brand.
LiftMaster 3900
Considering it lacks come of the extra features, it’s surprising that it costs quite a bit more than the LiftMaster 8500. What surprised us further was that the LiftMaster 3900 only comes with a 2-year warranty.
LiftMaster 8500
While cheaper than the LiftMaster 3900, you will still have to pay out a little extra if you want to use the MyQ feature. The warranty is much more attractive at 5 years.
The Winner Is- The 8500
Pros and Cons
Before giving our final verdict, we have a few pros and cons for each of the LiftMaster garage door openers.
LiftMaster 3900
Pros:
- Installation is very straightforward if you know what you are doing, and it doesn’t require a great number of tools
- It’s quiet and smooth when opening and closing, no jumpy movements
- It’s an excellent option for smaller spaces yet still has the power for heavier doors
Cons:
- It is slower than other garage door openers
LiftMaster 8500
Pros:
- The control panel is definitely a favorite; it’s easy to link up with your smartphone to save you having to buy more controls
- Once you have a garage door opener with a motion sensor light, you will never go back, it lights up the whole garage
- It works flawlessly each time, a very reliable machine
Cons:
- It’s a pity it doesn’t come with an Internet Gateway, for the price it really should
The Final Verdict
As the LiftMaster 3900 and the LiftMaster 8500 are compatible with many doors that are similar, the decision may not come down to compatibility. One thing that is worth bearing in mind is that LiftMaster recommends a maximum opening of 10 cycles per hour for the LiftMaster 3900.
Regarding size and appearance, they are both tidy, compact machines that will save you space. The LiftMaster 3900 has the slight advantage of being a little smaller, but we didn’t feel that this was enough to affect the buyer’s decision.
When you add the cost of an Internet gateway to the LiftMaster 8500, the price of the two is quite similar. The LiftMaster 8500, however, has a 5-year warranty, which makes it better value for money.
Overall, we preferred the LiftMaster LiftMaster 8500. The motion sensor light may not seem important but it was a huge benefit. The locking system is a necessity. And, to be honest, we liked being able to control our garage door from our phones. They may only seem like little things, but when put together, they make the LiftMaster 8500 superior.
Last update on 2023-03-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API