Hearing myQ in proptech conversations and wondering if it’s relevant for your property? Here’s a distilled review of key myQ products with handpicked customer insights to help you understand the company’s offerings and their role in smart home upgradation.
To help you understand if myQ is suitable for your home, apartment, or office building, here’s what we’ll cover in this myQ review.
Table of Contents
- What is myQ?
- What can the myQ Mobile Application do?
- Overview of Top myQ Smart Home Products
- What Do Customers Say About myQ?
- Looking for Alternatives?
- FAQs
What is myQ?
myQ is an enterprise solution by the Chamberlain Group, consisting of flagship brands LiftMaster and Chamberlain, focused on elevating property-wide access control by “smart” upgradation and automation.
Apart from dedicated myQ hardware like smart cameras, video keypads, locks, and garage door controllers, the company is mainly known for its multifunctional mobile application–the myQ Garage and Access Control app, which helps control every appliance from the Chamberlain Group.
It’s wise to note that the myQ ecosystem is primarily tailored for single-family homes and residences, especially garage access control.
For pervasive smart security, you can use myQ cameras for general surveillance, video keypads for seamless vehicle entry, and compatible garage door openers by Chamberlain or LiftMaster.
What can the myQ Mobile Application do?
Once connected, your myQ mobile app becomes the central point for all your security updates.
Whether you want real-time notifications about your garage door’s activity or any access event on the video keypad, you can get them right there on your phone.
For instance, the system can alert you to garage door obstructions so you can minimize damage from collisions. You can even unlock garages through voice activation, enabling a smooth, hands-free access experience (incredibly convenient if your hands are full).
In addition to monitoring, the interface allows you to open and close your garage door remotely, grant access to verified individuals, and track activity in and around your residence.
Potential Drawbacks of Using the myQ App
- The myQ app constantly needs a stable internet connection.
- The app is compatible only with myQ devices.
- While initially supporting integrations with smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, the myQ app no longer offers these capabilities.
Is the myQ Mobile App Free?
You can download the myQ mobile app for free via the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store. Five independent users can share access at a time.
However, you require a paid myQ subscription for advanced security features like recordings of access events for up to 30 days, enhanced motion sensitivity, and recognition of familiar faces.
The subscription cost of myQ ranges from $3.99 to $13.99 per month and from $39.99 to $139.99 per year. This figure varies depending on the duration and number of devices you want the subscription for.
Overview of Top myQ Smart Home Products
In this myQ review, we unwrap the following products for property-wide security and surveillance:
- Smart Cameras
- Video Keypad
- Garage Control
- Smart Lock
Smart Cameras
Primarily used for garage surveillance, myQ offers various indoor/ outdoor cameras to suit your property’s requirements. With 1080p HD video quality, you get the best visual output with night vision capabilities and a 130° swivel lens for maximal area coverage.
As a plus point, you also get two-way audio with cameras, i.e., you can hear what’s happening on the other end and communicate with the visitors through a speaker fitted inside the garage camera.
With more “smart” features like customizable motion sensitivity, detection zones, and real-time alerts, it might be a good addition to your list of property upgrades.
However, a constant, high-speed Wi-Fi connection is required at all times, and it might be too expensive if you don’t want to monitor your property and garage round the clock or have fewer visitors. You can consider alternative, cheaper surveillance systems with fewer features but equally robust security.
Cost
Per this myQ review, the cameras range from $20 to $50 as per Amazon.
Video Keypad
The myQ video keypad (also called myQ doorbell) is placed on garage entrances for quick identity verification before opening the garage door. It allows users to create personalized PIN codes for family, friends, and service providers, ensuring that only trusted individuals can access the garage.
The device is also compatible with major garage door opener brands (mostly all manufactured after 1993), adding to its versatility.
A minor drawback is the need for regular battery recharging, which typically lasts around one month with limited use.
One important consideration is that the video keypad was designed for only the garage use case. While it can also be used at front entrances, it lacks the multifunctionality and feature set of a modern apartment intercom system.
Cost
While researching for this myQ review, we found several prices for this product. The myQ video keypad costs $57 as per Amazon and Walmart, and has varying prices on eBay.
Garage Control
Chamberlain’s Smart Garage Control is the most central product in myQ’s security suite. It helps you remotely open or close your garage doors and receive real-time status alerts.
The instant alert system is very helpful for catching open garage doors (when you forget to close them or leave them open for too long) and remotely closing them using the myQ app.
The garage control solution consists of two components: the sensor (placed on the garage door) and the controller hub (placed on the ceiling, a sidewall, or opposite walls to the garage opening). However, both devices must be placed near an electrical outlet, within 50 feet of the Wi-Fi router. For detailed installation instructions, refer to YouTube tutorials by myQ.
It’s a good purchase if you have garage door openers, manufactured after 1993, because you likely won’t need to replace existing hardware.
Cost
The smart garage control’s base price (without subscription) is around $25 on the myQ website.
One vital consideration, however, is that like any smart home device, it needs stable Wi-Fi connectivity. If your garage is located in an area with spotty coverage, you might want to rethink getting myQ’s Smart Garage Control.
Smart Lock
Besides the standard remote unlocking functionality that every smart lock offers today, myQ smart locks offer scheduling (through the myQ app), which adapts to your daily routine. You can automate locking at bedtime and unlocking during specific hours, per your home activity levels.
Unlike some competitors, who charge subscription fees for guest access, we find in this myQ review that their smart locks support up to 5 users at no additional cost. The myQ app allows users to open or close doors remotely and receive updates about all access events.
While the product information lists stable Wi-Fi requirements, the lock actually uses Bluetooth for direct communication with your smartphone when in range, with Wi-Fi as the backbone for remote operations. This dual connectivity improves operational reliability.
