Best Electric Slide Gate Openers 2022 Review

Updated: Aug 2022

When you’re shopping for an electric slide gate openers, it’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the different brands and types of gate openers available on the market. And it’s challenging to figure out which one is the best for your specific electric gate system.

There are several factors to consider when choosing an electric gate motor. What’s more, each brand has its own specialised features and benefits. It’s important to check that the system you pick will integrate in all the access control locks and openers that you plan on fitting to the gate

It’s also essential to consider the gate size and weight capacities when shopping for an electric gate motor. And we can’t forget to mention the power source, remote controls, and more.

We’ve created this guide that includes a list of essential considerations when choosing the best electric gate opener for your gate system.

Opener Type

Electric gate openers can be found in two different types: those that work with swing gates and those that are for slide open gates.

Gate Size & Weight

Next, it’s imperative to consider the gate’s size and weight when choosing the best electric gate opener. Electric gate openers are rated by the specific loads and lengths they’re able to handle. For instance, swing gate motors have a maximum size and weight that they can move. Similarly the longer the leaf size, the less weight the opener can handle.

Here’s a couple of examples:

A motor that can move 500kg at 2 metres may only be able to cope with 200kg at 5 metres.

Electric gate opener manufacturers include the weight capacity based on the length of the gate.

Power Source

All electric gate automation kits require a 230v electrical supply to the control panel. Then there are 2 types of motors: 230v and 24v. 24v motors are safer and also have similar force outputs. We would only recommend 230v motors on large high intensive commercial sites. Although understandably less popular in the UK, solar can be an option for some. Although expect in this country to get limited use with this power source - around 8 cycles per day.

Frequency of Use

The next consideration is how often the gate is used. Gate motors are used solid boarded all year round, through all kinds of weather. These motors are put through a wide range of stress, wear, and tear. So, it’s important to consider how often the opener must open and close the gate.

When gates are only opened a couple of times a day, they don’t experience as much wear and tear as a gate that must be used many times every day. So, make sure to choose a gate opener that can handle the frequency of how often the gate is used.

Interfaces

Another important consideration is the type of interface required for the electric gate opener. Gate controls vary from model to model and between manufacturers however the majority will work with multiple third party interfaces by having dedicated inputs for opening, closing and a step by step function.

Given that you aren’t generally restricted to brand or manufacturer, this gives you the ability to be able to control the gate via a number of different ways such as keypads, proximity reader intercoms and new 4G app controlled units (allowing the user to open and close their gate with a smartphone or voice control when the opener is paired with a virtual assistant), our unit of choice being the PAL 4G gate controller.

Additional Features to Consider

Gate openers are available with a wide range of functions, with some brands offering even more features, including:

Stop & reverse functions: this is a useful feature that makes the gate system safer. The automatic gate should sense when it hits an obstacle when closing, then stop and reverse. This is a safety feature that keeps the gate from causing horrible injuries to people and pets in its path. Most 24v systems have the stop and reverse function included as standard but the 230v systems generally do not.

Remote functions: Most automation kits come with 2 button fobs included, where the secondary button can be used for a pedestrian open (or if integrated with a standalone receiver this can also open any automatic garage doors). There are also electric gate opener models that can also be controlled with an app on a smart device.

Auto-close: some electric gates close with a programmable automatic timer. The user sets the amount of time that should pass before the gate closes. This provides vehicles and people with enough time to pass through but not too much time with the gate open, leaving the property unsecured.

To make the decision easier for you, our gate automation experts have compared the top 5 electric gate openers for swing, sliding and DIY gates.

What are the best electric gate openers?

Our gate automation experts provide their recommendations for the best electric gate openers of 2021, see how they compare below.

Top Electric Slide Gate Openers 2020: Swing, Sliding & DIY

Top 5 Electric Swing Gate Openers

1. BM4024KIT1 24v Up to 4m per leaf

Pros

• Aesthetically unnoticeable
• Can do up to 360 degree with a chain kit
• More secure and resistant to vandalism
• Less tamper proof than a ram as the components are not visible

Cons

• There is groundwork to do which ultimately leads to a higher cost. If the gate already exists then this is easier to automate with RAMs, otherwise the drive will need to be dug up to install.
• Drainage solutions - if not done properly for soakaway the water egress will happen which is not covered by warranty.

2. TOONAKIT4 24v Up to 5m per leaf

Pros

• Easier to retrofit on an existing gate
• Cheaper solution than underground motors

Cons

• Can be a geometry challenge with the fitting for mounting brackets. The gate location must have enough room for the motor to move.
• Aesthetically less pleasing, if on a wrought iron gate for example, as it can be noticeable and impact the design.

