A LiftMaster remote costs anywhere from $13 for a two-pack of compatible clickers to about $46 for the newest genuine model. The price is not the hard part. The hard part is that about half the remotes sold as “LiftMaster compatible” will not pair with your opener, and the listing rarely makes that obvious.
The fix takes 30 seconds. Climb a step ladder, find the Learn button on the back or side of the motor unit, and note its color. That one color tells you exactly which remotes will work. Everything in this guide is sorted around it.
Quick answer: For most LiftMaster openers built between 1993 and 2025 (yellow, purple, or red/orange Learn button), the LiftMaster 893MAX is the best all-round replacement. If your opener has a white Learn button (Security+ 3.0, sold from late 2025), skip everything else and buy the LiftMaster L993M. On a tight budget with a yellow or older button, the GIOATY 2-pack costs less than a single genuine remote.
Jump to: Check Your Learn Button | Comparison Table | Reviews | Genuine vs. Compatible | How to Program | FAQ | Bottom Line
Step One: Find Your Learn Button Color
LiftMaster has changed its radio system five times since 1993. Each change got a new Learn button color. A remote built for one system will not talk to an opener built for another, even if the plastic looks identical.
The Learn button sits on the motor unit, usually next to the antenna wire or under the light cover. On older units the color fades, so purple can look brown, red can look orange, and yellow can look amber.
| Learn Button | Rough Build Years | Radio System | Which Remotes Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| Green | 1993 to about 1997 | Billion Code, 390 MHz | MAX-series genuine remotes (890MAX, 893MAX), 878MAX keypad, some compatible keypads |
| Red / Orange | About 1997 to 2005 | Security+, 390 MHz | All genuine picks below except the white-only models, plus GIOATY and BeanKOneal |
| Purple | About 2005 to 2014 | Security+, 315 MHz | All genuine picks below, plus GIOATY and BeanKOneal |
| Yellow | About 2011 to 2025 | Security+ 2.0 | All genuine picks below, plus GIOATY and BeanKOneal |
| White | Late 2025 onward | Security+ 3.0 | Only current genuine LiftMaster remotes such as the L993M. Third-party remotes do not pair. |
Sources: LiftMaster’s own remote and keypad compatibility chart (retrieved 2026-09-29) and All Security Equipment’s Learn button guide (retrieved 2026-09-29). Year ranges overlap because LiftMaster phased systems in by model, not on a fixed date.
Can’t see a color? Check the model number sticker on the motor unit and look it up in the owner’s manual. The antenna wire color on many units also matches the Learn button.
LiftMaster Remote Comparison Table
| Remote | Best For | Type | Learn Buttons | Amazon Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LiftMaster 893MAX | Best overall (1993 to 2025 openers) | 3-button visor, genuine | Green, red/orange, purple, yellow | 4.7 (5,145 ratings) |
| LiftMaster L993M | White button (Security+ 3.0) openers | 3-button visor, genuine | White, yellow, purple, red/orange | 4.6 (48 ratings) |
| LiftMaster 892LT | Garage plus old DIP-switch gate | 2-button visor, genuine | Red/orange, purple, yellow | 4.6 (1,386 ratings) |
| LiftMaster 890MAX | Keychain / pocket carry | 3-button mini, genuine | Green, red/orange, purple, yellow | 4.4 (598 ratings) |
| LiftMaster 878MAX | Best keypad (genuine) | Wireless keypad | Green, red/orange, purple, yellow | 4.7 (4,164 ratings) |
| GIOATY 2-Pack Remote | Best budget remote | Keychain, compatible | Red/orange, purple, yellow | 4.2 (3,500+ ratings) |
| GIOATY Universal Keypad | Best budget keypad | Wireless keypad, compatible | Green, red/orange, purple, yellow | 4.2 (3,500+ ratings) |
| BeanKOneal Keypad | Mixed-brand garages | Wireless keypad, compatible | Green, red/orange, purple, yellow (plus other brands) | 4.1 (808 ratings) |
The Best LiftMaster Remotes and Keypads, Reviewed
1. LiftMaster 893MAX – Best Overall for 1993 to 2025 Openers
The 893MAX is the remote most LiftMaster owners already have clipped to the visor, and there is a reason it has more than 5,000 ratings at 4.7 stars on Amazon. It is the “MAX” version of LiftMaster’s 3-button remote, which means it speaks every radio system LiftMaster used from 1993 until Security+ 3.0 arrived. Green, red, orange, purple and yellow Learn buttons all pair with it.
That broad reach is what makes it the safe pick. If you have two garages from different decades, or an older opener at a rental property, one model covers both. The three buttons can run up to three doors, gates, or myQ accessories.
