Sliding Gate Motor Comparison: BFT Deimos Ultra vs Beninca Bull Fast vs Centsys D6 Smart vs FAAC C720

Australia's best selling sliding gate motors, compared and reviewed by our expert team

If your sliding gate motor was installed in the early-to-mid 2010s, there's a good chance it's approaching the end of its 10 to 15 year lifespan. Grinding noises, stalling mid-cycle, remote dropouts, or ants frying your control board (yes, it happens more than you'd think in Australian summers) are all signs it's time for an upgrade. We sell and install all four of these motors every week, so we know their strengths and trade-offs inside out. In this guide, we compare our full Sliding Gate Motors collection against four standout individual picks: the BFT Deimos Ultra 600kg, Beninca Bull Fast 600kg, Centsys D5 & D6 Smart 500kg & FAAC C720 400kg.

At a Glance

Three of the four individual motors handle gates up to 600kg, which covers the vast majority of residential and many commercial sliding gates in Australia. The exception is the FAAC C720, which is rated for gates up to 400kg on flat ground. If your gate is a heavy steel or timber panel pushing past 400kg, the C720 is not the right fit. For lighter aluminium or standard steel gates under 400kg, it performs exceptionally well. Our broader Sliding Gate Motors collection includes options from 400kg right through to heavier-duty units to 2000kg which are sometime required on residential gates on heavy slopes, so if your gate sits outside the 600kg range, it's worth browsing the full range or giving us a call.

Gate Motor Speed

This is where the differences become dramatic. The new updated BFT Deimos Ultra opens at 16m/min, which is perfectly adequate for most suburban driveways. The FAAC C720 steps it up to 18m/min. The Beninca Bull Turbo lives up to its name at 25m/min, roughly double the BFT's pace. And the Centsys D5 & D6 Smart is the clear winner here at 25 & 36 metres per minute, making it the fastest residential sliding gate motor we've seen.

Speed matters most if your driveway opens onto a busy main road, if you have a longer gate (say 6m+), or if you simply don't want to sit waiting while traffic banks up behind you. For a quiet suburban cul-de-sac, the BFT's 16m/min is perfectly fine.

Smart Home and App Integration

The Centsys D5 & D6 Smart is the standout for tech-savvy homeowners. Its MyCentsys app supports Bluetooth commissioning and integrates with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, so your gate can open as you approach without fumbling for a remote. The BFT Deimos Ultra offers U-Link compatibility for smart home integration and has an expandable slot for Wi-Fi connectivity, which gives it a solid upgrade path, especially considering they have now resolved version 1.0 issues with connectivity.. The Beninca Bull Fast and FAAC C720 don't offer native app control out of the box, though third-party solutions can sometimes bridge the gap with great products like Remootio 3 easily added. Remootio 3 includes both Bluetooth & Wifi connection allowing you to open the gate from anywhere in the world. If Bluetooth app control is a priority, the Centsys D5 & D6 Smart wins this category convincingly.

Security

All four motors include anti-crushing safety and obstacle detection as standard, which is a baseline requirement in Australia. The Centsys D5 & D6 Smart goes significantly further with a patented optional theft-resistant cage engineered to withstand 1,000kg of break-in force, plus a vibration sensor that detects tampering attempts. For properties in higher-risk areas or where the motor is accessible from the street, this is a genuine advantage. The BFT Deimos Ultra & FAAC C720 uses rolling code remotes (which prevent code grabbing). All are solid, but the D5 & D6 Smart's physical security cage can be a point of difference in a high security scenario

Battery Backup and Solar Compatibility

Power outages are a real consideration, especially in regional and semi-rural parts of Australia. The Centsys D5 & D6 Smart comes with built-in battery backup as standard, running on one or two 12V batteries. This is a significant advantage; you don't need to buy backup as an extra, however note that these batteries must be replaced every 3-5 years as the motors will not run without a good battery. The BFT Deimos Ultra, Beninca Bull Fast, and FAAC C720 all support optional battery backup and solar power, but you'll need to factor in the additional cost. If your gate is in a location without mains power, the BFT Deimos Ultra is worth noting as it's specifically designed to run on a efficient BFT Ecosol Solar Kit which is very useful if simple remote control gates are used.