3. HYKEKIT1 24v Up to 3.5m per leaf

Pros

• Designed for larger pillars where rams would not work for geometry reasons
• Well prices - one of the cheaper options available

Cons

• Limited with the size and the weight it can withstand.

4. TITAN3724KIT2 24v Up to 3.7m per leaf

Pros

• 90 degree opening in 12 seconds
• Works on continuous cycles per hour – can be used for 100% duty cycle
• Easier access to the internal components due to design at top of the motor

Cons

• Medium priced

5. LFABHSKIT1 24v Up to 4m per leaf

Pros

• 90 degree opening in 6 seconds
• Discreet and sleek - since the motor is underground
• Ideal for intensive use
• Simple programming

Cons

• With high speed the force it can be more dangerous as the reaction time when detecting an obstacle is no faster than the standard motors. The use of safety edges is required.
• High speed motor can only do up to maximum 400kg per leaf whereas the standard underground can do up to 650kg.

Top Sliding Gate Openers

All of the sliding gate openers ranked below have a 2 year warranty from production, built in force detection and encoders.

1. Robus kit 1

Pros

• Fast - 0.31m/s opening speed
• Suitable for weight up to 600kg capacity
• Quiet and very reliable, which can be fitted without professional assistance.
• Adaptable to climate conditions
• Gives diagnostics for bluebus technology
• Bluebus technology for photocells – 2 wires
• Faster than the KBULL624ESA standard beninca kit

Cons

• Programming is through buttons unless OVIEW is purchased to plug in. Buttons can be more difficult and time consuming

2. Robus 500 HS kit

Pros

• Rapid speed - 0.44M/s opening speed
• 500kg capacity
• With use of an OVIEW it can change outputs to close for extra photocells to be wired into panel.
• Gives diagnostics for bluebus technology
• Bluebus technology for photocells – 2 wires
• Intelligent: uses obstacle detection system
• Ideal for urban high-traffic areas

Cons

• Compared to others such as the Bull624T, it is slower and can take less weight
• Programming is through buttons unless OVIEW is purchased to plug in. Buttons can be more difficult and time consuming

3. KBULL624ESA

Pros

• 0.17M/s opening speed
• 600kg capacity
• Built in receiver in control panel
• LCD Display for programming with parameters
• Standard photocells are 180 degree adjustable

Cons

• Slowest speed out of the sliding gate kits
• Photocells have to have 4 wires, encoder and voltage as opposed to bluebus with Nice which is 2 wires

4. K BULL624T

Pros

• 0.41M/S Opening speed
• 600kg capacity
• Built in receiver in control panel
• LCD Display for programming with parameters
• Standard photocells are 180 degree adjustable

Cons

• Photocells have to have 4 wires, encoder and voltage as opposed to bluebus with Nice which is 2 wires

Top DIY Electric Gate Openers

Our top DIY electric gate openers of 2020. DIY gate openers have limited functions when it comes to speed adjustments, opening delays and force. For domestic use however, these features aren’t necessary and make for simpler programming.

1. Filo600

Pros

• Incorporated Limit stops
• 24v up to 600kg (same as robus) in comparison
• Built in receiver for easy programming
• Can take up to 250 fobs

Cons

• If the gate is 600kg then it can only take up to 4m length. It can withstand as much as the Robus 600.
• 0.15m/s opening speed. Half the speed of the Robus kit but more for domestic use.

2. Aria400

Pros

• No welding needed as rams have adjustable brackets
• Built in limit stops
• Most common solution for gates already in place and wanting to automate (domestic use only)

Cons

• Maximum 15 cycles per hour – good as a home solution but not for commercial
• For gates already in place, you must check geometry for fitting. If not positioned correctly it will cause the motor to fail

3. Riva 200

Pros

• The only underground solution
• Up to 60 cycles per hour, which is more durable than any other home kit
• Can take up to 250 transmitters

Cons

• Requires proper drainage solution for undergrounds. Must have a soakaway
• Maximum 250kg at 2.3m length and 400kg at 1.5m length. Quite small for a gate
• For small domestic use only

4. Alto100

Pros

• Gate open time of 7 seconds 90 degrees
• Non reversing motor – curved anti shearing arm
• Arms on the motor can be shortened to maximise the opening angle where there is an obstacle.

Cons

• Maximum 100 cycles a day – which if used for a public gate may not be enough, so domestic use only.

We hope you found this useful. If you're looking at automate an existing gate then browse our electric slide gate openers and top electric gate kits.