The Chamberlain B5330 is a 1 HP belt-drive smart opener with battery backup and a built-in 1080p camera. PCMag rated it 4.0 out of 5 for quiet, smooth operation and a sharp camera, while noting that the keypad costs extra and recorded video and face recognition need a myQ subscription. Bob Vila's reviewer gave it 5/5 after two months of daily use.
Full review
A 1 HP belt-drive opener with a camera built in
PCMag's John R. Delaney describes the Chamberlain B5330 as a 1-horsepower belt-driven DC opener measuring 7.2 by 8.2 by 16.2 inches and weighing just over 11 pounds, with a camera under the front cover that records 1080p video across a 130-degree field of view. A backup battery is included and, per PCMag, provides up to 10 open-and-close cycles in a power outage.
PCMag lists the box contents as two preprogrammed car remotes, a wall controller, drive rails, safety sensors and two LED bulbs rated at up to 1,000 lumens combined. No keypad is included; PCMag prices the compatible wireless keypad at $44.99 and the video keypad at $79.99.
What PCMag found in testing
PCMag rated the B5330 4.0 out of 5. Delaney writes that the motor was 'a bit quieter' than Chamberlain's older HD950WF and that 'the up-and-down motion was very smooth'. The opener 'instantly responded to app, keypad, and remote commands', and the safety sensors halted and reversed the door whenever an obstruction was detected.
On the camera, PCMag reports sharp 1080p video with bright colors, and low-light footage that depends on the opener's LEDs, which switched on whenever the door opened, motion was detected or the live view was started. The reviewer also used the opener with the HomeLink controls in a 2015 Mustang without trouble.
Two months of daily use at Bob Vila
Bob Vila's Paul Rankin rated the B5330 5/5 after two months of daily use, calling it 'much quieter, smoother, and more refined' than the builder-grade opener it replaced. He singles out the motion-activated lighting, myQ notifications showing when the door opens or closes and how long it has been open, Amazon in-garage delivery, and pairing with his electric car so the door closes when he leaves and opens when he returns.
Rankin also credits the battery backup with 'huge peace of mind during Florida power outages'. His review names no faults; the drawbacks listed on this page come from PCMag.
Installation, subscriptions and smart-home limits
Both reviewers paid for professional installation. PCMag says self-installation is possible with the video instructions in the BILT app but involves precise measurements, ladder work and mounting rails, pulleys and sensors; its professional install took close to two hours.
Live streaming and motion alerts are free in the myQ app, but PCMag notes that recorded video, face recognition and several other features need a paid plan: Ultra at $14.99 per month or $149.99 per year, Essential at $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year, or Basic at $24.99 per year. PCMag's cons also include that the opener 'does not support Alexa, Google, or HomeKit', though it works with IFTTT and Ring.
Strengths
- +Quiet, smooth belt-drive operation in PCMag's testing
- +Built-in 1080p camera with a 130-degree field of view
- +Backup battery included, good for up to 10 open-and-close cycles per PCMag
- +Free live streaming and motion alerts in the myQ app
- +Works with IFTTT, Ring and in-car HomeLink, per PCMag
Watch-outs
- −Keypad costs extra ($44.99 wireless or $79.99 video keypad, per PCMag)
- −Does not support Alexa, Google or HomeKit, per PCMag
- −Recorded video, face recognition and other features require a myQ subscription
- −Both reviewers opted for professional installation; PCMag's took close to two hours
How it compares
The B5330 and the Genie SilentMax Connect are both DC belt-drive openers with Wi-Fi app control; the B5330 adds battery backup and a built-in camera and is rated at 1 HP against the Genie's 3/4 HPc. The Genie 1035 is a basic chain-drive opener operated by a wall button and remote, and the Genie 4062-TKNMSO is a screw-drive unit.
Rating sources
Counts as 4.16/5 in our score — this publisher's 181 scores on the site average 4.00, so its scores are adjusted up to compare fairly with other publishers.
Counts as 4.68/5 in our score — this publisher's 42 scores on the site average 4.53, so its scores are adjusted down to compare fairly with other publishers.
Our 4.4 score is the average of these published ratings, each adjusted for how strictly its publisher scores. More about methodology.
