If you need a new Garage Door Remote for Craftsman, you have two routes: official Craftsman remotes made for your opener or universal remotes from other brands that are compatible with Craftsman models. Below, we compare some top choices in both categories, focusing on range, programming ease, durability, battery life, and price. We also note compatibility for different Craftsman opener models (older vs. newer units).
Official Garage Door Remote for Craftsman
Craftsman 3-Button Visor Remote (model CMXZDCG453), which works with most Craftsman openers built since 1993.
The Craftsman 3-Button Visor Remote is the standard replacement clicker for Craftsman openers. It’s designed specifically for Sears/Craftsman units and works with all Craftsman garage door openers made since 1993 (if your opener has a green, orange/red, purple, or yellow “learn” button on the motor, this remote will sync with it). Key features include:
- Controls up to 3 doors: You can program each of the three buttons to a different Craftsman garage door (or gate). This is handy if you have multiple garage bays or a gate in addition to your door.
- Excellent range: Craftsman’s remote uses tri-band technology for an extended reach – it boasts a range up to 1500 feet in optimal conditions. In practice, this means you can usually trigger your door from down the street, well before you pull into the driveway.
- Simple programming: It’s extremely easy to pair – just press the “Learn” button on your opener unit, then press the remote’s button to sync. The remote uses rolling-code security so you don’t have to set DIP switches. An LED on the remote confirms the signal is sent and even blinks when the battery is low, making maintenance straightforward.
- Durability and battery: The unit has a sturdy build with a metal visor clip, built to handle daily use. It uses a 3V coin-cell lithium battery (pre-installed) that typically lasts around 2 years of normal use. The LED indicator helps you know when it’s time to change the battery.
- Price and where to buy: This official Craftsman remote generally costs around $25–$30. It’s available through retailers like Lowe’s or Sears, and online. For example, it can be found on Amazon for roughly $25–$30. Given its wide compatibility and high quality, it’s a safe choice if you want a hassle-free replacement that matches your Craftsman opener perfectly.
Compatibility note: This Craftsman remote (and the universals below) will work with any Craftsman unit that has a learn/program button (1993–present). If you happen to have a very old pre-1993 Craftsman opener that uses manual DIP switches instead of a learn button, the official remote above won’t work (since those older units use a fixed code).
In that case, you’ll need a remote specifically made for the older DIP-switch system or a universal remote that can mimic those codes. (The Chamberlain Clicker universal remote, mentioned next, has a mode for older dip-switch openers.) For the vast majority of Craftsman owners (openers made in the last ~30 years), the models below will all be compatible.
Top Universal Garage Door Remote for Craftsman Openers
Several third-party universal remotes can replace or supplement Craftsman remotes. These are generally designed to work with multiple brands (Craftsman, Chamberlain, LiftMaster, Genie, etc.), which is great if you have different opener brands at home or just want a cost-effective alternative. Here are some of the best universal remotes compatible with Craftsman, along with their key features:
Chamberlain Clicker Universal Remote (2-Button)
Chamberlain “Clicker” Universal 2-Button Remote – a popular choice that works with nearly all major opener brands.
Top Pick: Chamberlain’s Clicker is one of the most popular universal remotes and our top recommendation for Craftsman openers. It works with “over 90%” of garage door openers in North America, including all Chamberlain-made brands like Craftsman. It has 2 buttons, so it can control up to two different garage doors (even if they are different brands). Programming is easy – it uses a wireless learning process with no need for any special receivers.
You just follow the included instructions to set the remote’s compatibility mode (for Craftsman, usually by selecting the learn button color or brand) and then pair it by pressing your opener’s learn button. The Clicker features secure encryption (rolling code) to prevent hacking. In terms of range, it is rated for an 800-ft operating range, which means you can typically open your garage from a long distance (several houses away) for “no-wait” access. Its build quality is solid – a robust plastic casing that comes with a visor clip – and it uses a long-lasting lithium coin battery (included). At about $30–$35 (Home Depot lists it at $31.97), it offers great value. Buy: Available at home improvement stores and on Amazon.
Solidremote Visor-Clip Universal Remote (2-Pack)
The Solidremote brand makes a highly regarded aftermarket remote that’s compatible with Craftsman/LiftMaster/Chamberlain openers. Their universal visor remote comes in a pack of two and supports Craftsman openers from 1993 to present (all colors of learn button: green, orange/red, purple, yellow). Each remote has multiple buttons (up to 2 or 3 buttons per remote, depending on model) so you can control more than one door. Users praise Solidremote for being easy to program and install – it’s essentially as simple as the official remotes: press the opener’s learn button, then program the remote button.
In our experience, these remotes performed reliably; range and responsiveness are comparable to original units (“good range” in testing). They are also quite durable – the design is basic but “not fragile,” built to withstand being tossed in a glove box or daily visor use. Battery life is also excellent; they use standard CR2032 cells and come pre-loaded so they work right out of the box. Perhaps the biggest advantage is price: Solidremote’s 2-pack sells for about $20–$25 (roughly $11 per remote), making it a very cost-effective replacement. Buy: You can find this 2-pack on Amazon for around $22, which is a bargain for two units.
Genie Universal Garage Door Remote (2-Button Keychain)
If you prefer a smaller remote to carry on a keyring, Genie’s universal remote is a great option. This unit has a compact key-fob design with two buttons, capable of controlling two garage doors (it’s compatible with all major brands including Craftsman, LiftMaster, Chamberlain, etc.). Its small size makes it convenient to clip to your keys or toss in a bag. Despite the tiny form, it’s built tough – Genie advertises a “rigid” build that can handle abuse, and indeed its sturdy plastic housing and tactile rubberized buttons seem very durable.
