Universal Tv Remote
Felicia Lehoullier
This fully backlit remote can control eight devices and has all the important buttons you need, including three activity controls that allow you to group devices together to watch a movie, listen to music, or watch TV. The layout is clean, albeit somewhat generic-looking, and the buttons are fairly large.
The programming process is old-school, though: You have to manually input codes for your different AV devices and then teach the remote any functions that are missing or executing incorrectly. These steps are not as quick or intuitive as using an app, and the owner manual is not as clear and concise as it could be. But at the end of the process, this remote should be able to do most everything you need it to.
If, on the other hand, your home-entertainment system is built around an AV receiver and multiple source components, and sitting down to watch a movie or play a video game requires shuffling among several remotes to switch inputs and control multiple components simultaneously, a universal remote is exactly what you need.
To test each remote, I program it to control two different AV systems in my home: One is a more basic living-room setup with a Hisense TV, a Polk soundbar, and an Apple TV 4K media player. The second is a more complex home-theater system with an LG TV, an Onkyo AV receiver, an Oppo Ultra HD Blu-ray player, a Chromecast with Google TV, and an Xbox One X. The equipment consists of a mix of traditional IR devices and Bluetooth devices. During my testing, I live with each remote for a while to see how intuitive and reliable it is to use on a daily basis.
The remote communicates with the app via Bluetooth, so the first step in the setup process is to pair the two. Next you add the devices you want to control by choosing from a list of preloaded devices or entering the manufacturer and device name. Sofabaton claims that its code database includes over 60,000 devices and 6,000 brands. The software automatically (and wirelessly) updates the remote with the proper control codes after you add each new device.
I loaded all of my gear from both of my AV systems in just a few minutes, since all of my devices were in the Sofabaton database. At this point, the remote was able to execute most of the basic commands I needed for my devices.
It has all the necessary buttons but no customizable device screen. This Insignia remote looks like your standard stock remote, with a whole lotta buttons taking up every bit of the front-panel real estate. Thankfully, the button layout is logical, with core functions such as volume, channel, mute, home, menu, back, exit, and navigation grouped together near the center. And the buttons are large and decently spaced.
The remote is longer and less contoured than the Sofabaton U2, and I had more trouble reaching all the buttons with my thumb without having to shift the remote around in my hand. But the full backlighting is a welcome addition. The remote requires two AA batteries (not included).
Because this Insignia remote does not support Bluetooth devices, I could not program it to control my Bluetooth-based Google Chromecast, but I was able to use it to control all the other components in my system.
The setup process takes place on the remote itself. Instead of the app-based approach you get with our top pick, this Insignia remote requires that you either manually put it in setup mode and punch in codes to add your devices or initiate an automatic code search for each device button. Either way works, but be prepared to jump back and forth a lot between the remote and the supplied setup pamphlets to follow the instructions.
Universal Remote Control (the company) used to offer a variety of good DIY remotes, but it now focuses on the professional-installation market. You may be able to find some older DIY URC remotes online, but at elevated prices.
The best universal remotes can help clean up the clutter on your coffee table. Instead of reaching for one remote to turn on your TV, another remote to turn on your soundbar, and yet another for your streaming stick, a universal remote can let you control everything from one device.
The X1 has a built-in battery (there's a USB-C port on the bottom of the remote), but it will last for weeks before it needs recharging. I wish it came with a small recharging cradle, which would make things just a little bit easier.
There's also a bit of a learning curve to programming the SofaBaton U1; We've tested a bunch of universal remotes, and it took us quite a while to figure out the U1. Once we got things sorted, though, it worked pretty well. Check out the SofaBaton U1 if you're looking for a universal remote that's less than $50.
Let's face it: The worst thing about the Apple TV is its remote. It prizes form over functionality, which with its minimalist design, is a real pain. The Function101 remote may not look as sleek as the Apple TV remote, but it's a heckuva lot easier to use. And, its larger size actually makes it more comfortable to hold.
