The Top 5 Universal Remotes
As technology advances, our home entertainment systems get more and more complex. The devices keep piling up. It is now common for people to have a TV, a blu-ray player, a cable or satellite box, a sound system, and one or more streaming devices, such as Apple TV or Roku. Each device comes with its own remote control, and dealing with all the separate remotes can cause quite a headache. You need to figure out which remote goes with which device and keep track of where all of them are. Wouldn't it be so much easier if you could control all of your devices with one remote? Well, you can, with the universal remote control. One remote to rule them all. Simply program all of your devices into the universal remote, and then it is the only remote you need. We reviewed a number of universal remotes to find the best ones out there. Read on for our reviews of the Top 5 Universal Remotes.
GE Universal Remote Control
Across the Universe
Our pick for best universal remote is this one from GE. It’s simple and easy to use, but it has everything you need to control your devices. With this remote, you can control up to four devices at once, such as TV, DVD player, cable, stereo, and so on. This remote is compatible with all the major brands – LG, Vizio, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Toshiba, Sharp, Insignia, and more. It also comes pre-programmed for Roku. For people who like to watch TV in the dark or dimly lit rooms, this remote is completely backlit with blue LED lights, so you can see all the buttons easily, regardless of how dark the room is.
Pros
- Completely backlit
- Compatible with all major brands
- Controls four devices at once
Cons
- Can take a little while to set up
Inteset Universal Remote Control
One in the Hand
This is an incredible universal remote from Inteset. Before we even get to its capabilities, let’s talk about how it feels in your hand. Ever been flipping through the channels, or the options on a streaming service, and the sweat on your hand combined with the hard plastic remote gets really uncomfortable? This remote has a velvet coating on the back to make holding it a much more comfortable experience. It has volume and channel lock options, so you stop anyone else from messing with the volume or the channel. It also has self-adhesive labels, so you can label the buttons you program.
Pros
- Velvet backing
- Volume and channel lock
- Self-adhesive labels
Cons
- Back light turns off quickly
Logitech Universal Remote Control
Top of the Line
For the Cadillac of universal remotes, look no further than the Harmony 950 from Logitech. It can control up to 15 devices but has a feature that will make your life even easier. Even if you have a universal remote, it can get annoying having to toggle back and forth between all your devices to set them all up at the right settings. This remote allows you to program your devices into groups, which are called Activities. So you just have to press “Watch a Movie” or “Watch TV” and this remote will automatically turn on all the right devices and switch them to the right settings. It doesn’t get any better than that.
Pros
- Controls up to 15 devices
- One-touch Activity programming
- Full-color touchscreen
Cons
- Volume and channel buttons are a bit small
Phillips Universal Remote Control
Two In One
This is a spectacular universal remote from Phillips. It won an Innovation Award from the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for its new, unique design, which is patent-pending. It has a cradle on the back for a Roku remote, so you slide it in and keep it securely with your universal remote. The power and volume buttons on the side will work on your Roku device when the Roku remote is in the cradle. The point is, if you have a Roku, this is the universal remote for you. But even if you don’t, this is a very capable universal remote; it operates four devices at once and is compatible with all the major brands.
Pros
- Award-winning design
- Cradle for Roku remote
- Works with devices from the major brands
Cons
- Volume buttons on the side may be cumbersome if you are accustomed to them being on the front
SofaBaton Universal Remote Control
Smart Remote
For another powerful remote with a ton of features, check out this one from SofaBaton. It comes with a Smartphone app that allows you to control up to 15 devices. There is a scroll wheel that gives you the ability to toggle between four different Bluetooth devices at one, such as your TV, satellite or cable box, blu-ray player, Sonos, apple Tv, Roku; the list goes on and on. There is a worldwide database of device codes that get updated in real time, so this remote can find the codes for all of your devices. It also has a learning capability, so it can program devices that are not in the database. Whatever devices you have, this remote has got you covered.
Pros
- Smartphone app
- Scroll wheel
- Worldwide database of device codes
Cons
- Need to point at the devices for it to work
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the remote work with my device?
These remotes will definitely work with all the major brands, and they have extensive code databases for other devices.
What is a Macro?
A Macro is a programmable pattern that allows you to program your remote to do more than one thing with the press of a button. For example, you can program a Macro to turn on all of your devices at once.
Does the remote come pre-programmed?
Some remotes come pre-programmed with the major brands, and some come without any pre-programming. Check the product page for the remote you are interested in to see if it comes pre-programmed.
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.