The best sliding gate openers

A slide gate opener pulls the gate along its track with a chain. The right one is rated for your gate’s length and weight, and its outage release matches how you need to get in and out when the power is off. Here are five slide operators for gates with power at the gate, from short home gates to 45 ft ranch entrances.

How to choose a sliding gate opener

1. Length and weight. The operator’s rating must cover both. Use our gate weight calculator if you don’t know the weight, then weigh it to check.
2. Outage release. Decide whether the gate should stay locked when the power is off, or open easily by hand. See the table below.
3. Power. All picks run on 115/120 V. Without power at the gate, see our solar gate opener guide.
4. The gate’s hardware. An opener can’t fix a gate that drags. Check wheels, track and rollers first.

Our Gate Opener Finder checks your numbers against the ratings. For swing gates and the full picture, see the best automatic gate openers.

Fail-secure or foot release: what happens when the power goes out

Eagle builds its slide operators with different releases. This is the main difference between models with the same rating, and the one most guides skip.

Release	Eagle’s name	In an outage	Good for	Models we list
Crank to open	Fail-secure (FSC)	Gate stays locked; you open it with a hand crank	Security, unattended gates	Eagle-I, Eagle-1000 FSC, Eagle-2000 FSC
Foot pedal	Foot release (FR)	Step on the pedal and push the gate open	Getting cars out easily	Eagle-1000 FR, Eagle-2000 FR
Push to open	Fail-safe (FSF)	Push the gate open	Easy exit	Eagle makes an Eagle-1000 FSF; our partner doesn’t list it

Fire codes in some areas require a way for emergency crews to get through. A fire department box with a key switch is one option; check with your local fire department. For step-by-step use of each release, see how to open an automatic gate without power.

Track hardware: check it before you buy the opener

A slide opener works only as well as the gate rolls. Before you automate, check:

• Wheels and track. V-groove wheels must roll freely on the inverted-V track. A worn wheel adds drag the opener has to fight.
• Guide rollers. Rollers at the post keep the gate upright and on line as it moves.
• End catch. A catch at the closed end stops the gate lifting off the track.
• Chain. Each opener ships with 20 ft of nickel-plated chain and a no-weld bracket kit. The Eagle-I and Eagle-1000 use #41 chain, per Eagle.

Our partner sells this hardware too, including a bolt-on 4 in V-groove wheel rated to 3,000 lb, 3 in guide rollers, a 2 in end catch and #41 chain. Our cost calculator adds parts, labor and trenching.

Best overall: Eagle-1000 FSC

★ Best overall

Slide gate opener

Eagle Access Control Systems

Eagle-1000 FSC Slide Gate Operator (Fail-Secure)

Best for: Residential slide gates up to 27 ft and 600 lb where the gate should stay locked if power fails

• Gates up to 27 ft and 600 lb
• Power: AC (line voltage), 115 VAC @ 60 Hz, 5.7 A
• UL 325 compliant, per the maker
• Rated Continuous Duty
• 5-year limited warranty
• In the box: 2 remotes, 1 receiver, 1 retro-reflective photo eye

Who it's forHome and light commercial slide gates up to 27 ft and 600 lb, where the gate should stay locked if the power fails.

Skip it ifYou need to push the gate open in an outage (choose the 1000 FR), or your gate is over 27 ft or 600 lb.

Pros

• UL 325 and UL 991 compliant, ETL listed, per Eagle
• Diamond board with anti-tailgate, partial open and auto-close
• 27 ft reach covers most home driveways
• Rated continuous duty, 12 in per second

Cons

• Fail-secure: in an outage you open it with a crank, not by hand
• No battery backup in this AC model; Eagle's DC version is not sold here
• Needs 115 VAC at the gate

Specs from Gate Operators Direct product page, Eagle Eagle-1000 cut sheet (PDF) and Eagle product page: Eagle 1000 FSC, checked Nov 2026.

$1,600–$1,700 at the time of writing (checked Nov 2026)

Check price at Gate Operators Direct

The Eagle-1000 FSC covers most driveway slide gates. Its 27 ft and 600 lb rating goes well past the Eagle-I’s 18 ft and 300 lb, and Eagle lists it as UL 325 compliant. It uses Eagle’s Diamond board, with anti-tailgating, partial open, stop-reverse and an auto-close timer, plus slots for plug-in loop detectors. Travel is 12 in per second, per Eagle. In an outage you open it with the crank; it can’t be pushed open.