Setup is the standard Learn-button method covered further down, and takes about a minute.
The catch: LiftMaster now lists the 893MAX as a legacy model and has replaced it with the L993M. It is still widely stocked and still works on every pre-2025 opener, but it will not pair with a white-button Security+ 3.0 unit.
Skip this if: your opener has a white Learn button, or you think you will replace the opener in the next year or two. In both cases the L993M is the better long-term buy.
Pros:
- Works with every LiftMaster Learn button color from green to yellow
- Three buttons for multiple doors, gates, or myQ accessories
- Huge rating base (5,145) at 4.7 stars
- Low price for a genuine remote
Cons:
- Does not work with white-button (Security+ 3.0) openers
- Discontinued by LiftMaster, so stock will thin out over time
Buy it on Amazon today with FREE returns
2. LiftMaster L993M – Best for White-Button (Security+ 3.0) Openers
If your opener was installed in late 2025 or later and has a white Learn button, this is the remote to buy. LiftMaster built the L993M to replace the 893MAX, and it pairs with white, yellow, purple and red/orange Learn buttons according to LiftMaster’s product page (retrieved 2026-09-29).
LiftMaster lists a range of up to 1,300 feet in ideal conditions, an operating range of -13°F to 185°F, and one CR2032 battery in the box. On yellow-button openers you can also set it up and manage it from the myQ app, which is handy when you need to delete a lost remote from the system.
Because it also works with older buttons, the L993M is the smarter buy if you plan to upgrade your opener soon. The remote you buy today will still work after the swap.
Two honest drawbacks. First, it is newer, so the Amazon listing only has 48 ratings (4.6 stars). That is a small sample. Second, the Amazon listing we found was sold by a third-party seller at $46.14, above LiftMaster’s own $39.99 list price. Check the seller and price before you order.
Skip this if: you have a green Learn button. LiftMaster does not list green support for the L993M. The 893MAX or 890MAX covers green.
Pros:
- The only kind of remote that pairs with white-button Security+ 3.0 openers
- Also works with yellow, purple and red/orange, so it survives an opener upgrade
- myQ app setup on compatible openers
- 1,300 ft rated range (ideal conditions)
Cons:
- Costs roughly twice as much as an 893MAX
- Small Amazon review base so far
- No green Learn button support
Buy it on Amazon today with FREE returns
3. LiftMaster 892LT – Best for a Garage Plus an Old Gate
The 892LT is a 2-button genuine LiftMaster remote with one trick the others lack: it can copy codes from older DIP-switch remotes. That matters if you have a modern garage opener plus an older community gate or a second opener that still uses a DIP-switch clicker. One remote can run both.
It pairs with red, orange, purple and yellow Learn buttons, per Gatehouse Supplies’ spec sheet (retrieved 2026-09-29). It holds a 4.6-star rating across 1,386 Amazon ratings.
For a single-garage household with no gate, the 893MAX is cheaper and has one extra button. The 892LT earns its spot only when that DIP-switch cloning solves a real problem for you.
Skip this if: you have a green or white Learn button, or you only need to run one garage door.
Pros:
- Learns codes from older DIP-switch remotes
- Genuine LiftMaster, 4.6 stars across 1,386 ratings
- Compact two-button layout
Cons:
- No green or white Learn button support
- Costs more than the 3-button 893MAX
Buy it on Amazon today with FREE returns
4. LiftMaster 890MAX Mini – Best Keychain Remote
A visor remote is useless if you walk or bike home, or if you share a car. The 890MAX is the keychain version of the 893MAX. It uses the same MAX radio, so it pairs with the same green through yellow Learn buttons, and it still has three buttons.
It is small enough to live on a key ring or in a pocket. The listing says the included 3V battery lasts up to five years. It has a 4.4-star rating across 598 Amazon ratings.
The tradeoff is the size. Small buttons are easier to press by accident in a pocket or bag, so check that the door is shut before you walk away. If that worries you, a keypad by the door is the other way to go keyless.
Skip this if: your opener has a white Learn button. Like the 893MAX, the 890MAX stops at yellow.
Pros:
- Genuine MAX radio in a keychain size
- Works with green through yellow Learn buttons
- Three buttons despite the small body
Cons:
- Small buttons can be pressed by accident in a pocket
- No Security+ 3.0 support
Buy it on Amazon today with FREE returns
5. LiftMaster 878MAX Keypad – Best Genuine Keypad
A keypad mounted outside the door means nobody gets locked out when the remote is in the other car. The 878MAX is LiftMaster’s own wireless keypad. Per the listing, it works with LiftMaster openers with safety sensors from 1993 onward across Billion Code 390 MHz, Security+ 390 MHz, Security+ 315 MHz and Security+ 2.0. That covers green through yellow.
