Omlet Smart Automatic Chicken Coop Door vs Run-Chicken T50
Still opening and closing your coop door by hand? That means a trip to the coop at dawn and dusk. If you forget to close it, your flock may be at risk overnight. An automatic door can handle this daily job for you.
Once you decide to automate, start with your coop wall. The Omlet Smart slides sideways, so it needs a wide mounting area. The T50 moves up and down, so it needs room above the opening. Choose the T50 for a lower price and a narrow wall. Choose the Omlet Smart if you want WiFi alerts and remote control. The $199 Omlet is another option if you want a timer but do not need WiFi.
How the prices compare
The T50 costs $129.90 at the maker’s US store. It comes with the door, six wood screws, and two AA batteries. The Omlet Smart Automatic Chicken Coop Door costs $229 and includes WiFi and app controls. The older Omlet Automatic Chicken Coop Door, without WiFi, costs $199. That makes the T50 $99.10 cheaper than the Smart and $69.10 cheaper than the older model. The Smart costs $30 more than the older Omlet and adds WiFi and app control. I checked both stores on October 19, 2026. All three models were in stock. Prices can change, so check before you buy.
The Omlet’s sideways sliding door, two year warranty, separate control panel, and optional power cable are part of the higher price. The horizontal panel is designed to resist lifting, while the T50 uses a motor lock to help keep its vertical door down. Neither design can protect a coop if the frame leaves a gap. A tight fit and secure mounting matter with either door.
How each door fits
The Omlet frame is 19.25 by 16.5 by 2.25 inches. Its clear opening is 7.75 by 11.75 inches, according to the maker’s diagram. The panel slides left or right. You choose the direction when you install it.
The Omlet’s sideways opening needs a wide, flat wall. The maker says it can be mounted on wood, hardware cloth, welded mesh, or chicken wire. It also fits an Eglu Cube or Pro directly.
The T50 has a different shape. Its door is 9.5 by 14 inches, and it needs an opening that is 8 by 10 inches. The maker lists its full open height as 24 inches. It attaches with six wood screws, so you need a wooden frame or a framed cutout. It needs less wall width, but more room above the opening.
If your opening is already 8 by 10 inches, the T50 fits it directly. The Omlet opening is taller at 11.75 inches. It can cover an 8 by 10 inch hole, but the passage stays 10 inches tall unless you enlarge the opening.
Specs side by side
| Omlet Smart | Run-Chicken T50 | |
|---|---|---|
| Price (Oct 19) | $229; $199 without WiFi | $129.90 |
| Door movement | Slides left or right | Moves up and down |
| Frame and opening | 19.25 × 16.5 in frame; 7.75 × 11.75 in opening | 9.5 × 14 in door; 8 × 10 in opening; 24 in full open height |
| Power | 4×AA, up to 6 months; optional power cable | 2×AA included, about 1 year; no power cable option |
| Controls | Light sensor or timer; WiFi app, alerts, and remote control | Sunrise and sunset schedule, timer, and manual control through Bluetooth app |
| Safety | Sensors stop the door if something blocks it | Stops and reverses if blocked, then tries again |
| Build | Shatterproof ABS plastic, IPX6, rated −4°F to 150°F | Aluminum with powder coating, motor lock, Power Mode for ice and debris |
| Warranty | 2 years | Lifetime customer support listed; warranty length not listed |
| Best for | Wide walls, a power outlet, WiFi control, Eglu coops | Narrow walls, room above the opening, battery power, lower price |
Batteries, apps, and controls
The Omlet Smart opens and closes at dawn and dusk using a light sensor. You can also set a timer on the control panel. The extra cost mainly gives you a way to check the door when you are away. The door connects to WiFi and sends alerts when it opens or closes. It also works with Alexa and Google. Omlet says the coop should be within 30 feet of your router for the best WiFi connection. The control panel connects to the door with a 6.5 foot cable, so you can place it where it is easy to reach.