Best for outages: Eagle-1000 FR

★ Best for outages

Slide gate opener

Eagle Access Control Systems

Eagle-1000 FR Slide Gate Operator (Foot Release)

Best for: Residential slide gates up to 27 ft and 600 lb where you want to push the gate open in an outage

• Gates up to 27 ft and 600 lb
• Power: AC (line voltage), 115 VAC @ 60 Hz, 5.7 A
• UL 325 compliant, per the maker
• Rated Continuous Duty
• 5-year limited warranty
• In the box: 2 EG642 remotes, 1 receiver, 1 monitored photo eye, 20 ft nickel-plated chain

Who it's forHome slide gates up to 27 ft and 600 lb where you need to get cars out quickly when the power is off.

Skip it ifThe gate must stay locked in an outage, or you'd rather save about $150 with the FSC.

Pros

• Foot pedal releases the gate so you can push it open in a power outage
• UL 325 and UL 991 compliant, ETL listed, per Eagle
• Monitored photo eye included
• Rated continuous duty, 12 in per second

Cons

• Costs more than the fail-secure 1000-FSC with the same capacity
• Anyone at the gate can use the foot release unless it is padlocked
• No battery backup in this AC model

Specs from Gate Operators Direct product page, Eagle Eagle-1000 cut sheet (PDF) and Eagle product page: Eagle 1000 FR, checked Nov 2026.

$1,700–$1,800 at the time of writing (checked Nov 2026)

Check price at Gate Operators Direct

Same rating and board as the FSC, with one difference: a foot pedal that disengages the operator so you can push the gate open. If you lose power and need to drive out, that is quicker than cranking. Anyone at the gate can use the pedal too, so think about whether that matters where you live. The FR comes with a monitored photo eye, two remotes and a receiver.

Lowest price: Eagle-I

★ Lowest price

Slide gate opener

Eagle Access Control Systems

Eagle-I Residential Slide Gate Operator

Best for: Short, light residential slide gates up to 18 ft and 300 lb

• Gates up to 18 ft and 300 lb
• Power: AC (line voltage), 115 VAC @ 60 Hz, 5.2 A
• UL 325 compliant, per the maker
• Rated Continuous Duty
• 5-year limited warranty
• In the box: 2 remotes, 1 receiver, 1 photo eye, Release crank, 2 x 10 ft nickel-plated chain

Who it's forShort, light home slide gates up to 18 ft and 300 lb, where price comes first.

Skip it ifYour gate is over 18 ft or 300 lb, or you want to push the gate open in an outage.

Pros

• Lowest-priced gate operator at Gate Operators Direct
• Rated continuous duty; 12 in per second travel, per Eagle
• Fail-secure: the gate stays locked in an outage until you crank it
• Remotes, receiver, photo eye and chain included

Cons

• Small capacity: 18 ft and 300 lb
• Fail-secure only: you cannot push the gate open without the crank
• Uses the simpler AC Mini board: no partial open or plug-in loop slots
• No battery backup or solar option

Specs from Gate Operators Direct product page, Eagle Eagle-I cut sheet (PDF), Eagle product page: Eagle I and Eagle-I installation and owner's manual (PDF, Rev A, 2025), checked Nov 2026.

$1,300–$1,400 at the time of writing (checked Nov 2026)

Check price at Gate Operators Direct

The Eagle-I is the cheapest operator our partner sells, at about $1,300–$1,400 at the time of writing (checked Nov 2026). It is fail-secure only and uses the simpler AC Mini board: loop detectors go in a separate box, and there is no partial-open mode. Eagle’s cut sheet and product page don’t mention UL 325, but its 2025 installation manual lists the Eagle-I for UL 325 Classes I to IV and shows inputs for photo eyes and edge sensors. For about $300 more, the Eagle-1000 FSC doubles the weight rating.

Best for long gates: Eagle-2000 FR

★ Long gates

Slide gate opener

Eagle Access Control Systems

Eagle-2000 FR 1/2 HP Slide Gate Operator (Foot Release)

Best for: Long slide gates up to 45 ft and 1,000 lb that must open by hand in an outage

• Gates up to 45 ft and 1,000 lb
• Power: AC (line voltage), 120 VAC
• UL 325 compliant, per the maker
• Rated Continuous Duty
• 5-year limited warranty
• In the box: 2 Chrome remotes, 1 long-range receiver, 1 monitored photo eye, 20 ft nickel-plated chain

Who it's forLong slide gates up to 45 ft and 1,000 lb on ranches, estates and small businesses, with an easy manual release.