It runs on a 9-volt battery and has a temporary PIN feature for a dog walker or contractor. A one-button close lets you shut the door without entering the code. It is rated 4.7 stars across 4,164 Amazon ratings.
At around $53 it costs about three times as much as the budget keypads below. What you pay for is the LiftMaster name on the radio and a much bigger rating base.
Skip this if: you have a white Learn button (look at LiftMaster’s L979M instead), or you only want a keypad for occasional use and the $18 GIOATY covers your button color.
Pros:
- Genuine LiftMaster radio, 4.7 stars across 4,164 ratings
- Temporary PIN and one-touch close
- Covers green through yellow Learn buttons
Cons:
- About three times the price of compatible keypads
- No Security+ 3.0 support
Buy it on Amazon today with FREE returns
6. GIOATY 2-Pack Remote – Best Budget Remote
Two GIOATY keychain remotes cost less than one genuine LiftMaster. For a spare set, a teenager’s car, or a rental where remotes tend to walk off, that price makes sense.
The listing says the remotes work with LiftMaster, Chamberlain and Craftsman openers with a red, orange, purple or yellow Learn button, built from 1993 to now. GIOATY’s product family holds a 4.2-star rating across more than 3,500 Amazon ratings.
Read the limits before you order. GIOATY states the remotes do not work with DIP-switch systems or Genie openers. They do not list white-button support either, so a Security+ 3.0 owner should not buy them. The listed range is up to 164 feet, far less than a genuine remote, though that is still plenty for a normal driveway.
Skip this if: you have a white or green Learn button, or you want the longest range and a brand-name radio.
Pros:
- Two remotes for the price of less than one genuine
- Works with red/orange, purple and yellow Learn buttons
- Large rating base at 4.2 stars
Cons:
- No white or green Learn button support
- 164 ft listed range, much shorter than genuine remotes
- No DIP-switch or Genie support
Buy it on Amazon today with FREE returns
7. GIOATY Universal Keypad – Best Budget Keypad
This is the low-cost alternative to the 878MAX. The listing covers LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Wayne Dalton and Craftsman openers with purple, yellow, red, orange or green Learn buttons from 1993 to now, and it names the 877MAX and 878MAX among the keypads it replaces.
You set a 4-digit code on the keypad and program it wirelessly, so there is no wiring to run. It shares GIOATY’s 4.2-star rating across more than 3,500 Amazon ratings.
GIOATY is upfront about the exceptions: it lists several Craftsman model numbers that are not compatible, says Wi-Fi-only openers are not supported, and states it is incompatible with Chamberlain 3.0 (white button) openers. Check your model against that list before you buy.
Skip this if: you have a white Learn button or one of the Craftsman models GIOATY lists as incompatible.
Pros:
- About one third the price of the 878MAX
- Covers green through yellow Learn buttons
- Clear incompatibility list on the listing
Cons:
- No Security+ 3.0 support
- Some Craftsman models excluded
Buy it on Amazon today with FREE returns
8. BeanKOneal Keypad – Best for Mixed-Brand Garages
If you have a LiftMaster on one door and a Genie or Linear on another, the BeanKOneal keypad is worth a look. The listing covers select openers from LiftMaster, Chamberlain, Craftsman, Genie, Overhead Door, Linear, Wayne Dalton, Stanley and Raynor. For LiftMaster it lists yellow, purple, red/orange and green Learn buttons, plus some DIP-switch systems.
It also has a temporary PIN option. It holds 4.1 stars across 808 Amazon ratings.
The wide brand list comes with a long list of exclusions. BeanKOneal states it is not compatible with white Learn button openers, Overhead Door DIP-switch systems, or Wayne Dalton 303 MHz models, and it asks buyers to check their model before ordering. Take that advice.
Skip this if: you only have LiftMaster openers. The GIOATY keypad or genuine 878MAX is simpler.
Pros:
- Works across several opener brands
- Covers green through yellow LiftMaster Learn buttons
- Temporary PIN for guests
Cons:
- No white-button (Security+ 3.0) support
- Long exclusion list, so check your model carefully
- Smaller rating base than the other keypads here
Buy it on Amazon today with FREE returns
Genuine LiftMaster vs. Compatible Remotes: When the Cheap One Is Fine
Search Amazon for “LiftMaster remote” and most of the first page is compatible brands at $10 to $20 for two. Some are fine. Some are not. Here is how to decide.
A compatible remote is fine when:
- Your Learn button is yellow, purple, or red/orange, and the listing names that color.
- You need spares for extra drivers, a rental, or a car you might sell.