The myQ Smart Lock works with standard-sized doors between 1⅜” and 1¾” thick and requires a standard deadbolt configuration.
Cost
myQ integrates with multiple smart lock companies, giving you various options. The myQ Yale lock costs around $279.99 per unit on eBay.
Since myQ smart locks are considerably more expensive than traditional locks, it’s best to check out market alternatives before you finalize a product to upgrade your property.
What Do Customers Say About myQ?
While parsing feedback and myQ reviews of the mobile app and products, we found largely negative reviews across Apple App Store, Google Play Store, and Reddit, of which a handful are highlighted below. Several customers also published positive reviews (added at the end).
Apple App Store Reviews
- Slow app launch: The myQ logo remains on the screen too long before loading.
- Unreliable camera performance: myQ cameras often disconnect, experience lag, and fail to provide live video despite strong Wi-Fi.
- App loading delays: The open/close feature sometimes takes too long to respond, making users open gates and doors manually.
- No support for third-party integrations: As revealed in this myQ review, the mobile app does not work with Home Assistant, Homebridge, Google Home, or Alexa.
- Failure Notifications Missing: The app does not notify users if a garage door fails to close, pushing users to check the door manually.
- Ads within the app: Users feel that an advertisement banner on the screen’s top section makes the app less professional and disrupts usability.
Google Play Store Reviews
- Frequent App Failures: The app often fails to open or close garage doors, working properly only about two days per week.
- Devices Require Frequent Resets: Users must continuously reset the mobile application to temporarily fix issues. The video keypad must be recharged every few weeks, leading to operational inefficiencies.
- No Local Storage for Cameras: Users must subscribe to cloud storage for photo and video storage. Expensive cloud services add to the total cost of the product.
Reddit Reviews
- Forced Subscription Fees: Users must pay for basic functionality, making myQ feel restrictive.
- Privacy Concerns: It was reported that customer support accessed a user’s garage door status with only an email. This myQ review finds that users worry about the company collecting and monetizing data.
Nevertheless, several happy customers gave positive myQ reviews on Reddit.
- Many users claim that their application works just fine, controls garages reliably, and provides real-time updates about the garage door status.
- Some users praise the system’s ability to manage deliveries.
- Setup is straightforward; some users find myQ better than other smart garage controllers.
Looking for Alternatives?
As a conclusion to this myQ review, its products offer a comprehensive home automation and security solution. From the mobile application to garage cameras, video keypads, and smart locks, a myQ device provides round-the-clock security and surveillance for your home.
However, myQ customer reviews are overwhelmingly negative, with certain product limitations like a stable Wi-Fi connection and the requirement of paid myQ subscription plans for advanced features.
Swiftlane’s a good option if you’re looking for a more scalable and advanced system.
Swiftlane
The Swiftlane SwiftReader X features an 8-inch LCD touchscreen built into a sturdy IK10-rated body (the highest manual resistance in the industry). The intercom offers optional 2-way video communication between residents and visitors.
This intercom, powered by a single Ethernet cable, can manage thousands of buildings. Its advanced facial recognition technology, coupled with end-to-end encryption, provides tenants a secure, convenient entry mechanism, along with five other entry methods.
Mobile-app integration provides tenants with a user-friendly interface and a keyless entry method. The Swiftlane mobile app is free to download and has great user ratings for Android and iOS.
With cloud-based management, property managers can scrutinize all access events and manage access permissions from one dashboard to eliminate data breaches and unauthorized access.
A huge differentiator is the capability to receive over-the-air updates automatically, which work even when the internet goes out (cellular backup).
FAQs
Is the myQ app free to use?
Yes, the myQ app is free to download and use. There are various paid myQ subscription plans for advanced features like recordings of access events and facial detection.
Can I control my garage door remotely with the myQ app?
The myQ app lets you control your garage door from anywhere and get real-time alerts.
What is the range for the Chamberlain myQ Smart Garage Control?
If your myQ device is not working or won’t connect to Wi-Fi, ensure your garage control unit is placed within 50 feet of your Wi-Fi router for the best performance. Also, ensure the Wi-Fi password is correct and a 2.4 GHz network is selected. If that doesn’t work, try a factory reset of the myQ device.
How long does the battery last on the myQ Video Keypad?
The myQ Video Keypad’s battery lasts about one month with limited daily use, after which you need to recharge the device before it can be used again.
Can I share access to my myQ Smart Lock with others?
Using the myQ app, you can easily share access to your myQ Smart Lock with up to five trusted individuals.
Is myQ free with LiftMaster?
Yes. You can connect for free if you own a LiftMaster or Chamberlain product with Wi-Fi or any product powered by myQ. You just have to download the myQ app.
Can LiftMaster work with an iPhone?
Yes. Residents can approve keyless entries remotely with the myQ app on their iPhones and iPads.
How do I install the Chamberlain myQ garage opener?
The garage control solution consists of two components: the sensor (placed on the garage door) and the controller hub (placed on the ceiling, a sidewall, or opposite walls to the garage opening). Both devices must be placed near an electrical outlet, within 50 feet of the Wi-Fi router. For detailed installation instructions, refer to YouTube tutorials by myQ.
Does myQ work with Google Home/ Alexa?
While initially supporting third-party integrations with smart home platforms like Amazon Alexa and Google Home, the myQ app no longer offers these capabilities.
How can I reset myQ garage door opener?
To reset a myQ garage door opener, you’ll need to find the “Settings” or “Learn” button on the controller hub. Depending on your specific model, hold this button until the LED light blinks or beeps, then press it again to confirm the reset. After the reset, you may need to re-pair your remote controls and/or the myQ app to the opener.