Skip it ifYour gate is heavier than 1,000 lb (see the 1 HP model in our heavy-duty picks), or it must stay locked in an outage.

Pros

• Foot pedal release; pedal can be padlocked open or closed, per Eagle
• UL 325 and UL 991 compliant, per Eagle cut sheet
• Monitored photo eye included
• Store and Eagle list 7-year limited warranty for residential use

Cons

• No battery backup in this AC model
• Commercial size and price for a single home
• Amperage not listed on the sources we checked

Specs from Gate Operators Direct product page, Eagle Eagle-2000-FR cut sheet (PDF), Eagle Eagle-2000 cut sheet (PDF) and Eagle product page: Eagle 2000 FR 1/2 HP, checked Nov 2026.

$1,900–$2,000 at the time of writing (checked Nov 2026)

Check price at Gate Operators Direct

The Eagle-2000 FR covers long gates, up to 45 ft and 1,000 lb, with the foot-pedal release. Eagle and the store list a 7-year limited warranty for residential use and 5 years for commercial use. The kit includes 20 ft of chain, two remotes, a long-range receiver and a monitored photo eye. For heavier gates, the same opener with a 1 HP motor is rated for 2,000 lb; see our heavy-duty gate opener picks.

Best for long gates that stay locked: Eagle-2000 FSC

★ Long, locked gates

Slide gate opener

Eagle Access Control Systems

Eagle-2000 FSC Commercial Slide Gate Operator

Best for: Long ranch or commercial slide gates up to 45 ft and 1,000 lb

• Gates up to 45 ft and 1,000 lb
• Power: AC (line voltage), 120 VAC @ 60 Hz, 5.7 A
• UL 325 compliant, per the maker
• Rated Continuous Duty
• 5-year limited warranty
• In the box: 2 remotes, 1 receiver, 1 photo eye, 2 x 10 ft nickel-plated chain

Who it's forLong slide gates up to 45 ft and 1,000 lb where the gate should stay shut in an outage.

Skip it ifYou want to push the gate open by hand when the power is off.

Pros

• 45 ft reach for long driveways and ranch entrances
• UL 325 and UL 991 compliant, per Eagle cut sheet
• Diamond board; heavy size 60 gear reducer
• Store lists a 7-year limited warranty for residential use

Cons

• Fail-secure: crank to open in an outage; cannot be pushed open
• No battery backup in this AC model
• Needs 120 VAC at the gate, which is a long trench on many ranch drives

Specs from Gate Operators Direct product page, Eagle Eagle-2000 cut sheet (PDF) and Eagle product page: Eagle 2000 FSC, checked Nov 2026.

$2,000–$2,100 at the time of writing (checked Nov 2026)

Check price at Gate Operators Direct

The Eagle-2000 FSC has the same 45 ft and 1,000 lb rating as the FR, with a crank instead of a foot pedal. Eagle says it can’t be pushed open in an outage. It runs on 120 VAC at 5.7 A, per the store page. The kit ships with two 10 ft lengths of chain, two remotes, a receiver and a photo eye.

Full specs

Safety and installation

• Edges and photo eyes. A slide gate can trap a person or a hand against the post or fence, in both directions. Eagle’s Eagle-I manual recommends a reversing edge or photo eyes for the opening direction, and notes UL 325 requires these devices to be monitored. See our UL 325 guide.
• Positive stops and clearance. The same manual calls for positive stops at both ends of the track, at least 3 in of clearance from walls when open and 4 in of overlap when closed.
• If it acts up. Our Eagle troubleshooting page collects Eagle’s fault table, board LEDs and reset steps.
• The gate itself. ASTM F2200 covers how automated gates are built. Eagle’s manual says slide gate openings should be screened up to 6 ft so a 2 1/4 in ball can’t pass through, and exposed rollers guarded.
• Power. These operators need a 115/120 V circuit at the gate. Have a licensed electrician run it, and check the wire size with our wire size calculator.
• Installing it. Our sliding gate opener installation guide covers the pad, chain height and sag, settings and sensors.