Programming the Genie universal remote is straightforward: like others, you put it in learn mode for the correct brand and sync it to your opener’s learn button – users and reviews note the easy programming and Genie’s clear instructions. One thing to be aware of is that the wireless range is a bit shorter than some others: in testing, the Genie remote needed to be within about 75 feet of the door to work reliably, whereas original remotes might work from 100–150+ feet.
In practice this just means you may need to be a little closer (for example, at the foot of your driveway) to open the door – a minor trade-off given the convenience of the small size. Like the others, it uses a lithium coin battery and supports rolling-code security (Intellicode for Genie, Security+ for Craftsman, etc.), but note that it will not work on very old openers with DIP switches (it’s only for rolling code systems). The Genie universal remote is usually priced in the $25–$35 range. Buy: Available via Amazon and home centers.
Feature Comparison
To summarize the key differences:
- Range: The official Craftsman remote offers the longest range (advertised up to ~1500 ft in ideal conditions), whereas most good universal remotes reach about 800 ft – more than enough for typical use. The Genie keychain remote has a somewhat shorter range (~75 ft effective), so if you have a long driveway you might prefer the Craftsman or Chamberlain units for their extended reach. In everyday use, all of these will open your door by the time you’re in front of your house.
- Ease of Programming: All of these remotes are user-friendly. The Craftsman remote and Chamberlain Clicker both use one-touch learn button pairing, meaning you simply press the opener’s learn button, then press the remote – no tools or dip switches needed. The universal models sometimes require an extra step to set the remote’s operating mode (to tell it which brand or frequency to use), but this is usually as simple as holding a certain button combination and is clearly explained in the manual. Once that’s done, you hit the opener’s learn button and you’re synced. In short, programming takes under a minute for any of these. They also all support rolling-code security protocols to keep your garage secure.
- Compatibility: The Craftsman 3-button remote is guaranteed to work with any Craftsman opener from 1993 onward. The Chamberlain, Solidremote, and Genie universals have broad compatibility as well – they cover the same date range for Craftsman (and LiftMaster/Chamberlain) openers and even other brands, as long as the opener uses a photo-eye sensor (post-1993 safety standard) and a rolling code system. If your Craftsman unit is older and uses DIP switches, the Chamberlain Clicker can be set to dip-switch mode to work with it, whereas the Genie remote cannot. Always double-check the compatibility notes (usually based on the “learn button color” or year) when buying a universal remote. The references above show the supported Craftsman learn-button colors (all the major ones: yellow, purple, red/orange, green are covered by these universals).
- Durability: All of these recommended remotes are built to last. The Craftsman OEM remote has a high-quality feel and a secure visor clip. Chamberlain’s Clicker undergoes “rigorous quality testing” for longevity, and the unit has a weather-resistant casing that holds up well to drops or heat/cold in a car. The Solidremote is noted to be solid and “not fragile” despite its budget price – its simple design actually means fewer breakable parts. Genie’s remote, while smaller, is also very sturdy with tough buttons that won’t easily wear out. In general, users report that these remotes survive years of daily use. It’s always a good idea to keep them in a relatively protected spot (visor or keychain away from heavy jostling) to extend their life.
- Battery Life: All the options use small coin-cell lithium batteries (such as CR2032 or CR2016). These batteries typically last 2-5 years in a garage remote, depending on usage. The Solidremote documentation notes about 2 years average life per battery, and Chamberlain/Genie remotes are similar. The Craftsman remote’s LED will flash to alert you when the battery is getting weak, which is a handy feature so you’re not caught off guard. Replacing the battery is as simple as popping open the case and swapping the coin cell (very inexpensive to buy). Because the remotes use very little power (only transmitting for a second when you press the button), battery life is generally not a big concern. Just remember to have a spare CR2032 on hand every couple of years.
- Price: The official Craftsman remote is a mid-range option, roughly $25-$30 as a single unit. The Chamberlain Clicker universal runs about $30-$35 for one remote (sometimes you can find two-packs for a bit more). The Genie 2-button universal is in a similar price bracket (around $25). The Solidremote (and similar aftermarket brands) offer the best deal – often about $20-$25 for a two-pack. So if you’re on a tight budget or need multiple remotes for family members, the Solidremote or a similar compatible generic can save money without sacrificing functionality. That said, buying from established brands (Craftsman/Chamberlain/Genie) might offer easier customer support or return policies if anything goes wrong. All the options above are relatively affordable compared to the cost of a whole new opener – even the priciest remote is still under $40.
Bottom Line: For the most seamless experience with a Craftsman opener, the Craftsman 3-button visor remote is a sure bet – it matches your opener and maximizes range. However, the Chamberlain Clicker is almost just as easy and adds the flexibility to use with other opener brands (or older Craftsman units).
If you want to save a bit of money or need extra remotes, the Solidremote 2-pack is a high-quality budget-friendly choice that works perfectly with Craftsman openers. And for those who prefer a smaller form factor, the Genie universal keychain remote is a convenient, well-built unit – just keep in mind you’ll need to be slightly closer to the door when using it. All of these remotes are readily available online; you can purchase them through Amazon or home improvement stores (we’ve provided links/references above for convenience). With any of these options, you’ll get your garage door opening and closing smoothly with a new remote in no time.
Sources: Official product descriptions and user reviews were referenced for specifications on range, compatibility, and features, as well as setup guides and expert reviews for programming steps and performance insights. All the remotes listed have proven compatibility with Craftsman garage door openers and come well-recommended by homeowners for their reliability and ease of use.
