Craftsman garage door opener remotes generally fall into a few categories: original Craftsman remotes, universal multi-brand remotes, and specialty or built-in remotes. Below we explain each type:
Original Craftsman Garage Door Opener Remotes OEM :
These are the remotes designed for Craftsman openers, often branded with the Craftsman logo. They come in visor clip styles or keychain fob styles. Older models were typically single-button or multi-button visor remotes that shipped with the opener. For example, Craftsman model 139.53879 is a 3-button visor remote for certain 1990s openers, and 139.53859 is a single-button version. Newer Craftsman remotes (post-2010) like model CMXZDCG453 are slim three-button units that can control up to three garage doors. They use advanced rolling-code tech for security and boast features like extended range (up to 1,500 ft) and battery status LEDs. Many Craftsman remotes are physically identical to Chamberlain/LiftMaster remotes of the same era, just with different branding.
Universal Craftsman Garage Door Opener Remotes:
Several manufacturers produce universal remotes that can be programmed to work with multiple brands of openers, including Craftsman (which is made by Chamberlain). Chamberlain’s own Clicker line is a popular example. The Chamberlain/LiftMaster 3-button universal remote (e.g. model G953EV-P2) can control up to two or three different openers of various brands and is “compatible with nearly every garage door opener made by Chamberlain®, LiftMaster®, and Craftsman®”.
These remotes often have a learning mode to cycle through supported frequencies and codes until they match your opener. Universal remotes are convenient if you have different opener brands in one home or if you can’t find a brand-specific remote. They typically support the major frequency systems (300/310/315/390 MHz) and code systems (fixed code, Billion Code, Security+ rolling codes, etc.) used since the early 1990s. Always check the package for compatibility with your opener’s learn button color or year – most universal remotes cover openers made after 1993 that have safety sensors (earlier openers may not be supported for safety reasons).
Built-in Car Remotes (HomeLink/Car2U):
Many modern vehicles come with integrated garage door remote buttons (such as the HomeLink system). These are not separate handheld units, but it’s worth noting that a car’s HomeLink can be programmed to emulate a Craftsman remote. HomeLink in newer vehicles can learn the rolling code from a Craftsman remote by a training procedure (holding the remote close to the car’s transmitter during programming, then pressing the opener’s learn button to sync).
If you have a very new Craftsman opener (Security+ 2.0 / AssureLink) and an older car (pre-2011 HomeLink version), you might need a HomeLink bridge module for compatibility. In general, HomeLink and built-in remotes provide a convenient alternative to carrying a separate fob, and they work with Craftsman units as long as the car’s system supports the opener’s frequency/technology. (This guide focuses on handheld remotes, so for detailed HomeLink programming steps, refer to your vehicle manual.)
Craftsman Garage Door keypad :
(Not a handheld remote, but related accessory) – Craftsman also offers wireless keypads (mounted outside the garage door) allowing entry via PIN code. These keypads use the same radio technology as the remotes and must be compatible with the opener’s learn button color as well. For example, a Craftsman keypad model 139.53754 is made for Security+ openers (315 MHz). If you’re considering a keypad, ensure it matches your opener’s year/technology similar to how remotes must match. Keypads are useful for granting access without a physical remote, but they program in the same way a remote does via the learn button. (When troubleshooting or upgrading, keep in mind the keypad’s compatibility alongside the remotes.)
Craftsman 3-Button Garage Door Opener Remote (Model CMXZDCG453), a modern visor-style remote. It can control up to three different Craftsman openers and uses rolling-code security that sends a new code from “billions of possible combinations” each use. Newer remotes like this boast an extended range (up to ~1500 feet in ideal conditions) and have an LED indicator for feedback and low battery alerts.