- Your driveway is short enough that a 150 ft range is plenty.
Buy genuine LiftMaster when:
- Your Learn button is white. Third-party remotes will not pair with Security+ 3.0.
- Your Learn button is green and the listing does not say green.
- You want the longest range, or you park far from the door.
- The remote will be your only way in. A keypad or second remote as backup is cheap insurance either way.
One more thing to watch: a remote tuned for one frequency will not pair with an opener on another frequency, even if the Learn button looks the same color. G Brothers Garage Doors (retrieved 2026-09-29) makes this point, and it is the most common reason a “compatible” remote fails. Buy from a listing that names your button color, not just the brand.
How to Program a LiftMaster Remote (Yellow, Purple, Red/Orange)
- Stand on a step ladder next to the motor unit and find the Learn button.
- Press and release the Learn button. The small LED next to it lights up. You now have about 30 seconds.
- Press and hold the button on your new remote that you want to use.
- Release it when the opener lights blink or you hear two clicks. That means the code is saved.
- Step away from the door and test the remote.
Keypads work the same way, except you enter your 4-digit PIN and press Enter instead of pressing a remote button in step 3.
L993M on a yellow, purple or red/orange opener: the steps are different. Per the L993M manual (retrieved 2026-09-29), first hold the two smaller remote buttons for about 6 seconds until the red LED stays on. Then press and release the Learn button, press your chosen remote button twice within 20 seconds, and press any remote button once more within 3 seconds of the door moving.
White Learn button (Security+ 3.0): LiftMaster recommends pairing the L993M through the myQ app by scanning the QR code on the back of the remote. The Learn button also works: press and release it, then hold the remote button within 30 seconds until the lights flash or you hear two clicks.
For keypads, car HomeLink buttons, wall-control programming and a full troubleshooting table, see our step-by-step guide on how to program a LiftMaster remote.
Remote Stopped Working? Check This Before You Buy
A dead remote is not always a remote problem. Before you order a replacement, rule out these:
- Dead coin cell: the cheapest fix. Swap the battery first.
- Lock mode on the wall control: if the wall button has a lock feature and it is on, remotes stop working until you turn it off.
- Opener error code: if the lights on the motor unit are flashing a pattern, the opener is refusing commands for a reason. A 4-6 sensor error, for example, stops the door from closing by remote while the wall button still works. Look up your flash pattern in our full list of LiftMaster error codes.
- Backup battery warning: on battery-backup models, a failing backup battery can cause odd behavior. See our LiftMaster battery replacement guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which LiftMaster remote to buy?
Check the Learn button color on the opener motor unit. Yellow, purple, and red/orange openers work with the 893MAX and most compatible remotes. White-button openers need a current genuine model like the L993M. Green-button openers need a MAX-series genuine remote like the 893MAX or 890MAX.
Is there a universal remote for a LiftMaster garage door opener?
Yes. LiftMaster makes its own universal remote, the L992U, which LiftMaster lists as working with white, yellow, purple, red/orange and green Learn buttons as well as other major brands built after 1993. Third-party “universal” remotes also exist, but none of them list white-button support.
Do third-party remotes work with Security+ 3.0?
No. Security+ 3.0 openers (white Learn button) block third-party remotes and wireless add-ons. Use a genuine LiftMaster or Chamberlain remote.
Will a Chamberlain remote work on a LiftMaster opener?
Chamberlain and LiftMaster are made by the same company and use the same radio systems. A Chamberlain remote built for your Learn button color will generally pair with a LiftMaster opener of the same generation. Check the color on the listing before you buy.
What battery does a LiftMaster remote use?
Most current visor and keychain remotes, including the L993M, use a 3V CR2032 coin cell. Keypads like the 878MAX use a 9V battery. Check the back of your remote or the manual to be sure.
How many remotes can a LiftMaster opener remember?
It depends on the model, so check your manual. If you lose one, erase all remotes from the Learn button and reprogram the ones you still have.
Bottom Line: Which LiftMaster Remote Should You Buy?
- Yellow, purple, red/orange or green button, one remote: LiftMaster 893MAX
- White button, or you plan to upgrade the opener soon: LiftMaster L993M
- Garage plus an old DIP-switch gate: LiftMaster 892LT
- Keychain carry: LiftMaster 890MAX
- Cheap spares for yellow, purple or red/orange: GIOATY 2-Pack
- Keypad, genuine: LiftMaster 878MAX
- Keypad, budget: GIOATY Universal Keypad
- Keypad for mixed-brand garages: BeanKOneal Keypad
If your door will not close from the remote but works from the wall button, the remote is probably fine. Start with our error code 4-6 guide instead. And if the power is out, here is how to lock the garage door manually.