The T50 app uses Bluetooth, not the internet. You can use it at the coop, but not from your office. The app shows the door’s status and battery level. It also lets you set a schedule and move the opening or closing time up to 60 minutes before or after sunrise and sunset. By default, the door opens 15 minutes after sunrise and closes 15 minutes after sunset. You need your phone nearby to control it by hand.
The T50 may last longer on batteries. The maker estimates about one year from two AA batteries. Omlet estimates up to six months from four. These estimates are for mild weather. Cold weather can shorten battery life. If the batteries die at dusk, the flock may be left unlocked all night. I would still plan to change the batteries twice a year, even if the maker’s estimate is longer.
Cold weather can affect both doors. The T50 is made of aluminum. Its Power Mode increases the motor’s force to help move the door through ice, snow, or debris. The Omlet is rated from −4°F to 150°F and has an IPX6 water rating. Its plastic body will not rust. But either door can get stuck if its track freezes. Clean the T50 rails. The Omlet track runs along the bottom of the frame, where bedding and grit can collect if you mount it too low. Install either door above the bedding.
What may go wrong
The Omlet’s track needs care. Pine shavings can collect in the channel at the bottom of the frame. Mount the door high enough to keep bedding out, and check the track when you check the water. The body is made of shatterproof ABS plastic rather than aluminum. The maker’s two year warranty covers the door.
The T50’s rails may collect ice or dirt. Its aluminum body cannot be chewed through by rodents, and the motor lock is designed to resist lifting. Still, the door needs a clear path. Clean the rails as needed. The unit weighs 1.8 pounds and uses six screws, so it is easy to remove for a spring cleaning.
One owner comparison tested both doors for almost a year. The owner found that the Omlet felt heavier and the T50 was faster to install. Both held up in the weather during the test.
The T50 uses Bluetooth, so it cannot send alerts when you are away. The Omlet Smart sends open and close alerts over WiFi. If you travel or want to check the door from work, that $30 difference buys remote alerts.
Choose the Omlet Smart if
- You have a wide, flat wall and prefer a sideways sliding door
- You want WiFi alerts and remote control
- You own an Eglu Cube or Pro
Choose the T50 if
- Your wall is narrow, but there is room above the opening
- Your opening is 8 × 10 inches and you do not want to cut it
- You want the lowest price and are fine with Bluetooth control
Good installation matters more than the brand
An automatic door is only one part of coop security. Keep the coop secure and make sure the door closes fully each night. A $199 door with a two inch gap behind it offers less protection than a $129 door fitted tightly.
Measure the opening, the flat wall around it, and the space the door needs to move. Mount the frame flat against the wall, with no gap a paw could reach through. Cover nearby windows with half inch hardware cloth. If your coop is in a cold area, this guide covers the rest of the setup: cold climate coop setup.
Still deciding whether to buy an automatic door? The guide to the best automatic chicken coop doors compares these models with lower cost options. To compare the door with other coop costs, use the Flock Economics Calculator.
FAQ
Will the T50 fit my existing opening?
The T50 needs an 8 × 10 inch opening. Measure before you buy. If your opening is smaller, you may need to cut a larger one. If it is larger, the 9.5 × 14 inch door may still cover it. Check that the edges overlap before you cut. The T50 attaches with six wood screws, so you need a wooden surface or frame.
Can a raccoon lift the T50 door?
The T50 has a motor lock designed to resist lifting. But a gap around the frame can still let a predator in. Mount it flat against the wall and seal the edges. Cover nearby windows with half inch hardware cloth. The door is only one part of coop security.
Is the $199 Omlet without WiFi good enough?
The $199 model has a light sensor and timer. The $229 Smart model adds WiFi, app control, and remote alerts. Choose the lower cost model if you only need the door to open and close on a schedule. Choose Smart if you want to check the door when you are away.
Does the T50 need WiFi?
No. The T50 uses Bluetooth. You can check and control it near the coop, but not from your office. The Omlet Smart connects to WiFi and can send alerts when the door opens or closes.
Will either door work in winter?
Both doors need a clear track. Keep bedding and dirt away from the moving parts. The T50’s Power Mode can help move the door through ice or snow. The Omlet is rated down to −4°F. A frozen track can still stop either door.
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