Compatibility with Craftsman Garage Door Opener Units
Matching the right remote to your Craftsman opener is crucial. Craftsman (Sears) garage door openers have used a few different radio technologies over the years. The quickest way to determine compatibility is often by looking at the “Learn” button color on your opener’s motor unit (the button used to program remotes). The learn button color correlates to the frequency and code system the opener uses. Craftsman openers also have model numbers (often starting with 139.xxxx) and date stamps that indicate the technology. Below is a breakdown of Craftsman opener generations and the corresponding remote compatibility:
| Opener Era (Manufacture Year) | Learn Button Color | Frequency & Code System | Compatible Remote Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984–1992: Early units with DIP switches (no learn button) | N/A (no learn button) | 390 MHz fixed code (8–12 DIP switch). Some very early units used 300–310 MHz, but most Sears units were ~390 MHz fixed codes. | Craftsman 139.53778 or 139.53776 remote (9 DIP switches) – equivalent to LiftMaster 61LM/63LM series. Programming: Set the toggle switches in the remote to match the switches on the opener’s receiver. |
| 1993–1997: “Billion Code” rolling code generation (introduction of learn buttons) | Green learn button | 390 MHz “Billion Code” – rolling code with ~3.5 billion combinations (first-gen rolling code, eliminating DIP switches). Backward-compatible with the old DIP code receivers in case you had both. | Craftsman 139.53879 (3-button visor) or 139.53859 (1-button) remotes – equivalent to LiftMaster 81LM/82LM series. These have green LED lights and were sold for green-button openers. Also compatible: Chamberlain 950CB/953CB remotes. |
| 1997–2005: Security+ 390 MHz rolling code (second-gen rolling code) | Red or Orange learn button (sometimes called amber) | 390 MHz Security+ (rolling code with over 100 billion codes; updated encryption). All remotes and keypads must use Security+ 390 technology for these openers | Craftsman 139.53680 (3-button visor remote with blue buttons) and 139.53681 (keychain remote) are typical for these units. These correspond to LiftMaster 971LM (1-button) and 973LM (3-button) remotes. Chamberlain branded equivalents include 950CB/953CB (which also had 390 MHz versions). Note: If your Craftsman remote has blue buttons, it’s likely a 390 MHz Security+ model for a red/orange learn opener. |
| 2005–2010: Security+ 315 MHz rolling code (third-gen rolling code) | Purple learn button | 315 MHz Security+ (improved rolling code, to reduce interference). Introduced as an update around 2005; required remotes that transmit on 315 MHz with Security+ protocol. | Craftsman 139.53753 (3-button visor) and 139.53758/139.53757 (keychain remotes) – equivalent to LiftMaster 371LM (1-button) and 373LM (3-button) models, respectively. These typically have black or gray buttons on the remote. Chamberlain models like 950ESTD/953ESTD are also 315 MHz Security+ and will work. (ESTD/LM models often denote 315 MHz units.) |
| 2011–Present: Security+ 2.0 (“AssureLink®” / MyQ) | Yellow learn button | 310/315/390 MHz Tri-Band Security+ 2.0, the latest rolling code system. Opener’s radio cycles across multiple frequencies for reliability, and uses enhanced encryption (Security+ 2.0) for improved security. Most AssureLink/MyQ-enabled Craftsman openers fall here (with internet connectivity). | Craftsman remote model CMXZDCG453 (3-button, visor) is designed for Security+ 2.0 openers – it sends a new code each use from “billions of combinations”. Compatible LiftMaster/Chamberlain remotes include the 891LM (1-button), 893LM or 893MAX (3-button) and 894LT (4-button) which are all Security+ 2.0. These remotes are often labeled as Security+ 2.0 or have the logo “® 2.0” on them. Many are backward-compatible with earlier Security+ systems as well (e.g., the 893MAX can control one of each type: a Security+ 2.0 opener, a 315 MHz opener, and a 390 MHz opener simultaneously). |
Table: Craftsman opener compatibility by era and learn button. Always match your replacement remote to the opener’s learn button color or model year. For example, a purple-button Craftsman opener (2005–2010) needs a 315 MHz Security+ remote – a 390 MHz remote won’t work. If you have multiple openers, you may need different remotes for each if they are different generations (unless you use a universal remote that covers both).
NOTE:
A few Craftsman openers do not use Chamberlain’s radio tech. Notably, the Craftsman “Series 100” openers (model numbers like 200.57933, etc.) were made by a different manufacturer (Guardian) and are incompatible with Chamberlain/LiftMaster remotes. If you have a Series 100 (often a basic model sold in later Sears years), you must use the specific remote for that unit or a compatible universal that supports Guardian frequencies. (These are an outlier – the vast majority of Craftsman openers are Chamberlain-made and follow the above compatibility rules.) Always double-check your exact model if in doubt.
