A refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, a door, a door opener, and a controller. The door opener may be attached to a cabinet and include a casing, a push rod, and a position sensor. The controller may be in operable communication with the door opener and configured to direct an opener operation. The opener operation may include receiving an opening prompt for the door opener, directing the push rod forward at a first extension speed in response to the received opening prompt, detecting the push rod at a first threshold between the retracted position and the extended position, and directing the push rod forward at a second extension speed in response to detecting the push rod at the first threshold, the second extension speed being less than the first extension speed.