Some universal remotes have smart home controls and voice search, making it easier to find shows, movies, and other content across numerous streaming providers.
There aren’t a lot of choices when it comes to the best universal remotes. Overall, the Logitech Harmony Elite universal remote is the best. By far the most dominating player is Logitech, which has a number of models. It can control up to 15 devices, including entertainment system components as well as smart home devices such as smart lights and thermostats.
It boasts Alexa and Google Assistant integration, as well as a touchscreen that allows you to view all of the settings for each attached remote control.
Logitech’s top-of-the-line remote, the Harmony Elite, can control up to 15 devices at once. In addition to physical buttons, it has a color touch screen on which you may quickly select a favorite station. You can even create custom buttons, such as Watch a Movie, to instantly change all of your devices to the proper settings.
The Harmony Elite pairs with the Harmony Hub (optional) to allow you to conceal devices behind a cabinet. It also works with Philips Hue lights and the Smart switches SmartThermostat, among other smart-home products. It can be connected to Amazon Alexa, allowing you to control Harmony Elite with only your voice. It’s also one of the greatest indications.
Specifications
Controlled Devices: 15
50 Favorite Channels
Yes, there are smart home controls
Yes, there is a mobile app.
Alexa is supported.
Dimensions: 7.6 x 2.1 x 1.1 in
5.8 ounces in weight
The Logitech Harmony 665 is the best universal remote for those on a budget, with a little display (not a touchscreen) and buttons arranged around it to rapidly access activities, favorite channels, and more. The on-screen help makes troubleshooting issues a breeze.
The Harmony 665 may be associated with up to ten devices, and the remote can be programmed with up to 23 preferred channels. However, because the Harmony 665 is an infrared (IR) remote, you won’t be able to hide any of your entertainment center’s components, and you won’t be able to manage smart-home devices with it. Those features, on the other hand, may be irrelevant if all you want is an inexpensive universal remote that works well.
SPECIFICATIONS
Controlled Devices: 10
23 Favorite Channels
No, there are no smart home controls.
Alexa-Enabled: No
Mobile App: No
Alexa-Enabled: No
While the Caavo Operate Center can only control four devices at a time, it differs from Harmony’s remotes in that it has a unified interface that allows you to search content on each connected device as well as a variety of streaming services. Even integrates with Sonos, allowing you to control, pause, skip, and browse your Sonos playlists directly from your TV. Streaming services can also be connected directly to the Caavo, eliminating the need for additional streaming devices.
The Caavo remote contains a built-in voice search as well as a separate section with lists of TV and movies organized by others, which Harmony lacks. You’ll need a Caavo subscription to get all of this, but you can acquire the Contro Center and a lifetime subscription for $160.
You don’t need a Caavo Control Center to utilize the Watch With Pals app, which allows you to sync Netflix on Roku, Apple TV, and Chrome browsers so you and your friends can watch episodes at the same time.
SPECIFICATIONS
Controlled Devices: 4
Smart Home Controls: n/a
Favorite Channels: n/a
There is a mobile app (iOS) yes
Yes, Alexa is supported.
Control Center: 10.4 x 5.9 x 1.4 inches, 6.9 x 1.5 x 0.9 inches (remote)
Weight: 2.2 pounds, 3.5 ounces (Control Center) (remote)
The Harmony Companion, like the Harmony Elite, can operate smart-home gadgets as well as your entertainment center. The main difference between the Harmony Companion and the Elite is that the Companion lacks any form of screen, so you’ll have to assign physical buttons to enable features like Watch TV mode.
The Harmony Companion, on the other hand, comes with the Harmony Hub, which allows you to not only hide all of your AV components but also use Alexa and Google Assistant to operate your TV and other devices. We also like that it features a tactile number pad, which the Harmony Elite lacks, making it easy to navigate your cable box to select channels.
SPECIFICATIONS
Controlled Devices: 8
There are smart home controls.
Yes, there is a mobile app (iOS)
Alexa is supported.
10.2 x 5.5 x 3.6 inches in size
14 ounces in weight
The Amazon Fire TV Cube combines one of the best streaming devices with Alexa, allowing you to use Amazon‘s assistant to not only search for shows and programs, but also control your TV, cable box, switch HDMI inputs, and more.
It also has a great 4K HDR image, quick response times, and more as a streaming device. Although the Fire TV interface might use some work (who can’t? ), it gives you access to almost every streaming service you could want. It also includes a physical remote, but you won’t be able to use it to perform all you can do with your voice.
SPECIFICATIONS
Controlled devices: n/a
Yes, there are smart home controls.
there is a mobile app (iOS, Android)
Yes, Alexa is supported.
Dimensions: 3.4 x 3.4 x 3.0 in.
16.4 ounces in weight
The SofaBaton U1 resembles the Logitech Harmony Elite in appearance, and it tries its hardest to perform as well as the greatest universal remote. When your remote is only $49 – a fraction of Harmony’s price — you have to scrimp a little. To begin with, the SofaBaton does not have the same luxurious feel as the Logitech, and the button presses are not as smooth. Programming the SofaBaton U1 also has a learning curve; we’ve tested a lot of universal remotes, and it took us a long time to figure out the U1.
It worked out very nicely once we got everything straightened out. If you’re searching for a universal remote for less than $50, the SofaBaton U1 is a good option.
SPECIFICATIONS
Controlled Devices: 15
No, there are no smart home controls.
The Apple TV’s weakest feature is its remote. It prioritizes form over function. This is a big issue given its minimalist design. Although the Function101 remote does not have the same elegant appearance as the Apple TV remote, it is far more user-friendly. Furthermore, its greater size makes it more comfortable to hold.
Because the Function101 remote lacks a Siri button, you won’t be able to use Apple’s voice assistant to check for shows or enter passwords. But, for $39, it’s a worthwhile tradeoff – at least until Apple comes up with a better solution.
SPECIFICATIONS
3.2 ounces in weight
Dimensions: 6.5 x 1.1 x 0.7 in.
2 × AAA batteries
All Apple TVs are compatible.
Most universal Remotes work with multiple devices, so they can control your TV and cable. A universal remote is a remote control that can be programmed to operate various brands of one or more types of consumer electronics devices.
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