Reliability and Track Record

We've sold and installed over 1,000 BFT Deimos Ultra units, making it our best-selling sliding gate motor over the years. That volume of real-world use gives us enormous confidence in its long-term reliability. The FAAC C720's patented gear reduction system delivers over 80% mechanical efficiency (50% better than traditional systems), which translates to less wear on internal components and a longer service life. The Beninca Bull Fast carries a 3-year manufacturer's warranty, the longest of the four, which signals Beninca's confidence in the product. The Centsys D6 Smart is newer to the Australian market, so it has a shorter local track record, but Centsys (now part of the FAAC Group) has a strong reputation for robust, well-engineered motors. All in all, all of these motors are good quality, backed by manufacturers who are established in Australia and able to provide after sales support as needed over the years.

Mechanical Efficiency and Driveways

The FAAC C720 deserves a special mention for its mechanical efficiency. Its patented mobile-axis gear reduction principle is genuinely innovative, and installers appreciate the spacious internal layout and easy manual release lever. For flat driveways with lighter gates, it's arguably the most refined motor in this comparison. However, if your driveway is sloped, a 24V motor is essential for adequate torque delivery. All four motors here are 24V, but the BFT Deimos Ultra & Centsys D6 Smart is generally work better for light inclined driveways

Warranty and Support

Every motor we sell online comes with our 2-year back-to-base warranty, and installations carry a 2-year on-site warranty. On top of that, the Beninca Bull Fast includes a 3-year manufacturer's warranty. All four brands are Italian-made or Italian-group-owned with Australian-backed support and spare parts availability. This is a genuine differentiator from cheaper, unbranded imports where getting a replacement part two years down the track can be impossible.

The Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

For most homeowners upgrading a standard residential sliding gate (under 600kg): The BFT Deimos Ultra 400kg or 600kg is the safe, proven choice. We've installed over a thousand of them, the reliability is well documented, and the U-Link smart home compatibility gives you room to grow. It's our most popular motor for good reason. The BFT also has the Ecosol Solar Power kit option which is most cost effective if no main power is at the gate. The inclusion of adjustable height 10mm Tru-bolts allows for easy installation & retrofit.

For properties on busy roads or with longer gates: The Beninca Bull Fast opens at more than double the speed of the BFT, and its 3-year manufacturer's warranty is the best of the bunch. If you're tired of waiting for your gate while traffic stacks up, this is the motor to choose. The Beninca Turbo is external transformer 24v or solar power friendly with a premium Lithium solar kit available. One thing to note is the wider footprint of this motor

For maximum speed, smart features, and security: The Centsys D5 or D6 Smart is the most advanced motor here. It's the fastest at 35–36m/min, has built-in battery backup, app control with CarPlay and Android Auto, and a theft-resistant cage rated to 1,000kg. It's also the pick for sloped driveways. If you want the latest technology, this is it. The Centsys D5& D6 are available with external transformer 12v (D5) 24v (D6) & solar power friendly with a lead acid battery optional solar kit in both variations.

For lighter gates (under 400kg) on flat ground: The FAAC C720 is a beautifully engineered motor with class-leading mechanical efficiency and a 100% duty cycle rating. It's a great fit for standard aluminium or lighter steel gates where you don't need the 600kg capacity. The FAAC C720 is external transformer 24v or solar power friendly with a high powered panel solar kit. This FAAC model also comes in a 800kg version called C721 if you need some more power.

Not sure which suits your gate? Browse our full Sliding Gate Motors collection, or get in touch for free, personalised advice. Send us a photo of your current setup and we'll recommend the right motor for your property. Call us, use the live chat, or drop us an email. We're here to help.