The Best Universal Remotes: Control All Your Devices with One Click
Universal remotes are a game-changer for managing multiple devices, allowing you to control everything from your TV to your smart home gadgets with a single remote. The best universal remotes offer easy setup, extensive compatibility, and intuitive operation, making them an essential tool for simplifying your home entertainment system. Here are the best universal remotes available in 2024, designed to help you consolidate and control your devices effortlessly.
Logitech Harmony Elite
Specifications
Device Compatibility: Controls up to 15 devices
Smart Home Integration: Compatible with Alexa, Google Assistant, smart home devices
Additional Features: Full-color touchscreen, customizable activities, app control
Pros
Extensive device compatibility, including smart home devices
Full-color touchscreen for easy control
Customizable activities for one-touch operation
Cons
Expensive compared to other models
Discontinued, though still available through some retailers
Why I Recommend It
The Logitech Harmony Elite is often considered the gold standard in universal remotes, offering unparalleled control over a wide range of devices. It can manage up to 15 devices, from your TV and gaming consoles to smart home gadgets like lights and thermostats. The full-color touchscreen simplifies control, while customizable activities allow you to set up one-touch commands, like "Watch a Movie," which powers on all the necessary devices and sets them to the correct inputs. Although it comes with a higher price tag and has been discontinued (though still available through some retailers), its robust feature set and ease of use make it the top choice for those looking to simplify their home entertainment setup.
SofaBaton U1
Specifications
Device Compatibility: Controls up to 15 devices
Smart Home Integration: Compatible with Alexa
Additional Features: OLED display, app control, programmable macros
Pros
Affordable price with extensive device compatibility
OLED display for easy device selection
Programmable macros for custom commands
Cons
Lacks a touchscreen interface
Limited smart home device integration
Why I Recommend It
The SofaBaton U1 is an excellent budget-friendly alternative to more expensive universal remotes, offering solid functionality without breaking the bank. It can control up to 15 devices and is compatible with a wide range of home entertainment systems, including TVs, streaming devices, and gaming consoles. The OLED display makes it easy to switch between devices, and the programmable macros allow you to set up custom commands for simplified control. While it lacks a touchscreen interface and has limited smart home integration, the SofaBaton U1 is a great choice for those who want a reliable, easy-to-use universal remote at an affordable price.
SofaBaton X1S
Specifications
Device Compatibility: Controls up to 60 devices
Smart Home Integration: Hub based for stable connection
Additional Features: Voice control, alexa and google assistant support
Pros
Bluetooth, Wifi and Infrared support
You can customize detailed commands to be automated
Extremely powerful and versatile
Cons
Its expensive
Advanced features take some time to refine
Why I Recommend It
The Sofabaton X1S is as crazy as it is brilliant. It’s so good I bought one and wow, who thought a remote could become such and integral part of home control? I have it set up with my Google assistant, Sonos multiroom sound system, 4 TVs, my hifi system and my home Cinema. this is just unbelievably powerful and the more you get used to using it the more you realize is a unique universal remote that goes beyond basic device control, offering voice control, universal search, and a built-in HDMI switcher.
This makes it incredibly easy to navigate through your devices and content, whether you're switching between streaming services or gaming consoles. The user-friendly interface and intuitive setup process make it accessible to everyone, even those who aren’t tech-savvy. It feels unlimited in functionality and I keep adding my own custom macro switches to dial in the customization of which the options are endless.
Of course there is the issue of the price, an RRP of nearly $200 is hard to understand if you consider the functionality of a TV remote but just understand this really is a whole lot more and makes managing a multi-device household so much more enjoyable.
Inteset 4-in-1 Universal Remote
Specifications
Device Compatibility: Controls up to 4 devices
Smart Home Integration: Limited
Additional Features: Pre-programmed for popular devices, learning mode, macro programming
Pros
Affordable and easy to use
Pre-programmed for popular streaming devices and TVs
Learning mode for customizing controls
Cons
Limited to 4 devices
No smart home integration or advanced features
Why I Recommend It
The Inteset 4-in-1 Universal Remote is a simple, no-frills option that’s perfect for those who only need to control a few devices. It comes pre-programmed for popular streaming devices like Apple TV, Roku, and Xbox One, making it easy to set up and use right out of the box. The learning mode allows you to customize controls, and macro programming lets you create one-touch commands for multiple devices. While it’s limited to controlling four devices and lacks smart home integration, the Inteset 4-in-1 is a reliable, budget-friendly choice for basic home entertainment setups.
GE 6-Device Universal Remote
Specifications
Device Compatibility: Controls up to 6 devices
Smart Home Integration: Limited
Additional Features: Pre-programmed for most devices, easy setup, ergonomic design
Pros
Very affordable with the ability to control up to 6 devices
Pre-programmed for easy setup
Ergonomic design for comfortable use
Cons
Lacks advanced features and smart home integration
Limited to basic device control
Why I Recommend It
The GE 6-Device Universal Remote is an excellent entry-level remote for those who need to control multiple devices without a lot of extra features. It’s pre-programmed for most TVs, Blu-ray players, and streaming devices, making setup quick and easy. The ergonomic design ensures it’s comfortable to hold, even during long viewing sessions. While it doesn’t offer the advanced features or smart home integration of more expensive remotes, the GE 6-Device Universal Remote is a solid, affordable choice for anyone looking to simplify their home entertainment control.
Considerations for Choosing a Universal Remote
When selecting a universal remote, consider the following factors:
Device Compatibility: Ensure the remote can control all the devices in your home entertainment setup, including TVs, streaming devices, gaming consoles, and smart home gadgets.
Ease of Use: Look for a remote with an intuitive interface and easy setup process, especially if you’re not tech-savvy.
Additional Features: Consider what extra features are important to you, such as touchscreen interfaces, voice control, and smart home integration.
Budget: Universal remotes can range from budget-friendly options to high-end models with advanced features, so choose one that fits your needs and budget.
Conclusion
A universal remote can greatly simplify your home entertainment setup, allowing you to control all your devices with a single remote. Whether you opt for the feature-rich Logitech Harmony Elite, the budget-friendly SofaBaton U1, or the simple and reliable GE 6-Device Universal Remote, each option on this list offers something unique to suit different needs and preferences. Consider your device compatibility requirements, desired features, and budget to choose the best universal remote for your home.