Logitech decided to discontinue making universal remotes, which is a shame, because it made the best universal remotes around. However, the company is still supporting its remotes for the time being. If you can find them at a reasonable price, it might be worth picking one up.
More importantly, the best universal remotes can be programmed to control multiple devices at once. Let's say you want to watch a show on your Roku device: You simply press a single button on your universal remote, and it will turn on your Roku streaming stick, turn on your TV and set it to the correct input, and turn on your soundbar or A/V receiver to the right settings.
Universal remotes have become less popular in recent years, as HDMI and CEC (Consumer Electronics Control) have been more widely adopted by TV makers. This technology allows the remote that comes with your TV to control more devices itself, which obviates the need for a third-party universal remote. Still, universal remotes can prove handy, especially if you have older components.
If you've gotten this far, you know by now that truly good universal remotes aren't that common. Logitech's Harmony remotes were pretty much the only game in town, and work well, but now that they've been discontinued, you'll have to look elsewhere unless you can get them at a discount.
When it was available, the Harmony Elite, at the top end, cost around $250, and let you control everything you would want, and has a little touchscreen at the top that makes it easy to switch between watching, say, cable TV to your Fire TV stick to your gaming console. Below that was the Harmony Companion, which originally sold for around $149. It doesn't have a touchscreen, but we liked that it has a physical number pad at the bottom, which is better suited for those who like to punch in channel numbers. Both the Elite and the Companion have dedicated smart home controls, so you can dim the lights easily, and you can also use Logitech's app to control everything if you happen to lose your remote.
If you're looking for something a little different, the Caavo Control Center is an inventive universal remote that acts in many ways like a super-smart HDMI switcher. It also has its own universal voice search, so you can search across multiple devices and services for the program you want.
To test universal remotes, we set them up in our home entertainment system, and connect them to several streaming devices (an Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Cube, Roku Stick) as well as a Dish TV receiver, and a soundbar.
So, after 1 month and a several packs of batteries I got hold of Roku service asking what is wrong as my remote was eating up my batteries. (Remote was dead within 5-10 days NO MATTER WHAT TYPE OF BATTERY USED....
Why you ask? The remote is Wifi and IR.... Once remote is paired to its stick it stays connected to it. NOTE- As long as remote has a connection to a powered up stick it will go into sleep mode when not in use and will not continuedly search for the stick which in return saves remote batteries. (AGAIN -Meaning stick needs to be powered up all the time to keep remote from going into search mode) NO MATTER WHAT KIND OF BATTERY IS USED. ROKU HAD AN ISSUE
They don't make universal remotes that control Roku sticks anymore, Harmony has since stop releasing remotes, their Elite model would be able to control Roku sticks by IP, the internet. If you want Roku controlled be aftermarket universal remote it has to accept IR commands which NO Roku stick can. You mentioned Roku Ultra, that will accept IR from a universal remote. Look at the Inteset 422-3 on amazon:
Sorry on late response but too much equipment to list... I am trying to cut our cable bill out and before I invest into another 4-5 Roku units I needed to decide if I can live with the stick or spend more for the Ultra which allows for IR remotes to work with it. I also want larger remotes that have backlighted keypads. Which at this time, it looks like I need to go with the hockey pucks......
Halo Touch is the new premium universal smart remote by Control4, built to offer the latest technologies and with a refined design to delight any user. The handheld interface includes a host of user-driven features along with thoughtful innovations that are sure to excite.
You will enjoy the ergonomic feel of the remote in your hand, and the tactile response as you use it. With its complete set of backlit buttons, Halo provides comprehensive, yet intuitive control for all your devices and media without becoming intimidating. The non-touch graphical display provides a beautiful user interface that provides access and control for your movies and shows, your music, lights, thermostats, ceiling fans, fireplaces, and so much more!
About Five years ago I purchased a Harmony remote and hub, it's been great. We've not grown and have more than one TV and my plan was to expand the Harmony ecosystem when the time came, but that sadly can't happen.
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